New for 2007, the luxurious Amaryllis barge will pay a private visit to the vineyards of Joseph Drouhin near Beaune, one of the best wine makers in the Burgundy region and the cellar where the King of France and Duke of Burgundy used to store wine. Orient-Express is the only cruising company to offer this tour (visit www.drouhin.com for more information).
France’s world famous wines are a huge draw, and each Afloat in France journey allows ample opportunity to explore the countless vineyards. For example, visit the Château la Nerthe on the way from Avignon to Lyon, where your guide takes you for a tasting of the wines of Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Another offering is a dégustation in Vougeot and a visit to “Clos de Vougeot,” a medieval château surrounded by vineyards. This is the headquarters of the Chevaliers du Tastevin, whose special label is awarded annually to the finest Côte d’Or vintages.
The gourmet experience during a cruise with Afloat in France goes well beyond the wine, with five-course candlelit dinners served on board that feature a combination of the chef’s original recipes, regional specialties and seasonal delicacies. Each itinerary also includes numerous excursions that allow guests to explore the gastronomic riches of France. For instance, during the Napoleon’s Arles to Tain l’Hermitage journey, guests stop at St Rémy and enjoy olive oil tasting in a traditional 18th century “Provencal Bastide” where 15,000 olive trees grow. On another morning, the chef takes guests to discover a traditional French market in La Voulte. The itineraries travelling through Dijon make a stop at this historic town for a guided walking tour that includes a visit to the market and the famous Grey Poupon mustard shop, while a cruise through Languedoc-Roussillon might include a visit to the wonderful market in Narbonne, a vibrant Mediterranean city that is an important wine producing centre.
The Napoleon will operate two new routes in July and August 2007 on the Rhône and Saône rivers between Tain l’Hermitage and Chalon-sur-Saône in Burgundy. This itinerary will have particular appeal to wine enthusiasts, as it reaches into the heart of Burgundy, one of the most important wine regions in France. Daily activities include exclusive access to vineyards and visits to local markets, a tour of Lyon, France’s second city, and a visit to the famous Valrhona Chocolatiers, considered the world’s best chocolate.
A six-night journey on the Alouette starts at £2,080 per person in 2007, cruising the tranquil Canal du Midi between Béziers and Carcassonne. For those who wish to explore the enchanting medieval city of Carcassonne at greater leisure, consider adding on a night or two at the Hôtel de la Cité, an Orient-Express Hotel that is nestled in the city’s ramparts between two historic landmarks, the Romanesque Château Comtal and the Gothic Basilica of Saint-Nazaire, and set in its own beautiful gardens.
ENDS
For further information on all Orient-Express péniche cruises with Afloat in France call 0845 077 2222 or visit www.orient-express.com
For further press information contact Anna Nash (anna.nash@orient-express.com) 020 7921 4050 or Polly Hills (polly.hills@orient-express.com) 0207 921 4064.
Images are available on request or visit www.orient-expressimages.com
Note to editors:
The fleet of luxurious barges is fully staffed, can accommodate six to 12 guests and all are available for private hire with a number also bookable on a per cabin basis. All itineraries are fully inclusive and tailor-made to reach into the heart of rural France, with Burgundy, Provence, Languedoc-Roussillonand the Rhone Valley featured in the 2007 schedule. The 2007 season runs from April 1 to October 21.
Language: English 
