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 Cruising the Waterway of France
Before the advent of cars and trains, the waterways of Europe were its commercial highways. Goods and people were transported from area to area by boat. As a result of this trade, villages and towns grew along the riverbanks and prospered. Cruising these waterways allows you to enjoy these villages, towns and the countryside close up.
For over one thousand years, the great rivers of Europe – the Seine, the Rhine, the Danube and more - have been the travel and trade routes of choice. To this day, great castles, magnificent cathedrals, and elegant cities tempt travelers to step ashore from river cruises. Stroll the picturesque villages of Bordeaux and Burgundy, glory in the tulip fields of Holland, and explore the great museums and palaces of the Russian Czars. Wherever rivers lead, we allow you to enjoy the best of Europe from a delightful and unique perspective.
Bellow you have a sample description of two cruses from the whole variation of cruses available. For more information please contact Varsovia Travel.
 Paris & Champagne Region -
 Two days in Paris, then a three night cruise aboard the 'Libellule' from Condé sue Marne to Château Thierry
6 days • Paris/Paris
- Our Gold’s Travel Value Includes
- Two nights in Paris at the Hotel Relais Mercure Bercy including buffet breakfast daily
- Transfer from Paris to Condé sur Marne
- Three nights in an outside cabin
- All meals on board ship
Open bar on board
- Sightseeing program as detailed in the day-by-day itinerary, including: Paris Evening illumination tour; Champagne Wine tasting in the Moët & Chandon cellars; Reims Gothic cathedral; Vaux-le-Vicomte Magnificent château and formal gardens
- Gold flight bag and portfolio of travel documents
Itinerary
Day 1, Wed. PARIS, FRANCE.
Upon arrival in France’s romantic capital, Paris, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. This is one of the world’s most important and beautiful cities. The balance of your day is free to begin exploring its grand monuments and elegant boulevards, shops, bistros, sidewalk cafés and fine works of art.
Day 2, Thu. PARIS.
A full day free in the “City of Lights.” Explore one of the many superb museums, shop along the boutique-lined Champs Elysées, relax in a café or visit the artists’ district of Montmartre. This evening, enjoy a guided tour of some of the most beautiful and famous sights in Paris, spectacularly illuminated. A delightful way to view this romantic city that you will never forget. (B)
Day 3, Fri. PARIS / CONDÉ SUR MARNE.
Transfer by motorcoach from Paris to the Libellule moored in Condé sur Marne. The scenery changes gradually as you leave the bustle of Paris behind and cross the fertile rolling hills of the Champagne region. You will arrive at the Libellule towards the end of the afternoon. The crew welcomes you with an apéritif. There is time to settle in or stroll into the village of Condé sur Marne before dinner. (B,D)
Day 4, Sat. CONDÉ SUR MARNE / DORMANS.
Cast off during breakfast and cruise along the Canal Latéral à la Marne. The towpath, which was once used by horses, mules and even people hauling heavily-laden barges, still exists along this part of the canal and several locks make it possible to disembark and stroll alongside the barge or take a bicycle into one of the nearby villages. After gliding past the village of Dizy, the last canal lock takes the barge into the river Marne. Cruise into Epernay, center of the champagne wine trade, and moor close to the town center. After lunch, stroll to the Avenue de Champagne. Visit the cellars of Moët and Chandon, enjoy a tasting of their fine wines and champagnes. Afterwards there will be time free to explore the town before returning to the Libellule. Cruise to moor at Cumières. This charming riverside village is overlooked by the former Benedictine monastery of Hautvillers where the celebrated brother cellarman Dom Pérignon first blended grapes to make champagne as we know it. (B,L,D)
Day 5, Sun. CUMIÈRES / CHÂTEAU-THIERRY.
Continue cruising downstream this morning. The steep-sided river valley is quite narrow here, its slopes covered in vineyards and dotted with picturesque villages. Moor after lunch and disembark at the village of Dormans. A motorcoach will take you for an afternoon visit to the cathedral at Reims. Next, visit the cellars of one of the great champagne houses (such as Veuve Clicquot, Pommery, Mumm or Taittinger) and enjoy sampling their sparkling wine. Return to the Libellule for a short evening cruise into Château-Thierry, your mooring for the evening. (B,L,D)
Day 6, Mon. CHÂTEAU-THIERRY / PARIS.
