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C A N A L S O F E U R O P E VENICE JOIN BELMOND VENICE SIMPLON-ORIENT-EXPRESS Day 6: Wednesday 23 August Enamoured by this fabled city of islands we are ready to meet the Belmond Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. Welcome to a world of white gloved service, where your steward will attend to your every need and course upon course of fine dining will be served. Such resplendence calls for a celebratory after dinner aperitivo in the Bar Car, accompanied by tinkling piano music as Italy melts into France and you journey onwards through the night. PARIS – CHAMPAGNE DISEMBARK BELMOND VENICE SIMPLON-ORIENT-EXPRESS Day 7: Thursday 24 August The sun wakes you and your steward waits with breakfast. We farewell our friendly crew on arrival in Paris. Like any good celebration, however, we begin with Champagne. Welcome to Chateau Les Crayeres; with perfectly manicured gardens and beautifully appointed rooms, this impeccable property has been the epitome of French chic since 1904. We set the standard with an outstanding dinner at Le Parc restaurant, prepared by Michelin starred chef Philippe Mille. DIJON JOIN MS JEANINE Day 8: Friday 25 August We're feeling particularly effervescent this morning, ready to pop corks along the Route du Champagne. A prestigious Champagne house opens its doors for us and the afternoon takes us south through the Cote de Blancs. In Dijon, we are ready to see a different side to France, cruising her radiant waterways. Stepping aboard the MS Jeanine, the pace of life slows down gloriously. We've privately chartered this dainty French barge exclusively for a leisurely meander along the Cote d'Or Canals from Saone et Loire. Settling into your neat cabin, it's a pleasure to know you will have to unpack just once for the next six nights. Dinner and sunset cocktails set the scene for lazy evenings ahead. PETIT OUGES Day 9: Saturday 26 August Days don't get much closer to the sublime than those spent enjoying life's simple pleasures on our very own barge. Winding at leisure through the Grand Crus wine route, we pass through the most prestigious of the Burgundy vineyards. At Petit Ouges, we explore the intriguing circuit of the three wash houses. SAINT JEAN DE LOSNE Day 10: Sunday 27 August The river to Saint Jean de Losne traces some of the region's most voluptuous curves as we drift past rural vineyards and rustic farmsteads, waving to passing boats, Bourgogne in hand. DOLE Day 11: Monday 28 August Saint Jean de Losne is the self proclaimed capital of canal barging in France. In a history of sieges and saviours, we visit the Hotel- Dieu, maritime museum and gothic style church during an insightful tour. Back on the water, sit back and relax as we navigate through the arteries of Southern Burgundy bound for the verdant heart of Dole. RANCHOT Day 12: Tuesday 29 August Follow the paw prints to the Trail of the Perched Cat on a morning excursion ashore bringing the charming stories of poet Marcel Ayme to life in Dole. Feeling active? Perhaps you'll take the barge's bicycles and follow the easy cycle path along the river, chasing the barge to Ranchot, our final destination for today. All aboard the Belmond Venice Simplon-Orient-Express Opposite: Castles and chateaux line France's canals 50 CAPTAIN'S CHOICE | Europe 2017