Bonjour Bordeaux: Chateaux, Wineries & Charming Villages (Artistry II)
Bonjour Bordeaux: Chateaux, Wineries & Charming Villages (Artistry II)
8 Days
Visiting: Bordeaux, France (Embarkation), Cadillac-Sur-Garonne, Cussac Fort Médoc, Blaye, Bourg, Libourne. Excursion To Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux. Excursion To Arcachon’S Bay, Bordeaux (Disembarkation), Europe
Tour operator:
Trip Styles:
From:
$4326
$2999 (USD)
Operator discount: -$1169
The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$158
-31%
Tour Overview
Bid bonjour to the bountiful beauty of Bordeaux with a captivating cruise on the Garonne and Dordogne Rivers to delight in one of France’s most exquisite regions. Embark from Bordeaux itself, the capital of the splendid Nouvelle-Aquitaine region—famed for its legendary vineyards and wines. Be carried away by Avalon’s signature included Classic, Active, or Discovery experiences of your choice—from the regal histories of castles and Châteaux to the romantic cellars where wine bouquets and bon-vivant cuisine tempt the palate. While the landscapes and lush pastoral treasures are plentiful along the shores of the Garonne and Dordogne, Avalon elevates each immersive experience for a deeper discovery of the cultural and architectural treasures that recall the rich traditions of Southwest France. From unparalleled panoramic drives to forested two-wheel excursions by bike to the delicacies of seaside Arcachon—the world is your oyster on this adventure in la belle vie of Bordeaux!
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Bordeaux,France (Embarkation)
Location: Bordeaux, France (Embarkation)
Meals Included: Dinner
*Ship may sail in the evening to Cadillac-sur-Garonne based on tide and water levels.
BORDEAUX, FRANCE (EMBARKATION) Welcome to France! Your Suite Ship® is Ready for BoardingFlights into Bordeaux must arrive by 3 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.Your day is free to explore the city before starting your cruise on the Garonne and Dordogne. Get acquainted with this city, capital of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region and famous worldwide for its vineyards and wines.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BORDEAUX*(D)*Ship may sail in the evening to Cadillac-sur-Garonne based on tide and water levels.BORDEAUX_CITY.jpg
Day 2: Cadillac-Sur-Garonne
Location: Cadillac-Sur-Garonne
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
*Sailing to Cadillac-sur-Garonne pending tides and water levels. Alternative motorcoach transportation for today’s excursions provided.
Join a Guided Visit with wine tasting at a local château. Sip the sweet notes and fresh acidity of Sauternes, the beloved golden-yellow wine.
Take a guided tour of Château de la Brêde—birthplace of Montesquieu—political philosopher and author of “The Spirit of Law.” Visit the fortress-style castle still reflected in its impressive moat, OR:
CADILLAC-SUR-GARONNE On the Steps of MontesquieuCLASSIC Take a guided tour of Château de la Brêde—birthplace of Montesquieu—political philosopher and author of “The Spirit of Law.” Visit the fortress-style castle still reflected in its impressive moat, OR:DISCOVERY Join a Guided Visit with wine tasting at a local château. Sip the sweet notes and fresh acidity of Sauternes, the beloved golden-yellow wine.This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board your Suite Ship® .OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN CADILLAC-SUR-GARONNE (B,L,D)*Sailing to Cadillac-sur-Garonne pending tides and water levels. Alternative motorcoach transportation for today’s excursions provided.CADILLAC-SUR-GARONNE.jpg
Day 3: Cussac Fort Médoc
Location: Cussac Fort Médoc
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Take a Guided Visit to an historic Château in the Médoc area and enjoy a tasting of their wonderful wines, with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon as protagonists.
