Exploring France's Wine Region aboard the AmaDolce
Taste of Bordeaux
EARLY BOOKING DISCOUNT
- Complimentary land package on selected departures if booked by March 31, 2024
- $2000 cruise savings per stateroom + complimentary stateroom upgrade + $50 onboard credit on select summer departures booked by March 31, 2024
- No single supplement on select departures
Overview
Your cruise begins in Bordeaux, the capital of Aquitaine in Southwestern France and one of the world's undisputed wine capitals. You'll discover stately chateaux, abundant vineyards, and stunning scenery as you sail along the Garonne and Dordogne Rivers and their surrounding estuaries, calling upon port cities like Cadillac, Bourg, and Libourne. Enjoy tastings of some of the region's most distinguished wines and visit notable sites before concluding your journey.
Arrive: Bordeaux, France
Depart: Bordeaux, France
Highlights
- Sip and savor wine tastings in picturesque ports of call in France's beloved wine region
- Cruise the enchanting rivers of Dordogne and Garonne
- Optional activities include bike tours, market visits, and city excursions
Itinerary
Note: This trip is not exclusive to, nor operated by, Wilderness Travel, who acts solely as an agent in booking your reservation with the operator. Please download the Rate Sheet in the Dates & Pricing section to see the full pricing details and contact our Cruise Collection Specialists to check availability.
Welcome to Bordeaux, where you'll board your luxurious river cruise. Meet your fellow passengers this evening during a delectable Welcome Dinner.
Sail the scenic waters of Bordeaux this morning and arrive to Libourne, one of Bordeaux's most elite wine regions, in the afternoon. Join an excursion to Saint Émilion, known for its celebrated vineyards, and while there, explore the monolithic church carved out of one piece of limestone rock with its underground catacombs and caves. Afterwards, enjoy a Grand Cru Classé wine tasting at either Château de Ferrand or Château de Pressac. 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.
Enjoy a leisurely morning strolling through the colorful, open-air market in Libourne, tasting some of the region's specialties. Or, you can get your heart pumping by venturing deeper into town on an invigorating bike tour or 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.
This morning, enjoy a tour of Blaye's 17th-century citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built by the famous military engineer Vauban. From the top of this famous fortress, you can admire fantastic views of the impressive Gironde estuary. For a more active excursion, take a bike ride around the small city known for its red wine and military significance. Later in the day, you can take an optional bike ride from Blaye through the idyllic French countryside to Bourg. While in the ancient village of Bourg, venture out on a walking tour and visit the Carriage Museum, which houses a wonderful collection of horse-drawn vehicles. Experience the hospitality of this charming medieval village with an exclusive wine festival. Meet the local wine growers and sample their wines, while enjoying live music and dancing.
Pauillac, a lovely village on the Left Bank of the Gironde Estuary, is a 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 here, including Château Latour, Château Mouton Rothschild, Château Lafite Rothschild, and Château Pichon Longueville. A visit to either Château Gruaud Larose or Château Léoville Poyferré for a tasting of Grand Cru wines will cap off your day in this scenic realm.
This morning in Cadillac, you'll visit the impressive Castle of Roquetaillade, an amazingly preserved masterpiece of medieval military architecture owned by the same noble family for 700 years. Later, the ship makes her way to the Sauternes wine region to either Chateau de Rayne Vigneau or Chateau Guiraud. Here, you can taste the highly prized golden-hued sweet wines. In the evening, enjoy a spectacular illumination cruise, gazing at the iconic structures of Bordeaux as they glow in the night sky.
Today you'll see the elegant port city of Bordeaux. The breathtaking capital of the wine world is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and, with over 360 historic monuments within its borders, it is also classified as a “City of Art and History.” You'll have an opportunity to experience much of the rich culture and architecture here, including a tasting at the Wine Museum. You will see sights like the Pont de Pierre Bridge, Quinconces Monumental Square and the famed water mirror, Mirroir d'eau. Those seeking a more active way to see the city can join a guided bike tour instead. Afterwards, you will have free time to explore the town on your own. A spectacular Farewell dinner awaits you tonight, and the ship will stay in Bordeaux.
Your cruise comes to an end as you prepare for your homeward flight.
2 Nights Bilbao, 2 Nights San Sebastian
Day 1 Bilbao
Check into your hotel for the beginning of your Basque Country land program.
Day 2 Bilbao
Immerse yourself in the unique culture of Bilbao on an informative walking tour through the city. Visit an authentic market where you'll find a variety of local specialties, from cheese to peppers to fish and learn how to order Basque tapas, known locally as pintxos, which are revered for their small size and big taste.
Day 3 Bilbao / San Sebastian
Delve into the contemporary art scene 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. You'll also 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. Later in the day, transfer to San Sebastián and check into your hotel. In the evening, enjoy a guided stroll through Old Town, the second oldest neighborhood in the city, where distinctive architecture and pintxos bars beckon, made even more romantic by the evening light.
