We have gotten a lot of inquiries about the Burt Wolf Travel River Cruise itineraries for 2009. Please note that these are special chartered voyages, so not every agncy can book the trips. Our agents will be happy to assist you with the reservation process.

Today we are going to highlight the July 11th – 22nd, 2209 trip: River Cruising through France with Burt Wolf

Tour/Cruise priced from $3,909 to $4,558 (plus airfare).

Burt Wolf, the host of the public television series Travels & Traditions, invites you to join him on this Avalon Waterways’ Tour and River Cruise from Paris, France through Burgundy and Provence to Nice. Burt will be the onboard host throughout the trip. This is a unique opportunity to travel with Burt, see the sights, and experience the places where his television shows were filmed.

In addition to being your host throughout the entire cruise, Burt will conduct the following special events:

1. A Tasting of the Wines of the Region.
2. A Talk on Understanding and Buying the Wines of the Region.
3. A Talk on Understanding European Architecture.
4. A Talk on Pairing Food and Wine.
5. A Talk and Tasting of Pastis and Absinthe.
6. A Talk on How his Public Television Programs are Produced

• Prior to the cruise, Burt will mail each guest a packet of his research and background material about the tour locations, and a DVD of one of his programs that relates to the tour. These materials are his personal evaluation of the area – the history, art, architecture, what to eat, what to buy, and what to see. It will give you detailed background information on the places we are going to visit. It will also give you some ideas for things you might like to do in your free time.
• Onboard, Burt will present an overview of the area and give a number of talks about the importance of the locations we will be visiting.
• Cruising through France on the Sâone and Rhône Rivers is a perfect combination of cruising and touring with a pace you set yourself.
• Unlike ocean cruising, our river cruise docks right in the city centers and the old towns. You can tour close to the ship or venture further into town.
• The ship’s entire interior is non-smoking and all announcements are in English.  

With Burt as your host, the tour begins with two days of sightseeing in Paris, then a drive south into the Burgundy region for a tour and wine tasting in the city of Beaune. We continue on to the village of Chalon-sur-Sâone to board our boat. We cruise down the Sâone River with stops in the ancient towns of Tournus and Mâcon. Then two days in Lyon – France’s gastronomic center where we will enjoy the wines of the region. On the Rhône River, additional stops will include the twin cities of Tournon and Tain L’Hermitage (famous for their medieval architecture), Avignon (14th century residence of the Popes) where we will have a tasting of the wines and foods of the region, then on to Arles with its Roman Amphitheater and the sunlight that inspired Van Gogh. Our final stop will be in the Mediterranean city of Nice on the Côte d’Azur. Avalon Scenery’s English-speaking Captain, Cruise Director and crew are experienced professionals dedicated to your comfort.

One of the most popular aspects of a Burt Wolf River Cruise is the excellence of the food and free wine onboard. Each full day on board, there is a full breakfast, lunch and dinner. There is a cocktail reception, welcome dinner, and Captain’s dinner — one sitting with open seating arrangements (non-assigned). At dinner, each evening, there is a selection of a red wine and a white wine from Europe’s most-famous wine regions, which are served throughout the meal without charge.

Breakfast: 7:00am – 8:30am
A buffet table includes a wide variety of breads, cereals, fruit and fruit salad, cold cuts, smoked salmon, cheeses, pastries, yogurts, and juices. Scrambled eggs, sausages, bacon, and other hot items can vary from day to day. The chef will prepare fresh omelets and other egg dishes to order.

Lunch: Usually served at 12:30pm depending on the cruise schedule
Buffet-style with appetizers, soups, sandwiches, cold cuts, breads, salad bar, two main courses (one of which may be a carving station), dessert table, cheese board, and fresh fruit.

Afternoon Tea:
Coffee, tea and cake will be served either in the lounge or on the Sun or Sky Deck.

Dinner: Usually served at 7:30pm depending on cruise schedule.
Dinner is traditionally four courses including a vegetarian selection. Choice of entrees with every dinner including complimentary red and white wines from the region.

On Days 3 and 4: Buffet breakfast will be offered at our Paris hotel.

On Day 12: Buffet breakfast will be offered at our Nice hotel.

The Land/Cruise cost (including hotels in Nice and Paris), per person (based on double occupancy):

Cabins are booked on a first-come, first-served basis. Expenses not included in the Land/Cruise cost include: roundtrip airfare, travel insurance, port tax (approximately $98.00); 2 lunches and 2 dinners in Paris (Days 2 and 3); 1 lunch in Beaune (Day 4); 1 lunch and 1 dinner in Nice (Day 11); miscellaneous expenses onboard (laundry, internet, telephone, minibar, liquor/food not on the regular menu, porters at airports, excess baggage fees, gratuities to your Cruise Director, guides and ship’s crew), passport, airport transfers in Europe (approximately $70.00 per person. If you book your air in conjunction with the cruise, the airport transfer fee is waived), and all other items of a personal nature.