M/S Viking Burgundy
Viking River Cruises
ABOVE: The M/S Viking Burgundy in
Chalon-sur-Saône, France.
Cruise Review:
'French Vineyards & Vistas'
River cruising has been popular in Europe for decades--especially among the Germans, who have a long tradition of cruising on the
Rhine, the Danube, and other Central European waterways. In recent years,
several cruise lines have targeted English-speaking travelers with voyages
throughout Western and Eastern Europe. I had the chance to sample one such
itinerary in October, 2003 aboard the M/S Viking Burgundy of
Viking River
Cruises.
In the course of a week-long journey on the Saône
and Rhône Rivers in Southern France, I learned what makes river cruising so
different from ocean cruising--and why river cruises are increasingly popular
with foreign visitors who want a more pleasant and less stressful alternative to
escorted bus tours. With my 17-year-old son Anders Imboden, I enjoyed the
convenience of unpacking and unpacking just once while exploring more than half
a dozen cities and towns in a region known for vineyards, gastronomy, medieval
castles, and Roman monuments.
This 192-page cruise review
includes a report on the ship and its crew, descriptions of ports and
excursions, and 169 captioned photos of the Viking Burgundy and its
cruise itinerary from Chalon-sur-Saône to Avignon, France.
Important: Viking's
"Provence & Burgundy" itinerary and shore excursions may vary from year to year,
so check the Viking River Cruises
Web site to learn what's included or excluded during this year's cruising
season.
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M/S Viking Burgundy
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Durant
& Cheryl Imboden's