Wine Pairings
We strolled over to Nicolas wine merchant which offers a wide selection of French wines. Some members of the group purchased wines to take home.
Notice that the wines are presented by region. We didn’t need to take any back to the ship. We certainly enjoyed our fair share of Cotes du Rhone, Bourgogne, Beaujolais & other wines onboard paired with dinner menu items during the week.
For more delicious details, contact:
Jacintha Perera, culinary escape artist
Gourmet Getaways, a division of www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com
916.897.9597
Sights & Bites
A small group of us had signed up for this culinary-themed tour as just one of the options offered through AmaWaterways in Lyon. Our friendly English-speaking local guide Magli escorted us to several purveyors of fine food stuffs.
Master Cheesemaker
Little did we know, we were about to meet the famous Cheese Master himself. Monsieur Etienne Boissey spoke with us & graciously posed for a quick photo.
Wine & Cheese
M. Boissey personally chose a selection of cheeses & a regional Macon white wine for our visit. You can see the tasting set up for us on the counter behind Ms. Magli in the photo above.
For more delicious details, contact:
Jacintha Perera, culinary escape artist
Gourmet Getaways, a division of www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com
916.897.9597
Local Lunch spot
I noticed many local residents had stopped by for a delicious midday meal & some socializing. Here, a classic paella before the lunch rush leaves it dessimated! it’s a good idea to arrive early.
I Spy
Before I got completely distracted by the sweets across the aisle, I spied a local delicacy, Quenelles Lyonnaises, or plump little dumplings, sitting primly in a display case. They can contain a mixture of creamed fish, chicken, or other meat, sometimes they are vegetarian.
For more delicious details, contact:
Jacintha Perera, culinary escape artist
Gourmet Getaways, a division of www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com
916.897.9597
The Temple of Gastronomy
Lyon is the gastronomic capital of France with approximately 1,500 restaurants. Les Halles de (Chef) Paul Bocuse is the famous covered market with numerous specialized vendors. Let’s stroll through & take a look around. I hope you’ve had lunch. This may make you hungry!
Calling all Foodies!
I noticed that all the purveyors displayed their local produce & products with pride. They were friendly, helpful and eager to make recommendations.
Charcuterie
Quite an assortment of cured meats. One specialty appears to be the sausage with pistachio & truffle, front & center on the top rack. Hmmm, sounds delish!
Enough temptation for one afternoon. Tomorrow some wine & cheese . . . and then the final course . . . dessert 🙂
For more delicious details, contact:
Jacintha Perera, culinary escape artist
Gourmet Getaways, a division of www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com
916.897.9597
A Social Affair
River cruising tends to be a very social mode of travel due to small number of people on each vessel. The cozy bar & lounge area is a natural gathering place for passengers to mix & mingle.
photo of AmaCerto courtesy of AmaWaterways
For more delicious details, contact:
Jacintha Perera, culinary escape artist
Gourmet Getaways, a division of www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com
916.897.9597
Renaissance
River cruising used to be known for old ships, small & spartan cabins with lackluster meals. Blah. Completely unappealing 🙁
In the last few years, it has gone through a rebirth with NEW ships that are more like 5 star floating boutique hotels.
photo of the AmaCerto courtesy of AmaWaterways
Immersion
Imagine cruising directly through the landscape. Rivers in Europe were the original highways for transporting goods & people. Modern river cruising is an intimate & immersive experience. Vessels between 100 to 150 passengers stopping at villages, towns & cities along the way.
landscape photo courtesy of AmaWaterways
For more delicious details, contact:
Jacintha Perera, culinary escape artist
Gourmet Getaways, a division of www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com
916.897.9597
Our Lady Reigns
The gleaming white Notre Dame de Fourviere basilica high atop the hill overlooking the city.
A closer look at the facade of this sacred site . . . built in a neo-Byzantine style of architecture . . . a roman Catholic church dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
Below, the crypt of Saint-Jean . . . note the rather austere exterior contrasts sharply with the church’s richly decorated interior . . . including gilt, marble, stained glass windows, and colored mosaics.
Stroll to the back terrace for a magnificent bird’s eye view from the Hill of Prayers over the entire city . . . which we will tour tomorrow.
For more delicious details, contact:
Jacintha Perera, culinary escape artist
Gourmet Getaways, a division of www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com
916.897.9597
Three Rivers
They say there are 3 rivers in Lyon . . . the Saone River in the foreground . . . the Rhone River in the midground . . . hint: follow the tree lines across . . . and the Beaujolais . . . because so much wine flows through here (joke!)
For more delicious details, contact:
Jacintha Perera, culinary escape artist
Gourmet Getaways, a division of www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com
916.897.9597
Welcome Aboard!
Postcards from Lyon . . . staff members Elena & Peter welcome us aboard at a cocktail reception with a glass of Veuve Clicquot French champagne for each passenger . . . and a red rose for each lady . . . a nice touch!
Ready to Set Sail
AmaDagio’s Cruise Manager John Riley & Hotel Director Luis de Sousa Marques . . . along with Captain Louis Devaux (not shown here) . . . greeted passengers and prepared us for our cruise . . . on the Saone & Rhone Rivers . . . south from Lyon to Arles.
For more delicious details, contact:
Jacintha Perera, culinary escape artist
Gourmet Getaways, a division of www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com
916.897.9597
