From the French Basque Country to Bordeaux – Fine French cuisine at the foot of the Pyrenees and a cruise to discover Bordeaux and its outlying areas (port-to-port cruise)

Biarritz - French Basque Country - Biarritz - Bayonne - BORDEAUX - CUSSAC-FORT-MEDOC - BLAYE(2) - LIBOURNE(2) - Saint-Emilion - BORDEAUX

We'll welcome you at your four-star hotel (or similar accommodations) in Biarritz at 5:00 p.m., where you'll check in and enjoy a welcome cocktail.(1) 

Dinner and evening in Biarritz.

Although once a whaling village, Biarritz is now an upscale seaside resort. The city's destiny changed forever when Napoléon III and his wife, Eugénie, came to take advantage of the ocean's health benefits. Enjoy some free time on the Atlantic coast by walking along the cliffs or even having a swim!

Breakfast will be served at the hotel. Set out on a full-day excursion to the French Basque Country. The tour will begin in Espelette, a small, colorful city decorated with its signature festoons—dried chili pepper strings. Mildly hot Espelette peppers are a cornerstone of French Basque cuisine. Take some time on your own to explore the city.

We'll enjoy a traditional Basque lunch in Espelette.

In the afternoon, we'll tour Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and indulge in a tasting of Irouléguy wine. A charming village in the heart of the Pyrenees, Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port was named one of the most beautiful villages in France in 2016. Its unique position as the last stop on the Way of St. James makes it popular with pilgrims and hikers. After a guided tour, we'll head over to the Irouléguy wine cellars for a visit and tasting. 

At the end of the day, we'll return to Biarritz. Dinner. You'll spend the night at the hotel.

Breakfast will be served at the hotel.

This morning, join us for a guided tour of Bayonne and a salted-meat workshop. The guided tour of old Bayonne introduces you to the history of the French Basque Country and its culture. Strolling down the quaint, narrow streets, you'll learn about the city center's rich architectural heritage, including the cathedral, cloister, and fortifications. We'll then visit a salted-meat workshop to see how dried ham is made and taste a few of its products.

Enjoy a traditional Basque meal at lunch in a local cider house. Have a glass of cider directly from the barrel!

After your tour, you'll leave by coach for Bordeaux, where you'll board our ship at 6 p.m. We'll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail.

We will cruise down towards Cussac-Fort-Médoc.
In the afternoon, join us for the optional CLASSIC / DISCOVERY excursion proposed: Following the trail of the grands crus wines of Médoc, a renowned region where the most famous of all red wines in the world are cultivated.
We'll return on board for dinner and an evening of entertainment.

We'll start sailing early this morning towards Blaye, whose Citadel built by Vauban is not to be missed. Join us on the optional excursions proposed:
CLASSIC: Blaye and a visit to its citadel in a tourist train, plus a tasting of regional products and wine: Set off to discover the history and heritage of Blaye and its citadel. Built by Vabaun under Louis the Great, the citadel protected Bordeaux from invasions as part of the Verrou Vauban with the Forts Pâté and Médoc. This three-garrison defense system is unique in France and has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Afterwards, we'll visit the Château Marquis de Vauban restaurant for a tasting of wine and some regional products.

DISCOVERY: 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*.
We'll return on board and cruise on the Gironde all the way to the estuary. Enjoy an evening of dancing.

We'll cruise to Libourne, a town rich with history and full of character located at the confluence with the Isle and the Dordogne Rivers. Upon arrival, join us for the optional excursions proposed:
CLASSIC: tour of Saint-Emilion.
DISCOVERY: Libourne by bike and wine tasting.
We'll return on board in Libourne. Tonight is our festive gala dinner and evening.

We'll cruise towards Bordeaux this morning. Join us on the optional excursions proposed:
CLASSIC: The Chartrons District, Wine and Commerce Museum.
DISCOVERY: The Bassins des Lumières.
Enjoy an evening of entertainment. 

Enjoy one last buffet breakfast on board before disembarking at 9:00 a.m. End of our services.

For an optimal organization of the cruise, the organization of excursions can be modified according to the tide.

Note to coach: double-decker buses are not allowed on many roads in Gironde, including Libourne, Saint Emilion, Blaye and Cadillac.