L’Impressioniste: Off to Dijon

ABOARD THE L’IMPRESSIONISTE — Today we are off to Dijon.

Joss, the cook
Joss, the cook

Yesterday was our first full day. We heard the engines for the first time at 9 a.m. and headed onto the canal. Some guests rode bikes along the towpaths, others walked leisurely, one man rode a bike then stopped and sketched the surrounding (and lovely, one might even say “beautiful”) Burgundy countryside.

After a delightful lunch of the regional favorite, beef bourgninon, the best ever, we piled into our Mercedes van and drove to Clos de Vougeot. There the vineyards seemed to go on as far as the eye can see – from horizon to horizon. After lunch it was off to a wine tasting of two white burgundies and three red at Chevaliers du Tastevin. One of those wines was a Montrechat, a favorite of my husband’s.

We drove back through some charming small towns and picture-poster countryside.

Life on the barge consists of wondrous meals, biking or walking along the canal, reading and some wonderful and insightful conversations with fellow guests. We are seven articulate Americans, all well-educated and all fairly interesting.

Good times.

Our crew, a tour guide who drives the van, two young women who serve and clean cabins, a pilot and our cook – a gem. Our acting captain complete their numbers.

They are very accommodating and eager (read young) and good company.
July 1, 2014

Photo by Marcia Raffel Levin

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