Taste All 33 Grand Crus of Burgundy with Orient-Express' Afloat in France

  • April 10, 2011
Taste All 33 Grand Crus of Burgundy with Orient-Express' Afloat in France
Orient-Express' Afloat in France is offering wine-lovers a trip of a lifetime aboard the Amaryllis barge with its “Grand Cru” cruise. The six-night voyage enables guests to taste the 33 Grand Crus of Burgundy – an otherwise near impossible feat – including Bonne Mares, Montrachet, and Romanée-Conti. Traveling from St. Léger to Dijon, guests can enjoy the flora and fauna of Burgundy, such as swaying birch trees and kingfishers and kites.

After boarding in St. Léger sur Dheune, the barge floats past quaint towns, stopping in Rully, Chalon-sur-Saône, St. Jean de Losne, Longecourt, and finally, Dijon. In Chalon-sur-Saône, visit Domaine Joseph Drouhin's cellar where the King of France and the Duke of Burgundy stored wine. In Longecourt, venture to the Drouhin-Laroze estate in the commune of Gevrey Chambertin where a Burgundian dinner (think boeuf bourguignon and coq au vin) is served in the family cellar along with the winemaker's choice of Grand Crus.

Departure dates are Sunday, July 17 and Sunday, July 24 (with the second itinerary sailing from Dijon to St. Léger), and rates start at $10,000 per person based on two sharing, inclusive of meals, wine, excursions, and round-trip transfers from Paris.

Afloat in France consists of five spacious barges that travel through France's beautiful canals and rivers. These penuche-hôtels hold between four and 12 guests, and their various routes wind deep into the country past hidden villages and remote landscapes of Burgundy, Provence, and Languedoc. Alouette, Amaryllis, and Fleur de Lys are private hire only, while Hirondelle and Napoleon give the option of private hire or cabin only.

To book, contact Orient-Express Centre, The Americas, Trains & Cruises at 800-524-2420 or email greatjourneys@oeh.com.