Writer Paulette Hannah and her husband recently sailed on AmaWaterways Essence of Burgundy and Provence cruise. Check out her recap of what proved to be a wonderful cruise. Also, be sure to check out her blog, https://backpackandus.blogspot.com
My husband and I have visited France before, spending time in the larger cities of Paris, Bordeaux and Lyon. But how could we experience Provence, the Cotes du Rhone region and Burgundy all in one trip without driving?
AmaWaterways provided the perfect solution for us, the Essence of Burgundy and Provence seven-night river cruise. From Arles to Dijon, from Julius Cesar to Vincent Van Gogh, we would get our history lesson, wines and lavender all in one. We hit the return key with no hesitation and started packing for France.
We began in Arles, in the Bouches-du-Rhône (Mouth of the Rhone) and ended in Dijon, home of the Grey Poupon mustard. Our seven-night cruise took us up the Rhone and Saône rivers to ten different towns. We could explore each of them through our choice of guided walking, bicycle or coach tours. There were so many excursions offered each day that it was difficult to decide which one to choose.
AmaWaterways clearly understands their clientele. The coach excursions were divided into color-coded groups: active, regular or gentle walkers. Local guides then tailored each group’s tour to ensure a satisfactory experience for all levels. Some of the walking tours included food and wine tastings. The small villages and towns we visited had a cathedral or abbey, vestiges of Roman ruins, and a downtown pedestrian only shopping area. I enjoyed practicing my high-school French with the patient and friendly locals.
There were also visits to centuries- old chateaus. Strolling through these villages was like taking a trip through time from Medieval, Baroque and Renaissance to the Modern era.
For those most active, hilltop hikes and bicycle tours were offered. There was also a truffle farm excursion and winery tours showcasing the delicious wines of Burgundy and Cote du Rhone. While the handy smartphone app, “myAmacruise,” was not needed to book the excursions, those using the app could reserve a spot 30 days in advance.
Since I am a planner by nature, I did this and selected the easiest of the four bicycle tours, ten miles. As it turned out, there were plenty of open spots. The Le Mistral headwinds that day ensured that we got a good workout on the way back to the ship.
The AmaCello ship was built in 2008 to accommodate 140 guests in 71 staterooms. Ours had a French balcony, which provided a pleasant, cool breeze at night under a cozy down comforter for a perfect sleep. The ship was tastefully decorated throughout with Van Gogh prints and comfortable seating.
Afternoon and evening onboard experiences focused on French culture. We learned how to make macarons and crepes. A silk maker from Lyon came aboard and talked about their trade history, followed by a trunk show where I purchased a beautiful Van Gogh silk scarf. With a gym and a wellness coach, there were plenty of fitness options as well as a hair salon and spa treatments. Self-serve espresso machines and late-night snacks were always available.
Briefings in the main lounge summarized the following day’s excursions. We opted to sleep in one morning. We spent our time relaxing in the lounge, watching the scenery roll by as we sipped tea in our AmaWaterways slippers.
Exemplary service was provided by the hard-working staff in the main dining room. I enjoyed the open seating and met several people from Australia, UK, and Canada. The Chef’s Table was available by reservation for a tasting menu paired with suitable wines. We dined there twice while on the AmaCello, and found it to be the best dinner of the week.
Each evening’s sip and sail cocktail hour also provided ample opportunity to socialize. And with onboard entertainment each night—of course there was dancing!
Looking back on our week in France, I would summarize our experience as the perfect balance of activity and relaxation in a beautiful country filled with amazing history, food, wine and people.
Viva la France!
Ralph Grizzle will host his 2025 “Dream Cruise” on AmaKristina sailing a similar itinerary on the Rhone called Colors of Provence. For more info, click here.