CUSSAC FORT MÉDOC Bikes, Vines, and Wines This morning, enjoy a leisurely sailing to Cussac Fort MédocVisit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.ACTIVE Enjoy a relaxing E-bike guided tour in Bordeaux’s finest wine region. You will be amazed by the picturesque countryside while you enjoy a wonderful ride through the vineyards, OR:DISCOVERY Take a Guided Visit to an historic Château in the Médoc area and enjoy a tasting of their wonderful wines, with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon as protagonists.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN CUSSAC FORT MÉDOC(B,L,D)CUSSAC FORT MEDOC_BIKING.jpg
Day 4: Blaye,Bourg
Location: Blaye, Bourg
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Join a Guided Tour to discover Blaye from a different perspective, including a visit to a local art gallery with wine tasting.
Take a guided visit to the Citadel of Blaye, an UNESCO World Heritage site, followed by a panoramic drive following the famed Route de la Corniche along the right banks of the River Dordogne, OR:
BLAYE–BOURG Fine Art, Fine Bubbly, and a Fine Day for a DriveA brief morning sailing to Blaye. Ask your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.CLASSIC Take a guided visit to the Citadel of Blaye, an UNESCO World Heritage site, followed by a panoramic drive following the famed Route de la Corniche along the right banks of the River Dordogne, OR: DISCOVERY Join a Guided Tour to discover Blaye from a different perspective, including a visit to a local art gallery with wine tasting.Scenic afternoon sailing on the Dordogne River to Bourg. Enjoy free time to explore this storybook village or join an optional guided excursion to learn how the Fine Champagne of Cognac is made while enjoying a Rémy Martin tasting. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BOURG(B,L,D)BLAYE_CITADEL.jpg
Day 5: Libourne. Excursion To Saint-Émilion
Location: Libourne. Excursion To Saint-Émilion
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Join a guided tour of the medieval village of Saint-Émilion—a UNESCO World Heritage site of legends and legendary landscapes.
LIBOURNE. EXCURSION TO SAINT-ÉMILION The Village Amid the VineyardsCLASSIC Join a guided tour of the medieval village of Saint-Émilion—a UNESCO World Heritage site of legends and legendary landscapes. Later, sail Bordeaux.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BORDEAUX(B,L,D)SAINT-EMILION.jpg
Day 6: Bordeaux
Location: Bordeaux
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Join a guided walking tour to discover the heart of Bordeaux with a stroll amid its stunning squares, avenues, and cathedrals sights.
BORDEAUX Bordeaux Sights and Brilliant Lights Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.CLASSIC Join a guided walking tour to discover the heart of Bordeaux with a stroll amid its stunning squares, avenues, and cathedrals sights.This afternoon, consider an optional guided excursion to Les Bassins des Lumières for a breathtaking visit to the submarine base where art and music surround you in an immersive experience.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BORDEAUX(B,L,D) BORDEAUX_PLACE DE LA BOURSE.jpg
Day 7: Bordeaux. Excursion To Arcachon’S Bay
Location: Bordeaux. Excursion To Arcachon’S Bay
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Join a full-day guided tour of the seaside resort of Arcachon on the Atlantic coast. Gaze upon its 19th-century architectural treasures and taste its local delicacy of oysters and wine.
BORDEAUX. EXCURSION TO ARCACHON’S BAY Seas, Shells, and Sips ACTIVE Join your Adventure Host for a bike ride along Bordeaux’ postcard river views of the Les Quais, OR:CLASSIC Join a full-day guided tour of the seaside resort of Arcachon on the Atlantic coast. Gaze upon its 19th-century architectural treasures and taste its local delicacy of oysters and wine.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BORDEAUX(B,L,D)ARCACHONS BAY_OYSTERS.jpg
Day 8: Bordeaux (Disembarkation)
Location: Bordeaux (Disembarkation)
Meals Included: Breakfast
BORDEAUX (DISEMBARKATION) Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. (B)BORDEAUX_CORKS.jpg
Notes
•In the event of technical or water level issues, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or alter the program, including hotel overnight when necessary.•Guided Tours, Optional Excursions, activities, sailing and docking schedules may be contingent on weather conditions or other issues outside of our control and could therefore be subject to change at any time.•Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.
