What it’s really like to river cruise through France aboard Riverside Ravel
There’s a lot to love about seeing Europe by river – a slower pace, ever-changing scenery and the chance to experience several places without the usual packing and unpacking in between. After a few days sailing through France aboard Riverside Ravel with Lusso, Freya returned with a newfound appreciation for river cruising.
Here, she shares a little of what she loved about life on board, from cycling through Burgundy’s vineyards and long dinners overlooking the water to the simple pleasure of waking up somewhere new each morning.
I’ve just returned from a wonderful few days with Lusso aboard Riverside Ravel, sailing from Lyon and back again along the Saône – and I think I may have discovered one of the most relaxing ways to travel!
The joy of travelling slowly
There is something rather special about river cruising that is difficult to explain until you experience it. You unpack once, settle into your suite and then simply… go. While you are enjoying dinner, having a drink or sleeping, you are gently making your way somewhere new.
I loved waking up in the morning, opening the curtains and seeing a completely different view outside. One moment you are surrounded by the buzz of Lyon and, before you know it, you are gliding through beautiful French countryside, passing vineyards, little villages and landscapes that you might never otherwise have seen.
And that’s what I think I loved most about it – the pace.
You can see and experience so much, but without ever feeling as though you are constantly rushing from one place to the next. You can head ashore and explore – we visited the beautiful Château de Cormatin and spent time discovering a little of Burgundy, including a bike ride through the vineyards followed by wine tasting. A very sophisticated way to exercise!
Or, of course, you can simply do very little at all.
One of my favourite moments was sitting up on deck with a drink in hand, watching the scenery slowly glide past. It sounds wonderfully simple, and it is – but that is exactly the appeal. There is no hurry to get anywhere. The journey itself becomes part of the holiday.
Life aboard Riverside Ravel
Riverside Ravel is beautifully elegant and incredibly comfortable, with a relaxed atmosphere that makes it very easy to feel at home. And then there is the food…
I am going to be honest: I had every intention of making good use of the gym. I even went to have a look around it. Sadly, breakfast, lunch and dinner rather got in the way of any serious fitness ambitions.
Eating very well along the way
The food was genuinely excellent throughout our stay. Breakfast felt wonderfully indulgent, with a beautiful selection to choose from as well as freshly prepared dishes, while lunch and dinner were equally tempting. There was always something delicious to look forward to – which, when you are making your way through the French countryside at a leisurely pace, feels like a very important part of the experience. Dinner each evening reflects the destination you are sailing through, with the team sourcing fresh local ingredients during the day to bring a real taste of the region to the table.
One evening we ate in Atelier, enjoying a lovely French meal served sharing-style, with dish after dish arriving at the table to enjoy together. It was relaxed, sociable and one of those dinners where you find yourself lingering over the last glass of wine because nobody is quite ready for the evening to end.
And the drinks were exceptional too! Whether it was a pre-dinner cocktail, a glass of wine with lunch or simply sitting on deck with something cold while the scenery drifted past, there always seemed to be a rather good excuse to stop and enjoy the moment. We even had a cocktail-making masterclass, which was great fun – although I think I’ll leave the professional bartending to the experts for now.
Three nights, and completely converted
Our trip was only three nights, but it gave me a real feel for what makes travelling in this way so special. It is a lovely combination of exploring new places, enjoying beautiful food and wine and, at the same time, completely slowing down.
A huge thank you to Lusso and everyone aboard Riverside Ravel for looking after us so beautifully.
I came home feeling very relaxed, very well fed and still rather taken with the idea of going to sleep in one place and waking up somewhere new – preferably without having to unpack my suitcase again.
Tempted to try river cruising for yourself?
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