Two Mighty Rivers: The Gironde Estuary & The Arcachon Basin

Day 1 -

Welcome on board your ''floating hotel''. Meet your fellow passengers and crew at the Welcome Cocktail Reception. Dinner on board followed by an evening of entertainment. (D)

Today we sail down the River Garonne and the River Gironde before arriving in Pauillac. Afternoon optional excursion to the Medoc region of Bordeaux. Home to pine forests, sand dunes and many thousands of acres of vineyard, Medoc is one of the largest areas of red wine production. Time to see the Lafite-Rothschild, Latour and Mouton Rothschild Estate Wineries before returning on board for dinner. The ship moors in Pauillac overnight. (B,L,D)

Day 3 - Pauillac/Gironde Estuary/Blaye

Today we'll sail across the Gironde Estuary to Blaye. The scenic journey through the estuary offers a unique look at the delta, where fishing huts rise above grassy marshlands edged by limestone cliffs. After lunch you will have the opportunity to join an optional tour that will take you along a little road called the ''Route de la Corniche Fleurie''. The road winds through the picturesque hamlets of Pain de Sucre, Marmisson, and Roque de Thau, where you'll find charming stone houses built by 19th Century ship captains. Upon returning to Blaye, your guide will take you through the 17th Century citadel built by famed military engineer Vauban, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dinner followed by an evening of dancing on board. We moor for the night in Blaye. (B,L,D)

Day 4 - Blaye/Libourne/Saint- Emilion

After sailing down the Dordogne River, we arrive in Libourne. Afternoon Saint- Emilion optional tour. SaintEmilion is where the Romans first planted grapes, and the first vineyard region to be protected by UNESCO. This lovely town, built atop limestone hills, offers many interesting shops, but what makes it extraordinary is what exists below the cobbled streets - Saint-Emilion's Monolithic Church which dates back to the 12th Century. After touring Saint-?milion, you'll visit the cellars of a famous estate where you'll taste some of the world's most highly rated wines. Dinner on board. (B,L,D)

Day 5 - Libourne/Cadillac

We arrive in Cadillac for lunch time. Afternoon optional visit of Cadillac, during which you'll embark on a study of Sauternes, the sweet wine produced in the area. Dinner and overnight on board. (B,L,D)

Day 6 - Cadillac/Bordeaux

Breakfast and lunch on board today, as we continue our cruise back to Bordeaux. Afternoon optional city tour of Bordeaux. See Bordeaux on a fascinating walking tour of the Golden Triangle, where you'll encounter the very best the city has to offer. Explore luxury food halls, sample Bordeaux's famous caneles and chocolates, discover marvelous 18th Century architecture. Dinner followed by an evening of dancing on board. We moor for the night in Bordeaux. (B,L,D)

Day 7 - Bordeaux /The Arcachon Basin/Bordeaux

Today you may want to join a full day optional excursion to the Bassin d'Arcachon. The tour starts with a visit of the oyster center and museum situated at Larros Port, where you'll learn about oyster farming and the history of the oyster. After lunch in a local restaurant, we head towards Arcachon for a boat trip on the Bassin d'Arcachon. See the Bird Island, the famous ''Cabanes tchanquees'' houses on stilts, and the oyster beds, before arriving at the Great Dune of Pilat, the highest sand dune in Europe. Return to Bordeaux at the end of the day. Dinner on board. (B,L,D)