Rivers
Garonne
Accommodation
Bordeaux:Le Burdigala
Check out our Q&As
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Cuisine
All meals on board are prepared by accomplished chefs who prepare regional specialties as well as familiar favorites with only the freshest, local ingredients. Our Suite Ships® feature daily buffet-style breakfast and lunch with your choice of soups, main courses with starter, salad, or sandwich, and, of course, dessert. Complimentary room service is also available with Continental breakfast, lunch, and dinner. On the Mekong and Ganges, a mix of Western and local dishes is offered; in the Galápagos, you'll be able to taste some Ecuadorian specialties; and in the Amazon, you will be able to sample Peruvian specialties along with Western dishes.
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Cruise Director
A professional, experienced, English-speaking Cruise Director accompanies every departure. Naturalists are on board in the Amazon and Galápagos. Special Interest cruises typically include an expert specific to the cruise theme—from Wine Masters to History Experts.
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What about young travellers and children?
In our many years of cruising experience, we have found that children under the age of eight typically are too young to fully enjoy a cruise vacation. Because of this and for the safety and enjoyment of all passengers, we do not accept children under eight years of age. In addition, please note that there are no special arrangements or activities for children on our ships.
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What are single room supplements?
For single travellers who prefer the privacy of their own room and stateroom, single accommodation can, of course, be requested.
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Clothing & Dress Code
Your comfort is our first concern. Onboard and onshore dress codes are casual. Please bring comfortable walking shoes for sightseeing. Dinner attire is casual—open-neck shirts and slacks for men; slacks, skirts, or dresses for ladies. Coats and ties may be worn if preferred. The Welcome and Farewell Dinners in Europe are dressy, but not formal. On the Mekong, Ganges, Amazon, and Galápagos, dress attire, including coats and ties, is not recommended due to the warm, humid climate.
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When will I receive my digital travel documents?
Avalon will email you a set of travel documents, which includes a copy of your itinerary and, where applicable, information on your hotels and optional excursions. Electronic Travel documents, including applicable eTicket receipts, itineraries, and other information are sent approximately 2-3 weeks prior to departure, provided full payment has been received.
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Where can I find the docking location for my cruise ship?
Avalon Waterways strives to bring you the best docking locations along Europe’s rivers. In many cities, this includes multiple docking sites. Docking positions at each port are assigned by local authorities, and may vary depending upon the number of ships in port on any given day. This can sometimes result in double-docking with more than one ship assigned to the same dock and the ships “rafted” together, temporarily obstructing some views from on board the ships. Exact docking locations will be available 24-72 hours prior to embarkation. Before your cruise’s docking location is available, you can download a map of all possible docking sites for your embarkation city at www.AvalonWaterwaysPorts.com. Once your ship’s docking assignment is available, you can download a map that shows only that specific location, including address.
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Are Avalon River Cruises Handicap Accessible?
Avalon Waterways makes reasonable attempts to accommodate the special needs of disabled and mobility impaired travellers but is not responsible in the event it is unable to do so. Because we cannot provide individual assistance to travellers in many situations, and most of our transportation services are not equipped with wheelchair ramps, we recommend that you view our terms and conditions for details or contact us to learn more.
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Internet Access
All Avalon ships in Europe have complimentary Wi-Fi available. On the Mekong and Ganges, complimentary Wi-Fi access is available in the Panorama Lounge. The signal is not always reliable, as you will be cruising through remote areas. To access the ship's Wi-Fi Internet network, you will be given a PIN number at reception to use on your laptop, tablet, or mobile device. Wi-Fi is not available in the Amazon or Galápagos.
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Onboard Language
The language on board is English. All staff, crew, and tour guides speak English. All announcements and commentary will be in English.
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Low Deposit
Avalon Waterways requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of avalon waterways charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 35% of booking price.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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