Add Avalon Waterways to the listing of journey firms working journeys by means of the famed Bordeaux wine area.
The well-known river cruise operator this week will start its first sailings on France’s Garonne and Dordogne rivers, which lower by means of the vineyard-filled area recognized for among the world’s best-known crimson wines.
Happening on Avalon’s 128-passenger Avalon Artistry 2, the seven-night voyages will start and finish within the riverfront metropolis of Bordeaux, the area’s capital, beginning on Tuesday.
Stops on the sailings will embody the river cities of Cadillac-Sur-Garonne, Libourne, Bourg and Blaye, which is able to function leaping off factors for visits to the numerous wineries within the area but additionally different points of interest together with historic websites.
“Clearly individuals take into consideration Bordeaux and take into consideration the wine, and that is a giant a part of the expertise. [But] we needed to create one thing that had greater than that,” Avalon president Pam Hoffee stated Sunday throughout a press convention on board Avalon Artistry 2.
The press convention got here throughout an abbreviated, four-night preview of the brand new itinerary for media and journey brokers that included a style of among the experiences in retailer for passengers.
As TPG noticed first hand in the course of the preview, these included a number of excursions that concerned visits to wineries and wine tastings, from a wine-blending class at a vineyard with professional vintners to a wine and chocolate tasting at a chateau within the famed Margaux part of the Bordeaux area. However in addition they included non-wine-related excursions to such historic websites as the huge seventeenth century Citadel of Blaye, a UNESCO World Heritage Web site.
As is typical for Avalon journeys, the tour decisions additionally included lively choices equivalent to a prolonged hike by means of the vineyards of the Margaux space (beginning on the entrance gate of Chateaux Margaux, one of many world’s greatest recognized wineries) and a motorbike tour by means of the vineyards across the historic and wine-focused city of St. Emilion.
Throughout the press convention on board, Hoffee stated Avalon was making an attempt to do the area otherwise than a few of its rivals by providing excursions to uncommon spots such because the seaside city of Arcachon, recognized for its Victorian villas and oyster farms. Vineyard excursions and tasting have been designed to be extra intimate and off-the-beaten-path, she advised.
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“We will small family-owned wineries and actually having an immersive expertise,” she stated.
As is all the time the case with Avalon journeys, all of the excursions together with the vineyard excursions and tastings are included within the value of the cruise.
Initially constructed to sail the Rhine River, the place it has been primarily based since 2013, Avalon Artistry 2 underwent a significant overhaul earlier than being moved to the Bordeaux area. The makeover introduced contemporary decor in public areas, from flooring to furnishings; a revamped sky deck with all-new furnishings; and upgraded web service in addition to different enhancements.
Like all vessels at the moment within the Avalon fleet, Avalon Artistry 2 is a part of Avalon’s Suite Class of ships, which started debuting in 2011.
The vessels within the collection are recognized for his or her giant numbers of extra-wide cabins referred to as Panorama Suites that supply a extra panoramic view of passing surroundings than the usual rooms you may discover on many different river ships.
Associated: Why I feel Avalon Waterways has the very best cabins in river cruising
Avalon Artistry 2 has 52 of those Panorama Suites, which provide 200 sq. toes of residing house. That is about 30% extra sq. footage than the usual river ship cabin.
Avalon has lengthy touted the Panorama Suites as a key differentiator between its vessels and people of different river strains in Europe that cater to North Individuals. The suites make up almost 80% of the cabins on Avalon’s ships and have a number of uncommon options. Amongst them: floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall panoramic home windows that stretch 11 toes broad and open up 7 toes broad.
Based in 2004, 21-year-old Avalon is thought for a younger fleet of ships with a classy, up to date design, and Avalon Artistry 2 isn’t any exception. Public areas characteristic trendy furnishings, clear strains and plenty of glass partitions that flood the areas with gentle.
At 361 toes in size, Avalon Artistry 2 is smaller than most of Avalon’s ships, which generally measure about 443 toes in size and maintain as much as 166 passengers. That offers it a very intimate really feel.
Avalon is simply the most recent main river line so as to add river cruises by means of the Bordeaux area. A number of of its largest rivals together with AmaWaterways, Viking and Uniworld Boutique River Cruises have been working within the area for a few decade.
Like different river cruise strains that cater to North Individuals, Avalon has grown notably over the previous twenty years. With a number of additions in recent times, it now has 15 ships in Europe. It additionally operates one ship in Asia on the Mekong River and sells journeys on the Nile in Egypt and the Amazon in South America, too.
Fares for the brand new seven-night Bordeaux area sailings begin at $2,830 per particular person.
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