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WHY I LOVE RIVER CRUISES-AND YOU WILL TOO

WHY I LOVE RIVER CRUISES-AND YOU WILL TOO

Apr 5, 2018

SIZE DOES MATTER: Most river cruise ships only hold around 160 people. Just enough fellow passengers to give you an opportunity to get to know them over the course of the cruise, but not overwhelming. THIS IS WHY I LOVE RIVER CRUISES-AND YOU WILL TOO. On large cruise ships you might not see the same person twice; not so on a river cruise with less than 200 people. On a river cruise there is a certain camaraderie among the passengers and the crew which I find comforting.

river cruisesEver get lost on a large cruise ship? It can’t happen on a river cruise ship. While there are several areas to relax in, such as the lounge or the sun deck, they are easy to find.

DIET? Of course you can maintain your diet on a river cruise. There are always healthy choices and vegetarian options available on river cruises. Just don’t look at the beautiful presentations of the breads and pastries.

However, if you do indulge you can reassure yourself that you will be taking one of those walking excursions soon, so all will be well.

BOWLING ANYONE? (more…)

A Riverboat Cruise to the Bordeaux Region of France – The Sights, Sounds and Tastes

Nov 23, 2016

 

A Riverboat Cruise in Bordeaux – The Adventure of a Lifetime!

This is going to be an extra special holiday season. I will have the opportunity to share my lovely photos and incredible experiences I had in Bordeaux with family and friends. Of course… I will also share the details of the other regions in France I visited (with family and friends and in other blog posts). If you are one of those folks that would rather look at pictures and not read, scroll down and check out the slide show!

Barrel room at Sauternes WineryTraveling through the Bordeaux Region of France is a joy to the senses! When one thinks of Bordeaux, France, wine is the first thought that comes to mind. Of course it should as wine making in the region began 2,000 years ago! There are plenty of great wines to taste and wineries to visit, but wine is only one of the many enticements this fairy tale realm has to offer.

My recent travel to France included a seven-day AMA Waterways riverboat cruise along the Dordogne, Garonne and Gironde Estuary, through the Bordeaux Region. We visited famous wineries, lovely medieval and renaissance châteaux, a famous citadel along with other UNESCO World Heritage sites. It was easy get swept away by the grandeur, beauty, history, food, and of course, the wines found in the area.

Chateau de Roquetaillade

Chateau de Roquetaillade, a castle in Mazères near Bordeaux

 

The Cruise

The cruise was a highlight of the journey. Riverboat cruises are smaller and far more intimate than the large ocean liners. We traveled with only 120 other passengers, far less than the thousands that travel on an ocean liner. It’s easy to recognize everyone on board and easy to find people to share the experiences of the day with. The food on board is regional cuisine that is beautifully presented, delightfully tasty and paired with the fabulous local wines. It is virtually impossible to go hungry on board. Aside from the three meals served in the dining room, you can always find tasty snacks and beverages in the lounge.

The track on the sun deck of the Ama Dolce in BordeauxMost people fear they will gain weight on a cruise, but the shore excursions offered on this wine cruise keep you moving. I can say in all honesty, I walked every one of those delicious calories off. I actually lost weight on this trip! There were two or more excursions to choose from daily. One of the daily excursions was to a winery. Other excursions included: a visit to a château, a stroll through a quaint village, or one of the UNESCO sites. Each of the villages has excellent bakeries and unique shops. If you are not in the mood for an excursion, you are always welcome to relax on the sundeck.

Every single person that worked on the ship was joyful, helpful and downright fun to be around. The staff  made sure that anything you needed or wanted on board was available. Our tour director, John Riley, an Englishman had an amazing sense of humor and the ability to keep everything running as smoothly as possible.

My mission this holiday season is to convince my family and friends to join me on this trip next summer, as I can’t wait to do it all over again!

The AMA DolceThe sun deck on the AMA DolceSeating are on the bow of the AMA DolceA great view of the river from one of the decks of the AMA DolceThe comfortable lounge on boardThere were always pastries in the loungeCadillac MarketCadillac MarketProduce stand at the market in CadillacArtistic Cross at the Cadillac ChurchBreads at the market in CadillacCharming doorway & flowers in CadillacInteresting door knocker in CadillacWinery and estate in SauternesA view of a vineyard in SauternesGrapes with the "Noble Rot" in SauternesThe barrel room at a winery in SauternesA magnificent bottle of SauternesThe medieval, Roquetaillade ChateauRoquetaillade ChateauInner courtyard at Roquetaillade chateau400 year old trees at RoquetailladeSculpture of CatAsian influenced chateauBaron von Rothschild estate in PauillacOne of the many chateaux in PauillacOne of the many chateaux in PauillacLeoville Poyferre Estate and Winery in the Medoc regionVinification tanks at the Leoville Poyferre wineryExperience the Wines of BordeauxBlaye CitadelBlaye CitadelStreet at Blaye CitadelBlaye Citadel castle ruinsRuins at the Blaye CitadelView of the river from the Blaye CitadelBath house in the village of BourgStreet in the village of BourgStreet in the village of BourgFlowers in BourgCat showing offBourg community centerBourg community centerBourg community centerFlowers growing out of a crack in a wallMedieval home in St. EmilionNarrow street in St. EmilionView of the village of St. EmilionChateau de Pressac Winery and EstateView of the vineyards at the Chateau de Pressac Winery and EstateVinification tanks at the Chateau de Pressac Winery and EstateChateau de VayresSculptureView of the river from Chateau de VayresChateau de Varyes16th century addition to the original fortress at Chateau de VayresUpdated venue at the Chateau de VayresChateau de la Riviere Estate and WineryChateau de la Riviere Estate and WineryView of the vineyards at Chateau de la Riviere Estate and WineryEntrance to quarry at Chateau de la Riviere Estate and WineryBottles age in the old quarry at Chateau de la RiviereKnights table and chairs carved from stone in the old quarry at Chateau de la RiviereChateau de MontaigneChateau de MontaigneChateau de MontaigneFog on the riverFog on the riverRemnants of Nazi U Boat pens on the Garonne RiverBordeaux water parkBordeaux opera houseBordeaux Vin de BarBordeaux Vin de BarRue de Catherine in BordeauxWine museum in BordeauxVertical lift bridge in BordeauxBordeaux lit up at nightBordeaux lit up at night

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