DESTINATION

Journey over nine days through the beautiful scenery of the Bordeaux region, France, discovering the valleys of the Médoc, Libourne and the Entre-deux-Mers. This cruise will take you into the heart of some of the most breathtaking scenery in France. Our itinerary will transport us through the famous Garonne and the beautiful Dordogne. Discover the largest area of AOC vineyard in the World, Pauillac and the Medoc, the medieval city of Bourg, Blaye and its renowned wines, Saint-Emilion, the history of a medieval city. Visit the coastal town of Arcachon and hop on a local boat to see the UNESCO site of the “Dune du Pilat” and sample oysters at the Cap Ferret.  Travel to Cognac, a historical city world famous for its fine liqueur. Since we'll be traveling aboard a luxurious riverboat, we'll need to unpack only once as we enjoy the unfolding views of the river from the comfort of our cabins. Come join us for this amazing Bordeaux discovery cruise!

YOUR VESSEL: Laidback elegance and relaxing comfort are paramount features of our cruises. Enjoy panoramic views of France as you walk the outdoor track on the Sun Deck; or, for a more intimate experience, relax in your private cabin. Gourmet meals with wine are available each day in the dining room. You can also enjoy coffee and tea, which are available all day. Each cabin and suite boasts a superior queen bed and other amenities, including a television and minibar. 

 

After full days of touring, relax to live music in the ship's lounge with onboard entertainment from the 3 New York Tenors and the sound of the City Rhythm Orchestra.

​

Unpack only once and enjoy the scenery of the beautiful rivers from a spacious cabin.  The Scenic Diamond provides relaxed elegance and comfort. Enjoy coffee or tea in the lounge, or take a walk on the sun deck while experiencing all that the rivers offer.

Included Features:

• Round-trip air transportation from NYC area.  Most U.S. gateways are available upon request (Fuel surcharges and air taxes are included (Valid at time of posting )

• ALL-INCLUSIVE 5 STAR CRUISING LUXURY:
  - Transfers from airport to the riverboat and from riverboat to the airport, with luggage handling for one checked bag per person. Services of a professional cruise director throughout the program. 
  - Luxurious accommodations for seven nights on a Scenic “Space Ship” 
  -  Port charges. 
  - Daily gourmet meals onboard: a rich buffet breakfast, a festive lunch buffet, tea & coffee throughout the day and a multi-course dinner with free complimentary selection of wines, draught beers during meals as well as house cocktails at the bar.
  - Complimentary Wi-Fi Internet
  - Private 5* butler service for all cabins
  - Applicable entrance fees, admission charges according to itinerary. 
  -  Onboard entertainment provided by the New York Tenors and City Rhythm Orchestra
  - Electronically-assisted bicycles
  - Nordic walking sticks
   

 

Included shore excursions:

• Deluxe air-conditioned motor coach transportation for all transfers, tours and guided excursions.

• Headsets during excursions

• Daily shore excursion program (outlined and included in the itinerary) during the cruise with local English-speaking guides.

- Discover the largest area of AOC vineyards in the world and learn and sample the great wines of Pauillac and the Médoc:

- The medieval city of Blaye and Bourg and their renowned wines

- Saint-Emilion, the underground world of a medieval city

- The coastal town of Arcachon including cruise to UNESCO site of “Dune du Pilat” and oyster tasting in Cap Ferret.

- Bordeaux, an amazing architectural and cultural city listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site

- Cognac region.

Optional post tour excursion:

• Optional 3-night PRE extension Spain, including a full day tours of Bilbao and San Sebastian.

 

ITINERARY (subject to change / approval from the cruise company)
 

Day 1- OCTOBER 26, 2023: Depart the USA: Depart the U.S. on an overnight flight to France.

 

Day 2- OCTOBER 27, 2023: BORDEAUX: Welcome to France.  A Jet Vacations representative will personally greet you and arrange your transfer to your river cruise ship in Bordeaux. After you've comfortably settled in your cabin, we'll introduce our crew during our welcome cocktail party. You'll have dinner on board, followed by an evening of entertainment provided by the City Rhythm Orchestra.  We will remain in port overnight. (Dinner)

 

Day 3- OCTOBER 28, 2023: BORDEAUX – FORT MEDOC: We sail down the river Garonne and then join the river Gironde and Patiras island before arriving in Fort Medoc just in time for lunch on board. After lunch on board, our excursion this afternoon is to visit the Médoc / Pauillac- a renowned region where the most famous of all red wines in the world are cultivated. We also have the opportunity to see the “must see” châteaux Lafite-Rothschild, Latour and Mouton Rothschild. We return on board for dinner and an evening of entertainment with City Rhythm performing “Sinatra Night”. We moor for the night in Fort Medoc. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).

