Gironde - Bordelais

Wine Country at the Atlantic Ocean

You start your seven day bike and boat tour in Bordeaux and follow the Gironde river that leads you towards the famous wine-growing area of Bordelaise. Henry IV once called this region a paradise on earth, referring to its precious wines and great cuisine. Bordelaise' winemakers produce high-quality wines while living in feudal manors in the middle of a fascinating cultured landscape. It is the only region where three UNESCO world cultural heritages are situated close together: the city of Bordeaux and its elegant row of houses, the stellar Fortifications of Vauban in Blaye, and last but not least the wine region around St. Emilion with its medieval town that is surrounded by vineyards.


Itinerary:

Arrival: Bordeaux
We start our day of arrival with a guided tour through Bordeaux at 4.00 p.m.. The city, called Jewel at the Riverbank with its neo-classical rows of houses, rises at the banks of Garonne river. The originally Celtic Bordeaux prospered early as a Roman provincial capital and a winemaking metropolis. In the 18th century, under the rule of the French king, the former independent Bordeaux transformed into a modern city - a masterpiece of classicism. At 6.00 p.m. we check-in our cabins of the MS Cyrano de Bergerac and enjoy our first dinner on board.

1st Day: Pauillac - Lamarque (23km / 14 miles)
In the morning, you may enjoy the view from the sun deck while the ship undertakes a panoramic cruise to the Gironde estuary with us. About noon, we reach Paulliac harbour. We cycle towards the world famous Châteaux de Médoc and get to know the specialties of this terroirs during a guided tour.

2nd Day: Grotte - Blaye (23 km / 15 miles)
In the morning, the bus takes us to interesting cave paintings which go back millennia. From here onwards, the route leads along impressive limestone cliffs and follows the course of the mighty Gironde river towards the Fortifications of Vauban in Blaye. You have the opportunity to taste some of the delicious, handmade pralines of Blaye, before we return to our vessel.

3rd Day: Bouillac - La Sauve (33 km / 20 miles)
In the morning, our ship cruises on upriver. From medieval Libourne we cycle via Dordogne to the growing area of Pomerol, a small wine growing area where the Romans have already used the advantageous location for viticulture. On our way we will again and again meet some small wine growing areas. For midday we have the possibility to taste the precious wines of the region at a Chateau. Afterwards we cycle back to our ship.

4th Day: Cadillac - Sauternes (21 km / 13 miles)
In the morning our ship crosses the Gironde back to Bordeaux. A short bus transfer takes us to a hill at the gates of the city. The first few kilometers we will range on a former railway line. We follow the easy way passing vines and small forests and reach a significant stage goal of the Jacobean pilgrims, the Romanic abbey La Sauve, a former Benedictine abbey.

5th Day: Cadillac - St. Émilion (49 km / 30 miles)
Disembarkation occurs in the morning. Afterwards, a transfer takes us to the center of the white wine growing region: Entre-Deux-Mer. Its small medieval hamlets are picturesquely presented along the bike trail. While having a rest at Castelviel, we show you a church portal that is richly decorated with sculptures. Afterwards, we cycle downwards gently along an abandoned railway line. The destination of the day is absolutely promising and assures tastily pleasures and a great view: St. Émilion. After a stroll through small alleys, we finally reach our hotel. The evening will be free to spend as you please. We accommodate in the Hotel Palais Cardinal, a former palace of a 14th century cardinal that features a small vineyard.

6th Day: Departure or travel extension in St. Émilion


Arrival:
The most convenient airport is Bordeaux.

Boat & Catering:
During the tour, you spend most of your nights aboard the comfortable 4*star ship MS Cyrano de Bergerac and one night at the St. Hotel Palaís Cardinal in St. Émilion. The former palace of a 14th century cardinal has been fondly renovated, and besides stylish rooms it features a garden, a vineyard and a small outdoor pool. According to the French savoir vivre, lunch and dinner are always served as multicourse menus in the restaurants. As a matter of course, we will have a picnic for lunch from time to time as well, depending on the daily schedule and the weather conditions.

Dates & Prices:
Prices per person in Euro: 1 23.05. - 29.05.2016 / 2 14.06. - 20.06.2016 / 3 25.08. - 31.08.2016 / 4 23.09. - 29.09.2016
Double cabin main deck: 1.990 / 1.990 / 1.894 / 1.990
Double cabin middle deck with panorama window: 2.118 / 2.118 / 2.022 / 2.118
Double cabin top deck with panorama window: 2.174 / 2.174 / 2.078 / 2.174
Double cabin single use middle deck with panorama window: 2.358 / 2.358 / 2.262 / 2.358

Prices/Dates - Travel extension St. Émilion:
Prices per person in Euro: 1 29.05. - 30.05.2016 / 2 20.06. - 21.06.2016 / 3 31.08. - 01.09.2016 / 4 29.09. - 30.09.2016
Double room: 280 / 280 / 280 / 280
Single room: 345 / 345 / 345 / 345

Characteristics:

Tourtype:
guided
Children:
no
Regions:
Countries:

Benefits:

  • Full board incl. all drinks (excluded champagne and exclusive rarities)
  • 5 nights
  • 1 night in St. Emilion, old town hotel Palais Cardinal
  • All entry fees as mentioned in the tour description
  • All visitors and tourist taxes
  • guide during the whole tour
  • touring bike (excluded electric bikes)
Start date: on request
End date:
Duration:
Price:
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Startdate
Middate
On request

Additional costs:

  • Season and cabin prices see tour description

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Rotalis Reisen
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