Rhone cruise is a feast for the senses
LAZY lunches, fine food and tastings of glorious wine and cheeses — what could be richer in French joie de vivre than a river cruise in the Mediterranean south?
France knows how to do the good life, and the Rhone and Soane rivers, flowing through Beaujolais country, have long been at the centre of its famous bon
viveur lifestyle. They provide a captivating tapestry of culinary hotspots, world-famous vineyards and half-timbered medieval towns.
Add in the pleasures of drifting south in warm sunshine, sighting beautiful panoramas of sunflowers or endless rows of fragrant lavender along the way, and you’d be hard pushed to find a more rewardingly indulgent itinerary.
Even better, the 2019 Sensations of Lyon and Provence itinerary, from awardwinning Emerald Waterways, includes a visit by a finalist of Top Chef (the French equivalent of Masterchef), who will join the ship to cook a fabulous Provencal meal for all guests.
While the itinerary is as gastronomic as it gets, there’s much else to see and do besides.
Lyon itself is known as the unofficial world capital of cuisine — and you might choose to mooch through cobbled streets to hunt out one of its traditional bouchon restaurants, which serve up a warm welcome with old-fashioned dishes, coupled with local wines.
There’ll be wine-making customs to uncover and perfect selfies to take in the idyllic, fairytale town of Chalon-surSaone, the birthplace of photography — while Beaune is blessed with some of France’s finest 15th-century buildings. Sail onwards on the Rhone proper to Tournon, in the Beaujolais heartlands.
Here and at Viviers, the cruise offers the included option of bike tours or walks through renowned vineyards, as well as wine, cheese and olive tastings on board.
In Avignon, discover the Unesco-listed Palace of the Popes and the famous bridge. And further fabulous sightseeing awaits in Roman Arles, home to a 2,000-year-old amphitheatre and backdrops featured in Vincent Van Gogh’s famous paintings.
What’s more, fantastic food, wine, beer and soft drinks are included in the cost of the cruise (as are excursions, tips, wi-fi and much more).
So you’ll be able to work your way around the ship’s restaurants, sampling everything from a hearty buffet breakfast and alfresco lunch on the terrace, to a five-course dinner at night. Contemporary and stylish, and offering flawless service, Emerald Liberte is just a year old and carries 138 passengers.
Days might start with a light swim in the indoor heated pool, where a retractable glass roof makes the most of the warmer climate. Or wander here after dinner when it transforms into a cinema, perhaps after sinking a few balls on the putting green.
Elegant staterooms and suites are capacious havens, with deeply comfortable beds and luscious linens. And many have their own all-weather balcony — perfect for watching France slip quietly by, a glass of local wine in hand.
So Emerald Liberte is the perfect vehicle for a relaxing and enriching cruise through these sublime Mediterranean stretches of France — a journey that’s a true feast for the senses.