Only one sip of this extraordinary wine and I notice it was all value ready for.
Like a painfully sluggish sommelier, the river cruise business has been gradual to convey the beautiful glories of Bordeaux to these of us who’ve thirsted for them.
The award-winning Avalon Waterways has modified that with its 8-day Bonjour Bordeaux: Chateaux, Wineries & Charming Villages, a magical crusing that plies the scenic Garonne and Dordogne rivers for a celebration of historical past, tradition, delicacies and, after all, wine.
The itinerary, a brand new one for Avalon Waterways, which boasts 79 itineraries throughout 13 rivers in 23 international locations, was established as a direct results of previous passenger requests by way of the road’s “Want Checklist” survey. And never solely are friends delighted with Bonjour Bordeaux however Bordeaux, which was seeking to improve river cruising within the area, is as effectively.
Like all Avalon Waterways sailings, Bonjour Bordeaux brings with it an abundance of worthwhile “extras” like complimentary wines (very good Bordeaux wines, after all) with lunch and dinner in addition to complimentary beers, wines and revolutionary cocktails at joyful hour, a staggering assortment of included shore experiences and free Starlink Wi-Fi.
The Ship: Artistry II
Artistry II shouldn’t be a newbuild, however you’d by no means understand it. Initially launched in 2013, this 4-deck, 128-guest river ship was refurbished in 2024 to replicate the up to date Avalon Waterways type—mild and vivid however with a decidedly homey really feel created by a impartial shade scheme accented with splashes of shade and welcoming touches like throw pillows and glowing desk lamps. Even a glimpse on the smooth exterior of Artistry II reveals the ship’s emphasis on floor-to-ceiling home windows, home windows that flood the ship with mild and supply ever-changing views of the structure, charming villages and luxurious vineyards alongside its route.
That is an intimate river cruise expertise aboard a ship that’s easy to navigate. A small health middle is situated on deck one, whereas the primary eating room is situated on the deck above. Company head to deck three for cocktails, socializing and dancing on the Panorama Lounge ahead or observe the deck aft to the Membership Lounge for 24-hour self-serve coffees, teas, scorching chocolate and snacks in addition to the river ship’s provide of books, playing cards and video games. When the solar is shining, the Sky Deck with its ample provide of lounge chairs and its lined seating space is the proper place to sit down again and watch the spectacular surroundings. (These with mobility points ought to be aware that whereas Artistry II does have an elevator, the Sky Deck is probably not accessed by it.)
How Suite It Is!
The vast majority of Artistry II’s lodging are Panorama Suites, and there are two full decks of them. At 200 sq. ft, the Panorama Suite is 30% bigger than suites discovered on different river ships and that’s not the place the distinction ends. The bigger suite measurement is the results of Avalon Waterways’ ingenious “open air balcony” idea, a floor-to-ceiling window that slides open a full seven ft to create the texture of a balcony with out lowering the room’s measurement. This bigger residing area permits Artistry II to place every suite’s heavenly Consolation Assortment mattress to face not the room’s wall, however the ever-changing view outdoors—Avalon’s river ships are the one ones able to doing this! And, talking of that Consolation Assortment mattress, its firmness could also be custom-made– very mushy, mushy, agency or very agency—by the location of a mattress pad that covers its complete floor, eliminating that pesky groove that’s usually created when two single beds are transformed to a double. A flatscreen satellite tv for pc TV with English language channels and over 50 free film choices is tucked within the nook of every suite, your sitting-area desk could also be adjusted greater or decrease to the proper consolation degree and within the bathtub you’ll discover luxurious L’Occitane toiletries in addition to bathtub linen equipped in two completely different colours, making it straightforward to determine your towels from these of your journey associate.
A Style of Bordeaux
An necessary a part of the Avalon Waterways expertise is visitor selection in…effectively…all the pieces! The idea begins with eating. In contrast to many river ships which designate a agency meal time, aboard Artistry II, you might arrive on the lavish Panorama Eating room at any time between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Breakfast and lunch (buffet type, supplemented by a separate menu) provide the same two-hour window so you’ll be able to let starvation, not the clock, be your information.
Not within the temper for a proper four-course dinner? Go for lighter fare on the Panorama Bistro tucked on the rear of the Panorama Lounge or take pleasure in a lightweight dinner al fresco on the Sky Bistro.
