Discover the enchanting and mysterious Bordeaux region in this 8-day cruise voyage through the valleys of Médoc, Libourne, and the Entre-deux-Mers. Cruise with style and comfort aboard the MS Princesse d'Aquitaine, a ship designed to accomodate 174 passengers. Sail on the sparkling Gironde Esturay, stop at the dunes of Arcachon Bay, stroll around Médoc's impressive vineyards, and visit the Southwest France's vibrant and dymanic cities.
Highlights
Visit Châteaux Lafite-Rothschild, Latour and Mouton Rothschild
Stop at the citadel of Blaye, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008
Explore the underground monuments of Saint-Emilion
Enjoy a tasting session in Baron Otard’s cognac cellars
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Board the MS Princesse d'Aquitaine between 6 and 7 PM and settle in your cabin. Explore the ship and meet the crew during a welcome cocktail party. Enjoy dinner on board.
Sail down the Garonne River to join the Gironde River, passing Cazeau Island and Patiras Island before arriving in Pauillac. After lunch, embark on an optional excursion to Medoc, a renowned vineyard region where the world's most famous red wines are cultivated. Then, have the opportunity to see the “must see”châteaux Lafite-Rothschild, Latour and Mouton Rothschild. Return on board for dinner and an evening of entertainment. Moor for the night in Pauillac.
Cruise along the Gironde River to its estuary and enjoy a relaxing lunch on board before arriving in Blaye around 2 PM. Join an optional excursion along the Corniche, or cliff route. Stop in the village of Bourg, a charming city built on a rocky outcrop enclosed by medieval ramparts. Then return to Blaye, for a visit the citadel. Go back on the ship for a delightfull dinner followed by an evening of dancing. Moor for the night in Blaye.
Set sail early this morning, taking breakfast as you cruise, heading towards Libourne. Join the river Dordogne and head for Libourne arriving in the early afternoon. After lunch on board, set off by coach on an optional excursion of Saint-Emilion. Enjoy a guided visit of the underground monuments of Saint-Emilion village as your guide introduce you to the history of the medieval city. Then visit an exceptional Troglodyte settlement - the cave of Emilion, and enjoy a tasting to conclude your visit. Rejoin your floating hotel in Libourne at the end of the afternoon. After dinner on board have an evening’s entertainment provided by your crew before you moor for the night.
Day 5: Cadillac | Roquetaillade châ- teau | Cadillac
Have breakfast as you cruise this morning, heading for Cadillac. Lunch on board before you enjoy an afternoon of optional guided visits to the Roquetaillade châ-teau and to Cadillac. Set off by coach for the Roquetaillade châ- teau. Return on board for dinner and enjoy a free evening in the charming Cadillac. Moor for the night in Cadillac.
Cruise back to Bordeaux in the morning and arrive in the early afternoon. Set off by coach on an optional guided tour of Bordeaux. A city of art and architecture, Bordeaux is one of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites. Join a tour by bus before walking through the ancient city. Return on board for dinner and the rest of the evening is free.
1) After breakfast on board, set off for an optional excursion of the centre of the Arcachon Bay (lunch included). Begin the tour with a visit of the oyster centre and museum situated at Larros Port. A modern, interactive scenography helps you to discover oyster farming and the history of the oyster. Then visit an oyster cabins and taste some oysters. Have lunch in a local restaurant and get back on the road heading to Arcachon, for a boat trip on the Bassin d’Arcachon. See the Bird Island, the famous "Cabanes tchanquées" houses on stilts and the the oyster beds. Then visit the GreatDune of Pilat, at 107m the highest sand dune in Europe. The view from the top is awe-inspiring. Return to Bordeaux at the end of the day. Your gala dinner on board is followed by an evening of dancing.
2) After breakfast depart for the optional excursion of Cognac (lunch included). Start with a visit of a major Cognac house, followed by a tasting session. Lunch is provided in a local restaurant before a tour of the town by tourist train, complete with commentary, along the roads and quaysides, passing monuments and Cognac’s public gardens. Next visit the Cognac Museum of Arts (closed on Mondays), and learn about the enthralling adventure of the “Liqueur of the Gods”with much information about vine growing and harvesting, wine production, distilling, barrel making, wine and Cognac trade, the glass industry and also packaging design - a modern addition. On Mondays, there is a guided visit of the chateau of Cognac, birthplace of French king, François I. A historic building dating from the 13th to 16th centuries, the chateau is a wonderful blend of the history of both Cognac and France. Visit is followed by a tasting session in Baron Otard’s cognac cellars. Return to Bordeaux at the end of the day. Enjoy a gala dinner on board followed by an evening of dancing.
Day 8: Bordeaux | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Enjoy one last breakfast on board before disembarking at 9 AM.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$2,511
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Main Deck
43 cabins (42 twins, 1 suite) equipped with shower and toilet, hairdryer, satellite TV, radio, safe. WI-Fi available on board with supplement.
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Upper Deck
26 twins equipped with shower and toilet, hairdryer, satellite TV, radio, safe. WI-Fi available on board with supplement.
Notes
20% discount on children between 2-10 years
30% discount for 3rd person in triple cabin
Initial deposit is 30%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure by bank transfer or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
Everything was amazing! The planning with Adventure Life went smoothly. The actual trip was fantastic! One of the best trips I have experienced. The cruise staff members were knowledgeable and attentive. I will be writing more about this on the blog!
Justin Chappelle
TrustScore 4.8 | 174 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 174 reviews on
1 day ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
