Taste of Bordeaux

Day 1, EMBARKATION – BORDEAUX, FRANCE

Welcome to Bordeaux, where you’ll board your luxurious river cruise. Meet your fellow passengers this evening during a delectable Welcome Dinner. (D)

Day 2, LIBOURNE

Libourne provides a gateway to one of Bordeaux’s most elite wine regions, Saint-Émilion, known for its celebrated vineyards. Join an excursion to historic Saint Émilion, and while here, explore the monolithic church carved out of one piece of limestone rock, and then go under the church to discover its catacombs and caves. Afterwards, enjoy a Grand Cru Classé wine tasting at either Château de Ferrand or Château de Pressac. If you prefer a more active adventure, pedal through the vineyard-rich countryside to Saint-Émilion and then to Château Soutard for a Grand Cru Classé wine tasting(B,L,D)

Day 3, LIBOURNE

Stroll through the colorful, open-air market, tasting some of the region’s specialties. As a unique alternative, travel back in time to visit an ancient watermill and learn the tradition of breadmaking. Or, you can get your heart pumping by venturing deeper into town by hiking through one of Libourne’s renowned vineyards, accompanied by a tasting of local wine and tapas. (B,L,D)

Day 4, BLAYE - BOURG

Once in Blaye, you can join a tour of its 17th-century citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For a more active excursion, take a bike ride from Blaye through the idyllic French countryside. During the afternoon, you can cruise to Bourg or join a bike tour along Santiago’s path—a famous pilgrimage route—to Bourg. While in the ancient village of Bourg, visit the Carriage Museum, which houses a wonderful collection of horse-drawn vehicles. Later in the day, experience the hospitality of this charming medieval village with an exclusive wine festival. Meet the local wine growers and taste the fruits of their labors as well as enjoy live French music and dancing(B,L,D)

Day 5, CUSSAC-FORT MEDOC

Cussac-Fort-Medoc is a peaceful commune in southwestern France and your gateway to the famed Médoc region, renowned for producing some of the world’s finest Bordeaux wines. You will see some of the most beautiful and famous wine estates. You’ll then visit a local château for a tasting of Grand Cru wines. More active guests can hike through the vineyards and taste local specialties. Alternatively, or you may enjoy a drive along the coast to Soulac-sur-Mer where you’ll see unique sights, such as the Statue of Liberty and the Cordouan lighthouse known to be the oldest in France. (B,L,D)

Day 6, CADILLAC

Visit the impressive Castle of Roquetaillade, an amazingly preserved masterpiece of medieval military architecture owned by the same noble family for 700 years and travel to the Sauternes wine region to either Chateau de Rayne Vigneau or Chateau Guiraud to taste the highly prized golden-hued sweet wines produced here. For those wishing to explore more of the history on the decadent castles, you can enjoy a visit to the Roquetaillade castle and Cadillac castle. Or, pedal through the charming town of Cadillac for a guided bike tour. (B,L,D)

Day 7, BORDEAUX

The breathtaking capital of the wine world, Bordeaux is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and classified as a “City of Art and History.” You’ll have an opportunity to experience much of the rich culture and architecture on a city tour followed by a visit to the Bordeaux Wine Museum, housed in an awe-inspiring building. Bike enthusiasts will wish to join a tour along the city’s amazing network of bicycle paths.(B,L,D)

Day 8, BORDEAUX - DISEMBARKATION

Your cruise comes to an end as you prepare for your homeward flight. (B)

Immersive tours in every destination

Gentle, regular, active and late-riser tour options

Bike tours and hikes

Special interest tours

Knowledgeable guides

2 nights in Bilbao and 2 nights in San Sebastian from $1509 per person

Day 1: Check into your hotel for the beginning of your Basque Country land package.

Day 2: Travel to the Basque town of Guernica, infamously bombed by German and Italian air forces during the Spanish Civil War – and the subject of one of Picasso’s most renowned paintings. Immerse yourself in culture and visit the open-air market where you’ll find a variety of local specialties, from cheese to peppers to fish. Later in the day, take an informative walking tour through Bilbao and learn how to order Basque tapas, known locally as pintxos, and revered for their small size and big taste. (B)

Day 3: Take a deep dive into the contemporary art within the world-famous Guggenheim Museum, a work of art itself. Designed by architect Frank Gehry, the museum features a daring and innovative façade and showcases work by such artists as Andy Warhol, German artist Anselm Kiefer, and Basque masters Eduardo Chillida and Jorge Oteiza. Later in the day, transfer to San Sebastián and check into your hotel. In the evening, take a stroll through Old Town, the second oldest neighborhood in the city, where distinctive architecture and pintxos bars beckon, made even more romantic by the evening light. (B)

Day 4: Discover the charms of the “City by the Bay of Biscay.” Known in the Basque language as Donostia, San Sebastián was once a prominent fishing village and was burned to the ground in 1813 after being occupied by Napoleonic troops. However, by 1887, after rebuilding, the city flourished as a popular tourist destination and spa resort. Later in the day, enjoy some free time in the city renowned for holding the second highest number of Michelin stars per square meter. (B)

Day 5: Check out of your hotel and transfer to Bordeaux via the French Basque town of Bayonne. Later, embark the ship in Bordeaux for your Taste of Bordeaux cruise. (B,D)

2 nights in Loire Valley and 1 night in Paris (Charles de Gaulle) from $1309 per person

Day 1: Disembark the ship and transfer to Tours for free time for lunch before arriving in the Loire Valley, where you will check in to your Amboise hotel. (B)

Day 2: Visit three of the Loire Valley’s regal châteaux starting with the Château de Chenonceau, one of the most beautiful castles in France. This château has been referred to as the “Women’s Castle” since it is the only castle in the region that has been built, inhabited and saved by women during the Renaissance. Château du Clos Lucé was Leonardo da Vinci’s last home where he completed some of his most famous works under the patronage of the King of France. The Château d’Amboise, perched on a promontory overlooking the Loire River, was the first Renaissance château built in the Loire Valley and features extravagant residences, gardens and a Gothic chapel, where Leonardo da Vinci is buried. (B)

Day 3: Check out of your Amboise hotel and, en route to Paris, visit two more majestic châteaux. Revel in a tour of the Château de Chenonceaux, a truly spectacular château and former watermill that spans the Cher River was turned into a palace by the French King Francis I for his Mistress Diane de Poitier. Then, you will have free time for lunch on your own before continuing on to the Renaissance-style Château d’Amboise. This former medieval castle was remodeled in the Renaissance to a royal residence. The Gothic chapel contains the final resting place of Leonardo da Vinci. You will also discover the Château du Clos Luce, Leonardo da Vinci’s last home. Here, during the final years of his life, he completed some of his most treasured works, The Mona Lisa, The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne, and the Saint John the Baptist. Afterwards, transfer by motorcoach to your hotel at Charles De Gaulle Airport. (B)

Day 4: Bid farewell to Paris and prepare for your flight home. (B)