Bordeaux Affair with Madrid

Welcome to Bordeaux, where you will join the luxurious Scenic Diamond. The moniker 'Sleeping Beauty' or La Belle Endormie was given to Bordeaux when industry was moved to the outskirts, and the city was all but abandoned. In the late 20th century, the city was revived and restored to its former glory. The city centre was pedestrianised, limestone was revealed under blackened facades, and Bordeaux was listed as a World Heritage site with more than 350 structures declared historical monuments. It's now one of the most desirable places in France to live and visit.

Your ship will be docked here overnight, so you can go onshore to explore the city after dark.

Relax on board as you cruise into the beautiful 13th century port of Libourne. Set at the confluence of the Dordogne and Isle rivers, it's the winemaking capital of northern Gironde.

Spend the afternoon in the nearby town of Saint-Émilion, a World Heritage-listed medieval village with world-famous wineries, beautiful architecture, and historic monuments. It's also the birthplace of macarons. Explore the unique Monolithic Church, which is mostly underground and carved directly into the limestone.

Your Scenic Space-Ship will be docked overnight in Libourne. Take an evening stroll along the river or visit one of the city's many cosy pubs and wine bars.

Wake early this morning to watch as the sunrise, perhaps join a morning Stretch Class or relax in the Salt Therapy Lounge. Today, you'll have the opportunity to explore Libourne and its surrounding wine-growing region.

Scenic Freechoice: Today choose from the following Scenic Freechoice options.

• Walking tour of Libourne: Take a guided tour of Libourne, delving into its rich history linked to the trade of wool, wine, salt and wood. As you explore the charming streets, your guide will reveal stories of the town's vibrant past. Admire the enchanting 16th century maison de maître, or townhouse, and the striking Gothic church, distinguished by its soaring stone spire that reaches 71 metres into the sky.
• Wines and vineyards of Saint-Émilion: Journey through the bucolic countryside of Saint-Émilion to one of its famous vineyards. Explore the property before tasting some of the château's exceptional wines, which are primarily red blends dominated by merlot and cabernet franc grapes.
• Excursion to sturgeon farm: Caviar production in the Aquitaine region of France is renowned the world over. Visit Domaine de Neuvic, a producer of high-quality sturgeon caviar that uses sustainable methods, to learn about caviar production and enjoy a tasting.
• Artisanal flour mill: Le Moulin de Porchères is a beautifully restored 19th century watermill nestled along the Isle River, which produced high quality flour using traditional stone grinding methods. Today, you can tour the machinery, learn about milling techniques, and participate in a hands-on breadmaking workshop.

Relax on board as you sail towards Blaye. Toast the passing scenery with a regional wine or beer in the Panorama Lounge & Bar or perhaps enjoy the walking track on the Sun Deck to admire the views.

This morning you will wake in Blaye, set at a strategic position on the confluence of the Dordogne and Garonne rivers. Most famously, this petite hamlet is home to a World Heritage-listed citadel that was constructed to protect the city of Bordeaux from enemy attacks.

Scenic Freechoice: Explore Blaye with the following Scenic Freechoice activities.

• Walking tour of Blaye: Join a local guide to stroll through the charming town of Blaye, proudly recognised as a World Heritage site. Walk through the town's most iconic feature, the impressive 17th-century Vauban Citadel, and through picturesque streets that reveal its historical significance, cultural traditions, and architectural treasures.
• Active walking tour of Blaye: Tour the fascinating citadel of Blaye on an active walking tour with a local guide. Gain an understanding of the defence system created by the famous architect Sébastien Vauban.

Scenic Enrich:

• Classical Concert at Château d'Agassac: Set in spectacular surrounds in the Médoc countryside, Château d'Agassac is truly enchanting. Dating back to the 13th century the Château is one of the oldest winemaking establishments in the region and is the venue for your unforgettable evening concert. Wander through the château and its gardens and soak in the ambiance of this magnificent property before a string quartet performs classical masterpieces for your enjoyment.

Set on the Gironde estuary at the heart of the Médoc wine route, Pauillac is surrounded by some of the best vineyards in Bordeaux. The town itself is quiet with elegant architecture that speaks to its powerful past in the winemaking industry. This appellation grows some of the world's most famous and expensive wines, particularly cabernet sauvignon.

Scenic Freechoice: Today choose from the following Scenic Freechoice options.

• Médoc wine tasting by coach: With more than 16,000 hectares of vineyards across eight appellations, Médoc is home to the epic ‘Route des Chateaux', or ‘Route of Castles'. On this coach tour you will travel through this enchanting region to a local winery and enjoy a tasting of their wines.
• Médoc wine tasting by bicycle: Discover the spectacular Médoc countryside by e-bike today on this active tour that takes you past many grand aristocratic châteaux in the world's leading red wine producing region. Afterwards, sample the region's finest at one of the prestigious estates.

Back on board, enjoy lunch as you cruise to Bourg, a picturesque town set on a rocky promontory. It began life as a defensive château in the 12th century and has expanded over the centuries. Today, it's a maze of ancient alleyways, moats and bell towers on the banks of the Dordogne. This quiet village sits among many famous World Heritage-listed sites and, though it is just as charming, remains largely undiscovered by the masses.

Scenic Freechoice: This afternoon, choose from the following Scenic Freechoice activities.

