Lot 48
A Grand, Premier Cruise to the Grand and Premiers Crus

French holiday for three (3) couples for ten (10) days, nine (9) nights (September 5-14, 2008), including:

Round-trip, first class airfare from Miami, FL to Paris, France
Three (3) nights luxury accommodations in Paris (September 5, 6 & 13, 2008)
Seven (7) day, six (6) night cruise for three (3) couples through the Burgundy region of France aboard the fully-staffed, ultra-deluxe hotel-barge Fleur de Lys (September 7-13, 2008)
Round-trip transfer from the hotel in Paris to Gare de Lyon Railway Station via chauffeured car service
Round-trip, upper class TGV train transportation from Paris to Dijon
All meals beginning with dinner on Sunday, September 7 through breakfast on Saturday, September 13 are included
All wines served with lunches and dinners are included as well as selections from a premium open bar
Luxury minivan provided for excursions and transfers from the barge
Private tasting at Domaine de Romanée
Private tours, tastings and lunches at Maison Louis Latour and Maison Camille Giroud
24 – 750ml Château Haut-Brion (28, 43, 47, 55, 59, 64, 66, 78, 79, 81, 82, 85, 86, 88, 89, 90, 95, 96, 98, 99, 00, 01, 02, 03)

More than 220 years ago, Thomas Jefferson experienced the magic of cruising the canals of France through the eyes of a traveler from abroad. Follow in the footsteps of this American forefather and “barge” in luxury, seeing the picturesque region between Dijon and Escommes, on the Burgundy canal, in the comfort of the Orient Express’ ultra-deluxe hotel-barge Fleur de Lys. Gliding on the gently flowing Canal de Bourgogne, you’ll slowly drift through Burgundy, admiring its breathtaking landscape, inhaling its fragrances and tasting its savory wines and delicious French cuisine.

In order to begin all this languid lolling about in luxury as quickly as possible, you’ll travel first class from Paris on the TGV train to Dijon. From there, you’ll be escorted on your transfer to Escommes, where you will board Fleur de Lys. With 2,500 square feet of living space, this spacious and well-appointed luxury hotel barge is large enough to accommodate 22 passengers, but designed to convey six guests in lavish comfort. At 160 metric tons, she is the largest size of barge capable of navigating the network of older canals in France. Her three double staterooms each feature canopied beds and bathrooms, with twin basins and bathtubs. The focal point of the main salon is the grand piano surrounded by generous picture windows; the separate formal dining room has been tastefully decorated to host candlelight dinner parties for you and your traveling companions. On the upper deck, you can enjoy a heated plunge pool as hamlets, gardens and the peaceful countryside beyond the canal banks pass you by.

Your cruise itinerary includes visits to landmark villages and cities, punctuated by tastings and excursions to the region’s most renowned wineries. Early in your trip, your dedicated guide will take you to Châteauneuf-en-Auxois, a medieval hilltop village, and Clos de Vougeot, a medieval chateau which is the headquarters of the famed gastronomy society, Chevaliers du Tastevin. Mid-week, you will explore l’Abbaye de la Bussière, built in the 12th century under the guidance of the Cistercian monks from Citeaux, and enjoy lunch at a Michelin star restaurant. You’ll continue your Burgundy journey visiting Côte d’Or, where you will see vines that produce some of the world’s most famous wines and end the day with an enchanting visit to Beaune, capital of the wine region of Burgundy, for a visit to the famous Hôtel-Dieu, Hospice de Beaune. Lastly, you’ll be treated to an excursion to Dijon where you’ll not only get to taste Grey Poupon in its birthplace, but see the market and explore the Ducal Palace. And what trip to Burgundy would be complete without tours and tastings at some of the most famous wineries in the world? You will have an individually arranged wine tasting at the renowned Domaine de Romanée Conti and two specially arranged tours, tastings and lunches at famed Burgundy wineries, Louis Latour and Maison Camille Giroud.

In addition to being an architect, archaeologist, astronomer, philosopher and statesman, the author of the Declaration of Independence was America’s first wine connoisseur. Almost a century before the official classification of the great growths of Bordeaux, Jefferson created a hierarchy remarkably similar to the 1855 classification. Of the finest wines within that hierarchy, Jefferson had a clear favorite - Haut-Brion. In fact, when Jefferson joined Benjamin Franklin and John Adams as a commissioner in Paris in 1784, one of his first acts was to order 24 cases of Haut-Brion for the cellar of his new residence on the Champs-Élysées.

A collection that would surely earn the envy of the third president of the United States accompanies this trip fantastique. Twenty-four of the finest vintages of this renowned First Growth are gathered in a collection like none other. Two cases of legendary wines; beginning with the “timeless” 1928 vintage. Step back in time to the days of poodle skirts and saddle shoes with the impeccable 1955 - still remarkably youthful; enjoy a taste of liquid perfection with the 1989 vintage or usher in the new millennium with the supremely elegant 2000. A century of wine, distilled through the lens of the Château that is Haut-Brion.

Bid high and you’ll be rollin’… rollin’… rollin’ on the river in France’s renowned Burgundy region.

Insider’s Note: Barge route is subject to change based on Fleur de Lys’ scheduling. Some portions of this trip are subject to change without notice.

DONORS: Carol & Tom Lund
ADDITIONAL DONORS: Gayle & Jack Daniels and Jodi & Bob Dickinson
Airfare provided by an anonymous donor