It’s not stunning that eating aboard Artistry II is mostly very good—we’re in France! Dinners embrace a selection of appetizers, soups, salads, entrees, desserts and cheese and, in any respect meals, wholesome delicacies choices together with vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and dairy-free can be found. (I need to say, nevertheless, that vegans and vegetarians would possibly need to re-think these dietary restrictions–the filet mignon served aboard Artistry II was one of the best I’ve ever had!)
Ashore? Energetic and Extra!
It’s a unhappy actuality that even some devoted followers of cruising consider that rivers are a stodgy mode of journey characterised by frail seniors boarding crowded motor coaches for a fast cease at touristy websites alongside the route. Avalon Waterways shatters that picture!
In 2017, Avalon Waterways added a choice of decidedly lively shore experiences to its riverboat sailings and Bonjour Bordeaux is not any exception. In Fort Medoc, I take part in a four-mile stroll (at a very good clip!) by Chateau Margaux, passing vineyards, beautiful chateaux and fields of grazing wildlife earlier than ending the expertise with an outstanding wine tasting and delectable charcuterie at Chateau Angludet. The next day, a few of us hop on an e-bike (Artistry II maintains a fleet of them in all sizes for the various heights of its friends) for a vigorous experience by the rolling landscapes.
It’s no marvel Avalon Waterways attracts friends who, at 60 years previous, are a mean 10 years youthful than these discovered on different river ship strains!
However even the much less lively visitor can look to Artistry II for shore experiences that shatter the norm. Together with the “Energetic” experiences which can be among the many 20 complimentary shore choices, friends could select from “Basic” ones that go to an space’s hottest websites (some together with a lavish lunch, oyster or wine tasting) or “Discovery” ones that unearth some lesser-known gems alongside the route.
In Bayle, our “Discovery” is hosted by Leslie Kellen, an eccentric South African who admits to having moved to Bordeaux particularly for the wine. Wine professional and writer Kellen and his internationally famend artist and wine maker associate Clarissa, present us with a style (actually and figuratively) of their huge enterprises: a vineyard, a formidable artwork gallery, a classic automobile assortment, Le Petite Cave wine bar, wine cellars and the 2 luxurious residences that could be booked by guests to this beautiful city. Our group shouldn’t be aggressively inspired to make purchases even on the inviting wine store—in actual fact, as a memento of our extraordinary expertise, Kellen takes a seat and personally indicators a duplicate of his guide, My Little World, for every of us!
Mr. Kellen–his data, humor and communication expertise–is typical of the Avalon Waterways shoreside host. As an organization geared completely to English-speaking friends, I discover a lot of our guides to be “locals” who initially hailed from an English-speaking nation however who’ve resided in Bordeaux for many years. It’s really one of the best of each worlds!
With Artistry II, Avalon Waterways has delivered the extraordinary Bordeaux we’ve all been ready for. For lovers of wine, meals, tradition and historical past, it’s time to odor, swirl, sip…and say Bonjour Bordeaux!
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A free two-night Paris extension is accessible on choose Bonjour, Bordeaux sailings.
The 8-day itinerary can be accessible in two- and three-week choices: the 15-day French Masterpiece with Paris, Normandy & Bordeaux; the 22-day France Uncorked crusing alongside the Rhone, the Seine & Bordeaux or one other 22-day itinerary, France Uncorked, which sails the Rhine, Seine, Garonne and Dordogne rivers.
See cruises right here: Avalon Artistry II
‘About’ and extra Avalon Waterways cruises
Cowl photograph, the ship, Artistry II, by Avalon Waterways, credit score Avalon Waterways
- AVALON-Artistry II-Panorama Suite: A room with a view! credit score Avalon
- AVALON-Deluxe Stateroom Rest room: Two colours of bathtub linen forestall towel mix-ups! credit score Avalon
- AVALON-Drinks: Get pleasure from creative cocktails in addition to extraordinary wine aboard Artistry II credit score Avalon
Pictures and descriptions credit score author Judi Cuervo:
- Panorama Lounge: The Panorama Lounge, the social coronary heart of Artistry II
- Sky Deck: Company head to the Sky Deck for solar, leisure and spectacular views.
- Vineyards: A stroll by the world-renowned vineyards of Bordeaux.
- Wine Tastings: Swirl, sip and style extraordinary wines!
- ebikes: Artistry II’s fleet of ebikes permit lively shore experiences!
- filet mignon: Extraordinary eating…at no matter time you want!
- Killen-E-book Signing: Writer, wine professional and Artistry II tour host Leslie Killen items every of us with an autographed copy of his guide!
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