Disembark after an early breakfast and journey by motorcoach to Vaux-le-Vicomte. Visit the magnificent château built here in the 17th century by Fouquet, Louis XIV’s minister of finance. Continue coaching, arriving in Paris at approximately 1:00 p.m. Extra nights are available if you wish to extend your stay in Europe. (B)
Chablis Cruise
 Cruise aboard the ‘Litote’ through the lovely Chablis region of Burgundy where sumptuous foods and cheeses and superb wines have made this part of France world renown
7 days • Paris/Paris
Brendan Gold’s Travel Value Includes
- Six nights in an outside cabin
- All meals on board ship
- Open bar
- Sightseeing program as detailed in the day-by-day itinerary, including: Semur en Auxois Excursion; Abbey of Fontenay A UNESCO World Heritage site; Auxerre Fine Gothic cathedral and historic center; Tanlay Splendid Renaissance château; Chablis Home of the famous wine and private tasting
- Brendan Gold flight bag and portfolio of travel documents
Itinerary
Day 1, Sat. PARIS / VENAREY.
Transfer by motorcoach from the Hôtel Régina in Paris at 1:45 p.m. to the Litote moored in the canal port at the village of Venarey. The crew welcomes you on board with an aperitif. There is time to settle in or stroll into the village before dinner on board. (D)
Day 2, Sun. VENAREY / MONTBARD.
Cast off during breakfast and cruise along a tree-lined stretch of canal. Moor at the hamlet of Les Granges and take the coach from here to Semur en Auxois, center of the Auxois district. The Auxois, once famous for its wines, is today an area of verdant pastureland and rolling hills topped with forest and ancient stone-built villages, landscapes often compared to those of Tuscany. After a guided walking tour of this charming medieval walled town, enjoy some free time to visit the 14th century church, shop or relax at a café. Return to the Litote at les Granges for lunch and a peaceful afternoon cruise along the valley of the river Brenne. Moor in the evening in the charming town of Montbard. (B,L,D)
Day 3, Mon. MONTBARD / RAVIÈRES.
After breakfast, travel to the Unesco World Heritage listed Abbey of Fontenay for a tour. Return to the barge for lunch and cruise out of Montbard. Glide through the valley of the River Armançon and rich pastureland inhabited by the famous white Charolais. Moor for the evening at Ravières. (B,L,D)
Day 4, Tue. RAVIÈRES / ANCY LE FRANC.
Cast off early and cruise through pastoral scenery to the village of Ancy le Franc. Take a coach for an afternoon excursion to the old town of Auxerre. See the fine gothic cathedral, the Romanesque church and Carolingian crypt of the Benedictine abbey of St. Germain. After a guided walking tour, there will be free time to stroll though the narrow cobbled streets of the medieval city center with its shops and boutiques. Return to the boat for dinner on board at your mooring in the village of Ancy Le Franc. (B,L,D)
Day 5, Wed. ANCY LE FRANC / TANLAY.
Cruise during the morning and over lunch to Tanlay. From your mooring in the village, a short walk brings you to the richly furnished Château of Tanlay for a guided tour. Afterwards there will be time to explore the village before making a leisurely stroll back to the boat. (B,L,D)
Day 6, Thu. TANLAY / TONNERRE.
A short motorcoach ride brings you to the famous wine region of Chablis. After a brief stop at the picturesque town of Chablis, continue to a private cellar for a wine tasting. Returning to the barge, an afternoon cruise takes you to Tonnerre. You may want to disembark in this market town to admire the 13th century charity hospital, the medieval churches of St. Pierre and Notre Dame, and an unusual 18th century circular washhouse, the Fosse Dionne. A Farewell Gala Dinner will be held on board this evening. (B,L,D)
Day 7, Fri. TONNERRE / PARIS.
After breakfast, a motorcoach transfer will take you back to Paris, arriving about 12:30 p.m. Extra nights are available if you wish to extend your stay in Europe. (B)
All routes, schedules and activities are subject to change without notice depending on water levels, port accessibility, weather conditions, canal or lock repairs or other unforeseen circumstances.
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