Author Archives: Jan European Barging & River Cruises

Clos de Vougeot – The Headquarters or Center of Burgundy Wine

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The Clos de Vougeot vineyard is located in the Cote d’ Or area which is the most popular part of Burgundy, France. This wall-enclosed vineyard was named after River Vouge, which is only a stream separating the village Vougeot from Chambolle-Musigny. Despite being a tourist magnet, Clos de Vougeot is authentic and easy to visit unlike most Burgundy estates. The 12th-century Clos de Vougeot is the birthplace of the wine tradition in Burgundy. It served as the flagship vineyard of the Cistercians, and has been a highly recognized name for centuries.  Clos de Vougeot is a medieval chateau and serves as the headquarters of the Chevaliers du Tastevin, the famous Burgundian wine society.  It is the largest single vineyard in Cote de Nuits that is entitled to the Grand Cru designation.

The wines of Clos de Vougeot became famous when the Cistercians tended the entire vineyard and produced the wine. In producing Clos de Vougeot, the Cistercians first produced cuvées from the different parts of the vineyard, and then blended them to produce a high-class wine. Typically, wine from the top and middle parts would be used, and only occasionally would the bottom part be used for the final Clos de Vougeot wine. Wine from lower down the slope can be better in dry years, so this blending practice allowed the production of a wine that should have been consistent in quality.

There is a fine museum with changing art exhibits. Situated on ground level, the cellar and the vat house are both models of architecture and form a cloister around a small central courtyard with four enormous oak wine presses, used by the Cistercian monks. Part of the vat house dates from the twelfth century; others date from earlier centuries.  It was classified as a national monument in 1949 and opened to the general public.

Located just north of Dijon, Clos de Vougeot is offered as an excursion on several deluxe and ultra- deluxe barges offering French canal cruises in the Burgundy region of France.  The six passenger Après Tout and Fleur de Lys both offer wine tasting and visit to the chateau on this French barge cruise.

Luxury French barges Napoleon and Hirondelle Save with 30% Discount

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The twelve-passenger Napoleon is one of Europe’s finest small river cruisers, combining all the amenities of a luxury hotel with the friendly ambiance of a country inn.  The beautifully appointed large picture windows of this luxury barge cruise provide amazing views of the countryside. She takes you on a lovely voyage along the River Rhône.  Aboard Napoleon, you’ll forget about time as you gaze on views of the French countryside.

This part of Provence is famous for never-ending vistas of tiled roofs, historic monuments, lavender fields and olive groves. This region has a sophisticated culture dating back to Roman times.

Excursions lead to the wine region of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and the delightful towns of Avignon and Arles. Visits to St Rémy, birthplace of Nostradamus, and the ancient sites of Pont du Gard and Glanum are also part of the action-packed agenda.

Napoleon, the luxury Provence barge cruise offers you every facility you can think of aboard a barge cruise.  A sun deck with Jacuzzi and exercise equipment is located on the top deck while the main deck contains the salon, dining room and one state cabin. The beds are king-sized doubles, which can be arranged as twins if desired. In suite bathrooms are fitted with a pedestal basin, a shower stall, and a flush pumped water closet.

The Hirondelle is equally wonderful and enriched with all amenities as Napoleon. She cruises in Southern Burgundy on the Canal du Centre, the River Saone and the Canal du Rhone au Rhin between Chagny and Besancon. Along this route, you will enjoy a wine tasting at Chateau Chassagne Montrachet, a visit to Beaune with its famous Hospice, as well as visits to the quaint town of Dole and beautiful old city of Besancon.

This eight-passenger Burgundy barge cruise has four beautifully appointed staterooms, three with twin beds and one with a double bed.  Each stateroom has a private bathroom with shower as well as large windows that open well above the waterline. There is a spacious living room/dining salon, sun deck with lounge chairs and sheltering umbrellas, stereo, games, writing desk and reading material. The Hirondelle provides bicycles for cycling along the towpath and into villages, and has a minibus for excursions to local landmarks.  The large windows and the sundeck on the top deck of the Hirondelle make it easy for you to enjoy the passing scenery.

In the evening, your crew prepares an elegant five course gourmet dinner graced by fine wines and cheeses that are unknown outside of France. Dining aboard the Hirondelle is among the highlights of the cruise. Our five-course candlelit dinners are a  special treat. You will enjoy a buffet style continental breakfast, large lunch including pâtés, cheeses, cold meats, tarts, terrines and salad. Dinners are always plated with at least four courses and complementary wines.

Barge Cruising on the River Thames

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The eight passenger Magna Carta is one of the finest, most luxurious vessels cruising the British Isles. Before Magna Carta came into existence, the only way to enjoy the space and facilities of the very finest floating hotels was to take a barge vacation in France, or some of the other European rivers and canals. Magna Carta began river cruising in 2002 and it is like a dream come true for many cruise lovers. The design and facilities provided inside this luxury barge are excellent and once you board it, it’s sure to be an experience of a lifetime!

The ambience created by combining a traditional barge hull (1936) and fine mahogany, teak and oak woods is outstanding. The most sophisticated modern amenities include air conditioning, under floor heating, color TV/DVD and exceptionally spacious contemporary en-suite facilities in the four full width staterooms. The upper deck saloon and dining areas sport picture windows and stylish furnishings, and there is a Jacuzzi on the upper sun-deck. The saloon and sun decks are much larger than expected and give you the space to really relax and unwind.

Her experienced Captain knows the Thames well and your Master Chef will produce a range of mouth-watering dishes, while you navigate England’s Royal River enjoying the sights of London and the Home Counties from your luxury floating hotel. Two housekeepers complete the crew of four.

Only eight passengers are allowed in Magna Carta unlike other European barges so that there is no overcrowding and each passenger gets the maximum in terms of service and space.  In addition to the great staff and superior accommodations, the Magna Carta offers a wide range of great barge cruise themes:
Golf Cruises, Chelsea Flower Show Gardens Cruise, Hampton Court Flower Show Garden Cruise, Tennis Cruises, Antiques Cruises, Art Workshop Cruises, Ghost & Ghouls Cruises, World War II Cruises, Walking Cruises, West End Theatre Cruises – including after performance back stage parties and private dinners with producers and theatre critics.