This morning began with one last petit déjeuner at the beautiful Hotel Collectionneur Arc de Triomphe before we made our way to the TGV station. As we drove through Paris, we caught glimpses of sights we missed yesterday during the Bastille Day celebrations—one more chance to soak in the City of Light before heading south.
Our train journey to Dijon was smooth and scenic. Dijon isn’t just a gateway to Burgundy’s wine region—it’s a city with deep roots. It was once the capital of the Duchy of Burgundy, and its historic core is filled with beautifully preserved medieval and Renaissance buildings.
And, of course, it’s the home of Dijon mustard. I couldn’t resist picking up a jar from a local producer while we were in Beaune for our wine tasting. (A small souvenir, but packed with flavor!)
Speaking of flavor—did you know it can take up to three vines to make just one bottle of wine? That’s one of the many little facts we learned from our incredible local guide today—a winemaker himself. He also shared a quote I won’t soon forget:
“Good wine is not made in the cellars—it is born of the land.”
We began the tasting with a glass of Crémant, France’s sparkling wine made in regions outside of Champagne. It was crisp and lovely, and I would’ve loved to ship some home… but between international shipping and the latest trump tariffs, it just didn’t make sense. Still, it was the perfect start to an afternoon in charming Beaune. After wandering through its storybook streets, I treated myself to ice cream—one scoop of caramel & peanut and one of mixed berries. It was every bit as good as it sounds.
And then—it was time. I boarded Avalon Poetry II, my home for the next leg of this adventure and the setting of a very special milestone: my 50th cruise. 🛳️
When I stepped into the lounge for our safety briefing, I was surprised by someone calling my name—and even more surprised to see Claudia, a server I met on my Danube River Christmas Markets cruise last year! We hugged, laughed, and took a selfie. She even asked, “Where are your friends?” And that pulled at my heart a little… because I really am missing the wonderful people I cruised with last December on the Danube.
I’m also missing my new friends I met on my Globus tour last week. It’s always hard to say goodbye when you’ve shared such special memories with fellow travelers. Hopefully we will meet again soon on another tour.
Tonight, we’re sailing at last. I’ve already met several lovely people onboard, and I’m looking forward to getting to know them more throughout the week.
Dinner was delightful: a Caesar salad (the lettuce may have been a bit on the wilty side, but the flavor made up for it), a smooth and comforting cauliflower soup, and grilled fish with a delicate, flavorful sauce. For dessert, I chose the apple tart… because fruit is good for me, right? 😉
Now I’m all settled into my Panorama Suite, Avalon’s signature stateroom with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors that turn the entire room into an open-air balcony. As I write this, I’ve got the windows open, the breeze drifting in, and the Saône River slipping past in the twilight. There’s something so peaceful about this kind of travel—no rush, no unpacking and repacking, just the rhythm of the river and the excitement of what’s to come.
During our safety meeting earlier this evening, our cruise director (who’s been with us since Paris) introduced us to the ship’s crew. It was clear right away that we’re in excellent hands. One fun fact that really stuck with me? Our captain is only 28 years old, but he’s already a fifth-generation river captain. He quite literally grew up on these waterways! It’s amazing to see such a strong sense of tradition passed down through families—and it adds even more meaning to this journey down the Saône on our way to the Rhone!
Cleared For Take-Off! 