Taste of Bordeaux with Bilbao, San Sebastian, Loire Valley and Paris (Wine Cruise)

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.

Afterwards, enjoy a Grand Cru Classé wine tasting at a local château. Alternately, you can enjoy an excursion to Saint-Émilion solely to discover more of the small historic town. If you prefer a more active adventure, pedal through the vineyard-rich countryside to Saint-Émilion. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

• Saint-Émilion excursion and Grand Cru Classé wine tasting OR 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, visit a wine cellar and enjoy a special tasting of Fronsac wines from a local estate. 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 Fronsac Wine Tasting 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 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

Cussac-Fort-Medoc is a peaceful commune in southwestern France and your gateway to the famed Médoc region, renowned for producing some of the world's finest Bordeaux wines. You will see some of the most beautiful and famous wine estates. You'll then visit a local château for a tasting of Grand Cru wines. More active guests can hike through the vineyards of Château Margaux and taste local specialties. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

• Medoc Grand Cru Classé wine tasting and scenic vineyard tour OR Vineyard hike and 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 and 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. 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 Castle with Sauternes wine tasting OR 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.

Depending on your interests, you have a choice from two excursions in the afternoon. Enjoy a visit to the immersive and interactive Bordeaux Wine Museum, housed in an awe-inspiring building. Alternately, be treated to a spectacular sound and light show, Les Bassins des Lumières. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

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

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, Du Clos Lucé and Château d'Amboise

Check out of your hotel this morning and depart by bus to Chambord, where you will visit the astoundingly massive Château de Chambord. Located at the heart of Europe's largest enclosed wooded park, its 156-yard façade, 426 rooms, 77 staircases and 282 fireplaces make this the largest castle in Loire Valley. Afterwards, depart for Blois and enjoy free time for lunch on your own.

Next, marvel at the residence of seven kings and ten queens of France during your tour of the famous Château Royal de Blois. Then continue by bus to your hotel, located at Charles De Gaulle Airport. (B)

Excursions:

• Hotel check-out
• Château de Chambord and Blois
• Transfer to Paris; hotel check-in

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