An historical route for merchants, the gorgeous Rhone Valley is dwelling to numerous vineyards and vibrant orchards – and it’s the produce, the meals and the wine which have made the area one among Europe’s final foodie locations.
On this all-inclusive eight-day luxurious Rhone river cruise, you’ll be joined by Frenchman Raymond Blanc, one of many fathers of contemporary British delicacies.
His Manoir aux Quat’Saisons restaurant has spawned a few of Britain’s most proficient cooks, together with Marco Pierre White, Sat Bains, Heston Blumenthal and Michael Caines – however Raymond’s ardour for meals has its roots in France.
French fancies: On The Mail on Sunday’s unique eight-day Rhone river cruise you will discover charming locations, together with Avignon (pictured)
Pleasant: You will board your luxurious ship, Scenic Sapphire, in Lyon. Pictured is town’s Saint Jean Cathedral
YOUR SPECIAL GUEST
You’ll be joined by Raymond Blanc
Chef Patron of the two-Michelin-star Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons in Oxfordshire, Raymond Blanc labored his means up from a cleaner in France to one of many world’s best-known cooks. From a younger age, Raymond helped his father develop greens, and he fell in love with meals whereas cooking together with his mom. He opened his first restaurant in Oxford in 1977 earlier than shopping for Le Manoir in 1983. Raymond has offered many TV sequence, together with ITV’s Merely Raymond.
‘Most French life revolves round mealtimes and my household was no exception,’ he says. ‘For my mom, cooking was an act of affection. At an early age, I used to be taught to like and respect meals, for its magnificence, its freshness and likewise its value.
‘This easy philosophy has been a robust affect on my profession as a chef.’
You’ll witness that love on show as you participate in an interactive cookery demonstration with Raymond, together with the possibility to style his creations and ask him your cookery questions throughout a Q&A and book-signing. Additionally, you will obtain a free copy of his newest cookbook (one per reserving) and revel in a particular truffle-themed dinner created by Scenic’s skilled cooks for this journey.
Your crusing begins in Lyon and also you’ll journey alongside the Rhone, stopping at Macon, Vienne, Avignon, Viviers and Tarascon to discover these charming locations and feast on the area’s finest meals. You’ll tour Roman monuments, go to vineyards and revel in all-inclusive meals and wine within the ship’s fabulous eating places.
REASONS TO BOOK
Meet Raymond Blanc: You’ll meet the much-loved French chef and participate in a sequence of unique occasions with him. Be a part of Raymond for a book-signing and question-and-answer session when you get pleasure from a cocktail, earlier than seeing him in motion the next day throughout an interactive cooking demonstration aboard ship.
Final foodie journey: The Rhone Valley is the jewel in France’s culinary crown and there can be loads of probabilities to pattern its produce, together with assembly an area farmer’s specifically educated truffle-snuffling canine and tasting what it finds, completely for this bespoke itinerary. Additionally, you will feast on a particular dinner that includes the delicacies of the area.
Cruise in fashion: Scenic Sapphire is an all-suite Area Ship, with all-inclusive food and drinks included within the value. Your luxurious ship boasts a choice of fine-dining eating places, a sublime bar, salt remedy lounge and health amenities, and a sundeck with vitality pool. You’ll have the ability to study native recipes from our skilled cooks at Scenic Culinaire, the on-board cooking faculty.
Excursions galore: Select from a variety of journeys in your eight- day itinerary, from procuring with a chef then cooking your purchases to visiting vineyards and an olive farm and exploring the architectural wonders of Arles and Avignon. At Avignon’s prestigious Palais des Papes, after the doorways near most of the people you’ll be invited to an unique Scenic Enrich live performance inside this elegant 14th Century palace.