 

Day 4- OCTOBER 29, 2023: FORT MEDOC - GIRONDE ESTUARY - BOURG: We set sail early this morning, cruising along the Gironde to the estuary towards the village of Bourg, a charming city built on a rocky outcrop enclosed by medieval ramparts Following lunch onboard, we will depart towards Cognac to discover Romanesque churches, typical sceneries of a “terroir” considered by many as the “French Tuscany”, traveling along the roads and quaysides, passing monuments and Cognac’s public gardens. Enjoy a guided visit of the chateau of Cognac, birthplace of French king, François I. A historic building dating from the 13th to 16th centuries, the chateau is a wonderful blend of the history of both Cognac and France. The visit is followed by a tasting session in cognac cellars where you will learn about the enthralling adventure of the “Liqueur of the Gods” with much information about vine growing and harvesting, wine production, distilling and more.  We return on board for dinner. We moor for the night in Bourg. Enjoy a performance by the New York Tenors and the sound of City Rhythm (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

 

Day 5– OCTOBER 30, 2023: BOURG - LIBOURNE - SAINT-EMILION: We set sail early this morning, taking breakfast as we cruise, heading towards Libourne on the river Dordogne where we arrive in the early afternoon. After lunch on board, we set off by coach on our excursion to Saint-Emilion. We have a guided visit of the underground monuments of Saint- Emilion village as our guide introduces us to the history of the medieval city. We then visit an exceptional Troglodyte settlement - the cave of Emilion, and we have a tasting to conclude our visit. We rejoin our floating hotel in Libourne at the end of the afternoon traveling through some of the world’s most famous vineyards.  We moor for the night in Libourne. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

 

Day 6- OCTOBER 31, 2023: LIBOURNE - BLAYE: We have breakfast as we cruise this morning, heading for Blaye. We have lunch on board, and arrive in Blaye, whose Citadel built by Vauban is not to be missed.  Tour Blaye and its underground monuments on foot. After our tour, we'll get to taste some regional products with an excellent glass of wine. After dinner on board, we have an evening of songs and music performed by the New York Tenors before we moor for the night in Blaye.  (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

 

Day 7- NOVEMBER 01, 2023: BLAYE – BORDEAUX: This morning after breakfast, enjoy a relaxing afternoon of cruising bound for Bordeaux through the world’s most famous vineyards.  Upon arrival and after lunch onboard, set off on a walking tour of Bordeaux.  A city of art and architecture, Bordeaux is part of UNESCO’s world heritage sites. Visit the old city from the large avenues to the narrow streets of Saint Pierre district. Tonight enjoy “Disco Night” performed by the City Rhythm Orchestra (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

 

Day 8- NOVEMBER 02, 2023: BORDEAUX - ARCACHON: Breakfast onboard and depart on an excursion to the coastal town of Arcachon.  Visit the covered market and then hop on a local boat and cruise to see the UNESCO site of the “Dune du Pilat” over towering the bay of Arcachon.  Then sail to the typical fishing village of Cap Ferret for an oyster tasting.  Sail back to Arcachon and travel back to Bordeaux for lunch on the ship.  Spend the afternoon at leisure for shopping or discovering Bordeaux on your own.  On your last night onboard, join everyone for the Captain’s Farewell dinner, followed by an evening of dancing.

 

Day 9- NOVEMBER 03, 2023: BORDEAUX: This Morning you will be transferred* by your Jet Vacations Representative to your homebound flight, or onto your Post stays in Bordeaux or Paris. (Breakfast) 

 

 

 

4 NIGHTS PRE TOUR OF SPAIN

Day 1- OCTOBER 22, 2023: Depart the USA: Depart the U.S. on an overnight flight to Spain.

 

Day 2- OCTOBER 23, 2023:  BILBAO: Welcome to Spain.  A Jet Vacations representative will personally greet you and arrange your transfer to your hotel in Bilbao by deluxe coach.  Check into your Bilbao Hotel for your 3-night post stay.  Tonight, enjoy a welcome diner with the other group members. (Dinner)

 

Day 3- OCTOBER 24, 2023:  BILBAO: After breakfast, meet your private guide and then start with a morning visit of the Guggenheim Museum.  It is a great chance to enjoy one of the most representative building of contemporary architecture.  Discover the contrasts between yesterday and today.  After spending your lunch time on your own, your guide will take you on a walking tour through the city. Firstly, entering the 7 Calles or Old Town, you will discover the traditional architecture and atmosphere: narrow streets, many shops, bars, restaurants and a lot of life. There, apart from seeing the most important buildings such as the Cathedral of Santiago or the local market, the Mercado de la Ribera, your guide will discuss about the origins of Bilbao as a port, the maritime trade with Flanders, the great industrialization, and about the importance of the river.  Walk back to your hotel in Bilbao – The rest of the evening at leisure. (Breakfast)

