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Optional: 3-Night Pre-Cruise Tour of Bordeaux City
Monday, June 15 – Thursday, June 18, 2026
Day 1: Monday, June 15
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. (R)
OVERNIGHT (3 nights): Best Western Premier Hotel Bordeaux Bayonne Etche-Ona or similar
KEY FOR INCLUDED MEALS: B = Breakfast / L = Lunch / D = Dinner / R = Reception
Day 2: Tuesday, June 16
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 enjoy a private group dinner at a premier Bordeaux restaurant. (B,D)
Day 3: Wednesday, June 17
COGNAC
After breakfast drive 90 minutes north to Cognac. The town gives its name to one of the world’s best-known types of brandy or eau de vie. Drinks must be made in certain areas around the town of Cognac and must be made according to strictly defined regulations to be granted the name Cognac. Cognac is a unique spirit in that it is double-distilled. This process can be viewed in one of the many “Grande Marque” Cognac houses which all have visitor centers. Most central in the town are Hennessy, Martell, Otard, Camus and Remy Martin. About 15 km (9 mi) east of Cognac is Jarnac, home to Courvoisier. A private cellar tour, tasting and luncheon will take place today. Dinner is at leisure tonight (B, L)
Day 4: Thursday, June 18
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, June 18 – Thursday, June 25, 2026
KEY FOR INCLUDED MEALS: B = Breakfast / L = Lunch / D = Dinner
Day 1: Thursday, June 18
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 on the day of embarkation only. The cost is $45* per person and should booked through Expanding Horizons at least 30 days prior to arrival.
* Services and pricing are subject to change without notice.
Day 2: Friday, June 19
LIBOURNE
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. If you prefer a more active adventure, pedal through the vineyard-rich countryside to Saint-Émilion. (B,L,D)
Day 3: Saturday, June 20
LIBOURNE
Stroll through the colorful, open-air market, tasting some of the region’s specialties. As a unique alternative, travel back in time to visit an ancient watermill and learn the tradition of breadmaking. Or, you can get your heart pumping by venturing deeper into town by hiking through one of Libourne’s renowned vineyards, accompanied by a tasting of local wine and tapas. (B,L,D)
Day 4: Sunday, June 21
BLAYE – BOURG
Once in Blaye, you can join a tour of its 17thcentury 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: Monday, June 22
CUSSARC FORT MEDOC
Cussac-Fort-Medoc is a peaceful commune in southwestern France and your 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, or 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: Tuesday, June 23
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, June 24
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. In the afternoon, be treated to a spectacular sound and light show, Les Bassins des Lumières. Alternatively, you can enjoy a visit to the immersive and interactive Bordeaux Wine Museum, housed in an awe-inspiring building. (B,L,D)
Day 8: Thursday, June 25
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 with the cruise manager. Cost is $45* per person.
*Services and pricing are subject to change without notice.
Optional: 4-Night Post-Cruise Tour: Basque Country
Thursday, June 25 – Monday, June 29, 2026
Day 1: Thursday, June 25
BORDEAUX TO SAN SEBASTIAN
Depart the AmaDolce this morning. Cross the Spanish border for the beginning of your Basque Country post-cruise tour. Arrive in San Sebastián, the lovely Spanish city on the Bay of Biscay. This evening enjoy a guided stroll through Old Town, the second oldest neighborhood in the city, where distinctive architecture and pintxos (Basque tapas) bars beckon, made even more romantic by the evening light. (B)
OVERNIGHT: Catalonia Donasti Hotel (2 nights) (or similar)
Day 2: Friday, June 26
SAN SEBASTIAN
Known in the Basque language as Donostia, San Sebastián was once a prominent fishing village and was burned to the ground in 1813 after being occupied by Napoleonic troops. However, by 1887, after rebuilding, the city flourished as a popular tourist destination and spa resort. Later in the day, enjoy some free time in the city renowned for holding the second highest number of Michelin stars per square meter. (B)
Day 3: Saturday, June 27
SAN SEBASTIAN TO BILBAO
Travel to the Basque town of Guernica, infamously bombed by German and Italian air forces during the Spanish Civil War – and the subject of one of Picasso’s most renowned paintings. Immerse yourself in culture and visit the open-air market where you’ll find a variety of local specialties, from cheese to peppers to fish. Later in the day, take an informative walking tour through Bilbao and learn how to order Basque tapas, known locally as pintxos, and revered for their small size and big taste. (B)
OVERNIGHT: Hotel Ercilla de Bilbao – Autograph Collection by Hilton (2 nights) (or similar)
Day 4: Sunday, June 28
BILBAO SIGHTSEEING
Take a deep dive into the contemporary art within the world-famous Guggenheim Museum, a work of art itself. Designed by architect Frank Gehry, the museum features a daring and innovative façade and showcases work by such artists as Andy Warhol, German artist Anselm Kiefer, and Basque masters Eduardo Chillida and Jorge Oteiza. (B)
Day 5: Monday, June 29
DEPART BILBAO
You will be transferred to Bilbao Airport (airport code BIO) for your onward 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.