Experience the luxury of cruising mixed with the thrill of biking as you travel through the beautiful scenic routes of France. Travel through beautiful scenic routes and take in all of the beautiful, varied scenery as you cycle towards the southwestern part of the Loire region. Stroll the decks and look out onto the streaming water and landscapes as you take the time to relax. Bike along some of the most prestigious vineyards in the world and catch a glimpse of some of France’s biggest wine estates.
Highlights
Taste some wine in a world-famous castle renowned for its Bordeaux
Cruise along the marshes and see the steep cliffs of Meschers-sur-Gironde
Admire the “Bec d'Ambès,” the confluence of the Garonne & Dordogne rivers
Discover Saint-Émilion and visit its underground 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 our 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 Longueville 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 will be the highlight of today’s journey. You’ll 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.
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Main Deck-Cat A
25 cabins with porthole (18 cabins with twin beds, 7 cabins with a double bed)
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Main Deck- Cat B
13 double cabins- equipped with private en-suite facilities (shower and WC), satellite TV, hairdryer, safe.
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Main Deck- Cat C
9 double cabins- equipped with private en-suite facilities (shower and WC), satellite TV, hairdryer, safe.
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Middle Deck-Cat A
21 cabins with porthole (18 cabins with twin beds, 7 cabins with a double bed) equipped with private en-suite facilities (shower and WC), satellite TV, hairdryer, safe.
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Middle Deck-Cat B
4 double cabins
1 PRM
- equipped with private en-suite facilities (shower and WC), satellite TV, hairdryer, safe.
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Middle Deck-Cat C
4 double cabins- equipped with private en-suite facilities (shower and WC), satellite TV, hairdryer, safe.
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Upper Deck-Cat A
41 cabins (16 cabins with twin beds, 4 cabins with a double bed (can be separated into 2 singles), 1 disabled cabin with a double bed, equipped with private en-suite facilities (shower and WC), satellite TV, hairdryer, safe.
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Upper Deck-Cat B
18 double cabins- equipped with private en-suite facilities (shower and WC), satellite TV, hairdryer, safe.
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Upper Deck-Cat C
3 double cabins- equipped with private en-suite facilities (shower and WC), satellite TV, hairdryer, safe.
Notes
20% discount on children between 2-10 years
30% discount for 3rd person in triple cabin
Initial deposit is 25%, 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
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen
TrustScore 4.8 | 175 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 175 reviews on
7 hours ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
2 days 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
3 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
