Day
1 - Sunday: Dijon to Escommes. Meet
at a specified hotel in Dijon at 4:30 pm. Transfer to the elegant barge hotel
moored in Escommes to begin your cruise through Burgundy. Meet the crew at a champagne
reception on board and perhaps enjoy a stroll into Escommes before dinner aboard
the barge.
Day
2 - Monday: Escommes to Crugey.
Begin your cruise this morning from the canal summit in Escommes, some 1,250 feet
above sea level, and cruise to Crugey. Later in the morning, your wine guide will
board the barge for an introductory talk on the vineyards of Burgundy and a demonstration
to help everyone master wine tasting techniques.This afternoon, visit the 13th-century
Chateau de Commarin, where the de Vogue family ownership goes back 26 generations.
Glimpse the glamorous lives of the French aristocracy as you visit the chateau,
the stables and the landscaped gardens. Dinner on board the barge.
Day
3 - Tuesday: Crugey to La Bussière. Morning
drive with your wine guide from the barge to the world famous vineyards of the
Côte de Beaune. Stop at the Grand Cru vineyard of Le Montrachet to visit
a wine-producing family in the village of Puligny-Montrachet. Your private cellar
tour concludes with a tasting of some of the world's greatest white wines. After
the tasting, drive into Beaune to tour the magnificent 15th-century Hospice de
Beaune. Return to the barge for a late lunch and afternoon cruise. Dinner on board.
Day
4 - Wednesday: La Bussière to Gissey-sur-Ouche.
Morning tour of the hilltop medieval village of Chateauneuf-en-Auxois. The original
square keep of the chateau, built in the 12th century, is surrounded by structures
added a few centuries later in a flamboyant late Gothic style. Exclusive tour
this afternoon of the magnificent 12th-century Abbaye de la Bussière. After
a Kir Royale aperitif in the private music room (the former chapel), enjoy lunch
in the vaulted Michelin-starred restaurant while enjoying the sommelier's choice
of local wines. Return to the barge and cruise to Gissey-sur-Ouche. Light dinner
on board.
Day
5 - Thursday: Gissey-sur-Ouche to Fleurey-sur-Ouche.
After breakfast, cruise to Fleurey-sur-Ouche. In the afternoon your wine guide
will take you to Clos de Vougeot, headquarters of the Chevaliers du Tastevin,
who each year award a prized special label to the finest Côte d'Or vintages.
Drive past legendary Grand Cru vineyards that produce such wines as Romanée
Conti (the most expensive red wine in the world). Next, stop at the family-run
Domaine Jafflin in the heart of Nuits-St-Georges on the Route des Grands Crus.
A tour of the aging cellar is followed by a tasting of their exceptional pinot
noir wines, including Vosne Romanée, Nuits St George and Gevrey Chambertin.
Dinner on board the barge.
Day
6 - Friday: Fleurey-sur-Ouche to Dijon.
Morning
cruise to Dijon. After lunch, enjoy a walking tour of old Dijon and visit the
flamboyant 14th-century Ducal Palace, a fine example of early 17th-century classical
French architecture. Or, if you prefer, you can do a little shopping. Captain's
Farewell Dinner aboard the barge.
Day
7 - Saturday: Dijon.
After breakfast, transfer to the Dijon train station or downtown Dijon.
On
alternate weeks, cruise will be in the reverse direction. This
itinerary is subject to change without notice and may be adapted to special requests.
Highlights
- Professional
wine guide: introduction to Burgundy wines and tasting techniques
- Onboard
wine list upgraded to include additional Premier
Cru and Grand Cru wines
- Private
cellar tour and tasting at Puligny-Montrachet
- Clos
de Vougeot visit
- Wine
tasting at Domaine Jafflin in Nuits-St-Georges
- Visit
the Abbaye de la Bussière, with lunch in Michelin-starred restaurant
- Visit
the Chateau de Commarin
- Tour
the Hospice de Beaune
- Visit
the medieval village of Chateauneuf-en-Auxois
- Walking
tour of old Dijon and Ducal Palace
For
additional details and registration, see the main Burgundy
- Vougeot cruise description.
