Join the crew of the MS Amadolce on this beautiful tour to Bordeaux and the Loire Valley. Begin with a two night stay in Paris, the magical “City of Light,” and participate in a panoramic tour of the city’s top sites. Continue to Bordeaux, one of the world’s undisputed wine capitals. Here, you can discover stately chateaux, abundant vineyards, and stunning scenery as you sail along the Garonne River and its surrounding estuaries. Enjoy tastings of some of the region’s most distinguished wines before going on to the Loire Valley for two nights and then concluding with an overnight stay in Paris.
Highlights
Discover Paris and its most famous landmarks, including Notre Dame
Enjoy France's most well-known wines
Visit the capital of wine, Bordeaux, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Check out of your hotel in the morning, and board a TGV high-speed train that takes you straight to the legendary land of wine blends and monumental architecture – Bordeaux. Arrive at your luxurious ship and gather this evening for a Welcome Dinner.
Visit the impressive Castle of Roquetaillade, an amazingly preserved masterpiece of medieval military architecture owned by the same noble family for 700 years. Afterwards, travel to the Sauternes wine region to either Château de Rayne Vigneau or Château Guiraud to taste the highly prized golden-hued sweet wines produced here.
Wine-themed Cruise:
Travel to the Sauternes wine region to either Château de Rayne Vigneau or Château Guiraud to taste the highly prized golden-hued sweet wines produced here. Afterwards, visit the impressive Castle of Roquetaillade, an amazingly preserved masterpiece of medieval military architecture owned by the same noble family for 700 years.
Pauillac, a lovely village on the Left Bank of the Gironde Estuary, is the gateway to the famed Médoc region renowned for producing some of the world’s finest Bordeaux wines. See some of the most beautiful and famous wine estates, including Château Latour, Château Mouton Rothschild, Château Lafite Rothschild, and Château Pichon Longueville. Then visit either Château Gruaud Larose or Château Léoville Poyferré for a tasting of Grand Cru wines.
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 from Blaye through the idyllic French countryside. Alternatively, visit a prehistoric cave, Pair non Pair, offering one of the best examples of art made by prehistoric man. During the afternoon, you can cruise to Bourg or join a bike tour along Santiago’s path—a famous pilgrimage route—to Bourg. While in the ancient village of Bourg, visit the Carriage Museum, which houses a wonderful collection of horse-drawn vehicles and then explore the underground passageways that lead you to the immense oil tanks from the Second World War. Later in the day, experience the hospitality of this charming medieval village with an exclusive wine festival complete with live French music, dancing, wine and hors d'oeuvres.
Libourne provides a gateway to one of Bordeaux’s most elite wine regions, Saint-Émilion, known for its picturesque architecture, monuments, and celebrated vineyards. Join an excursion to historic Saint Émilion, 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 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.
Tour the magnificent Château Vayres, one of the most prestigious historic buildings of Aquitaine, or spend time discovering the Bastide town of Libourne and then stroll through its colorful open-air market tasting some of the region’s specialties. For a more active exploration of the countryside, enjoy a hike followed by a wine tasting. Later in the day, you can visit Fronsac, where you can taste some of the regional wines at a grand wine cellar. Or if you missed the countryside hike in the morning, you can do it in the afternoon, followed by a wine tasting.
The breathtaking capital of the wine world, Bordeaux is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and classified as a “City of Art and History.” Have an opportunity to experience much of the rich culture and architecture on a city tour followed by a visit to the Bordeaux Wine Museum, housed in an awe-inspiring building. Bike enthusiasts may wish to join a tour along the city’s amazing network of bicycle paths.
Day 10: Bordeax | Disembark | Loire Valley
1 Breakfast
Disembark your ship in Bordeaux and continue your journey by TGV train to Tours, France—gateway to the Loire Valley châteaux. Renowned for good food and good living and teeming with art, history, and lovely gardens, it’s the perfect place to explore or join a walking tour. You are then transferred to your hotel in Amboise.
Day 11: Amboise
1 Breakfast
Visit three of the Loire Valley’s regal châteaux starting with the Château de Chenonceau, one of the most beautiful castles in France. This châteaux 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 Close 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 12: Paris
1 Breakfast
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, marvel at the residence of seven kings and ten queens of France at the famous Château de Blois where you can discover the secrets of the French court. Afterwards, transfer by motorcoach to your hotel at Charles De Gaulle Airport.
Day 13: Depart Paris, France
1 Breakfast
Bid farewell to Paris and prepare for your flight home.
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Category E
Piano Deck, 170 square feet, cozy sitting area, fixed window and private bath.
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Piano Deck, 170 square feet, cozy sitting area, fixed window and private bathroom.
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