In the wake of Hurricane Helene, a unique opportunity has emerged that brings together travel, shared experience and support for our community. AmaWaterways, an established river cruise company, along with River Cruise Advisor, owned by one of The Crier’s editor (me) is offering residents of Fairview and Western North Carolina a special opportunity to join its Flavors of Burgundy river cruise in France, with exclusive discounts and a portion of the proceeds going back to our community.
This seven-night journey along the Saône River explores the heart of French wine country—from Lyon to St. Jean de Losne—with daily excursions, regional cuisine, and of course, the wines that make Burgundy famous. It’s a wonderful trip—I’ve done it before, and it’s one of my favorites.
Fairview and WNC residents will receive an exclusive $1,000 per person discount, in addition to already reduced published fares. AmaWaterways is also donating $200 per cabin booked to FairviewStrong.org to aid ongoing recovery efforts.
In an added show of generosity, AmaWaterways has offered to donate one complimentary cabin to a deserving person in our community—provided we reach a goal of 15 cabins booked.
The Crier crew plans to be aboard and would love to share the experience with some familiar faces. Interested in joining us? For now, we’re simply gauging interest—no commitments, just names.
You can read more about the cruise, departing April 23, 2026, at this link AmaWaterways – Flavors of Burgundy, April 23, 2026. Please don’t use the link to reserve space. We’ll provide booking details in a few weeks.
If you’re interested in joining us or want more details, please reach out and let us know by signing up below or emailing [email protected]. We’ll keep you posted.— Ralph Grizzle
