European Waterways, the premier luxury hotel barge cruising company, renowned for curating immersive journeys that unveil the essence of Europe’s captivating regions, is pleased to announce a collection of new and enhanced excursions.
These private, tailor-made adventures are designed to elevate guest experiences, offering deeper connections to the rich history, vibrant local culture, and exquisite food and wine of each locale.
NEW: A unique culinary adventure with truffle hunting, olive oil sampling and a gourmet lunch in the South of France
Guests step into a world of gastronomic indulgence aboard Anjodi with a unique culinary experience at Le Mas d’Antonin truffle farm. Embarking on a journey of discovery hunting for the black truffle, known as “black gold”, with the earnest assistance and keen nose of Soïka (the expert truffle dog). This adventure is followed with a sensory feast as guests sample the truffles they have found with exquisite olive oils from the estate’s olive grove, followed by a gourmet lunch that’s perfectly paired with local wines, and set against the stunning backdrop of this esteemed estate.
NEW: Wine Exploration in Burgundy and the Upper Loire
The regions of Burgundy and the Upper Loire are renowned for their exquisite wines and rich cultural heritage, and offer a unique blend of history, natural beauty, and world-class gastronomy.
Here, travellers embark on a wine lover’s dream journey aboard Renaissance with an upgraded visit to the prestigious Sancerre winery of Hubert Brochard, a historic family-run winery established in 1900 that spans 60 hectares. Guests stroll through the exceptional terroir to learn about the viticulture of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé, before heading into the winery to understand their winemaking process and indulge in a private tasting of the winery’s best vintages of their celebrated crisp white wines made from the sauvignon blanc grape, before savouring the flavors of the Loire Valley with a sample of the acclaimed ‘Crottin de Chavignol’ goat cheese which made the town of Chavignol famous. A true Sancerre immersion!
ENHANCED: A Private Wine Immersion at a family-owned Château on the Canal du Midi
Aboard Enchanté, guests now have an enhanced visit to the family-owned Château de Paraza. Located on the banks of the picturesque Canal du Midi, the Château de Paraza was built on land once used to cultivate vines in Roman times. The château at the heart of the vineyard dates to 1612, and in 1620 it belonged to Guillaume Riquet, the father of the famous engineer, Pierre-Paul Riquet who designed the Canal du Midi. Guests will have a private tour and tasting of its Minervois fine wines, followed by a gourmet lunch in the château’s elegant salon accompanied by one of the winery’s sommeliers who will explain the château’s rich history, dating back to the 17th century. This enhanced visit promises a truly immersive and unforgettable wine adventure.
NEW: Pop the Cork at a Prestigious Champagne House on the UNESCO-listed Avenue de Champagne.
Luxury hotel barge Panache is fitted out in traditional yacht style, the perfect ambience to cruise the Champagne region. The itinerary typically includes decadent brie cheese tastings, a tour of the Cathedral at Reims, Epernay, and of course, tastings at renowned and boutique champagne houses.
This summer, the luxury champagne house La Maison Boizel has been added to her tailor-made itinerary. Situated on the UNESCO-listed Avenue de Champagne, this premier champagne house dates back to 1834 and has been in the Boizel family for six generations. Guests will explore the underground cellars, which includes the ‘family treasure’ featuring bottles dating back to 1834, and some of the greatest vintages of 19th and 20th centuries. The visit is celebrated with a private tasting of two exclusive Boizel champagnes. On the return there’s an optional visit to the Musée du Champagne, dedicated to the history and art of champagne making.
Led by knowledgeable onboard guides and often hosted by locals, European Waterways excursions offer a truly personalized experience that is always private, and often exclusive to European Waterways guests.
These new and enhanced excursions are bound to whet the appetite and tastebuds this summer season!
