European Waterways, Europe’s largest luxury hotel barging cruise company, announced that its new luxury hotel barge, Finesse, poised to launch her maiden season in May 2016, will be cruising a new route as part of the company’s continuing expansion of vessels and services.
An eight-passenger, deluxe double-decker vessel, the Finesse will cruise the River Saône and Canal du Centre in Southern Burgundy through vineyards and past historic towns and villages. Staffed by a crew of five, she will feature a demonstration galley where guests can watch the onboard master chef preparing the daily gourmet meals that are a cruise highlight. Cabins will start at $6,290 per person, all-inclusive, based on double occupancy, with private charters from $43,200. To celebrate her launch, the company is offering an early booking special of 10% off per cabin and full boat charter for all May and June departures onboard the Finesse. The offer expires August 31, 2015.
“We are always looking for new ways to both excite and entertain our guests, to make their cruise with us one of their most memorable,” said Derek Banks, managing director of European Waterways. “The Finesse is being built to exacting standards and with the utmost luxury in mind and will have a modern design that includes a clean and spacious interior with panoramic saloon windows, offering plenty of natural daylight for passengers.”
Featuring some of the largest accommodation in the fleet, each air conditioned, en suite cabin can be set up as twin or double-bedded. The hotel barge will boast a spacious sun deck with an alfresco dining area and a relaxing spa pool. The new cruise route will also present excellent opportunities for walking and cycling, with level towpaths and gently rolling countryside.
Vineyards and Culture on the Finesse
The River Saône and Canal du Centre meander through some of the most renowned vineyards of Southern Burgundy, a region known for producing bold, aromatic Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. The cruise treats guests to scenic and historic sites such as the wine producing village of Santenay, the city of Dijon with its wonderful produce markets, mustard shops and cathedral, and the Château de Germolles, a 14th century palace that was once home to the Dukes of Burgundy.
The River Saône and Canal du Centre meander through some of the most renowned vineyards of Southern Burgundy, a region known for producing bold, aromatic Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. The cruise treats guests to scenic and historic sites such as the wine producing village of Santenay, the city of Dijon with its wonderful produce markets, mustard shops and cathedral, and the Château de Germolles, a 14th century palace that was once home to the Dukes of Burgundy.
Other cruise highlights include visiting the riverside town of Paray-le-Monial with its 12th Century basilica, a masterpiece of Romanesque art that was also once a medieval pilgrimage site. Passengers will travel through the Côte de Beaune vineyards to Beaune, the capital of Burgundy wine country, and enjoy a tour and private tasting at Domaine Bouchard Père et Fils, as well as a private Michelin chef-prepared lunch in the Orangery at Bouchard’s chateau, owned by the winery since the early 1800’s.
“The Finesse will be the perfect vessel for cruising through the picturesque countryside of Southern Burgundy,” said Banks. “With its contemporary design, huge saloon windows, and light and airy public areas, it is the ideal ‘luxury floating hotel’ on which to savor the exceptional wines and gastronomic offerings of the region.”
