Cruise and bike along winding rivers in this 8-day unique Bordeaux roundtrip cruise aboard the splendid MS Princesse d'Aquitaine. Journey to Saint-Estèphe, a town famous for its Baroque architecture, and its stunning view of the Garonne. Bike along some of the most prestigious vineyards in the world and catch a glimpse of some of France’s biggest wine estates. Taste some wine in a world-famous castle renowned for its Bordeaux. Admire the Sauve-Majeure Abbey, which used to be a Benedictine monastery. Although it is in ruins, the abbey remains a tourist attraction thanks to its Romanesque architecture and sculpted capitals. This beautiful structure is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Highlights
Cruise along the marshes and see the steep cliffs of Meschers-sur-Gironde
Explore Blaye, with its vineyards, rich croplands and castles
Cruise through the renowned Bordeaux wine-growing areas like Pomerol
Stroll along the streets of Cadillac and take in its incredible monuments
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Passengers are welcome to board the ship at 6 p.m. After comfortably settling into your cabins, be introduced to the crew at a welcome cocktail. Sit back and enjoy a presentation about your vacation. Dinner is served on board, followed by an evening of entertainment.
Spend the morning cruising to Pauillac. Towards the middle of the morning, set off on your bikes for the day. First bike to Saint-Estèphe, a town famous for its Baroque architecture, and its stunning view of the Garonne. Enjoy a picnic lunch. In the afternoon, bike along some of the most prestigious vineyards in the world and catch a glimpse of some of France’s biggest wine estates. Taste some wine in a world-famous castle renowned for its Bordeaux. On your way back to Pauillac, see a few prominent wine estates like Chateau Pontet-Canet, Chateau Pichon Longeville Baron, and Chateau Lynch-Bages. Enjoy an evening of entertainment, and remain in port overnight.
Biking itinerary: in the morning from Saint-Estèphe 7 mi./11.3 km. (249 ft./76 m. elevation gain) — in the afternoon from Pauillac 22 mi./35.4 km (698 ft./213 m. elevation gain)
Leave early and spend the morning cruising the Gironde to the estuary. Cruise along the marshes and see the steep cliffs of Meschers-sur-Gironde, troglodyte homes and fishing cabins before reaching Blaye. Leave on your bikes in the afternoon. The itinerary brings you to Blaye, with its vineyards, rich croplands, and castles. Bike on hilly roads overlooking the magnificent Garonne area. Pass through Plassac and its Roman ruins, Marmisson and its infamous troglodytes (entry fee not included), and Bayon-sur-Gironde and admire a stunning view of the “Bec d'Ambès,” the confluence of the Garonne and Dordogne rivers. Then head to Bourg. If you feel like it, you can bike a few miles more to Saint-Gervais, contemplate magnificent landscapes from the shadow of its medieval church, before returning to Blaye for the evening. After you return to the ship, enjoy an evening of dancing.
Biking itinerary to Blaye: 19 mi./30.6 km. (1000 ft./305 m. elevation gain) - to Saint-Gervais: 31 mi./49.9 km. (1400 ft./427 m. elevation gain)
Early in the morning, cruise on the Dordogne towards heritage-rich Libourne. In the afternoon, start your bike tour through Saint-Émilion. Today’s itinerary brings you through the most renowned Bordeaux wine-growing areas like Pomerol, or estates like the Chateau du Cheval Blanc. In Saint-Émilion, visit its underground monuments. Enjoy some free time in the city, strolling along its lively streets and taking in its incredible monuments and unique architecture. Besides being incredibly beautiful, this city is also one of the main red-wine-producing regions.
Biking itinerary from Libourne: 21 mi./33.8 km. (698 ft./213 m. elevation gain) or from Saint-Émilion: 13 mi./20.9 km. (600 ft./183 m. elevation gain)
Start biking towards the south in the afternoon, along the Garonne. Bike through the Sauternais, a region known for its sweet dessert wines, and Sainte-Croix-du-Mont, for a stunning view of the valley. The famous Sauternes and Barsac vineyards are the highlights of today’s journey. Bike past the Château d’Yquem, famous for its liquors and refined wines. Sauternes wine is world-famous for its quality and its unique sweetness. The region benefits from an oceanic climate, which favors the proliferation of the Botrytis cinerea fungus. This fungus confers the sweetness and distinct color to the Sauternes wine. After your day of biking, return to the ship. The evening is free to do as you please.
Biking itinerary from Cadillac: 24 mi./38.6 km. (898 ft./274 m. elevation gain)
While enjoying the French scenery from your bike, the ship cruises towards Bordeaux, its final destination. Your tour begins with the fortified city of Cadillac and will end in Bordeaux. Stops are planned in La Sauve and Cenac. Enjoy a picnic lunch next to the Sauve-Majeure Abbey, which used to be a Benedictine monastery. Although it is in ruins, the abbey remains a tourist attraction thanks to its Romanesque architecture and sculpted capitals. This beautiful structure is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the afternoon, continue heading to Bordeaux, have the afternoon to roam across the city on your bike at your own pace. Tonight is your festive gala evening.
Biking itinerary from La Sauve in the morning: 18 mi./29 km. (1400 ft./427 m. elevation gain); or from Latresne 28.5 mi./46.7 km. (1699 ft./518 m. elevation gain) - from Bordeaux in the afternoon: 36 mi./57.9 km. (1801 ft./549 m. elevation gain)
Although your vacation is coming to an end, your adventure is not over. After breakfast, a minivan drives you to your departure point on the Atlantic coast. After traveling through the vineyards, discover the coast and the ocean. Bike along the coast and the Pyla Dune, the tallest sand dune in Europe at more than 328 feet above sea level. Enjoy a picnic lunch in Arcachon, a famous seaside resort frequented by aristocrats since the second half of the 19th century.
After lunch, board a boat with your bike and head for Cap Ferret, renowned for its oyster farms. Once onshore, bike through a pine forest until we reach the shuttle, which brings you back to the boat. Return on board in Bordeaux at the end of our long day.
Biking itinerary from Arcachon: 22 mi./35.4 km. (800 ft./244 m. elevation gain) — from Lège-Cap-Ferret: 35 mi./56.3 km. (1099 ft./335 m. elevation gain) - from the Atlantic Ocean: 45 mi./72.4 km. (1400 ft./427 m. elevation gain)
Day 8: Bordeaux | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Enjoy one last buffet breakfast on board before disembarking at 9:00 a.m.
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Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$2,738
Rates are dynamic and fluctuate based on capacity. Contact us for a specific quote.
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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
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 | 169 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 169 reviews on
32 minutes ago
Friendly and professional interactions. Answered my questions and followed up on initial contact.
Tim Elliott
1 day ago
Adventure Life has been an extraordinary travel resource for us over the years and today was no exception. Our River Cruise booking was handled by Jess (who has been our personal trip planner for several years) the same day as our inquiry. Suggestions were given for cabin choice and pre-trip options (that were not shown on the cruise line's website) like airport transfers and prepaid gratuities. Trip insurance recommendations followed and we were assigned a travel co-ordinator till the end of the tour. All we have to do is show up! Great service from friendly folks.
APtravelwell
2 days ago
My representative Kevin was very responsive generally and in crafting our itinerary to our specific priorities.
Rocco Labella
2 days ago
Although there was a lot of paper work, I received help and guidance when I needed it.
Donna Kirby
3 days ago
Our travel was flawless! The rider pickup (airport, hotel, ship) was seamless. Jane's recommendation for Emerald Cruise Sakara was everything I wanted but the experience was soooo much more. Adventure Life took care of each and every detail and this was the easiest of all my travels.
