Discover the gems of Spain’s Basque Country, including Bilbao, home to the Frank Gehry–designed Guggenheim Museum, and the stunning seaside resort, San Sebastián, before travelling to France’s wine capital, Bordeaux. Iconic châteaux, timeless vineyards and delicious wine tastings are plentiful as you visit Cadillac, Pauillac, Saint-Émilion, Libourne and Bourg. After cruising the Bordeaux region, experience the lure of the UNESCO Loire Valley for two nights before concluding your journey with an overnight stay in Paris. This trip is a must for anyone interested in the best of French culture, lifestyle, wine and food.
Discover the gems of Spain’s Basque Country, including Bilbao, home to the Frank Gehry–designed Guggenheim Museum, and the stunning seaside resort, San Sebastián, before traveling to France’s wine capital, Bordeaux. Iconic châteaux, timeless vineyards and delicious wine tastings are plentiful as you visit Cadillac, Pauillac, Saint-Émilion, Libourne and Bourg. After cruising the Bordeaux region, experience the lure of the UNESCO Loire Valley for two nights before concluding your journey with an overnight stay in Paris. This trip is a must for anyone interested in the best of French culture, lifestyle, wine and food.
COUNTRIES:
FranceFrance, Spain
RIVERS:
Dordogne, Garonne
Taste of Bordeaux (Wine Cruise)
At A Glance
On our cruises, you will enjoy an extensive lineup of included tours. In many cases, you will have a choice of excursions, such as standard tours, bike tours, hikes and Limited Edition tours. We always include a large variety of activities so that you can choose how you want to explore. No matter your preference, your days will be full of discovery and wonder.
Welcome to Bordeaux, where you’ll board your luxurious river cruise ship. (D)
| Day 2 | Bordeaux | Sauternes wine tasting and Roquetaillade Castle |
|
| Libourne | Saint-Émilion excursion and Grand Cru Classé wine tasting |
|
| | OR Saint-Émilion Excursion |
|
| | OR Saint-Émilion bike tour and wine tasting |
|
Visit the impressive Castle of Roquetaillade, an amazingly preserved masterpiece of medieval military architecture owned by the same noble family for 700 years. Afterwards, travel to the Sauternes wine region to either Château de Rayne Vigneau or Château Guiraud to taste the highly prized golden-hued sweet wines produced here. (B,L,D)
| Day 3 | Libourne | OR French country market visit with tastings |
|
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. (B,L,D)
| Bourg | Bourg walking tour, Carriage Museum and exclusive Bourg wine celebration |
|
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 and then explore the underground passageways that lead you to the immense oil tanks from the Second World War. Later in the day, experience the hospitality of this charming medieval village with an exclusive wine festival complete with live French music, dancing, wine and hors d'oeuvres. (B,L,D)
| Day 5 | Pauillac | Saint Emilion excursion and Grand Cru Classé wine tasting |
|
| | OR Lynch Bages Village visit & local specialties tasting |
|
| | OR Soulac-sur-Mer excursion |
|
Libourne provides a gateway to one of Bordeaux’s most elite wine regions, Saint-Émilion, known for its picturesque architecture, monuments and 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 wine tasting at either Château de Ferrand or Château de Pressac. 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 6 | Cadillac | Château de Vayres |
|
| | OR French country market visit with tastings |
|
| | OR Sauternes wine tasting |
|
Tour the magnificent Château Vayres, one of the most prestigious historic buildings of Aquitaine, or spend time discovering the Bastide town of Libourne and then stroll through its colourful open-air market tasting some of the region’s specialties. For a more active exploration of the countryside, enjoy a hike followed by a wine tasting. Later in the day, you will have two options of excursions. Visit Château de Montaigne, a stunning 14th-century castle that was the family residence of philosopher Michel de Montaigne and enjoy a lovely wine tasting. Alternatively, visit Fronsac, where you can taste some of the regional wines at a grand wine cellar. (B,L,D)
| Day 7 | Bordeaux | UNESCO city tour and Wine Museum |
|
| | Bordeaux Cite du Vin visit |
|
| | OR Bassins de Lumières show |
|
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)
Welcome to Bordeaux, where you’ll board your luxurious river cruise ship. (D)
| Day 2 | Bordeaux | Sauternes wine tasting and Roquetaillade Castle |
|
| Libourne | Saint-Émilion excursion and Grand Cru Classé wine tasting |
|
| | OR Saint-Émilion Excursion |
|
| | OR Saint-Émilion bike tour and wine tasting |
|
Visit the impressive Castle of Roquetaillade, an amazingly preserved masterpiece of medieval military architecture owned by the same noble family for 700 years. Afterwards, travel to the Sauternes wine region to either Château de Rayne Vigneau or Château Guiraud to taste the highly prized golden-hued sweet wines produced here. (B,L,D)
| Day 3 | Libourne | OR French country market visit with tastings |
|
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. (B,L,D)
| Bourg | Bourg walking tour, Carriage Museum and exclusive Bourg wine celebration |
|
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 and then explore the underground passageways that lead you to the immense oil tanks from the Second World War. Later in the day, experience the hospitality of this charming medieval village with an exclusive wine festival complete with live French music, dancing, wine and hors d'oeuvres. (B,L,D)
| Day 5 | Pauillac | Saint Emilion excursion and Grand Cru Classé wine tasting |
|
| | OR Lynch Bages Village visit & local specialties tasting |
|
| | OR Soulac-sur-Mer excursion |
|
Libourne provides a gateway to one of Bordeaux’s most elite wine regions, Saint-Émilion, known for its picturesque architecture, monuments and 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 wine tasting at either Château de Ferrand or Château de Pressac. 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 6 | Cadillac | Château de Vayres |
|
| | OR French country market visit with tastings |
|
| | OR Sauternes wine tasting |
|
Tour the magnificent Château Vayres, one of the most prestigious historic buildings of Aquitaine, or spend time discovering the Bastide town of Libourne and then stroll through its colourful open-air market tasting some of the region’s specialties. For a more active exploration of the countryside, enjoy a hike followed by a wine tasting. Later in the day, you will have two options of excursions. Visit Château de Montaigne, a stunning 14th-century castle that was the family residence of philosopher Michel de Montaigne and enjoy a lovely wine tasting. Alternatively, visit Fronsac, where you can taste some of the regional wines at a grand wine cellar. (B,L,D)
| Day 7 | Bordeaux | UNESCO city tour and Wine Museum |
|
| | Bordeaux Cite du Vin visit |
|
| | OR Bassins de Lumières show |
|
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)