• Bourg with Carriages Museum: Your guided walk will lead you through the village's charming streets to the bustling main square. Explore the historic citadel, a symbol of the village's strategic importance through the centuries and then step inside its grounds to visit the fascinating Horse Carriage Museum.
• Guided cycling along the Captain's Road: Join an active cycling tour along the Captain's Road, named in honour of the WWI Captains who chose to purchase their homes along this beautiful stretch of waterway in the early 20th Century. Pass charming riverside villages, the ruins of ancient villas, splendid manor houses and limestone quarries.
• Visit a local estate: Enjoy magnificent panoramic views of the Gironde while tasting Côtes de Bourg wines at a local winery. You'll gain an insightful understanding of sustainable viticulture practices that the estate passionately applies, emphasising environmentally responsible grape growing and winemaking techniques.

This evening your ship will continue its journey towards Cadillac, stopping overnight in Bordeaux before cruising onward.

Departing Bordeaux early, your Scenic Space-Ship will cruise along the Garonne River to Cadillac. Founded in the 13th century, this charming, fortified city is centred around its magnificent château. In 1701 French explorer Antoine de la Mothe, sieur de Cadillac took his name from the town and established the port of Fort Pontchartrain du Détroit, which would become modern day Detroit where the American auto industry began. The Cadillac car is named in his honour.

Scenic Freechoice: Explore with the following Scenic Freechoice activities.

• Sauternes by coach: Drive through the picturesque Sauternes region. Along the way, expert guides share insights into the intricate winemaking process, from the careful harvesting of botrytised grapes to the skilled techniques used in fermentation and aging. Enjoy a guided tour of a local wine estate followed by a tasting.
• Sauternes by bike: Active travellers can choose to cycle through the rolling vineyards of Sauternes to visit a local wine estate for a guided tour and tasting. The trail is mostly flat and you'll cycle for around two hours, including rest stops.
• Walking tour of Cadillac: Discover the medieval township of Cadillac with its narrow streets and its marketplace on a walking tour, followed by a visit to the château in the heart of the village.

Later today, back on board, enjoy a sumptuous dessert buffet feature delicious French pastries and other sweet treats.

Waking up this morning in Bordeaux, you will have several options to explore this incredible city. Founded by the Celts around 300BC and became part of Julius Caesar's Roman Empire in the 1st century. It has been an important trading port since the Middle Ages.

Scenic Freechoice: Choose how you want to explore today with one of these Scenic Freechoice excursions:

• Guided tour of Bordeaux: Join your local guide on a tour of Bordeaux. Discover the highlights of the city by coach and on foot whilst learning interesting facts about the city's history, culture and way of life. Admire the magnificent Gothic cathedral, Place de la Bourse and Cailhau Gate, before some free time to explore on your own.
• Cycling tour of Bordeaux: Active travellers can pedal through historic Bordeaux on a guided cycling tour. Cross beautiful bridges, admire sites such as the Royal Gate and the Palais Rohan, and ride through beautiful public gardens. Sample delicious treats such as canelé, a custard cake.
• Shop with a chef and Scenic Culinaire: Join one of Scenic's on board chefs at a local food market to shop for and taste the best ingredients this region has to offer. Then return to Scenic Diamond for a cooking demonstration in Scenic Culinaire to learn the art of French fare. This activity is not available on Mondays, as markets in France are closed.
• Bordeaux in the shadow of WWII: Step back in time and uncover Bordeaux's dramatic World War II history on this immersive walking tour. On an unforgettable journey through the city's most turbulent chapter, you'll uncover new stories of resistance, sacrifice, and survival beneath the polished surface of Bordeaux's charm.

This afternoon is at your leisure to wander the streets of Bordeaux. Spend your final hours in France wandering along the waterfront past 18th century buildings, make a beeline for the city's Golden Triangle district for beautiful architecture and shopping, or visit La Cité du Vin, an interactive and sensory wine museum.

Board your included flight from Bordeaux to Madrid where you will stay three glorious nights.

Enjoy a tour of Madrid with a local guide this morning. You'll explore the 17th century Austrian Quarter, the Sabatini Gardens, and the famous Cibeles and Neptuno Fountains. There will also be stops to see a traditional bullfighting ring that have been engrained in Spanish culture for centuries, admire a panorama of the Royal Palace and visit the unique Templo de Debod, an Egyptian temple from the second century BC that was given to the city by the Egyptian government.

This evening, join your fellow guests for a delicious dinner in a local restaurant.

Today spend a full day delving deeper into the charms of Madrid or travel further afield.

Scenic Freechoice: Today chose how you want to explore with the following Scenic Freechoice excursions:

• Excursion to Toledo: Take a journey into Spain's rich multicultural heritage in Toledo, where Christian, Muslim and Jewish traditions have coexisted for centuries. Take a guided walking tour of the ancient walled city, with its stunning medieval architecture, cobbled streets, historic gates like Puerta de la Bisagra, and bustling plazas such as Plaza del Zocodove.
• Tastes of Madrid walking tour: This morning let your local guide introduce you to the flavours of Madrid. Walk through the streets tasting local cuisine as you go. Make a stop at the bustling Mercado de San Miguel, where vendors sell gourmet tapas, cheeses, and sweets, to learn about the importance of Mercadon in Spanish culture. Move around the buzzling streets to taste various local produce including jamón ibérico (cured Iberian ham) and pinchos (traditional open faced sandwich), while learning about their history.

Spend the afternoon strolling the fashionable boutiques that adorn the city centre's many plazas, relaxing in one of Madrid's manicured gardens or simply exploring the surrounding area at your leisure.

After breakfast, transfer to Madrid airport to continue your travels, taking with you memories of a truly unforgettable journey.

This itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such, the itinerary may operate altered from that stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions.