Taste of Bordeaux by AmaWaterways

Day 1

Bordeaux   

EMBARKATION

Embark the ship for your Taste of Bordeaux cruise. (D)

Day 2

Bordeaux   

Morning scenic cruising

Libourne   

Saint-Émilion excursion and Grand Cru Classé wine tasting

OR Saint-Émilion Excursion   

OR Saint-Émilion bike tour   

Welcome to 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. (B,L,D)

Day 3

Libourne   

Bastide town and market visit

OR Château Boutinet hike with wine and tapas tasting   

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 by hiking through one of Libourne’s renowned vineyards.(B,L,D)

Day 4

Blaye   

Citadel visit

OR Blaye Chemin de Fer bike tour   

Blaye to Bourg bike tour   

Bourg   

OR Bourg walking tour, Carriage Museum, and WWII Petrol Cistern   

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 along a former railway. Later in the day, you can choose to bike from Blaye through the idyllic French countryside to Bourg. Or, in the ancient village of Bourg, take a walking tour and visit the Carriage Museum, which houses a wonderful collection of horse-drawn vehicles, and the World War II Petrol Cistern. Towards the evening, 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   

Medoc Grand Cru Classé wine tasting and scenic vineyard tour

OR Margaux Vineyard hike and local specialties tasting   

OR Soulac-sur-Mer excursion   

Cussac-Fort-Medoc is a peaceful commune in southwestern France and your 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 Léoville Barton or Château Léoville Poyferré for a tasting of Grand Cru wines. More active guests can hike through the vineyards of Château Margaux and taste local specialties. Alternatively, 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   

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 Château de Rayne Vigneau or Château 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   

UNESCO city tour and market tasting

OR Bordeaux bike tour   

Bordeaux Cité du Vin (wine museum) visit

OR Bassins des Lumières

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.(B,L,D)

Day 8

Bordeaux   

DISEMBARKATION

Disembark the ship and prepare for your flight home. (B)

Ship:

AmaDolce: https://www.amawaterways.com/ships/amadolce-river-cruise-ship