Bordeaux & Beyond: Top Viking River Cruises for Wine Lovers
By Tully Luxury Travel | 04-26-2024 |
When you unwind and indulge in a wine-forward river cruise down the rivers of France with Viking, you set sail for a total sensory experience. This is a luxurious feast for not only the palate but also the eyes. And it sure seems like wine tastes better when you’re enjoying it within view of the bucolic vineyards of its origin.
Viking knows well the riverbanks of France that produce some of the world’s best wine, full stop. Their cruise guests sail in total cultural immersion, meeting local vintners and discovering new places. You will learn about wine-making techniques and have exclusive access to some of the most private estate facilities. The fact that France has some of the best food in the world only adds to the fun – these sailings are indeed a full gastronomic pleasure.
With these three top cruises, Viking has perfected the art of river cruise wine wandering, where you can just taste the history with every sip.
Bordeaux Return: Châteaux, Rivers & Wine
Why not indulge your passion for wine by going right to the source? On this eight-day river cruise through Bordeaux, you can enjoy Saint-Émilion, Médoc and Sauternes with the local vintners who create it. Stroll through the vineyards, tasting Grand Cru and Premier Cru wines at their place of origin. The itinerary couldn’t be more perfect for those who want to dig deep into the histories and cultures of some of the most exclusive wines in the world.
Viking guests can acquaint themselves with the ports, farms and forests of Aquitaine. Unique opportunities to savor oysters from the bay at Arcachon, hunt for truffles in Périgord or create your own blend of Cognac in Cognac are all part of the agenda. You will learn about the history and traditions of winemaking in Médoc, and pair glasses with the decadent traditional foods that have made these regions some of the most influential in the culinary world. A dip into the Cadillac wine region caps off a week of the finer side of Bordeaux life.
From Paris to Vienne: France’s Finest
This 15-day trip combines two popular Viking routes into one. The adventure uncovers the chic splendor of Paris and the histories of Normandy, while indulging you in the foremost food and wine in Provence and Lyon. You will explore the winding streets of Paris, drinking in not only the wine, but also the enticing joie de vivre. The historic beaches of Normandy are next – Omaha, Juno and Gold beaches – revealing the sites of World War II, followed by the Gothic tales of Rouen.
Reaching Lyon, the gastronomic capital of France, you savor classic home-style bistro specialties – fluffy quenelle dumplings, salade Lyonnaise, coq au vin, andouillette sausage and more. Lyon’s culinary heritage is second to none. Beaujolais wine country is next, revealing bucolic countryside, local wines, luscious truffles and château charm. The valleys of the Rhône showcase a world of wine glory, an olfactory sensation almost eclipsed by the lavender fields of southern countryside.
From Avignon to Lyon: Lyon & Provence
When you sample wine at Châteauneuf du Pape, all other wine experiences may pale in comparison. Provence and Lyon are the focus of this eight-day river cruise, with an itinerary that is perfect for lovers of art and architecture, as well as for connoisseurs of fine wine – the finest, in fact. Imagine medieval towns, stunning castles and cobblestone alleys, paired with truffle hunts, cheese farms and all the local wine you can fathom.
This Viking voyage begins in Avignon and a visit to The City of Popes, the world’s largest Gothic palace, an architectural wonder. Step within the stadium tiers of a 2,000-year-old Roman arena that is still in use today in Arles. Hike through the vineyards of the Rhone Valley and visit fascinating medieval towns, untouched by the war, before reaching Lyon, the palate-pleaser of all of France.
This is a river cruise worth savoring.
Your Tully Travel Designer can get you on the gangway of any of these amazing Viking river cruises now. If you haven’t experienced France like this before, now is your time. When you see the sights that inspired some of France’s most celebrated artists, the hillsides and meadows will remain in your mind’s eye for years to come.