Luxury Cruise Lines
Review of the Viking Burgundy River Cruise Through France
Article by Ellen Mc Nulty
France’s scenic Saône and Rhône Rivers take you past some of the most beautiful vistas in the French countryside.When I boarded the Viking Burgundy in Avignon (the reverse cruise), I wasimpressed not only with the ease of reaching the port, but with the ship andthe efficient staff. After a welcome drink, we found our spacious upper levelcabin, located just a few steps from the dining room.
I quickly learned whatmakes river cruising so different from ocean cruising. Although both are stressfree, the ease of traveling by river allows you to reach some less known andauthentic countryside. There is nothing to compare with awakening to a new portjust outside your door. The Viking Burgundy docked in the center of town, aconvenient way to stroll though town and return on our own to the ship wheneverwe chose.
This cruise had it all – good food, vineyards, castles and Roman monuments (ThePont du Gard is so famous that it is on the reverse of the Euro note.) Avignonis a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its medieval walls and historicalmonuments. The Palace of the Popes was the highlight. Arles, has a Roman Arena, which is still used for Spanish bullfights. Arlesalso inspired more than 200 paintings and 100 drawings by Vincent Van Gogh, wholived in the city from 1888 to 1890.
The Roman aqueduct of Pont du Gard was anhour or so by motorcoach from here, and well worth a visit.We visited Beaune, the capital of Burgundy’s wine country: The Hôtel-Dieuof the Hospices de Beaune, a hospital from the Middle Ages that was built in1443 to care for sick and starving residents of the town. You can still see therooms and red draped beds where patients received care until the 20th Century,and the building itself is a beautifully preserved Gothic masterpiece with anarcaded courtyard and a multicolored tile roof. Chalon, where the tour ended, was the birthplace of photography in 1822.
It waseasy to reach Paris from here, or to join the Normandy cruise (which we did nothave time to take).Good things: up close docking for some of the most historicallyimportant towns and villages, included shore excursions with English speakingknowledgeable guides, good and varied menu, interesting table companions (withfreestyle seating, so you meet different people each day).
Some things to consider: I am fond of quiet evenings. However, unlikelarge cruise ships, there are no Broadway style shows, or big nameentertainment. Evenings are spent participating in Trivia contests, playingbingo, and listening to a 2 or 3 piece local band.
Ellen Mc Nulty can be found on line at http://www.cruisetourplanners.com
About the Author
Ellen Mc Nulty can be found on line at http://www.cruisetourplanners.com