Bordeaux Affair - A Wine Cruise with Highlights of Paris

The glittering lights of the Eiffel Tower twinkling in the night sky meandering along the banks of the Seine as you see local life passing by and chic cafes lining the Champs-Élysées are just some of the images conjured when thinking about Paris.

Today is yours to explore at your own pace and revel in this great city. Later, check in to your luxury hotel.

After breakfast, explore Paris with your choice of Scenic Freechoice excursions.

Scenic Freechoice:

• Guided tour of Paris: Journey via coach through the City of Light. You'll see some of the city's most mesmerising districts and monuments. Drive along the banks of the beautiful Seine River and pass Palais Garnier, the 19th century opera house, the Louvre, one of the world's largest art museums, and the impressive Les Invalides complex.
• Secrets of Montmartre: Step back in time as you trapse the winding cobblestone streets of the district that has been home to many famous artists for centuries and once you see the beauty of this district you will understand why. See some of the quirky characteristics of the district including the greenspace in the middle of the city, the vineyard of Montmartre that produces some 27 varieties of wine.

After breakfast, transfer via high speed train to Bordeaux where your friendly crew will welcome you on board the Scenic Diamond ready for your 7 night cruise along the waterways of the Bordeaux region.

Relax on board this morning, exploring everything your luxurious ship has to offer. Arrive in the 13th century city of Libourne at lunchtime.

The first maritime port on the Dordogne River, Libourne has long been at the centre of the Bordeaux wine trade. A handsome town of grand public buildings and vibrant market squares, it's surrounded by the Libournais appellations including Saint-Émilion, considered the jewel in Bordeaux's crown. This afternoon, enjoy a tour to this World Heritage-listed medieval village, renowned for its ancient architecture, well-preserved monuments and underground church. Saint-Émilion is also the birthplace of the macaron.

Awake in Libourne and spend the morning discovering the rich history, gourmet produce and exquisite wines of the region. The Libournais appellations, also known as the Right Bank, produce some of the best, and most expensive Merlot and Cabernet Franc in the world thanks to their clay, limestone and gravel soils.

Scenic Freechoice: Discover more of Libourne on one of these Scenic Freechoice excursions:

• Right Bank first sips – Introduction to Saint-Émilion wines: Drive through the rolling hills and lush vineyards to one of the picturesque châteaux around Saint-Émilion. Explore the property and the vines before a tasting of some of their exceptional wines.
• 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 meters into the sky.
• Excursion to a 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: Visit Le Moulin de Porchères, a 19th century flour mill where you can learn about traditional milling techniques and participate in hands-on breadmaking workshops. Experience a unique glimpse into France's rural heritage.

Depart for Blaye this evening.

Awaken in Blaye this morning. This tiny hamlet was originally founded as a fortification to protect the main town of Bordeaux further downstream. The citadel is now a World Heritage site, with a maze of narrow cobblestone streets bustling with shops, cafes and wine bars. The surrounding Blaye wine region is one of the oldest in Bordeaux, producing intense, fruity reds and crisp, dry whites in its clay and limestone soils.

Scenic Freechoice: Explore Blaye your way this morning with your choice of one of these excursions:

• Walking tour of Blaye: Stroll through the charming city of Blaye with a local guide. Learn its fascinating history as you admire the well-preserved centre inside the citadel walls.
• Active walking tour of Blaye: Set out from Scenic Diamond on an active two-hour walk through the citadel gaining an understanding of the defence system created by the famous architect Sébastien Vauban, before continuing onto the Château Marquis de Vauban, a beautiful 18th century estate on the edge of town.

Cruise to Fort Médoc this evening in anticipation for your exclusive Scenic Enrich experience.

Scenic Enrich:

• Château d'Agassac: Travel to the enchanting Château d'Agassac, one of the oldest winemaking establishments in the region. Be welcomed with a glass of wine or Sparking from the estate, wander through its beautiful rooms, then enjoy an exclusive classical concert in Les Chais Room.

Set on the left bank of the Gironde River, Pauillac is the heart of the Médoc wine region. This narrow peninsula stretches from the river to the Atlantic Ocean. With its gravelly soils and maritime climate, it produces some of the world's best Cabernet Sauvignons as well as Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec.

