There’s a new option for touring France's premier wine region — one you’ll want to try
Editor's Note
Add Avalon Waterways to the list of travel companies operating trips through France's famed Bordeaux wine region.
The well-known river cruise operator will begin its first sailings on France's Garonne and Dordogne rivers, which cut through the vineyard-filled region known for some of the world's best-known red wines, this week.
Taking place on Avalon's 128-passenger Avalon Artistry II, the seven-night voyages will begin and end in the riverfront city of Bordeaux, the region's capital, starting on Tuesday.
Stops on the sailings will include the river towns of Cadillac-Sur-Garonne, Libourne, Bourg and Blaye, which will serve as jumping-off points for visits to the many wineries in the region but also other attractions, including historic sites.
"Obviously people think about Bordeaux and think about the wine, and that's a big part of the experience. [But] we wanted to create something that had more than that," Avalon president Pam Hoffee said Sunday during a press conference on board Avalon Artistry II.
The press conference came during an abbreviated four-night preview of the new itinerary for media and travel agents that included a taste of some of the experiences in store for passengers.
As TPG saw firsthand during the preview, available experiences include lots of excursions that involve visits to wineries and wine tastings, from a wine-blending class at a winery with expert vintners to a wine and chocolate tasting at a chateau in the famed Margaux section of the Bordeaux region. They also include non-wine-related excursions to such historic sites as the massive 17th-century Citadel of Blaye, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
As is typical for Avalon trips, the tour choices also include active options such as a lengthy hike through the vineyards of the Margaux area (starting at the front gate of Chateaux Margaux, one of the world's best-known wineries) and a bike tour through the vineyards around the historic, wine-focused town of St. Emilion.
During the press conference on board, Hoffee said Avalon was trying to do the region differently than some of its competitors by offering excursions to unusual spots such as the seaside town of Arcachon, known for its Victorian villas and oyster farms. Winery tours and tasting were designed to be more intimate and off the beaten path, she suggested.
"We're going to small family-owned wineries and really having an immersive experience," she said.
As is always the case with Avalon trips, the price of the cruise covers all the excursions, including the winery tours and tastings.
Originally built to sail the Rhine River, where it has been based since 2013, Avalon Artistry II underwent a major overhaul before being moved to the Bordeaux region. The makeover brought fresh decor in public spaces, from flooring to furniture, plus upgraded internet service and a revamped sky deck with all-new furnishings, among other improvements.
Like all vessels currently in the Avalon fleet, Avalon Artistry II is part of Avalon's Suite Class of ships that began debuting in 2011.
The vessels in the series are known for their large numbers of extra-wide cabins called Panorama Suites that offer a more panoramic view of passing scenery than the standard rooms you'll find on many other river ships.
Related: Why I still think Avalon Waterways has the best cabins in river cruising
Avalon Artistry II has 52 of these Panorama Suites, which offer 200 square feet of living space. That's about 30% more square footage than standard river ship cabins.
Avalon has long touted the Panorama Suites as a key differentiator between its vessels and those of other river lines in Europe that cater to North Americans. The suites make up nearly 80% of the cabins on Avalon's ships and have several unusual features. Among them are floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall panoramic windows that stretch 11 feet wide and open up 7 feet wide.
Founded in 2004, 21-year-old Avalon is known for its young fleet of ships with a stylish, contemporary design, and Avalon Artistry II is no exception. Public areas feature modern furniture, clean lines and lots of glass walls that flood the spaces with light.
At 361 feet in length, Avalon Artistry II is smaller than most of Avalon's ships, which typically measure about 443 feet in length and hold up to 166 passengers. That gives it a particularly intimate feel.
Avalon is just the latest major river line to add river cruises through the Bordeaux region. Several of its biggest competitors, including AmaWaterways, Viking and Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, have been operating in the region for about a decade.
Like other river cruise lines that cater to North Americans, Avalon has grown notably over the past two decades. With several additions in recent years, it now has 15 ships in Europe. It also operates one ship in Asia on the Mekong River and sells trips on the Nile in Egypt and the Amazon in South America, too.
Fares for the new seven-night Bordeaux region sailings start at $2,830 per person.
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.