Taste of Bordeaux

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

Take in the romance of Bordeaux as you pass iconic sights on a scenic morning cruise.

Later in the day, dock in Libourne, a gateway to one of Bordeaux’s most elite wine regions. Join an excursion to Saint Émilion, known for its celebrated vineyards, 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.

You can also choose to tour the magnificent Château Vayres, one of the most prestigious historic buildings of Aquitaine.

Stroll through the colorful, open-air market, tasting some of the region’s specialties.

Or, you can get your heart pumping by venturing deeper into town on an invigorating bike tour or hiking through one of Libourne’s renowned vineyards.

Later in the day, set sail for Blaye, where you’ll enjoy an evening at your leisure.

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 around Blaye.

Later in the day, you can choose to bike from Blaye through the idyllic French countryside to Bourg. While in the ancient village of Bourg, take a walking tour and 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.

Pauillac, a lovely village on the Left Bank of the Gironde Estuary, is 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, including Château Latour, Château Mouton Rothschild, Château Lafite Rothschild and Château Pichon Longueville.

You’ll then visit either Château Gruaud Larose or Château Léoville Poyferré for a tasting of Grand Cru wines.

Visit the impressive Castle of Roquetaillade, an amazingly preserved masterpiece of medieval military architecture owned by the same noble family for 700 years.

Next, 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.

In the evening, enjoy a spectacular illumination cruise, gazing at the iconic structures of Bordeaux as they glow against the night sky.

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 immersive and interactive 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.

Disembark the ship and prepare for your homeward flight.

4 Nights Bilbao & San Sebastian Discover Bilbao with its traditional Basque culture on a tour to the Guggenheim Museum, housing prominent modern and contemporary works.

Visit the Mercado de la Ribera, Bilbao’s famous market located on the picturesque waterfront and explore Guernica, known throughout the world due to the painting by Pablo Picasso that bears the same name. San Sebastian became a fashionable destination for Spanish royalty during the 19th century – the city was given its splendid Bele Epoque makeover and your city tour will showcase the grand architecture and captivating culture that have been left in the legacy of sophisticated Art Nouveau buildings.

En route to Bordeaux, travel through the “French Basque” countryside with a stop in the charming fishing village, Saint Jean de Luz. and Arcachon, one of the gems of the French Atlantic coast.

Uncover ‘s Tours, France, the gateway to the Loire Valley chateaux.  Renowned for good food and teeming with art, history and lovely gardens, its the perfect place to explore. Visit three of the Loire Valley’s regal chateaux starting with the Chateua de Chenonceau, one of the most beautiful castles in France and the only one in the region that was built, inhabited and saved by women during the Renaissance.

Chateau du Close Luce was Leonardo da Vinci’s last home, where he completed some of his most famous works and Chateau d’Amboise features a Gothic chapel where Leonardo da Vinci is buried. En route to Paris for your last night’s stay, visit two more majestic chateaux.

Explore Chateau de Chambord, the biggest chateau in the Loire Valley with 426 rooms and discover the residence of seven kings and ten queens of France at the famous Chateau de Bois, where you’ll uncover secrets of the French Court.