Bilbao, San Sebastian then Bordeaux cruise and wine tasting
Initially flying into Bilbao for a couple of days sightseeing then travelling via San Sebastian to Bordeaux for a cruise through wine country on the Gironde, Garonne and Dordogne rivers.
Day 1 – Bilbao, Spain
Quick hop to Amsterdam then arrive in Bilbao, transfer to hotel then out to explore this vibrant city set among the green foothills of the Pyrenees.
Day 2 – Bilbao
A scenic drive through the lush hills of the Basque Country to Guernica, where we explore the town’s cultural significance at the Assembly House and view a reproduction of Picasso’s Guernica, the facade of the 15th-century Santa Maria Church, and Foru Plaza. We visit a Txakoli Winery to taste typical Basque white wines, then head to the fishing village of Bermeo for a delicious lunch and free time to explore. Traveling through the Urdaibai UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, we pause at a scenic viewpoint to admire the distant hermitage of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe before returning to our hotel.
Day 3 – Bilbao
Today we explore vibrant Bilbao on foot then visit the iconic Guggenheim Museum. As the capital of the Basque region, Bilbao blends history with modernity. With our guide, we admire the city’s mix of Gothic, art deco, art nouveau, and contemporary architecture, seeing the Teatro Arriago, the Biblioteca Central de Bidebarrieta, and the Cathedral di Santiago. We pass through the old city walls to soak up the lively atmosphere of the Casco Viejo. At the Guggenheim Museum, we marvel at Frank Gehry’s titanium-clad design and its impressive art collection.
Day 4 – San Sebastian to Bordeaux, France
Today we immerse ourselves in the richness of Basque culture during a tour of picturesque San Sebastián, the “Pearl of the Cantabrian Sea.” Known for its nueva cocina Vasca, the city is a paradise for surfers and food lovers. We embark on a scenic drive through the green hills of Basque Country, then admire sweeping views from Monte Igueldo before descending into the city. With our guide, we explore on foot, taking in the French belle époque architecture, the Gothic-style cathedral, the Old Town, and the port. We learn about the Basque language, Euskara, and its cultural significance.
Day 5 – Bordeaux
Today we toured a very wet Bordeaux, the capital of the renowned Aquitaine wine-growing region, which boasts more protected 18th century buildings than any French city except Paris. Its glorious buildings, many of them built on the wine trade, comprise the world’s largest urban UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today, honored as a City of Art and History, Bordeaux is a “Little Paris” of beautiful boulevards, Gothic and baroque churches, and lovely parks and gardens. The towering spire of the flamboyant Basilica of St. Michael is visible from all over the city, while the city’s green spaces are a delight to explore on foot. We visited the Place des Quinconces with its majestic sculptures and fountains, viewed the neoclassical Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux distinguished by its 12 Corinthian columns and at the Place de la Bourse we marvelled at the Miroir d’Eau the world’s largest reflecting pool.
Dordogne River
After lunch the sun returned and as we sail along the lush, green banks of the Dordogne, we understand why writer Henry Miller called this fertile region a “country of enchantment.” Behind the tree-lined shores that we drift past, vast vineyards stretch into this peaceful and pastoral region, leading to sylvan forests harboring secret stashes of truffles and thriving farms that grow the season’s bounty of fresh produce. Occasional castles and grand manses peer out from behind hedgerows along the Dordogne, and the farther upriver we go, the more intimate and narrow the waters become. Eventually we dock in Libourne.
Day 6 – Libourne
Libourne
Libourne, founded in 1270 by Roger de Leybourne under King Edward I of England, was established as a fortified town to aid in colonizing southwestern France. Located at the confluence of the Dordogne and Isle Rivers, it later became a strategic point in the Anglo-French conflicts of the 14th century, ultimately joining France. Today, Libourne is renowned as a wine-making center in northern Gironde, surrounded by vineyards producing fine Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc wines. The town retains its medieval layout, with remnants of its fortifications, a Gothic church with a 232-foot spire, and a historic clock tower on the quay. It also hosts one of the region’s largest fresh food markets and is celebrated for its rich culinary traditions.
Saint-Émilion
This afternoon we visit Saint-Émilion, one of Aquitaine’s must-see wine-growing towns and a living open-air museum. The medieval village perched on a limestone plateau originated in the 8th century when a Breton hermit founded a monastic center. Life here has revolved around winemaking since the vines were planted by the Romans in the 2nd century and it was the first vineyard region declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We soak up the old-world charm, explore underground monuments, and enjoy free time to wander the steep cobblestone streets and blessed with stunning views of surrounding vineyards.