Scenic Freechoice: This morning, savour local wines on one of these excursions:

• Route des Châteaux – Médoc wine discovery: Enjoy a panoramic drive along the famed Route des Châteaux then visit one of the region's most prestigious estates. During a guided wine tasting, learn about Bordeaux's winemaking traditions.
• Route des Châteaux – Médoc wine discovery by bike: On this active excursion, set out to discover the spectacular Médoc countryside by e-bike, admiring the beautiful châteaux that line the road. Then sample some of the region's finest wines at a prestigious estate.

Back on board your Scenic Space-Ship, enjoy lunch as you cruise towards Bourg. Set on a rocky outcrop, this ancient commune was founded in the fourth century, and its fortifications protected the river for centuries. The surrounding Côtes de Bourg wine region has vineyards dating back to Roman times. Its unique microclimate, with less rain and warmer temperatures, produces exceptional reds, particularly Malbec.

Scenic Freechoice: Explore your way with a choice from these Scenic Freechoice experiences:

• Bourg with Carriages Museum: Take a walking tour of this lovely medieval village, exploring the main square, citadel and the Carriages Museum, which has an interesting collection of horse-drawn vehicles on display.
• Guided cycling along the Captain's Road: This 30 kilometre round trip cycling tour will take you along the Captain's Road, named for the WWI officers who purchased homes along the waterfront. Ride along the clifftops, through the vineyards and past charming villages.
• Estuary vineyards tasting tour: Visit a family wine estate in the Côtes de Bourg with spectacular views over the Gironde estuary. Learn about sustainable viticulture and taste the estate's exceptional wines.

This evening, begin the loop back to the town of Bordeaux.

After spending the night docked in Bordeaux, leave early this morning for the short cruise south to Cadillac, a small appellation known for its sweet white wines. Dating back to the 13th century, it was once a fortified settlement and is the birthplace of Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac, the founder of Detroit and namesake of the luxury car brand.

Scenic Freechoice: Make your selection from this afternoon's Scenic Freechoice experiences:

• Sauternes Gold – Sweet wines & châteaux tour: Drive through the beautiful Sauternes region, where vines grow on low lying hills and in small valleys. Visit a local estate to learn about the winemaking process and climate that produces these distinctive sweet whites, before enjoying a tasting.
• Sauternes Gold – Sweet wines & châteaux tour by bike: Cycle through the rolling vineyards of Sauternes to visit a local estate on this active excursion. Learn the history of the winemakers and how they make their wines, then taste some of the best.
• Walking tour of Cadillac: Enjoy a guided walking tour of this charming, fortified town, admiring architecture dating back to the 16th century. Visit the marketplace and Château Cadillac while hearing interesting stories from your guide.

Return to Bordeaux this evening.

Wake in Bordeaux. France's sixth largest city is filled with fascinating museums, breathtaking historic monuments and buzzing wine bars. Its modern revitalisation has made it one of the country's most exciting and innovative destinations. Known as the ‘City of Wine', the first vines were planted here by the Romans more than 2,000 years ago.

Scenic Freechoice: Spend this morning at your preferred pace with one of the following Scenic Freechoice experiences:

• Guided tour of Bordeaux: Discover the highlights of the city by coach and on foot, with a local guide sharing facts about its history, culture and modern way of life. Afterwards, enjoy some free time to explore on your own.
• Shop with a Chef and Scenic Culinaire: Accompany a Scenic chef to the local food market to meet the growers, taste fresh produce and purchase ingredients. Return to Scenic Diamond for an interactive cooking demonstration in Scenic Culinaire, making delicious French dishes using your fresh ingredients. This activity is not available on Mondays, as markets in France are closed.
• Cycling tour of Bordeaux: Set out on an active, cycling tour of Bordeaux, crossing beautiful bridges, passing historic buildings, travelling through lush gardens and stopping to taste local delicacies.
• World of Wine – Cité du Vin tour: Take a local tram to the Cité du Vin Museum for an interactive journey of wine discovery. With multiple different themed areas, you'll learn about wine across the ages and around the world.

Back on board this afternoon, enjoy a wine and chocolate pairing to taste more of the exquisite vintages of Bordeaux.

Your journey concludes this morning. Farewell your fellow guests and Scenic crew, taking with you lifelong memories of the bounty of Bordeaux.

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