Travel to France’s legendary wine capital, Bordeaux, on the AmaDolce, a luxurious riverboat. Iconic châteaux, timeless vineyards and delicious wine tastings are plentiful as you visit Libourne, Blaye, Bourg, Pauillac and Cadillac. This cruise is a must for anyone interested in the best of French culture, lifestyle, wine and food. Before returning home, we will visit the wonderful Loire Valley with its gorgeous castles.

 

 

DAY 1

We leave the ABQ Sunport on our overnight flights to Bordeaux.

 

DAY 2           D

Upon arrival, we clear immigration and transfer to our luxurious ship for our 7-night cruise.

 

 DAY 3            B,L,D

This morning, we take in the romance of the Bordeaux region on a scenic morning cruise. We dock in Libourne, a gateway to one of Bordeaux’s most elite wine regions. We can join an excursion to Saint Émilion, known for its celebrated vineyards, and explore the monolithic church carved out of one piece of limestone rock. Afterwards, we enjoy a Grand Cru Classé wine tasting.

 

DAY 4            B,L,D

Today we explore more of Libourne, while strolling through the colorful, open­air market, tasting some of the region’s specialties. Later in the day, we set sail for Blaye, where we’ll enjoy an evening at leisure.

 

DAY 5              B,L,D

In Blaye, we can join a tour of its 17th­century citadel, then sail to Bourg. In Bourg, we might visit the Carriage Museum, which houses a wonderful collection of horse­drawn vehicles. Later in the day, we experience an exclusive wine festival where we meet the local wine growers and taste wines and enjoy live French music and dancing.

 

DAY 6                B,L,D

Pauillac, a lovely village on the Left Bank of the Gironde Estuary, is gateway to the famed Médoc region, renowned for producing some of the world’s finest Bordeaux wines.

 

DAY 7                B,L,D

Today, we dock in Cadillac where we visit the impressive Castle of Roquetaillade, then travel to the Sauternes wine region to taste the highly prized golden­hued sweet wines produced here.

 

DAY 8                  B,L,D

We arrive in Bordeaux, the breathtaking capital of the wine world. We’ll experience much of the rich culture and architecture on a city tour followed by a visit to the famed indoor Les Halles de Bacalan market for a tasting of local specialties. In the evening, we enjoy a spectacular illumination cruise, gazing at the iconic structures of Bordeaux as they glow against the night sky.

 

DAY 9                    B

We disembark the AmaDolce and transfer to Amboise in the Loire Valley for two nights.

 

DAY 10                  B

Today we visit three of the Loire Valley’s regal châteaux: the Château de Chenonceau, one of the most beautiful castles in France, the Château du Clos Lucé (da Vinci’s last home) and the Château d’Amboise, where da Vinci is buried.

 

DAY 11                   B

We check out of our hotel en route to Paris, visit two more majestic châteaux Chateau de Chambord and Chateau de Bois. We arrive at our Paris airport hotel.

 

DAY 12                   B

We return home to Albuquerque, full of good wines and great memories of beautiful Bordeaux and the Loire Valley.