Day 7 – Bourg
Bourg
The village of Bourg reclines along the Gironde, just beyond the confluence of the Garonne and Dordogne Rivers. Perched on a rocky slope and encircled by medieval walls, it has always had a clear view of ships, friend or foe, heading toward Bordeaux. The citadel in the Upper Town has long kept watch. Pleasant strolls unfold at every corner, from the picturesque alleyways that tumble down to the harbor to the ancient King’s Staircase that provided the royals with quick access to the water. With a rich architectural heritage, it is one of France’s official historic villages.
Blaye
A producer of fine red wines, the scenic town of Blaye rests on the Gironde River, just north of Bordeaux. Blaye boasts an extraordinary 17th-century citadel, dramatically set on a rock along the river. The sprawling fortress was built on the orders of King Louis XIV to protect Bordeaux, upstream on the Garonne River. Its ancient Gothic château contains the tomb of Charibert II, King of Aquitaine. Legend has it that the Frankish hero Roland, who served Charlemagne, is also buried here. The citadel, its city walls and two nearby forts comprise a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Day 8 – Médoc & Margaux Wine Country
Today is all about wine. Cussac-Fort-Médoc is a gateway to the Médoc wine country, home to the famed wine growing villages of Pauillac, Margaux, Saint-Estèphe and Saint-Julien. Collectively, they produce some of the world’s most prestigious wines with four of the five Premier cru classé hailing from the Médoc region; Château Margaux, Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Latour and Château Mouton Rothschild. In addition, there are 60 Grand cru classé vineyards and many more incredible wineries, each offering insight into their rich winemaking heritage that has been passed on for generations.
Day 9 – Bordeaux
Bordeaux’s good fortune began in the 12th century when Duchess Eleanor of Aquitaine married Count Henri Plantagenêt, who soon became King Henry II of England. Their wedding in 1152, which claimed by marriage southwestern France for England, led to a growing popularity in wine production. Claret was the primary style of Bordeaux wine at the time and England imported it in large quantities. France regained control of the region and its vines at the close of the Hundred Years’ War in 1453. Since then, the city and its surrounding region has produced many styles, from simple table wine to the most prestigious and coveted bottles.
Garonne River
Though its name may not be familiar, the Garonne River is among the most beloved waterways in the world of wine lovers. Sailing along its languid waters, we gaze upon gentle hills laden with vineyards and riverside outcroppings dotted with honey-colored castles that share long histories of skirmishes. Sleepy French villages set the tone of life along the Garonne, where a slow pace and gentle patience serve the wine-growing industry well. Fishing is also prevalent along the river’s banks with many carrelets (small fishing huts) hugging the shores.
Day 10 – Cadillac (Sauternes)
Today we explore the charming town of Cadillac and sample some of France’s sweetest wines. Cadillac was built as a fortified town to protect Bordeaux. Its mighty towers gave watchmen a clear view of the Garonne, and a clear shot should any foe attempt to pass. With our guide, we pass through the Sea Gate with its crenellated crown and the Clock Gate with its colorful timekeeper. We see Saint Blaise collegiate church and end our walk at the castle, an early example of French-style architecture. The name of the town was adopted by Antoine Laumet de la Mothe, Sieur de Cadillac, who later founded Detroit and governed Louisiana; the Cadillac division of General Motors is named for him. We then drive across the Garonne River to Sauternes, where vineyards cover the countryside. At a château, we learn about the production of these prized wines, with the option to work in the vineyard, before enjoying a tasting.
Garonne River
This afternoon we sail through the heart of the Bordeaux wine region as we journey along the Garonne River. Famous for its distinct color—the result of sediment-rich freshwater from its origins high in the Pyrenees Mountains mixing with the salty seawater of the Gironde estuary—this dynamic waterway plays a vital role in the economy of southwestern France. Part of the meandering Canal des Deux Mers (“Canal of the Two Seas”), it connects the Mediterranean and Atlantic Oceans, allowing a shorter and safer route between the two while bolstering inland trade and transportation.
Day 11 – Bordeaux
The Garonne River flows through the heart of Bordeaux and has been at the center of the city’s lifeline for centuries. A key port during the Age of Enlightenment, Bordeaux was instrumental in establishing the city as a vital trading merchant of wine and other goods. Perhaps Bordeaux’s most famous square is the Place de la Bourse, commissioned by Louis XV. Reminiscent of the Place de la Concorde in Paris, also built during Louis XV’s reign, its design fulfilled a vision to open the city onto the river, presenting a welcoming and prestigious image to all who passed along the waterway.