Day 1 - Sunday - Oct 20, 2024
Arrive in Bilbao and check into your hotel.
Day 2 - Monday - Oct 21, 2024
Travel to the Basque town of Guernica, infamously bombed by German and Italian air forces during the Spanish Civil War - and the subject of one of Picasso's most renowned paintings. Immerse yourself in culture and visit the open-air market where you'll find a variety of local specialties, from cheese to peppers to fish. Later in the day, take an informative walking tour through Bilbao and learn how to order Basque tapas, known locally as pintxos, and revered for their small size and big taste. (B)
Day 3 - Tuesday - Oct 22, 2024
| San Sebastian de la Gomera, Spain |
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Take a deep dive into the contemporary art within the world-famous Guggenheim Museum, a work of art itself. Designed by architect Frank Gehry, the museum features a daring and innovative facade and showcases work by such artists as Andy Warhol, German artist Anselm Kiefer, and Basque masters Eduardo Chillida and Jorge Oteiza. Later in the day, transfer to San Sebastian and check into your hotel. In the evening, take a stroll through Old Town, the second-oldest neighborhood in the city, where distinctive architecture and pintxos bars beckon, made even more romantic by the evening light. (B)
Day 4 - Wednesday - Oct 23, 2024
| San Sebastian de la Gomera, Spain |
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Discover the charms of the "City by the Bay of Biscay". Known in the Basque language as Donostia, San Sebastian was once a prominent fishing village and was burned to the ground in 1813 after being occupied by Napoleonic troops. However, by 1887, after rebuilding, the city flourished as a popular tourist destination and spa resort. Later in the day, enjoy some free time in the city renowned for holding the second-highest number of Michelin stars per square meter. (B)
Day 5 - Thursday - Oct 24, 2024
| San Sebastian de la Gomera, Spain |
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Check out of your hotel and transfer to Bordeaux via the French Basque town of Bayonne. Later, embark the ship in Bordeaux for your Taste of Bordeaux cruise. (B,D)
Embark the ship for your Taste of Bordeaux cruise. (D)
Day 6 - Friday - Oct 25, 2024
Take in the romance of Bordeaux as you pass iconic sights on a scenic morning cruise. Later in the day, dock in Libourne, a gateway to one of Bordeaux's most elite wine regions. Join an excursion to Saint Emilion, known for its celebrated vineyards, and while here, explore the monolithic church carved out of one piece of limestone rock, and then go under the church to discover its catacombs and caves. Afterwards, enjoy a Grand Cru Classe wine tasting at either Chateau de Ferrand or Chateau de Pressac. If you prefer a more active adventure, pedal through the vineyard-rich countryside to Saint-Emilion and then to Chateau Soutard for a Grand Cru Classe wine tasting. You can also choose to tour the magnificent Chateau de Vayres, one of the most prestigious historic buildings of Aquitaine. (B,L,D)
Day 7 - Saturday - Oct 26, 2024
Stroll through Libourne's colorful open-air market, tasting some of the region's specialties. Or, you can get your heart pumping by venturing deeper into town on an invigorating bike tour or hiking through one of Libourne's renowned vineyards. Later in the day, set sail for Blaye, where you'll enjoy an evening at your leisure. (B,L,D)
Day 8 - Sunday - Oct 27, 2024
Once in Blaye, you can join a tour of its 17th-century citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For a more active excursion, take a bike ride from Blaye through the idyllic French countryside. While in the ancient village of Bourg, take a walking tour and visit the Carriage Museum, which houses a wonderful collection of horse-drawn vehicles. Later in the day, experience the hospitality of this charming medieval village with an exclusive wine festival. Meet the local wine growers and taste the fruits of their labors as well as enjoy live French music and dancing. (B,L,D)
Day 9 - Monday - Oct 28, 2024
Cussac-Fort-Medoc, a lovely village on the bank of the Gironde Estuary, is gateway to the famed Medoc region, renowned for producing some of the world's finest Bordeaux wines. You will see some of the most beautiful and famous wine estates, including Chateau Latour, Chateau Mouton Rothschild, Chateau Lafite Rothschild, and Chateau Pichon Longueville. You'll then visit either Chateau Gruaud-Larose or Chateau Leoville Poyferre for a tasting of Grand Cru wines. Alternatively, you can visit Lynch-Bages, a quaint wine estate and village, followed by a wine and local specialties tasting. Or, enjoy a coast drive to Soulac-sur-Mer where you'll see unique sights, such as the Statue of Liberty and the Cordouan Lighthouse known to be the oldest in France. (B,L,D)
Day 10 - Tuesday - Oct 29, 2024
| Chateau de Roquetaillade, France |
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| Chateau de Rayne Vigneau, France |
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Visit the impressive Castle of Roquetaillade, an amazingly preserved masterpiece of medieval military architecture owned by the same noble family for 700 years. Next, travel to the Sauternes wine region to either Chateau de Rayne Vigneau or Chateau Guiraud to taste the highly prized golden-hued sweet wines produced here. In the evening, enjoy a spectacular illumination cruise, gazing at the iconic structures of Bordeaux as they glow against the night sky. (B,L,D)
Day 11 - Wednesday - Oct 30, 2024
The breathtaking capital of the wine world, Bordeaux is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and classified as a "City of Art and History". You'll have an opportunity to experience much of the rich culture and architecture on a city tour followed by a visit to the immersive and interactive Bordeaux Wine Museum, housed in an awe-inspiring building. Bike enthusiasts will wish to join a tour along the city's amazing network of bicycle paths. (B,L,D)
Day 12 - Thursday - Oct 31, 2024
Disembark the ship and prepare for your flight home. (B)
Disembark the ship and transfer to the Loire Valley, where you will check in to your Amboise hotel. (B)
Day 13 - Friday - Nov 1, 2024
| Chateau de Chenonceau, France |
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Visit three of the Loire Valley's regal chateaux starting with the Chateau de Chenonceau, one of the most beautiful castles in France. This chateau has been referred to as the "Women's Castle" since it is the only castle in the region that has been built, inhabited, and saved by women during the Renaissance. Chateau du Clos Luce was Leonardo da Vinci's last home where he completed some of his most famous works under the patronage of the King of France. The Chateau d'Amboise, perched on a promontory overlooking the Loire River, was the first Renaissance chateau built in the Loire Valley and features extravagant residences, gardens, and a Gothic chapel, where Leonardo da Vinci is buried. (B)
Day 14 - Saturday - Nov 2, 2024
| Chateau de Chambord, France |
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Check out of your Amboise hotel and, en route to Paris, visit two more majestic chateaux. While Chateau de Chambord, located at the heart of Europe's largest enclosed wooded park, began as an unassuming hunting lodge, it is now the biggest chateau in the Loire Valley with 426 rooms, 77 staircases, and 282 fireplaces. Next, either marvel at the residence of seven kings and ten queens of France at the famous Chateau de Blois where you'll discover the secrets of the French court, or enjoy free time. Afterwards, transfer by motorcoach to your hotel at Charles de Gaulle Airport. (B)
Day 15 - Sunday - Nov 3, 2024
Bid farewell to Paris and prepare for your flight home. (B)
