Attracting more than half-a-million visitors and over 1,200 wine growers, the Bordeaux Wine Festival, June 18 – 21, is one of the many cultural and historical celebrations throughout France in 2020. In addition to the fireworks and the Tall Ships Regatta, the festival features a “Weekend des Grands Cru” that offers tasting opportunities from over 110 Grand Cru wines in the heart of the city, on the banks of the Garonne. Participants can meet château owners, attend dinners at their homes, and tour their vineyards.
European Waterways is inviting travelers to visit the famous wine growing region to enjoy the festival; then join them for a six-night, all-inclusive cruise aboard the 8-passenger luxury hotel barge, Rosa.
Guests can be picked up in Bordeaux on Sunday afternoon, when the festival concludes, and transferred to the hotel barge, moored about an hour away, to begin their cruise along the Canal de Garonne.
“This is the perfect opportunity for guests who want an immersive educational experience on Bordeaux wine from the very people who produce it,” said Derek Banks, managing director of European Waterways.
“After the festival, the ‘wine education’ continues aboard Rosa. Our guests will be treated to the finest local vintages to complement every meal, with a hostess that explains each selection. We also offer our own wine tasting excursions and tours of renowned Bordeaux wineries.”
Banks added: “If you want to learn about Bordeaux wine, the Rosa cruise is the one for you!”
Another option, noted Banks, is to take a cruise prior to the festival and “stick around” to participate in the festivities a few days later. These guests will be well-prepared to get the most out of the festival experience, having already been personally introduced to dozens of local vintages during the cruise.
Savor the Best of Bordeaux
In addition to producing some of the world’s most prestigious wines, the Bordeaux and Gascony regions of France enjoy a rich gastronomic tradition. Rosa’s six-night cruise is a gourmand’s delight that introduces guests to some of the regions’ best culinary offerings through gourmet meals prepared onboard by the hotel barge’s master chef, who uses fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.
Guests will see the wine harvest in full swing on Rosa’s classic Bordeaux itinerary in the summer and fall. Highlights include a wine, cheese and Armagnac tasting excursion, as well as a visit to the Château de Duras, a former Middle Age fortress that today houses historic artifacts and is host to concerts, plays and art exhibitions. They will cruise on the Plan Canal D’Agen, one of France’s longest aqueducts. Guests will also tour the village of Saint Émilion, a UNESCO World Heritage site thanks to its unique combination of soil and climate that are perfectly suited for winemaking.
Rosa also cruises the neighboring Gascony region in the spring and makes an excellent alternative to a Bordeaux cruise – or an additional cruise to those who wish to be well-versed on the wines of Southwest France. Rosa’s classic Gascony itinerary includes a private tasting at Château Bellevue la Fôret winery, an excursion to a renowned Armagnac producer, and a visit to Moissac and its UNESCO-classified abbey.
20% Off Special
European Waterways is offering up to 20% off cabin and charter prices on select departures of Rosa in Southwest France throughout the spring and early summer, when numerous festivals, concerts and exhibitions take place. With these specials, cabins start at $3,720 per person, representing a saving of $930 off the starting price of $4,650 per person, based on double occupancy. Charter prices start at $27,440 based on eight passengers, featuring a saving of $6,860 off the $34,300 starting price. Similar savings are available throughout European Waterways’ extensive fleet in Europe, valid when booked by March 30, 2020. For a complete list of specials, visit www.europeanwaterways.com/special-offers-2/