Beautiful Bordeaux Cruise

Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime that begins by flying into Bordeaux Airport where you’ll be met by your driver for a private transfer to your AmaWaterways ship in the port of Bordeaux. Early arrivals might want to stretch their legs with the port ship docked right in the heart of the city. Otherwise, hop aboard and get settled into your stateroom. You’ll find plenty of facilities to take advantage of, including a heated pool on the sundeck ideal to relax around in between dips before preparing for this evening’s Captain’s welcome cocktail and dinner.

Meals Included: Dinner

Today, your ship will cruise to Libourne, the wine-making capital of northern Gironde. This is a popular base for wine touring and tasting, and, one of your tour options is a visit to Saint-Emilion that explores a monolithic limestone church, ventures underground to see caves and catacombs, and ends with a Grand Cru Classé wine tasting at Château de Ferrand or Château de Pressac. An alternative for non-wine enthusiasts and history buffs is an excursion focusing exclusively on historic Saint-Emilion. Active explorers might join the cycling tour that travels through picturesque vineyards and concludes in Saint-Emilion.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Included Excursions Available:
– Saint-Émilion tour and Grand Cru Classé wine tasting
– Saint-Émilion walking tour
– Saint-Émilion bike tour

Delve into some of Libourne’s tastiest flavors on an excursion that will bring you to the open-air market in the vast square, extending onto the meandering streets. The sights and aromas make it incredibly enticing with vendors that sell everything from freshly baked baguettes and oysters from nearby Cap Ferret to delicious French cheeses such as Petit Brebis. It’s a great way to soak up the atmosphere while mingling with the locals and you’ll enjoy tasty samples of both regional and local specialties. Your active alternative is a visit to one of the town’s vineyards for a trek through picturesque vines for more wine tasting and tapas.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Included Excursions Available:
– Bastide town and market visit
– Ancient Watermill Visit and Bread Making Workshop
– Château Boutinet hike with wine and tapas tasting

Cruising on, visit Blaye, perhaps joining a guided tour of the 17th-century citadel, a UNESCO-listed site built as a walled city for protection from sea invaders. It sits on a rocky promontory and overlooks the Gironde estuary, with the gunpowder magazine, prison, barracks, and fortified gates all preserved. Active explorers can join step back in time with a cycling tour through beautiful Blaye. There are more options later, including a biking excursion to ancient Bourg and a walking tour to the Carriage Museum. A special wine experience this evening includes tasting, meeting area wine growers, and dancing to live French music.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Included Excursions Available:
– Citadel visit
– Blaye Chemin de Fer bike tour
– Blaye to Bourg bike tour
– Bourg walking tour, Carriage Museum, and WWII Petrol Cistern
– Exclusive wine festival

Enjoy a day viewing beautiful scenery and tasting some of the world’s most coveted Bordeaux wines from serene Cussac-Fort-Medoc. Nestled between the estuary and vineyards, it’s a getaway to the Médoc wine region. Visit famous wine estates producing highly acclaimed wines like Château Mouton Rothschild, Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Pichon Longueville, and Château Latour to learn more winemaking and enjoy tastings, including one of the Grand Cru wines. Active explorers can join the guided trek through the vineyards of Château Margaux which includes a local food tasting. Another alternative is the coastal drive to Soulac-sur-Mer, with picturesque views along the way.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Included Excursions Available:
– Medoc Grand Cru Classé wine tasting and scenic vineyard tour
– Margaux Vineyard hike and local specialties tasting
– Soulac-sur-Mer seaside tour

From the charming town of Cadillac, you’ll have the chance to visit the Castle of Roquetaillade. It’s been impeccably preserved and is still inhabited and fully furnished by the same family who has resided here for over 700 years. You’ll be able to admire the ramparts, towers, dungeons, and the first Renaissance chimneys which were added around the latter part of the 16th and early 17th centuries. That will be followed by a tasting of the sweet wines produced by Chateau de Rayne Vigneau or Chateau Guiraud. Alternatively, tour historic Cadillac Castle or take a guided cycle excursion through picturesque Cadillac-sur-Garonne.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Included Excursions Available:
– Roquetaillade Castle with Sauternes wine tasting
– Roquetaillade and Cadillac visit
– Cadillac bike tour

The ship makes its return to Bordeaux so that you can explore it more in-depth on a guided tour focused on its rich culture and spectacular architecture. A UNESCO “City of Art and History,” highlights include the Church of the Holy Cross and St. Andre Cathedral, both dating to the 11th century. A tasting of local specialties at the famed Les Halles de Bacalan market is also included. Or cycle the city’s network of biking paths on a guided tour. The afternoon includes several options: the Bordeaux Wine Museum, the Les Bassins des Lumières sound and light show, or independent exploring.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Included Excursions Available:
– UNESCO city tour and market tasting
– Bordeaux bike tour
– Bordeaux Cité du Vin (wine museum) visit
– Bassins des Lumières

After a week exploring beautiful Bordeaux, it’s time for your AmaWaterways cruise to end. Enjoy breakfast onboard before meeting your driver upon disembarkation for a private transfer to the airport. Of course, if you aren’t ready to go yet, you can take a transfer to a local hotel instead, extending your time in Bordeaux. Or, reach out to our travel experts who can create a bespoke itinerary for an adventure elsewhere. We hope you’ve had a memorable journey and wish you safe travels wherever you decide to roam.

Meals Included: Breakfast

N.B. Excursions offered by AmaWaterways may vary from those listed in this itinerary. Full excursion options will be made available to you ahead of travel and upon embarking the ship. While excursions are included on AmaWaterways, there may also be some optional excursions available for a supplement.