4 best cruise destinations for wine lovers
If you ask us, the best part about travelling is the opportunity to sink yourself into the local culture, and what better way to do just that than to indulge in the region’s signature food and wine. Whether you’re a foodie or a wine lover (or both!), Europe has so much to offer.
Bordeaux gets all the glory and attention for its wines, but there are so many more incredible wine regions scattered not only throughout France but also Germany.
So, grab a glass, put your feet up and join us on a trip down the Moselle, Rhine and Rhône rivers as we take a look at four of the best destinations for wine lovers.
1. Beaujolais, France
Located less than an hour north of Lyon (the third-largest city in France and home to the Halles de Lyon food market – a.k.a. foodie heaven), Beaujolais has long been one of the country’s top wine producers. However, its popularity has surged in recent years thanks to Beaujolais nouveau, a red wine famous for its fruity flavour and lack of bitterness.
At the heart of the region lies the charming small town of Belleville, the perfect base from which you can visit local wineries, farms or the historic town of Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne, known for its perfectly-preserved medieval architecture.
2. Provence, France
Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful parts of France, Provence is a food and wine lover’s dream. Comprising of eight distinct wine regions, visitors are absolutely spoiled for choice, but if you adore rich reds and dry, full-bodied rosés, Les Baux-de-Provence is for you. Even better? All wines produced here are organic.
Bordering this Provençal sub-region is the ancient walled city of Avignon, UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the famous Pont D’Avignon, and Arles, the former home of Vincent van Gogh known for its Roman architecture – two must-visit destinations on any French sojourn.
3. Alsace Wine Route, France and Germany
On the north-east border of France and Germany lies the Alsace Wine Route, along which you’ll find some of the most celebrated white wines in the world.
To get the best of both countries, using the picturesque German town of Breisach (located on the stunning Rhine River and known as the “Gateway to the Black Forest”) as your base, you can simply pop over the border to Colmar, France, the medieval town known as the “capital of Alsatian wine”. There, you can try the region’s famous dry Rieslings and aromatic Gewürztraminer wines.
4. Mosel, Germany
The third-largest wine region in Germany, Mosel is widely considered to produce some of the country’s best wine, known particularly for its Rieslings and pinot noirs. Due to its northern location, Mosel wines have a crisper, more flowery flavour than the fruitier wines of southern Europe.
A cruise down the Moselle River wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Cochem, a stunning riverside town that wouldn’t be out of place in a fairytale. There, you can indulge in the region’s best food and wine, take a stroll along the waterfront, visit the Cochem Imperial Castle or gaze in wonderment at the gorgeous gothic architecture throughout the town.
With APT’s Rhine, Rhône and Moselle Speciality Wine Cruise, you can experience every single one of these world-class wine regions while sailing three of Europe’s most magnificent rivers on board the luxurious MS AmaDante.
Departing Amsterdam on May 10, this once-in-a-lifetime river cruise experience (hosted by famous winemaker David Lowe from Mudgee, NSW) will take you through some of the most stunning European destinations, including Cologne, Basel and Lyon just to name a few. To find out how you can save up to $6,200* per cabin, click here.
THIS IS SPONSORED CONTENT BROUGHT TO YOU IN CONJUNCTION WITH FLIGHT CENTRE.