Bordeaux, France
France is the darling of river cruising right now, with more ships meandering along its waterways this year than ever before. They all offer a feast for the mind and body with rich local foods and fine French wines to enjoy along the way, but for true oenophiles, it has to be Bordeaux. This is the gateway not only to the Garonne River, on whose banks it sits, but also to the rolling vineyards, historic chateaux and tiny medieval villages along the Gironde and Dordogne. In fact, wine is so fundamental to the region’s character that there’s even a huge museum complex devoted to the culture, heritage and understanding of wine. Cité du Vin offers much more than just a tasting or two, delving deep into how winemakers have shaped not only this region – home of famous names like Rothschild and Margaux – but also other wine hot spots around the world. This summer, it hosts an art exhibition that runs until August 28 exploring how Picasso depicted wine in his works, making it the perfect starting point for a true epicurean escape. >> Turn to page 34 for more on French river cruising
