CHATEAUX, RIVERS & WINE
HOSTED BY LOUISE WILSON
September 30 to October 8, 2022
Join Louise Wilson on an 8 Day Cruise through the famed French wine region of Bordeaux on board the Viking Forseti. Discover the ports, vineyards, farms and forests of Aquitaine, once Europe’s richest kingdom. See Bordeaux’s fountains and cellars. Hunt for truffles in Périgord, and create your own personal blend of Cognac at the Camus distillery. Savor France’s finest oysters fresh from the bay at Arcachon. Sip Saint-Émilion, Médoc and Sauternes in their own ”terroir” on an 8-day cruise through Bordeaux—a region synonymous with fine wine and finer living.
Bordeaux, France Roundtrip | 8 Day Cruise
Celebrate joie de vivre in Bordeaux, land of the world’s finest wines, oysters, truffles and cognac, as you cruise the Dordogne, Garonne and Gironde Rivers on one of Viking’s award-winning Longships – the Viking Forseti.
WHATS INCLUDED?
- River-view stateroom
- Hotel-style bed with optional twin-bed configuration; luxury linens & pillows
- 40″ flat-screen LCD TV with complimentary Movies On Demand
- 110/220 volt outlets & USB ports
- Refrigerator; security safe; hair dryer
- Spacious glass-enclosed shower
- Heated bathroom floor & anti-fog mirror
- Premium Freyja® toiletries; plush robes & slippers
- Stateroom steward & twice-daily housekeeping
- One complimentary shore excursion in every port of call
- Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary)
- Visits to UNESCO Sites
- Enrichment lectures & Destination Performances
- Beer, wine & soft drinks with onboard lunch & dinner
- 24-hour specialty coffees, teas & bottled water
- Port taxes & fees
- Ground transfers with Viking Air purchase
DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY
Day 1 | Depart Toronto
Flight times to be determined when scheduling becomes available!
Day 2 | Bordeaux, France
Upon arrival in France, we will head to the ship to check in. Take some time today to relax or explore Bordeaux on your own. Second only to Paris in French historic monuments, Bordeaux’s thoughtfully preserved 18th-century urban areas make it a desirable film location, and its graceful port on the Garonne River is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Later this evening, you may want to join an escorted evening walk of Bordeaux. While its monuments are beautiful during the day, they are stunning at night.
(Dinner)
Day 3 | Bordeaux, France
Tour the city center this morning and see some of Bordeaux’s highlights, including the Place des Quinconces, one of the largest squares in Europe; the neoclassical Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux; and several spectacular churches. Afterward, enjoy free time to explore the city’s vibrant pedestrian area. Later this afternoon, we sail upstream along the Garonne River to Cadillac, a small town with a towering castle that gave its name to the American car brand.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 4 | Cadillac (Sauternes), France
Begin your day with a walking tour of Cadillac and then head across the river for your excursion to Sauternes. View picturesque landscapes where vineyards blanket the countryside hills and visit a château to learn how their prized wines are made. Enjoy a tasting before returning to your ship.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 5 | Libourne, France
Disembark this morning for a leisurely stroll to Libourne’s picturesque city square, lined with buildings dating as far back as the 16th century; or take part in one of two optional excursions: an exploration of the Bergerac area in the Dordogne to learn more about truffles, a great French delicacy; or a wine tasting, at a nearby château, of some local vintages from the Saint-Émilion and Pomerol appellations. Later this afternoon, take a tour to Saint-Émilion, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you see the town’s superb medieval lanes and delightful views of the surrounding vineyards from the upper town. Spend a pleasant afternoon exploring the town’s streets and shops.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 6 | Bourg & Blaye, France
Enjoy a leisurely morning in Bourg as you take a stroll through the historic village. Or, you may choose to take an optional excursion to the charming medieval town of Cognac, birthplace of one of the world’s best-known types of brandy. Here, you take a tour of the Camus family business, one of the most tradition-steeped Cognac houses in the area, and try your hand at blending. During lunch, your ship sets sail for Blaye. This afternoon, take a guided tour of the extraordinary 17th-century citadel, dramatically set on a rock beside the river. The citadel of Blaye, its city walls and two other forts are collectively listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 7 | Pauillac, France
Relax on board your ship this morning as we sail downstream, passing islands and gentle slopes, arriving in Pauillac in the early afternoon. Enjoy a wine country tour and tasting, including the area’s famous full-flavored Margaux. This evening, travel through the rolling vineyard-laced hills to dinner at a château, accompanied by the château’s own wines.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 8 | Bordeaux, France
Enjoy a final morning of cruising as we make our way back to Bordeaux. You have the afternoon at leisure, giving you more time to appreciate the well-preserved architecture of Jacques Ange Gabriel and son, and to taste the city’s cuisine and wine appellations. Perhaps pick up a few bottles to take home with you. Alternatively, you may choose from a number of optional excursions. Take a full-day tour to Arcachon, a commune on the Atlantic coast. Enjoy a boat ride along the estuary to Cap Ferret, and taste the oysters, a local delicacy. Perhaps learn how wine barrels are made and enjoy the vintage aged within them on an insightful excursion. Or, participate in a market visit with the Viking Chef to see where the local chefs of Bordeaux find their fruit, vegetables, meats and fish.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 9 | Bordeaux, France
After a final onboard breakfast, disembark and head to the airport for your flight home. Or, extend your journey onward. Might we recommend a few nights in Paris?
(Breakfast)
COST
BASE CABIN: $3624 per person based on double occupany.
Please fill out the contact form below for specific rates and cabin availability.
*Prices are per person in CAD. All prices include taxes. Book now with a $500 deposit. Final payment is due on May 31, 2022. All payments are non-refundable. Cancellation insurance is recommended – please call office for pricing. Itinerary is subject to change.
REQUEST A QUOTE
If you’re looking to hold a space on this Bordeaux River Cruise tour please fill out the form below and someone will reach out to you right away! You can also get in touch with Louise directly by emailing her at louise@kemptravel.ca