What Makes France’s River Cruises So Special? Getaway Travel Guide
with me. Hello and welcome to Getaway. I’m on board scenic Sapphire exploring the spectacular south of France. But this region is filled with beautiful villages and castles on the hills and wineries. And the best way to experience it is on the river. This is the mighty Rome. We’ve mored in Avignon, the ideal port from which to explore this region of Provence, including the nearby village of Gourd. It’s been officially named as one of the most beautiful villages in France. It was built on the mountaintop with the abbey as a centerpiece and the whole village built around it because of its beauty and just how well it’s been preserved. It’s even been referred to as the Pathanon of Provence. So everything started in the 11th century with the construction of the castle and then the village developed around on the hilltop and uh so in the middle ages it was difficult time lots of war going on so people would find refuge in the castle and would always stick around the castle for centuries gourd thrived. A dye deep red in color was produced here from local ochre and the village was home to all sorts of craftsmen who use the colorful dyes in both their work and in the church. This is unlike any church that I have ever seen. It’s beautiful. Yeah. What do you like about it? The colors. Yeah, the colors and just the the the artwork that they’ve used in here. Chemical dyes were developed in the 20th century and together with an earthquake in 1909. Gourd began to decline and most of the houses here were abandoned and then it was rediscovered by artists who actually found it absolutely gorgeous to have all these houses abandoned and in ruin and decided to just take over. Since then, Gourd has rebounded and the village today is a charming labyrinth of cafes, boutiques, and galleries. The view from here is just superb. That is unbelievable. Yeah, it’s stunning, isn’t it? And so you see that you have a lot of vineyards down there uh because we produce a lot of wine in the region, but we also produce a lot of olives. So we say that province is the garden of France because we grow a lot of fruits, a lot of vegetables here as well and because we are under the influence of the Mediterranean Sea. So we have a Mediterranean climate here. So it’s a nice place to be, a nice place to live and it attracts a lot of people. Yeah, this region of France has loads on offer and with so many scenic free choice options to choose from today, I thought I might do something a little different. The Rome River has been my home for the last week and it travels about 800 kilometers all the way from the Swiss Alps. But as it comes down through this area here, a lot of tribute trees and other rivers join it. So this afternoon I’m exploring one of those rivers on a slightly smaller vessel. This is the Gardan, a small river that flows into the Rome and a great spot for a kayak. What type of people get to come on these kayaking event? So this is a quiet river on uh all people uh can riding on this river. It’s very easy. So very young all the way through to older people. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So, I think if you come and do this, the trick is you got to try to keep your canoe or kayak going straight down the river cuz if you turn sideways a little bit, the water grabs hold of you and pushes you off. It’s an incredibly easy river to kayak on, but there are a couple of fast flowing sections. Lining it up. That’s how you do it. But it’s the reward at the end that is the real star attraction. This is the Pont Deard, a 2,000-year-old Romanu built aqueduct that still stands proud today. It’s a masterpiece of ancient architecture and just one of the many wonders of this region. Discover France in truly all-inclusive luxury with scenic. Exclusive scenic and rich events, scenic free choice activities, all onboard meals and drinks are included. Secure your 2026 river cruise with economy flights included. Getaway viewers can also save $300 per person with an exclusive voucher. To request your voucher, visit scenic.com.au/getaway. Call 130079372 or speak to your local travel advisor. Well, thank you so much for getting away with us. Next week, our cruise through southern France will continue. I love these little French villages where you feel like you step straight onto a movie set. Plus, I am so excited to take you on a tour of Sri Lanka’s capital, Columbbo. Why don’t we do what the locals do? Let’s get into a tuk tuk and go and soak it all in. Hello. Accuse my driver. Until then, you travel safely. Bonoage.
David Whitehill enjoyed the epitome of luxury on a river cruise through France on Scenic Sapphire. Gliding along the Rhône river he fell under the spell of ancient hilltop villages, Roman architecture and verdant landscapes. Combined with fantastic food and wine, it made for the holiday of a lifetime. Watch Full episodes on 9Now: https://9now.app.link/ikWRlACA06 Subscribe here: https://bit.ly/2n2nsls
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