Beautiful Bordeaux, the Dordogne & La Rochelle (Rail & Cruise)

Beautiful Bordeaux, the Dordogne & La Rochelle (Rail & Cruise)

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Beautiful Bordeaux, the Dordogne & La Rochelle (Rail & Cruise)

7 Days Starting and ending in St Pancras International

Visiting: France

Tour operator:

Rail Discoveries

Tour code:

BBR21

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Trip Styles:

River Cruise

Interests:

Rail Tours

Tour Overview

Experience the idyllic landscapes surrounding Bordeaux and explore the most leisurely way possible, on a river cruise sailing through the picturesque Gironde Estuary and along sections of the Garonne and Dordogne. You'll also visit the important maritime towns of the Southwest coast and enjoy great food and free-flowing wines from Bordeaux each dinnertime on this wonderfully inclusive cruise holiday.

Highlights

  • Enjoy a guided tour and free time in Bordeaux

  • Follow the Médoc wine route, enjoying wine tastings along the way

  • Sail through the scenic Gironde Estuary

  • Take a tour of coastal Royan

  • Tour Rochefort and enjoy entrance to the Corderie Royale

  • Unique flexible excursions: choose from a tour of Roquetaillade Château and Cadillac and a tasting of Sauternes wine or a hike through the countryside and a wine pairing session at a family-run farm

  • Visit St Emilion for a guided tour and private wine tasting

  • Explore La Rochelle on a sightseeing tour

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 - London to Bordeaux


We meet at our Departure Office at London St Pancras* and travel
on the Eurostar to Paris. On arrival in the French capital, we
board a coach that takes us from the Gare du Nord to the Gare
Montparnasse. Here we board a train that will whisk us southwards
through the French countryside to Bordeaux, centre of one of the
world's most famous wine regions and set on the banks of the
Garonne River. Here we transfer to our floating hotel for 6 nights,
the MS Cyrano de Bergerac. After time to settle in, we are greeted
with a welcome cocktail before tonight's 3-course dinner is served,
accompanied by free-flowing wine and followed by an evening of
entertainment on board.



*If you would like to travel by air, view our Fly &
Cruise option title="Beautiful Bordeaux & The Dordogne Cruise (Fly & Cruise)">
here
.


Day 2 - Atlantic Coast and wines of Médoc


This morning we cruise into the scenic Gironde Estuary, passing
a scattering of traditional wooden fishing huts dotted around the
attractive inlets of Cazeau Island and pretty Patiras Island. After
taking in these charming scenes at a leisurely pace, we arrive in
Pauillac, a sleepy port whose quayside is lined with grand stone
houses. We disembark for a tour through the celebrated Médoc wine
route and enjoy a tasting at a vineyard along the Route des
Châteaux. We return to the ship for lunch before an afternoon
excursion to the seaside town of Royan for a tour that takes us
past Belle Epoque villas and the retro houses that line the
shorefront. Afterwards, make the most of some free time to truly
appreciate the aesthetics of Royan, an official town of 'art and
history'. We return to the ship this evening for another freshly
prepared dinner.


Day 3 - Rochefort and La Rochelle


After another delicious breakfast, we board a coach bound for
Rochefort. It's position on the banks of the Charente River have
made it an important maritime destination for centuries, and during
our time here, we take a tour that delves into this intriguing
past. Entrance is also included to the Corderie Royale, an historic
rope-making factory that was the very first industrial building in
the country and supplied the French navy for over 300 years.



We continue to one of the most historically important seaports
on the European Atlantic coast, La Rochelle. After a lovely lunch
at a local restaurant, we set out on a tour exploring the natural
and man-made architecture that makes this destination so unique.
This is followed by some free time, during which you may like to
explore the Old Town and harbour area or visit one of the city's
many museums. Back on board, we begin sailing along the Dordogne
River to Libourne.


Day 4 - St Emilon


Early this morning leave Blaye and join the peaceful Dordogne
River on the way to the wine town of Libourne. Disembarking, travel
to St Emilion for a guided tour before visiting the exceptional
Troglodyte cave of St Emilion himself. You'll then call at a
family-run vineyard for a tasting of the popular regional wine.


Day 5 - Roquetaillade Château or Cadillac countryside hike


Arrive in the marvellous walled town of Cadillac
on Day 5, boasting a rich history dating back
to the 13th century. Here you have a choice of excursions. You
could take a tour of Roquetaillade Château, a magnificent medieval
monument, followed by a tasting of the local Sauternes wine and a
guided tour of Cadillac, or head for the hills on an energetic hike
through the distinctive countryside surrounding the town. Admire
panoramic views of the Garonne River alongside landscapes of
lilting vineyards before stopping at a family-run farm for a wine
paring session.


