Grand Victoria

Our private driver meets our guests in Paris or, if you prefer, Geneva, Switzerland, at one hotel of your party’s choice at 2:00 pm or, alternatively, at one hotel of your party’s choice in Dijon at 4:00 pm. (For sailings composed of individual cabin bookings, pick up and return will be in Paris only.) You will then be chauffeured by minivan to the Hemingway, typically moored in Fleury-sur-Ouche, a petite village on the Canal de Bourgogne. Upon arrival you are greeted by our cheerful and welcoming crew. While we get you checked in and take your luggage to your stateroom, you’ll have the chance to relax with our signature champagne cocktail and hors d’ouevres. Afterwards there will be plenty of time to unpack and unwind before the first of many incredible dinners on board.

Enjoy the start to the day with a morning cruise. Guests will have time to relax on deck or enjoy a leisurely bike ride along the tow-path, as the barge continues the journey into the scenic Valleé de l’Ouche. After lunch, you’ll be driven into the famed Cote d’Or and a tour the labyrinthine cellars of Patriarche Père & Fils, featuring hundreds of wines in vaults dating to the thirteenth century. The tasting will include eight wines, explained by their sommelier. We return to the barge to enjoy sundowners on the deck or in the bar before dinner aboard. After dinner, it’s but a short drive to Dijon for a magnificent tour of “Dijon by Night” before retiring for the evening.

It’s market day in Dijon! Enjoy breakfast aboard before embarking on a walking tour along the cobblestoned streets of Dijon. Our first destination is the vibrant Covered Market, alight with colorful displays of produce, breads, cheeses and gourmet treats. Browse and taste with the locals! Afterwards, we’ll take a break and relax at one of Dijon’s many charming cafes for a café latte or tea, before starting our guided tour of Dijon’s major landmarks. This includes the Ducal Palace, Eglise Notre-Dame and the Cathedral of Saint Benign. Lunch will be enjoyed at a local restaurant in Dijon, after which guests will be free to enjoy Dijon’s abundance of shops. Around 3pm we return to the Hemingway in time for a happy hour cruise or bike ride before we dock for the evening with dinner aboard.

An early start to the morning with coffee, juice, and croissants before embarking on a hot air balloon ride to savor the beauty of Burgundy from above (hot-air ballooning is of course, weather dependent). We’ll return to the Hemingway for a scenic brunch cruise. In the afternoon, visit the Château de Meursault to enjoy their private art galleries and cavernous cellars, complete with a private wine tasting. We return in time for our signature Hemingway sundowners aboard. Kick off your shoes and flick through a diverse selection of vinyl records from then and now. Turn up the volume of your favorite 45’s, while the chef adds the final touches to dinner.

Enjoy an early breakfast before embarking on a visit to the charming town of Beaune, the wine capital of the Cote d’Or. We start with a tour of the famous Hôtel-Dieu, a well maintained medieval hospital that received patients until the early 20th century. We will enjoy lunch ashore today in this picturesque town. There will be plenty of time to meander the shopping district and enjoy the enchanting café in the town square, before attending a private wine tasting. Return to Hemingway in the late afternoon to enjoy a petite cruise and sundowners before dinner on board.

Delight in a relaxing cruise past the spectacular village of Chateauneuf-en-Auxois, overlooking the Burgundy Canal. After a lunch, we’ll embark on a tour of the chateau to enjoy the magnificent views of the countryside and a stroll around this quaint village. We then visit the beautifully restored authentic 12th century Cistercian abbey, the Abbaye de la Bussiere. The abbey is nestled in an immense landscaped park filled with gardens and is home to a fine hotel. We return to the Hemingway for our traditional happy hour and our final gourmet dinner on board your floating home on the French canals.

After a leisurely breakfast, depart at 9:00 am for transfer by minivan to your Paris or Geneva hotel, arriving there between noon and 1:00 pm. (For sailings composed of individual cabin bookings, pick up and return will be in Paris only.) Alternatively, your party may elect to be transferred to Dijon; estimated arrival there is 10:00am. Please make all onward travel plans on the basis of these timings. We hope to see you again on the Hemingway!