The Waterways of Burgundy

We meet at our London St Pancras Departure Office ahead of our Eurostar journey to Paris. From here, we continue to Dijon by high-speed rail where we board our hotel barge, MS Jeanine. A 3-course welcome dinner is served once we've settled into our cabins. Afterwards, why not make the most of the inclusive bar and enjoy a nightcap before bed?

• Dinner

We cast off this morning and the Jeanine picks up the Grands Crus Wine Circuit for an excursion to the 6 villages in the area that produce the finest Burgundy wines. The 'road of the great wines' runs from Dijon in the north to Santenay in the south and is punctuated by a collection of vineyards and attractive towns that have become increasingly prosperous as the popularity of local vintages has grown. Many of the vineyards in this region are quite small and produce a small quantity of very high-quality wine. Some of the best vintages require between 10 and 20 years to mature, further restricting the volume of wine produced. We stop off along the route for a tasting before returning to the ship and cruising through the lush landscapes of the Saône Valley to Petit-Ouges.

Setting sail again on Day 3, we spend a relaxed day slowly cruising to Saint-Jean-de-Losne. Perhaps visit the boat's terrace area to soak in the sun and charming vistas of sloping vineyards and secluded villages, chat to new friends while enjoying refreshments at the bar or hop in the Jacuzzi for a chance to really unwind.

• Day 2 - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Day 3 - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Following a buffet breakfast, we set out on a guided tour of quaint Saint-Jean-de-Losne, a small town affectionately known as the capital of barging in France. Nestled amidst the heart of the country's canal system, it also wears its rich history on its sleeve. We explore on foot, visiting a monument that commemorates those who lost their lives in the siege of 1636 and the Gare d'Eau, or water station, as well as the Church of St John the Baptist with its contrasting Gothic and Renaissance architecture. Returning to the Jeanine for lunch, we continue our journey upriver to Dole, our mooring point for the night.

Day 5 is spent following the trail of the perched cat, we discover Dole today on a walking tour. Created in homage to Marcel Aymé who spent his childhood in the town before going on to write 'Tales of the Perched Cat', this trail takes us through the most scenic streets and past the most delightful landmarks. We admire the local church and the houses lining the banks of the river, once-thriving tanneries that have been converted into elegant residences and restaurants. A quintessentially French market town, Dole enjoys an idyllic location perched, much like the fictional cat of Aymé's stories, on a hillside that offers commanding views across jumbled rooftops and waterways below. Our afternoon is spent sailing towards Ranchot. You may like to stay on board and enjoy the passing sights at a relaxed pace, or perhaps take advantage of the barge's bikes and accompany our boat by cycling on the towpath beside it.

• Day 4 - Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Day 5 - Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Departing Ranchot this morning, we make our leisurely way to Besancon, arriving after lunch. From our mooring point, we transfer by coach to Arc-et-Senans, home to the UNESCO listed Saline Royale museum. Once a thriving salt factory, today the museum is more famous for its unusual and distinctive architecture. Designed by the visionary Claude-Nicolas Ledoux, the site was commissioned by Louis XV in the late 18th century and was reconstructed in 1996 after falling into disrepair. Part of what makes it so unique is the attention to detail throughout; from the white-washed cottages of those that worked here to the twisted colonnades framing the main entrance, every detail has been intricately considered.

We take a tour with our local guide, visiting the 11 buildings that were once a hive of industry, but which now help preserve a bygone age. We celebrate the final night of our holiday this evening with a gala dinner aboard the Jeanine.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Disembark after breakfast today, meeting your Tour Manager for the return journey to Paris where we join Eurostar service back to London St Pancras International.

• Breakfast