FINE WINE & FUN IN FRANCE

When it comes to wine, few countries can compete in quality and popularity with France. European Waterways’ luxury hotel barge cruises include at least one excursion to some of the most prestigious vineyards in the world, while every gastronomic meal aboard the hotel barges is paired with carefully selected local vintages.

“We’re continuously enhancing our wine excursions because they are one of the best ways for our guests to understand the ‘spirit’ of the French people and their passion for the grape,” says Derek Banks, managing director of European Waterways. The ultradeluxe eight-passenger luxury hotel

barge Finesse is one of the company’s most contemporary and spacious vessels. Cruising the River Saône and Canal du Centre in Southern Burgundy, the Finesse trip features two wine excursions during its six-night cruise. Its newest excursion is to one of Burgundy’s oldest wine companies, Maison Champy, which was established more than three centuries ago.

The journey also features a tour and private tasting at the Domaine Chanzy. Founded nearly a century ago, it is one of Burgundy’s largest wine estates with 80 hectares of vines growing over three hillsides. europeanwaterways.com