Luxury River Cruises - Wine Tasting with a Twist

If you never thought the words ‘luxury’ and barge’ went together, think again. Spend an idyllic long weekend in romantic Dijon on a modern, super luxurious, 8-person barge, soaking in the best of picturesque France (no boating experience required).

This is barging at it’s best, miles away from rainy-days-in-Norfolk. Enjoy top notch cuisine and quality local wines, while meandering along France’s most beautiful canal.

Your four-day itinerary will take you from the limestone cliffs and fairytale villages of the Valley of the Ouche on Friday, to the wine capital of the Cote d’Or on Monday. Wake up to warm village-baked pastries on board, and spend the days visiting local markets, tasting wine in historic chateaux and hopping on the barge’s bikes to explore the stunning French countryside (wine-consumption depending). Expert guides, top quality wines, gourmet food and super-stylish accommodation all add up to make this break a lot of fun.

glide through dijon’s wine region

After being collected from Dijon airport any time on a Friday afternoon, you’ll be chauffered to the barge in Fleury-sur-Ouche, a classic village nestled on the Canal de Bourgogne, and settle in to your luxury surroundings. Spend the first night as you mean to go on: indulging in a slap-up meal at a local restaurant recommended by our in-the-know guides. All your wine tasting and excursions over the next three nights and four days are included in the cost, so all you have to do is sit back, sip the vino and soak up the sun-dappled views. Bliss.

Float past limestone cliffs in the unhurried and authentic Valley of the Ouche, visit the dramatic village and chateau of Chateauneuf-en-Auxois perched high on a hill, explore it’s cobbled streets, peek into private gardens, and tour the haunting chateau.

You’ll stop at wine presses to learn the intricate wine-making process (and sip some more), and visit chateaus where monks originally picked and fermented the grapes in the 12th Century. After long lunches (with exquisite vintages to compliment, naturellement) chose to relax on deck, take a stroll, or explore the local area by bicycle.

On the Sunday you’ll take an afternoon cruise through gorgeous scenery to La Bussiere-sur-Ouche, where the village will bring you back in time: think whitewashed brick walls and terracotta tiled roves. The Grand Finale of your trip will be on the Monday, at the enchanting Beaune: wine capital of the Cote d’Or.

Here, the immaculately preserved Hospice de Beaune, a historical and stunning building now a museum of the art, religion and wine of the local area. Truely fascinating.

the long weekend with a difference

Talk about making the most of your time off. This trip involves only being away from your desk on a Friday and Monday, giving you a break long and atmospheric enough to truely indulge and forget the daily grind. Love wining, boating and serious relaxation? What more could you ask for?

May - September