 

Day 4- OCTOBER 25, 2023:  SAN SEBASTIAN: After breakfast, set on a scenery drive through the Basque countryside towards San Sebastian.  Travel through rugged landscapes and small local mountain villages, which holds the essence of rural lifestyle.  Upon arrival, meet your guide and then set off to a light lunch in the area’s famed pintxos bars to immerse yourself in the atmosphere.  Learn about the pintxos scene and, of course, sample some of the treats yourself.  Much like regular tapas, pintxo dishes on the city menus change daily; expect a dainty but delicious treat — perhaps olives and artisan cheese pierced by a cocktail stick — paired with a drink in each bar.  Spend the afternoon ambling at a leisurely pace, exploring the tangle of narrow lanes that make up Parte Vieja, San Sebastián’s handsome Old Town.  Sandwiched between La Concha beach and the banks of the Urumea River, the Old Town hub is home to a treasure trove of the city’s finest sights.  Wander past a farmers' market to soak up the colorful hubbub of day-to-day activity, and pose for photos in front of San Sebastián Town Hall.  Pass churches with remarkable Baroque facades, and hear the history behind sights such as Plaza de la Constitución, an 18th-century square that was partially destroyed by a fire a century after it was built.  After two hours exploring the city and its legendary pintxos bars, make your way back to your hotel. Dinner on your own and overnight at your San Sebastian Hotel.  (Breakfast – Light Lunch)

 

Day 5- OCTOBER 26, 2023:  SAN SEBASTIAN: After breakfast, spend the day at leisure to explore San Sebastian on your own. Dinner on your own and overnight at your hotel in San Sebastian.  (Breakfast)

 

Day 6- OCTOBER 27, 2023: SAN SEBASTIAN - BORDEAUX:  After breakfast, transfer to Bordeaux to meet up with your river ship for your Bordeaux cruise. (Breakfast)

 

2 NIGHTS POST BORDEAUX STAY

Day 9- NOVEMBER 03, 2023: BORDEAUX: After breakfast, a Jet Vacations representative will personally greet you and arrange your transfer to your hotel in Bordeaux.  Time at leisure to explore the City on your own. Lunch and dinner on your own. Overnight at your hotel in Bordeaux. (Breakfast) 

 

Day 10- NOVEMBER 04, 2023: BORDEAUX: Breakfast at the hotel.  Spend your day at leisure exploring Bordeaux’s old city.  Lunch and dinner on your own. Overnight at your hotel in Bordeaux. (Breakfast) 

 

Day 11- NOVEMBER 05, 2023: PARIS – DEPARTURE DAY: Depart on your own to the Bordeaux airport (BOD) connecting to CDG Airport for your homebound flight back to the U.S.. (Breakfast) 

 

2 NIGHTS POST PARIS STAY

Day 9- NOVEMBER 03, 2023: Depart to your Post tour of Paris: After breakfast, transfer to Bordeaux TGV station for your High-Speed train trip to Paris.  A Jet Vacations representative will personally greet you and arrange your transfer to your hotel in Paris.  Time at leisure to explore the City of Light on your own. Lunch and dinner on your own. Overnight at your hotel in Paris. (Breakfast) 

 

Day 10- NOVEMBER 04, 2023: Paris: Breakfast at the hotel.  Spend your day at leisure exploring Paris arrondissements.  Lunch and dinner on your own. Overnight at your hotel in Paris. (Breakfast) 

 

Day 11- NOVEMBER 05, 2023: PARIS – DEPARTURE DAY: Depart to the CDG airport on your own for your homebound flight. (Breakfast) 

****************

Notes: Onboard currency is the Euro. The ship’s captain reserves the right to modify the cruising itinerary to ensure the safe navigation of the vessel.  This cruise is dependent on the sea and tides and arrival, departure and stop over times may be adjusted accordingly.  All taxes and fuel surcharges are included and correct at the time of printing, but subject to change. The price does not include beverages except the ones mentioned above, shore excursions that might be offered in addition to our daily included shore excursion program, gratuities/tips for guides/drivers and onboard staff such as maids, waiters, and maitre d’, wellness/spa center, airline luggage overage fees, passports fees, visas as well as items of a personal nature.  This tour includes moderate to high physical activity. The itinerary blends some longer days with shorter days all with daily activities. Walking tours, as well as walking slightly longer distances, up stairs or on uneven walking surfaces should be expected.

 

PRICING:  *Price is in US$, per person based on double occupancy, in your choice of cabins (Email us for pricing), chartering the vessel with a minimum of 100 passengers on board.  Single supplement is an additional 50% of the double occupancy price.