Wonderful waterways

Would you like an endless supply of quality wine, madam? Yes, please.

Would you like an endless supply of quality food, madam? Yes, please.

Would you like to sit back in luxury, see some of the most beautiful scenery the world has to offer and allow us to take care of everything for you, madam? Erm yes, please, if you insist.

You would think I'd died and gone to heaven. I hadn't. I'm still alive and kicking but I was fortunate to enjoy a little taste of heaven for a week. I took a voyage on water along the rivers of Burgundy and Provence on board the luxurious SS Catherine, the latest ship launched by Uniworld river cruises.

My temporary life of luxury started from the moment I was picked up by a friendly and punctual driver from Titan at 1am, a service offered to the travel company's cruisers, from my home in north Wales to Heathrow.

Our BA flight took us to the beautiful city of Lyon where we would later return on our cruise. The sight of the SS Catherine amazed me as we approached her on our coach from the airport. She was huge – 443-feet long to be exact. Our first task when on board was to relax and enjoy a 'light' lunch. I have to say there was nothing light about it. This is something that I'll remember fondly about my trip. The food, all inclusive, was amazing. Anyone who has read my reviews in the past will know that I'm obsessed with food. The impressive selection of meats, cheeses, fish, breads, salad, vegetables and desserts was like something I'd only ever previously dreamed of. And when washed down by quality red wine, well, it really was a dream come true.

The staff, constantly attentive and willing to top of your glass at any moment, were an absolute delight too.

My room on board the river hotel was as impressive a sight as the ship herself. A beautiful balcony offered splendid views when we set sail. Everything you could imagine in a grand hotel room was provided: quality shampoo and conditioner; shoe polish, and a vanity box were provided. I could seriously have flown out and boarded the ship with just a carrier bag of clothes – and not many as an efficient and impressive laundry service is also offered.

On my first exploration of my new home I found the swimming pool, gym, a self-service laundry room and, best of all, a bar two doors away from my room.

A few Bellinis, red wines and a dinner later I enjoyed a comfortable night in my new surroundings and was ready for the week ahead. Little did I expect the amazing sights and experiences that were in front of me.

Despite my best intentions I did not make the 7am aqua class I promised my companions I'd be attending. Moving swiftly on . . .

Trips and outings are on offer every day of your cruise. Walking tours, a riverside cycle ride, kayaking on the Gardon River where we had the best imaginable view of the Pont du Gard, an ancient Roman aqueduct, I saw it and did it all.

Our trips also included a tour of 'the capital of the wines of Burgundy'. This was how our tour guide described Beaune. On our return to Lyon we enjoyed a gourmet tour of the region described as the gourmet capital of France, as well as a walking tour exploring all the fascinating traboules, 360 secret passages which wind through the houses of the typically French streets of the city.

A self-confessed wine ignoramus, I was pleasantly surprised by what I learnt at a tasting session in Tournon, impressing my friends when I returned home with my new-found knowledge about the finer things in life. Long gone are the days of a glass of Lambrini on a Friday night. This girl's gone posh.

Smell it, swill it, get oxygen to it, taste it, spit it. Right gotcha. Oh, sorry did you say spit? Too late.

The wine, in my eyes, was too good to waste, I drank it all. In all seriousness though the tasting session was informative, educational and enjoyable. A wobbly walk from there took us to an incredibly vast chocolate shop where samples were on tap. Another dream come true. We spent so long there we had to run back to the ship clutching our purchases and made it back just in time for her to set sail.

A day in the tiny, beautiful town of Viviers proved very interesting. As part of our tour our guide Frances invited us back to her 500-year-old home, owned by her family for generations, The vast property, dubbed 'Maison Sure' or 'the safe house' holds secret passages where Nazi enemies were hidden and helped to escape. Viviers is also home to the smallest cathedral in operation in France.

Following a steep climb through the town's narrow cobbled streets to St Julian's we were rewarded by a fantastic organ recital. It was festival time when we docked in Avignon.

To follow in the footsteps of Vincent Van Gogh in Arles was an experience I will never forget. I discovered that Van Gogh painted most of his sunflower paintings in Arles, where he lived for about 15 months and also painted Starry Night over the Rhone.

All in all an amazing week, a happy week, an exciting week, an eventful week, a gut-busting week, an education, a week of dreams coming true. I loved every minute of my maiden voyage on board a cruise ship. I'm happy to say I'll Carry on Cruising.

Travel Facts

Caroline Jones travelled as a guest of Titan (0800 988 5873, www.titantravel.co.uk ) and Uniworld. An eight-day Burgundy and Provence river cruise starts from £1,749 per person (March 20 departure) including a saving of £750 per person for bookings made before December 31. Cost includes return scheduled flights, seven-nights all-inclusive cruise on board the SS Catherine, unlimited beverages on board, all gratuities on board, excursions with English-speaking local guides, all transfers and VIP Home Departure Service.