A Taste of Bordeaux.
Your Itinerary:
Day 1: Embark the ship for your Taste of Bordeaux cruise.
Day 2: 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 explore the monolithic church with 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 to discover 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: Stroll through the colorful, open-air market, tasting some of the region’s specialties, or visit the wine estates in the Fronsac region. 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: Once in Blaye, join a tour of its 17th-century citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For a more active excursion, take a bike ride around 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, with a bonus of live French music and dancing.
Day 5: Pauillac, a lovely village on the left bank of the Gironde Estuary, is the gateway to the famed Médoc region, renowned for producing some of the world’s finest Bordeaux wines. Visit famous wine estates, including Château Latour, Château Mouton Rothschild, Château Lafite Rothschild, and Château Pichon Longueville. Select from 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. For a change of scenery, drive along the coast to Soulac-sur-Mer where you’ll see the Statue of Liberty and the Cordouan lighthouse known to be the oldest in France.
Day 6: Visit the impressive Castle of Roquetaillade, a preserved masterpiece of medieval military architecture owned by the same noble family for 700 years. 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 history of the decadent castles, you can explore the Roquetaillade castle and Cadillac castle; or, pedal through the charming town of Cadillac during a guided bike tour.
Day 7: The breathtaking capital of the wine world, Bordeaux is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and classified as a “City of Art and History.” Experience the rich culture and architecture during a city tour followed by a visit to the famed indoor Les Halles de Bacalan market. Bike enthusiasts can ride along the city’s network of bicycle paths. Select from three excursions in the afternoon: the Bordeaux Wine Museum, a sound and light show at Les Bassins des Lumières, or explore 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: Disembark the ship and prepare for your flight home.
Welcome Back to Gastronomy.
8-Days & 7-Nights
Travel to France’s legendary wine capital, Bordeaux, with AmaWaterways. Iconic châteaux, timeless vineyards, and wine tastings are plentiful as you visit Libourne, Blaye, Bourg, Pauillac, and Cadillac. Enjoy an extensive lineup of excursions, such as bike tours, nature hikes, and special interest tours. This trip is a must for anyone interested in the best of French culture, lifestyle, wine, and food.
$3,549* per person
Your Experience Includes:
7-night luxury AmaWaterway’s cruise accommodation from and to Bordeaux
Computer usage with Internet access
Entertainment-on-demand, movies, and music library
Wellness activities with fitness coach
All onboard dining in a variety of venues
Unlimited fine wine, beer, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
Immersive tours in every destination
Knowledgeable guides
Airport transfers with purchase of air from AmaWaterways
Personal headset for easy exploration
Because Culinary Experiences Matter.
jeff@jefflavender.com | +1 310.774.7611
This experience is brought to you in partnership with AmaWaterways.