Day 6 - Bordeaux


Following a relaxed morning on board, this afternoon we arrive
back in Bordeaux, a beautiful city brimming with 18th-century
grandeur. With its broad boulevards and quaint Old Town, the
UNESCO-protected city boasts an exciting diversity that's palpable
in many of its attractions. We embark on a city tour for some
deeper insight into Bordeaux's history. Alternatively, you are free
to explore at your own pace. Back on board this evening, we enjoy a
gala dinner, the perfect end to our holiday.


Day 7 - Bordeaux and London


After a final breakfast on board, this morning we disembark and
transfer to Bordeaux station. Here we take the high-speed train to
Paris, where we connect with the Eurostar service back to London St
Pancras International.


What's Included

  • The services of an onboard Cruise Director

  • Optional Bag Concierge

  • 6-night cruise on board the MS Cyrano de Bergerac

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Reviews of this operator

Jeannette Elrick (Google Reviewer)  

Very good tours, knowledgeable and...

30-Sep-2023

Very good tours, knowledgeable and friendly Tour Managers. The hotel was very good and the locations visited were excellent. The heritage railways are interesting and lovely to travel on whether hauled by steam or diesel.

Mike Martin (Google Reviewer)  

Seeing so many negative reviews...

29-May-2019

Seeing so many negative reviews of Rail Discoveries makes you wonder if we have been travelling with the same company for the past 7 years or so! Excelent holidays, good hotels, superb tour managers-what else could you ask for? However it pays to look closely at the brochure -if there are a lot of coach trips, then we usually do NOT book ( please note ,the guy who complained about the Scottish holiday with little train-travel-it's there in the itinerary). Having said that, we ARE travelling to Scotland for just such a holiday this autumn, and we know exactly what to expect, and nothing more. The train-travel to Scotland we treat as part of our rail holiday. As for comments about the food in some hotels, we have been underwhelmed by some-and delighted with others. As someone said, if you want better food, spend more and go with sister company Great Rail-as we have done in the past, and will do again. And if you don't like a hotel( we had a ghastly one in America-now removed from the tour, thank heavens)-take your comments to the company. They do listen. So please be assured, thousands of happy travellers book with rail Discoveries, and we have only met one couple out of hundreds we have travelled with who were not happy( with the food)-ALL the others on the tour were delighted with it! You can't please everyone.....

Sandra Castle (Google Reviewer)  

We thoroughly enjoyed The Charming...

23-Sep-2024

We thoroughly enjoyed The Charming Dordogne tour. A good tour manager 'Tony', lovely hotel with lots of space to relax and chat with fellow travellers and a nice sized swimming pool for a bit of excersise. The restaurant just a few steps down the road provided pleasant food, good service and wine and coffee thrown in aswell. Our coach driver for the week was very knowledgeable and helpful, pointing out sights of interest, plus we had a couple of free days to explore the village with it's interesting museum and exhibition centre. I would definitely recommend this holiday

Karen She (Google Reviewer)  

A well-priced escorted tour of...

10-Aug-2022

A well-priced escorted tour of Switzerland with an excellent guide, Graham Carter. Hats off to Graham for his patience and cheerful leadership of our group of 36 with various levels of mobility and agility. A last minute change of hotel was a bit of a surprise and some of our group were disappointed with the substitution but we found it to be a nice tourist class 3 star with a good choice of buffet style meals. It needs to be remembered before you book that this is an active holiday. There are many train changes, steps and hills. Overall a good holiday but you need to be fairly agile to get the most out of the experience. Luckily we are!

Jan Walker (Google Reviewer)  

We booked the Catalan holiday...

18-Jul-2023

We booked the Catalan holiday in January having been told that we would get an early booking discount of £50 each with the holiday costing £1049pp. I have just been sent an email offering a flash sale with the same holiday advertised at £849! I assume we will now be offered the same price and I look forward to a refund of £400.

John Skelton (Google Reviewer)  

Very bad customer services. Cancelled...

18-May-2023

Very bad customer services. Cancelled one of the rail trip which was replaced by a trip by coach of Carisle, lovely that Carisle is!. So far no reason for the cancellation, no apology or compensation. Wrecked the holiday!. Company can't own up to their own mistakes and will blame someone else particularly their clients. Don't touch them with a barge pole!

David Tilston (Google Reviewer)  

Very disappointed. Booked Isle of...

17-Jan-2023

Very disappointed. Booked Isle of Man last year and dates got changed. Accepted the alternative dates offered and did enjoy the holiday. Booked the Glacier Express, Switzerland, this year for a special anniversary . Holiday was cancelled (despite being told that it would be very unlikely that it would be cancelled) and alternative dates offered unsuitable. If I wanted to go at a specific time I would not use this company again. There seem to be different companies offering these holidays but they are the same operator based in York.

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