Day 4 San Sebastian
Discover the charms of the “City by the Bay of Biscay.” 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 exploring at your leisure in the city renowned for holding the second highest number of Michelin stars per square meter.
Day 5 San Sebastian / Saint Jean de Luz and Bay of Archachon / Bordeaux / Embark
Check out of your hotel and transfer to Bordeaux via Saint Jean de Luz and Bay of Archachon. Later, embark the ship in Bordeaux for your Taste of Bordeaux cruise.
2 Nights Loire Valley, 1 Night Paris
Day 12 Bordeaux / Disembark / Loire Valley / Amboise
Disembark the ship after your Taste of Bordeaux cruise and transfer to the Loire Valley, where you will check into the château.
Day 13 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 “Château de Dames” (Women's Castle) as it was looked after by many women, including Diane of Poitiers and Catherine de Medicis, whose legacies are honored by the remarkable gardens named for them outside the castle. 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.
Day 14 Amboise / Paris
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 time at your leisure. Transfer by motorcoach to your hotel at Charles De Gaulle Airport.
Day 15 Paris / Depart
Bid farewell to Paris and prepare for your flight home.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
This cruise is rated Level 1, Easiest, and is appropriate for anyone in good health who is physically active. Daily shore excursions require a moderate amount of walking, often along uneven cobblestone streets and up and down stairs. To better accommodate guests and their individual fitness levels, AMA Waterways programs provide several levels of walking tours whenever possible: "Gentle Walkers" are designed for slower walkers to enjoy the tour in a relaxed manner, "Active Walkers" enjoy the tours at a normal pace, and there is also a "Late Starters" group offered to guests who prefer to sleep in.
Staterooms range from 160-350 square feet (depending on category), and typical hotel room amenities include hair dryer, bathrobe, television, and mini-safe. Every stateroom has individually controlled air conditioning, internet access, wi-fi (free throughout the ship!) and a movie-on-demand system that offers a variety of English language channels, films and music options. Most staterooms have balconies, either walk-on or French, but lower categories just have fixed windows or portholes.
AMA is known for its efforts to bring in regional cuisine, which is always fun as you explore new countries and cultures. Breakfast and lunch are served buffet-style with made-to-order specialties. Dinner is multi-course. Every lunch and dinner includes free-flowing regional wines as well as complimentary beer and soft drinks. Bottled water, specialty teas, and coffees are always available free of charge. All ships have an open seating policy in the main restaurant to encourage you to meet your fellow travelers.
AMA Waterways specializes in high-end river journeys that navigate some of Europe's most famous waterways. Their ships accommodate approximately 150 passengers in comfortable staterooms, all with scenic views. While this might sound like a lot of travelers compared to Wilderness Travel's traditional small group trips, it's a modest number of passengers in the cruise ship world and there are a number of comfortable lounges, dining rooms, bars, and sitting areas on board for you to find a perfect spot to socialize or quietly relax, depending on your mood.
There is a warm and welcoming feel to all AMA cruises. From the moment you step onboard, you will be welcomed by crew, staff, and leaders who are friendly, professional and English speaking. There is a high staff to guest ratio (1:3) that assures a feeling of being well-taken-care-of at all times. Your fellow passengers will come from a variety of English-speaking countries and guests tend to mingle freely. No need to bring fancy clothes as the atmosphere onboard is casual, although guests do tend to dress up for the Captain's dinner.
Daily shore excursions are included in the cost of the cruise, along with free time to explore on your own. Each tour is led by a qualified, local guide. At many stops, you'll be free to choose from one of several options. Complimentary headset systems ensure that you hear every word of your tour. AMA ships carry more than two dozen bicycles and helmets, free of charge, for your use should you want to venture into the countryside.
There is a reception desk onboard that is open 24 hours a day with somebody available to help you, should you need it. All announcements and lectures will be presented in English as the clientele is mainly North American, Australian, and European. All AMA cruises prohibit smoking inside their ships. Smoking is only permitted outside on the sun deck.
Electricity on board all ships is 220v, with 2-pin power outlets. You will need an adapter, and/or converter depending on which electrical appliances you bring with you. There are no medical facilities on board although if medical services are needed, they can easily be called from shore. Laundry services are available for a fee.
All ships are equipped with either a whirlpool or a small, heated swimming pool. If you think you might want to use this, be sure to pack a swimsuit!
Tips are not included in the price of the cruise, and are entirely at your discretion. The recommended rate suggested is 3 Euros per passenger per day to the Cruise Manager and 12 Euros per passenger per day to the crew, which will be divided up and distributed. You can use your credit card for this expense. It is also customary to acknowledge a particularly good performance of a local guide by leaving a tip of 1-2 Euros per tour.
Wilderness Travel enjoys partnering with AMA Waterways because they offer a high quality product with thoughtfully planned itineraries, allowing travelers to experience Europe's most glorious architecture, medieval castles, historic villages, and idyllic countryside with minimal effort. Since these trips are relatively short, you may consider this as part of a longer, European adventure!
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Our Area Specialists know every detail about our tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!
Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
- Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.