Taste of Bordeaux
8 Day River Cruise
Travel to France’s legendary wine capital, Bordeaux. Iconic châteaux, timeless vineyards and delicious wine tastings are plentiful as you visit Libourne, Blaye, Bourg, Pauillac and Cadillac. This trip is a must for anyone interested in the best of French culture, lifestyle, wine and food.
Countries: France
River(s): Garonne, Dordogne
Pricing
River cruise starting at $4,858* CAD per person, based on double occupancy
8 Days – Bordeaux to Bordeaux
Your stateroom includes
- 7 nights luxury accommodation in an outside stateroom (most with French balconies)
- Entertainment-On-Demand in all staterooms featuring free high-speed internet access, movies, a music library and English language TV stations
- Mini-fridge, desk and sitting area
- Bottled water replenished daily
Onboard amenities
- Wellness Activities with a dedicated Wellness Host leading various exercise classes as well as discussions on healthy eating and relaxation techniques, both on board and on shore.
- Personalized service from a highly trained Cruise Manager during both cruise and land programs
- Internet and Wi-Fi access
- Sun deck pool with swim-up bar and walking track
- Fitness room, massage services and hair salon
- Main Lounge with panoramic views and bar
- Daily entertainment including cultural performances
Dining
- All onboard dining in a variety of venues
- Regionally inspired cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients
- The Chef’s Table specialty restaurant
- Welcome Cocktail, Welcome Dinner, La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Dinner, Captain’s Cocktail and Gala Dinner
- La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs exclusive dining experience
- Unlimited fine wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
- Unlimited sparkling wine and fresh juice with breakfast
- Sip & Sail Daily Cocktail Hour with complimentary wine, beer, spirits and soft drinks
- Tapas, sandwiches, snacks and refreshments served daily in the Main Lounge
Excursions
- Immersive tours in every destination
- Gentle, regular, active and late-riser tour options
- Bike tours and hikes
- Special Interest Tours
- Knowledgeable guides
- Personal headset for easy exploration
Day
Day 1
Location(s)
Bordeaux, France
Meals
Dinner
Description
Embark the ship for your Taste of Bordeaux cruise.
Day 2
Bordeaux – Libourne
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Excursions: Saint-Émilion excursion and Grand Cru Classé wine tasting OR Saint-Émilion Excursion OR Château de Vayres OR Saint-Émilion bike tour and wine tasting
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.
Alternately, you can enjoy an excursion to Saint-Émilion solely to discover more of the small historic town. 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.
Day 3
Libourne – Blaye
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Excursions: Bastide town and market visit OR Fronsac Wine Tasting OR Château Boutinet hike with wine and tapas tasting
Stroll through the colorful, open-air market, tasting some of the region’s specialties. You can also choose to enjoy a tasting of local wines from one of the beautiful wine estates in the Fronsac region. Or, you can get your heart pumping by venturing deeper into town by 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.
Day 4
Blaye – Bourg
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Excursions
Blaye: Citadel visit OR Blaye bike tour towards Les Etauliers
Blaye to Bourg bike tour
Bourg: Bourg walking tour and Carriage Museum
Exclusive wine festival
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.
Day 5
Pauillac
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Excursions: Medoc Grand Cru Classé wine tasting and scenic vineyard tour OR Lynch Bages Village visit & local specialties tasting OR Soulac-sur-Mer excursion
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.
Alternately, you can visit Lynch Bages, a quaint wine estate and village, followed by a wine and local specialties tasting. Or, enjoy a coast drive 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.
Day 6
Cadillac – Bordeaux
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Excursions: Roquetaillade Castle with Sauternes wine tasting OR Roquetaillade and Cadillac visit OR Cadillac bike tour
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.
Day 7
Bordeaux
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Excursions
Bordeaux: UNESCO city tour and Wine Museum and market tasting OR Bordeaux bike tour
Bordeaux: Bordeaux Cite du Vin visit OR Bassins de Lumières show
Illuminations cruise
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 famed indoor Les Halles de Bacalan market for a tasting of local specialties to please the palate.
Bike enthusiasts will wish to join a tour along the city’s amazing network of bicycle paths.
Depending on your interests, you have a choice from three excursions in the afternoon. Enjoy a visit to the immersive and interactive Bordeaux Wine Museum, housed in an awe-inspiring building.
Alternately, be treated to a spectacular sound and light show, Les Bassins des Lumières. Or, explore the enriching city of Bordeaux at your own leisure. In the evening, enjoy a spectacular illumination cruise, gazing at the iconic structures of Bordeaux as they glow against the night sky.
Day 8
Bordeaux
Breakfast
Disembark the ship and prepare for your flight home.
Interested in the itinerary above? Click on the “START PLANNING” button below and reference “Taste of Bordeaux” in the form, or give us a call at 587.997.5969 to book.
An adventure designed specifically for you
Let us work with you to tailor a journey based on your travel style and interests. We can use the existing itinerary above as a foundation, or build one from scratch to create your ideal vacation. Connect with us to start the conversation.
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*Prices are per person, based on double occupancy and subject to change and availability.