H2olidays

Itinerary

Sunday
Meet at Dijon train station arrivals hall at 4pm . Transfer to the Who Knows for Champagne welcome. Time to settle in before dinner on board.

Monday
After breakfast you set sail and head upstream towards Pont d'Ouche . Today is all about cruising with plenty of opportunity to cycle and walk along the tow-path, exploring the small villages along the route or just sitting on the deck and watching Burgundy glide by. The Ouche valley is noted for its steep sided tree lined dense deciduous forest, wild boar, deer and birds of prey.

The sedate pace continues through the afternoon and we climb through several locks to our destination of Pont d'Ouche our mooring for the night. Its name comes from the canals aqua duct that crosses over the river Ouche and the valley opens out into a wide pastoral scene that France is so famous for.

Tuesday
This Morning Jason will drive you into the wine district of the cotes du Nuits . First Jason will do a guided visit of the famous Cistercian winery of the Clos du Vougeot , home to the "Knights of the round table of wine tasting". We then venture into the vineyards for a discussion on the vine, grape and strict growing conditions of Burgundy’s AOC , before doing a wine tasting.

In the afternoon Jason and Dawn cast off and you set sail for Vandanesse en Auxois this relaxing cruise takes the barge through several locks, giving you plenty of opportunity to walk or cycle along the tow-path. Our mooring at Vandanesse is in the shadow of Chateauneuf-en-Auxois , classified as one of the prettiest villages in France. You can not help but be impressed by the view, truly memorable.

Wednesday
After breakfast Jason will drive you to Beaune , the capital of wine production in Burgundy. Jason will do a guided visit of the world famous Hospice du Beaune built in 1443.

In the afternoon Jason takes you to Patriarche Pere et Fils , the famous wine cellars in Beaune where his extensive knowledge of wines comes into play to guide you through the cellars and tastings. With over 4 million bottles at any one time in their underground caves that cover over 4 acres you will not go short for a drop or two, this is an extensive tasting ranging from the simple to the illustrious.

A leisurely drive back through the countryside returns you to the barge.

Thursday
This morning Jason drives you the short distance up to Châteauneuf to do a guided visit of this impressive fortified castel with its commanding views of the canal and surrounding area. Behind the château is a fantastic village, surprisingly small considering the obvious importance of the château .

In the afternoon we set sail and head for the summit pound, where we prepare the barge to travel through the Pouilly tunnel, a hugely impressive feat of engineering, built by British prisoner of war during the Napoleonic wars. Our transit takes us around 45 minutes and brings us out at Pouilly en Auxois our mooring for the night.

Friday
On your final day aboard we revert back to the utter sublime joy of pure barging. From the summit pound at Pouilly , we descend 12 locks in quick succession as we once again head into the Burgundian countryside, with ample opportunities to walk and cycle by the barge.

In the afternoon we spend several relaxing hours lazily gliding through the valley floor to our destination of Pont Royal where the Who Knows moors up and the reflection of a wonderful week can begin.

Saturday
After breakfast Jason will drive you back to Dijon train station, for your onward journey. With memories and pictures that will last a lifetime.

Please note, depending on starting point the itinerary may run in the opposite way.