Walk in the Footsteps of the Dirtman on a Bordeaux River Cruise
When:
Saturday, April 25, 2015
April 25th through May 2nd, 2015
Where:
France's Rivers of Aquitaine
Announcing our 2015 Wine Cruise!
Caressed by Atlantic breezes, the vineyards that cover the rolling hills along the rivers of the Bordeaux region have for centuries produced France’s most remarkable wines. Saint-Émilion, Pomerol, Sauternes, Médoc and Margaux are but a handful of the appellations that make Bordeaux wines world-famous. At the region’s heart, the city of Bordeaux stretches along the river bank, inviting visitors to savor its grand architecture, tempting cafés and superb museums. Celebrate joie de vivre in this land of wine and oysters, truffles and cognac, as you cruise the Dordogne, Garonne and Gironde Rivers.
For our first wine cruise of 2015, we'll walk in the footsteps of Louis Lucas as he studied the trellising and terroir of the vineyards of Bordeaux many years ago.
Along with the included expert led, in-depth shore excursions, L&L guests are treated to discussions by the Dirtman on grape growing in Bordeaux as compared to the Santa Ynez Valley micro-climates we are familiar with, what the Dirtman learned on his early travels through French wine country, and how his experience in Bordeaux's famous vineyards contrasts with his forty plus years of growing wine grapes in the new world. The trip will include comparative tasting of Lucas & Lewellen Bordeaux varietal blends.
The Viking Forseti Longship
The beautiful new Viking Longship Forseti launched in 2013 in order to accommodate world travelers' burgeoning interest in river cruising. Different from ocean cruising, the river cruise experience more closely resembles a land-based trip with quality tour operators, except our five star hotel will float on a river!
The brightly sunlit Forseti features only 95 guest staterooms for fewer than 195 passengers. In European fine dining tradition, meals are served at an elevated standard on Viking cruises with fresh full European Champagne breakfasts and five course gourmet regional cuisine offered at dinner time. Regional wines and beer are included when served with meals.
Between the vineyard education provided by Louis, local entertainment that is brought onboard nightly, cultural/historical lectures by the ship's program director, regional dishes prepared by the chef, and informative docents, we will be able to immerse ourselves in the French wine country experience.
Itinerary:
Day 1: Dock overnight in Bordeaux, a graceful Unesco World Heritage site on the Garonne River.
Day 2: Dock in the Médoc region, tour wine country, taste Margaux, and visit Pauillac, home of Châteaux Lafite Rothschild, Latour, and Mouton Rothschild.
Day 3: Visit the citadel of Blaye or take the optional excursion to Cognac.
Day 4: Take in the views of the vineyards of Saint-Émilion and take optional excursions to study truffles in Bergerac or taste wines from Saint-Émilion or Pomerol.
Day 5: Lunch at Cadillac and take a trip to Sauternes to learn more about the region's celebrated dessert wines.
Day 6: Tour the Cadillac château and explore the nightlife in Bordeaux.
Day 7: Visit the city center of Bordeaux and explore Place des Quinconces, the Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux, the Place de la Bourse, and taste local vintages.
Day 8: Bid farewell over a leisurely breakfast and transfer to the Bordeaux airport, or add on 3 unforgettable days in Paris!
What to expect
• Discussions with Lucas & Lewellen Dirtman, Louis Lucas, on grape growing, the similarities and differences between vineyards in California and France, and the worldwide interest in Bordeaux varietals.
• Informal tastings of Lucas & Lewellen Bordeaux wines.
• 8-day cruise with river-view stateroom
• 6 guided tours with audio headset
• All meals: 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners, featuring regional specialties and a Welcome Cocktail Reception & Dinner and Captain’s Farewell Dinner
• Wine, beer and soft drinks with onboard dinner and lunch service
• 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
• Culture Curriculum: Enjoy a wide sampling of Bordeaux wines, participate in classes from a master sommelier, learn ‘how to say it in French,’ and how to pair the perfect wine with every meal
• All port charges
• Free Wi-Fi, connection speed may vary
Pricing: (includes L&L package fee. Does not include optional insurance or air).
Veranda Suite (AA): $5,531/person 2 STATEROOMS REMAINING
French Balcony (D): $2,931/person SOLD OUT
Standard Stateroom (E): $2,331/person 1 STATEROOM REMAINING
Standard Stateroom (F): $2,231/person 2 STATEROOMS REMAINING
Deposits of $500 per person are due immediately.
This Bordeaux River Cruise will sell out quickly long before all of our reservations are in, which will be a disappointment to those who miss out. Several of the April 2015 voyages are already nearly full and did not have the space to accommodate our large group, so we would ask that you consider this invitation your one opportunity to join us on this River Cruise. Don't wait on this one. At this price and to this brand new itinerary, this trip will fill fast, even faster in the lower stateroom categories. A $500 deposit, paid immediately, will secure your space, with a cancellation penalty of $100 if reservation is cancelled 121 days or more prior to time of departure. Cancellation 120-90 days prior to time of departure: 15% of Full Fare. Cancellation 89-60 days prior to time of departure: 35% of Full Fare. Cancellation 59-30 days prior to time of departure: 50% of Full Fare. Cancellation 29-0 days prior to time of departure: 100% of Full Fare. Click here for a full listing of cancellation penalties. Final payment is due December 14th, 2014, which includes the $100 package fee charged by L&L and the remaining fare charged by Viking, unless you book the Air+Cruise package, in which case final payment is due May 31st, 2014.
Travel insurance is suggested. Click here for Viking's suggested plan and limitations.
Airfare
Viking's air packages include round trip air, taxes. transfers, and fuel surcharges. Kim Pedersen is working on comparative pricing alternatives. Guests are welcome to use Viking Air (prices are listed below), check with Kim for suggestions on how they might use their air miles, or come up with their own alternatives to fit their budget. If guests use Viking's Air+Cruise option, total final payment is due by the end of May.
These prices are valid until April 30th, 2014.
$1,295 per person from Denver, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Portland, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle
$995 per person from Boston, Newark, New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh
$1,095 per person from Atlanta, Baltimore, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Detroit, Houston, Kansas City, Miami, Minneapolis, Orlando, Raleigh, St. Louis, Tampa, Washington D.C.
Extend your journey in the Loire Valley and Paris!
If you're looking to take in a wider view of French wine country, add a three day pre-extension to the Loire Valley, which includes an evening in Paris, a ride through the French countryside to Orléans, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a guided tour of Loire Valley châteaux with walks through two of their most beautiful grand houses, Chambord and Chenonceau, and so much more. From $999 per person.
A Parisian 3 day post-extension includes a ride from Bordeaux on France’s high-speed TGV line to the heart of Paris, a stay on the Champs Elysées, a guided walk through the art galleries, famous historic buildings, and world renowned museums of the Right Bank. Take a day to experience the Louvre, the Orsay, the Orangerie, visit Montmartre and Moulin Rouge, ride to the top of the Eiffel Tower, cruise the River Seine - ah, J'adore Paris! From $899 per person. NOTE: EXTENSIONS ARE SOLD OUT - KIM IS OFFERING A DISCOUNTED SECOND CRUISE TO ADD ON TO OUR BORDEAUX CRUISE THAT WILL TAKE YOU INTO THE RHONE AND BURGUNDY.
Click here for more information on Viking cruises
Phone Anjie at (805) 686-9336 or Wine Travel Coordinator Kim at (805) 404-9590 with questions or reservations.