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Optional: 2-Night Pre-Cruise Tour of Bordeaux City
Tuesday, October 3 – Thursday, October 5, 2023
Day 1: Tuesday, October 3
ARRIVE BORDEAUX CITY
You will be met upon arrival at Bordeaux Merignac Airport and transferred to your hotel. The 4 star, Best Western Premier Hotel Bordeaux Bayonne Etche-Ona — located in the heart of Bordeaux city, steps from the renowned Opera House and nearby the Ecole du Vin. This evening enjoy a welcome reception at Les Trois Pinardiers, a delightful and innovative wine bar. (R)
OVERNIGHT (2 nights): Best Western Premier Hotel Bordeaux Bayonne Etche-Ona
Day 2: Wednesday, October 4
GOURMET WALKING TOUR
This morning, join our guided walking tour of the best gourmet shops and attractions in Bordeaux city. Visit Jean D’Alos, the foremost “fromager-affineur” or matured cheese vendor in France. Learn about the history and ingredients that shape the famous Bordelaise cuisine of southwest France. The afternoon is at leisure. This evening enjoy an amazing dinner at Modjo restaurant à Bordeaux — A “Gastronomic restaurant” in Bordeaux Center where blind tasting is a must. Let yourself be guided by the know-how of our chef who offers you a service highlighting our local products and adapted to your eating habits. A unique experience ! (B,D)
TIP: Explore the Cite du Vin, the marvelous Bordeaux museum dedicated to wines around of the world.
Day 3: Thursday, October 5
MARGAUX / EMBARKATION
Following our 8: 30am check out, depart Bordeaux city for the legendary vineyards and village of Margaux, where we will visit two Grand Cru Classe wineries. Enjoy a brief tour and 3 wine tasting at Château Ferrière, followed by lunch in the cellars at Château Durfort-Vivens. Arrive at our ship, AmaDolce, by approximately 4pm. Tonight’s Welcome Reception is hosted by the ship’s Captain. (B,L,D)
7-Night Taste of Bordeaux Cruise
Thursday, October 5 – Thursday, October 12, 2023
Day 1: Thursday, October 5
EMBARKATION – BORDEAUX, FRANCE
Board the AmaDolce between 3:00-5:00pm for your Taste of Bordeaux cruise. After dinner there will be a reception in the Main Lounge for members of the Expanding Horizons Bacchus Wine & Travel Society.
Day 2: Friday, October 6
BORDEAUX – LIBOURNE
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 SaintÉmilion 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. (B,L,D)
Day 3: Saturday, October 7
LIBOURNE – BLAYE
Stroll through the colorful, openair 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. (B,L,D)
Day 4: Sunday, October 8
BLAYE – BOURG
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 horsedrawn 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. (B,L,D)
Day 5: Monday, October 9
CUSSAC-FORT MEDOC
CussacFort Medoc, a lovely village on the 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 Margaux Vineyards, a quaint wine estate, 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. (B,L,D)
Day 6: Tuesday, October 10
CADILLAC – BORDEAUX
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. Alternatively, pedal through the charming town of Cadillac for a guided bike tour. (B,L,D)
Day 7: Wednesday, October 11
BORDEAUX CITY
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. (B,L,D)
Day 8: Thursday, October 12
BORDEAUX – DISEMBARKATION
Bid “Au Revoir” to the crew of the AmaDolce. Disembark (ideally by 9am) and prepare for your flight home. (B)
Planning Your Travel:
- Transportation to the Bordeaux Airport (BOD) for onward flights can be arranged on board your cruise ship it the cruise manager. Cost is $45 per person.
Services subject to change without notice.
PLEASE NOTE:
A reasonable degree of mobility is required for all passengers on this program. Most of the guided tours provided on your cruise are walking tours. Many historic villages in Europe are located on hilltops, where it is necessary to walk up and down hilly, cobblestone streets that may have narrow passageways. Ships docked in port are often rafted side-by-side to another river ship. Passengers are then required to ascend and descend flights of 12 or more stairs to walk up to observation deck, down to gang planks to enter or exit the rafted ships. To participate in tours and get on and off the ship, travelers must be able to walk unaccompanied.
Disabilities and Wheelchairs
Persons with a walking disability or an injury, or who require a wheelchair/scooter or other mobility device, must have another dedicated person traveling with them to assist/push etc. The ship’s crew and other cruise guests are not available to assist persons with limited mobility. On customized pre or post cruise land programs, the Expanding Horizons tour manager is authorized to remove, or ask to leave from the tour, any traveler incapable of, unwilling to, or impeding the overall movement and progress of the tour group.