Join a 7-day river cruise voyage through the Gironde Estuary, and the Dordogne and Garonne Rivers. Enjoy daily land excursions to historical towns, world-renowed vineyards, medieval castles, underground monumets, winding streets and vibrant cities. As you explore this marvelous region, enjoy the amenities and fine French gastronomy aboard the MS Princesse d'Aquitaine.
Highlights
Explore the renowned Medoc region, home to the most famous red wines
Stop at the citadel of Blaye, a World Heritage Site since 2008
Discover the history and culture of the medieval Saint-Emilion
Observe the steps involved in producing French great wines
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 in the evening. Settle in to your cabin and meet the crew during a welcome cocktail party. Enjoy dinner and an evening of entertainment as you set sail toward Pauillac.
Cruise down the Garonne to the Gironde to Pauillac. Excursions proposed:
**DISCOVERY as a supplement: Helicopter ride: Fly over the gorgeous Médoc! Experience a bird's eye view of the numerous châteaux and famous vineyards that give the region its reputation. It's a once in a lifetime experience!
(Flight subject to favorable weather conditions. RESERVATIONS MUST BE MADE BEFORE THE CRUISE BEGINS AND ARE SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY).
In the afternoon, choose one of the optional excursions available:
CLASSIC: Visit the Médoc (only available through pre-reservation with your travel agency before your departure)—a renowned region where the most famous of all red wines in the world are cultivated. Enjoy the opportunity to see the “must see” châteaux Lafite-Rothschild, Latour and Mouton Rothschild.
**DISCOVERY as a supplement: Medoc: Biking, wine, and cheese. Get ready to discover the history, architecture and out-of-the-way places in this exceptionally beautiful area. What better reward for the effort than a lovely glass of grand cru and some regional cheeses served in a prestigious château in the heart of Pauillac.
Return on board for dinner and an evening of entertainment. Remain in port overnight.
Cruise along the Gironde to the estuary. Arrive in Blaye at 2:00 p.m. Excursions proposed:
CLASSIC: The Route de la Corniche Fleurie and the Blaye Citadel.
**DISCOVERY as a supplement: Leave on foot to visit the Blaye Citadel, built in the 17th century by Vauban in order to better protect the city of Bordeaux.
Return on board for dinner and an evening of dancing. Remain in port overnight.
Begin to cruise early this morning, heading towards Libourne. Visit Saint-Emilion and its famous monolithic church followed by a wine tasting session. Tonight's entertainment is provided by the crew. Remain in port overnight.
Spend the morning cruising to Cadillac. Proposed Excursions:
CLASSIC: Château de Roquetaillade and Cadillac.
**DISCOVERY as a supplement: Set out for a guided tour on foot of the hillsides in Cadillac. Cross the city, passing in front of the imposing Château des Ducs d'Épernon before hiking up the vineyard trails to some of the most beautiful points of view of the river found in the area.
Return on board and the rest of the evening is yours to do as you please. Remain in port overnight.
Continue your cruise back to Bordeaux, arriving in the early afternoon. Proposed Excursions:
CLASSIC: Guided tour of Bordeaux.
**DISCOVERY as a supplement: Leave by bike from the Quai des Chartrons to see the locations and monuments in Bordeaux that have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites. Cycling along the Garonne to the Pont de Pierre, keep an eye out for the many amusing mascarons decorating the building facades.
Tonight join your exclusive gala evening on board.
Day 7: Bordeaux | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Enjoy one last breakfast on board before disembarking.
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.
$2,222
Rates are dynamic and fluctuate based on capacity. Contact us for a specific quote.
Select a Date
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.
Select a Date
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
The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
Jack Charney
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.