Taste of Bordeaux with Bilbao, San Sebastian, Loire Valley and Paris

Check into your hotel for the beginning of your Basque Country land package

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)

Excursions:

• Guernica excursion
• “A City of Contrasts” walking tour and introduction to tapas

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 façade 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 Sebastián 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)

Excursions:

• Guggenheim Museum
• Evening walk of Old Town

Discover the charms of the “City by the Bay of Biscay.” Known in the Basque language as Donostia, San Sebastián 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)

Excursions:

• “City by the Bay of Biscay” tour

Embark the ship for your Taste of Bordeaux cruise. (D)

Excursions:

• Transfer to Bordeaux via Bayonne

Welcome to Libourne, a gateway to one of Bordeaux's most elite wine regions. Join an excursion to Saint Émilion, 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. If you prefer a more active adventure, pedal through the vineyard-rich countryside to Saint-Émilion. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

• Saint-Émilion Excursion OR Saint-Émilion bike tour

Stroll through the colorful, open-air market, tasting some of the region's specialties. As a unique alternative, travel back in time to visit an ancient watermill and learn the tradition of breadmaking. Or, you can get your heart pumping by venturing deeper into town by hiking through one of Libourne's renowned vineyards, accompanied by a tasting of local wine and tapas. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

• Bastide town and market visit OR Ancient Watermill Visit and Breadmaking Workshop OR Château Boutinet hike with wine and tapas tasting

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 around Blaye along a former railway. Later in the day, in the ancient village of Bourg, take a walking tour and visit the Carriage Museum, which houses a wonderful collection of horse-drawn vehicles, and the World War II Petrol Cistern.

Towards the evening, 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)

Excursions:

• Citadel visit OR Blaye Chemin de Fer bike tour
• Bourg walking tour, Carriage Museum, and WWII Petrol Cistern
• Exclusive wine festival

Today, you can join a tour of the Médoc region's renowned wine estates and savor a tasting of Grand Cru wines. More active guests can hike through the vineyards, followed by a tasting of local specialties. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

• Medoc Grand Cru wine tasting & scenic vineyard tour
• Margaux vineyards hike & local specialties tasting

Visit the impressive Castle of Roquetaillade, an amazingly preserved masterpiece of medieval military architecture owned by the same noble family for 700 years. For those wishing to explore more of the history on the decadent castles, you can enjoy a visit to the Roquetaillade castle and Cadillac castle. Or, pedal through the charming town of Cadillac for a guided bike tour. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

• Roquetaillade and Cadillac visit OR Cadillac bike tour

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 famed indoor Les Halles de Bacalan market for a tasting of local specialties to please the palate. Bike enthusiasts will wish to join a tour along the city's amazing network of bicycle paths.

In the afternoon, be treated to a spectacular sound and light show, Les Bassins des Lumières. Alternatively, you can enjoy a visit to the immersive and interactive Bordeaux Wine Museum, housed in an awe-inspiring building. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

• UNESCO city tour and market tasting OR Bordeaux bike tour
• Bassins des Lumières OR Bordeaux Cité du Vin (wine museum) visit

Disembark the ship and transfer to Amboise, with a visit to Cognac en route for lunch and free time before arriving in the Loire Valley, where you will check in to your Amboise hotel. (B)

Excursions:

• Transfer to Amboise
• Cognac visit

Visit three of the Loire Valley's regal châteaux starting with the Château de Chenonceau, one of the most beautiful castles in France. This château 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. Château du Clos Lucé 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 Château d'Amboise, perched on a promontory overlooking the Loire River, was the first Renaissance château built in the Loire Valley and features extravagant residences, gardens and a Gothic chapel, where Leonardo da Vinci is buried. (B)

Excursions:

• Château de Chenonceau, Clos du Lucé and Château d'Amboise

Check out of your Amboise hotel and, en route to Paris, visit two more majestic châteaux. While Château de Chambord, located at the heart of Europe's largest enclosed wooded park, began as an unassuming hunting lodge, it is now the biggest château 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 Château 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)

Excursions:

• Hotel check-out
• Transfer to Paris; hotel check-in

Bid farewell to Paris and prepare for your flight home. (B)