Canadian World traveller Winter 2017-18 Issue

For us, the piece du resistance was the
Aquavit lounge found at the front of the ship.
The seating from here gave us a clear view
of where we were sailing to and the breeze
made us feel that important sense of sailing.
Outside our cabins, we would spend most of
this trip there. Breakfast, lunches and suppers
were served for anyone that did not
want to be in the well-appointed diner hall.
Meals
One would never starve on a Viking cruise,
on the contrary; this is not the place to start
a diet as exceptional gastronomy is served
throughout the day. Breakfast was buffet style
with a multitude of choices in hot or cold
servings. For lunch and dinner, there was a
menu tailored towards both vegetarians and
meat lovers. Complementary wines and beer
are in abundance. Viking had themes
throughout the cruise that reflected the local
cuisine. Needless to say in France the food
was exceptional.
Excursions
Viking includes excursions to the highlights of
the region as part of its cruise itinerary. Well
researched, these outings are as easy as getting
with your professional guide in small
groups and following along. This I found was
the best way of seeing a destination in a
short time. There was no guessing which way
to head. It was all so simple and we thoroughly
enjoyed all the outings.
These excursions are voluntary and you can
stay behind on the boat or plan your own
route. Viking also has optional excursion that
comes at a small price for those that have
are looking to get another, more specific
experience.
Bordeaux
Having travelled extensively in Europe and
France, I would say that the town of Bordeaux
is exceptional for its beauty and elegance.
There is something for just about any traveller.
Recent major transformation has
brought back its place as a commercial and
artistic past. The compact city center is easy to
navigate and is also friendly and welcoming.
Second only to Paris in French historic monuments,
Bordeaux’s well preserved 18thcentury
urban areas make it a renaissance
fan's dream. It has been called the essence
of elegance and has been renovated
through the restoration of grand facades
and especially the renovation of the riverfront.
On a tour of the city center, we visited some
of Bordeaux’s highlights, including the Place
des Quinconces, one of the largest squares
in Europe; the neoclassical Grand Théâtre
de Bordeaux; and several spectacular
churches. Visit the Musée d’Aquitaine for a
guided tour of the collections that highlight
the region’s triangular trade route and
Bordeaux’s position in it.
Cadillac and Sauterne
The cruise would start. We sailed upstream
along the Garonne River to Cadillac, a small
town that gave its name to the American car
brand. On the tour we visited the imposing
Château des Ducs d'Épernon and their park
land, which is on the list of Remarkable
Gardens of France.
Later we went across the river for an excursion
to Sauternes, where a trip to a winery
showed us how the area’s sweet dessert
wines are made, and we even got to sample
some. Sauterne's wines are very rare due to
this region's morning fog that creates a
‘Royal Rot’ that helps produce a superior
tasting white wine.
Libourne and Saint-Émilion
We disembarked and visited the picturesque
Libourne. Our walking tour was filled with
buildings dating as far back as the 16th century
and we had the choice between an
exploration of the Bergerac area in the
Dordogne to learn more about truffles, a
great French delicacy, or a wine tasting, at a
nearby château, of some local vintages from
the Saint-Émilion and Pomerol appellations.
We chose the wine tasting and were not disappointed.
The city is also a UNESCO World
Heritage Site, and we enjoyed the town’s
superb medieval lanes and delightful views
of the surrounding vineyards from the upper
town.
Bourg and Cognac
We would tour Bourg, where the tour took us
through the historic village and in the afternoon
we went to the charming medieval
town of Cognac, birthplace of one of the
world’s best-known types of brandy. Visiting
the Camus family business, one of the most
tradition-steeped Cognac houses in the
area, we got to try blending ourselves.
Blaye and Pauillac
Day 6 would find us in Blaye, home of the
citadel of Blaye, which is listed as a UNESCO
World Heritage Site. It dates back to the 17th
century. We took a guided tour of the citadel
and were struck by its size and beauty.
Later we sailed down to Pauillac where a tour
of the wineries gave us some great wine-tastings,
including the area’s famous full-flavored
Margaux. A ride around the countryside
also brought us to the chateau Prieure
Lichine for a tour and wine tasting and
enjoyed a feast, French style, in the beautiful
Chateau Kirwan, a memorable time.
And finally we arrived in Bordeaux. As we
are foodies, we were welcome to visit a market
with the Viking Chef to see where the
local chefs find their fruit, vegetables, meats
and fish. We were also able to pick up some
gifts- some Bordeaux from Bordeaux,
amongst the most expensive and sought
after worldwide.
www.vikingrivercruises.com
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Canadian World Traveller Winter 2017-18