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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