Tauck's Rhone Revels

Tauck's fabulous new 'A Taste of France' river cruise on the River Rhone celebrates and explores the rich culinary traditions of the country and offers a novel way to appreciate the local food and wine.  

The 10-day itinerary begins in 2013 and starts with a two-night hotel stay and exploration of local food culture in Paris, followed by a seven-night cruise through the Rhone Valley aboard Tauck’s exclusive MS Swiss Emerald riverboat. 

It opens with guided culinary-themed sightseeing in Paris and a two-night stay at the Hilton Arc de Triomphe. Guests will enjoy a Tauck-exclusive, hands-on introduction to French sauces with a tasting at the new Alain Ducasse culinary school, Ecole de Cuisine. They will also attend a workshop and blind tastings highlighting “The Joy of Chocolate” led by Chloe Doutre-Roussel, author of “The Chocolate Connoisseur,” and visit the former haunts of chef Julia Child and learn about contemporary Parisian life during a walking tour of the Left Bank.

Other culinary-themed experiences include:

• A market visit in Provence with local chefs, who will buy ingredients and prepare regional specialties for tasting, such as tapenade, anchoiade and stuffed tomatoes Provencale.
• A visit to Lyon’s famous market, Les Halles, with tastings of local meats and cheeses.
• A memorable Provencal evening featuring dinner, local wines and entertainment in the shadow of Pont du Gard, the incredible Roman aqueduct.
• A wine tasting in Beaujolais.
• A demonstration of French culinary techniques at a cooking school operated by a three-star Michelin chef. 

Included in the $5,390 price per person (double occupancy basis) are all sightseeing, activities and shore excursions, two nights' hotel accommodations in Paris, all gratuities, complimentary wine with onboard meals, all taxes and port charges, airport transfers and luggage handling.

The stylish Swiss Sapphire was launched in 2006 and recently enhanced with new décor and other improvements. As with Tauck’s other riverboats, she accommodates just 118 guests to ensure a relaxed and intimate atmosphere, compared to other lines that accommodate up to 160 passengers on ships of a similar size. 

For more info, follow this link to The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's luxury river-cruise specialists.

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