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Optional: 2-Night Pre-Cruise Tour of Bordeaux City
Tuesday, July 2 – Thursday, July 4, 2024
Day 1: Tuesday, July 2
ARRIVE BORDEAUX CITY
You will be met on arrival at Bordeaux Merignac Airport and transferred to your hotel.The 4 star Bayonne Etche-Ona is 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 3 Pinardiers, a delightful and innovative wine bar.
OVERNIGHT (2 nights):Hotel Bayonne Etche-Ona
Day 2: Wednesday, July 3
GOURMET WALKING TOUR
The mornings 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. This afternoon and evening are at leisure. TIP: Explore the Cite du Vin, the marvelous Bordeaux museum dedicated to wines around of the world. Tonight: Dinner at Modjo. (B, D)
Day 3: Thursday, July 4
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)
7-Night Taste of Bordeaux Cruise
Thursday, July 4 – Thursday, July 11, 2024
Day 1: Thursday, July 4
EMBARKATION – BORDEAUX, FRANCE
Embark the ship for your Taste of Bordeaux cruise. (D)
Planning Your Travel:
- Transportation from the Bordeaux Airport (BOD) to the cruise ship is available through AmaWaterways.The cost is $45 per person and should booked through Expanding Horizons.
Services subject to change without notice.
Day 2: Friday, July 5
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 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. (B,L,D)
Day 3: Saturday, July 6
LIBOURNE – BLAYE
Stroll through the colorful, open-air 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, July 7
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 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 as well as enjoy live French music and dancing. (B,L,D)
Day 5: Monday, July 8
PAUILLAC
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. 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, July 9
CADILLAC
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. Or, pedal through the charming town of Cadillac for a guided bike tour. (B,L,D)
Day 7: Wednesday, July 10
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, July 11
BORDEAUX – DISEMBARKATION
Disembark the ship and prepare for your onward flight or journey. (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.
Optional: 3-Night Post-Cruise Tour – The Loire Valley to Paris CDG Airport
Thursday, July 11 – Sunday, July 14, 2024
Day 1: Thursday, July 11
BORDEAUX DISEMBARKATION – TOURS – AMBOISE
Disembark the ship and transfer to the city of Tours. There is free time for lunch before arriving in the Loire Valley.Check in to your Amboise hotel. (B)
OVERNIGHT CHATEAU DE PRAY (or similar)
Day 2: Friday, July 12
AMBOISE
Visit three of the Loire Valley’s regal châteaux starting with the Château de Chenonceau, one of the most beautiful castles in France. This château has been referred to as the “Women’s Castle” since it is the only castle in the region that has been built, inhabited and saved by women during the Renaissance. Château du Clos Lucé was Leonardo da Vinci’s last home where he completed some of his most famous works under the patronage of the King of France. The Château d’Amboise, perched on a promontory overlooking the Loire River, was the first Renaissance château built in the Loire Valley and features extravagant residences, gardens and a Gothic chapel, where Leonardo da Vinci is buried. (B)
Day 3: Saturday, July 13
AMBOISE TO PARIS CDG AIRPORT
Check out of your Amboise hotel and, en route to Paris, visit two more majestic châteaux. While Château de Chambord, located at the heart of Europe’s largest enclosed wooded park, began as an unassuming hunting lodge, it is now the biggest château in the Loire Valley with 426 rooms, 77 staircases and 282 fireplaces. Next, either marvel at the residence of seven kings and ten queens of France at the famous Château de Blois where you’ll discover the secrets of the French court, or enjoy free time. Afterwards, transfer by motorcoach to your hotel at Charles De Gaulle Airport. (B)
OVERNIGHT: PULLMAN PARIS-ROISSY CDG AIRPORT HOTEL (or similar)
Day 4: Sunday, July 14
DEPART PARIS
Bid farewell to France and depart on your flight home. (B)
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.