Taste of Bordeaux (Christmas Time)
From romantic walks to red wine, Bordeaux is the cultural capital of all that is quintessentially French. Follow wine’s journey from countryside to cask as you tour centuries-old vineyards and taste Bordeaux’s finest vintages throughout your river cruise experience. Step into living history when you visit historic Roquetaillade Castle and Château Boutinet, delighting in their elegant décor and regal architecture. Then, contrast their grandeur with the pastoral gems including the historic village of Saint-Émilion and the peaceful commune of Cussac-Fort-Medoc. Explore the cobblestone streets of Bordeaux and the rolling hills of the French countryside by foot or by bicycle, experiencing southern France according to your tastes. After indulging in Bordeaux’s colorful culture and rich flavors, you and your palate will remember this journey for years to come.
This river cruise journeys through France, calling at Bordeaux, Libourne, Libourne, Blaye, Cussac Fort Medoc, Cadillac, Bordeaux and Bordeaux.
You’ll sail aboard the AmaWaterways river ship AmaDolce.
On our river cruises, you will enjoy an extensive lineup of included tours. In many cases, you will have a choice of excursions, such as standard tours, bike tours, hikes and Special Interest Tours. We always include a large variety of activities so that you can choose how you want to explore. No matter your preference, your days will be full of discovery and wonder.
- 26 Nov 2026 – 03 Dec 2026
from $7,671 pp twin share * - 03 Dec 2026 – 10 Dec 2026
from $5,422 pp twin share * - 10 Dec 2026 – 17 Dec 2026
from $5,422 pp twin share *
* Prices and category availability are subject to change without notice.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Bordeaux
BORDEAUX – EMBARKATION. Embark the ship for your Taste of Bordeaux cruise.
Day 2 – Libourne
LIBOURNE. 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.
Day 3 – Libourne
LIBOURNE. 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.
Day 4 – Blaye
BLAYE – BOURG. 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, you can choose to bike from Blaye through the idyllic French countryside to Bourg. Or, 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.
Day 5 – Cussac Fort Medoc
CUSSAC-FORT-MEDOC. 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. Enjoy a guided hike through this picturesque region, where you will take in the beauty of this fort as well as the verdant vineyards that decorate this breathtaking landscape.
Day 6 – Cadillac
CADILLAC. 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.
Day 7 – Bordeaux
BORDEAUX. 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.
Day 8 – Bordeaux
BORDEAUX – DISEMBARKATION. Disembark the ship and prepare for your flight home. B,L,D – Indicates Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner are included on this day.
Highlights
- Included Saint-Émilion excursion with a bike tour option
- Ancient watermill visit and breadmaking workshop included
- Château Boutinet hike with wine and tapas tasting included
From romantic walks to red wine, Bordeaux is the cultural capital of all that is quintessentially French. Follow wine’s journey from countryside to cask as you tour centuries-old vineyards and taste Bordeaux’s finest vintages throughout your river cruise experience. Step into living history when you visit historic Roquetaillade Castle and Château Boutinet, delighting in their elegant décor and regal architecture. Then, contrast their grandeur with the pastoral gems including the historic village of Saint-Émilion and the peaceful commune of Cussac-Fort-Medoc. Explore the cobblestone streets of Bordeaux and the rolling hills of the French countryside by foot or by bicycle, experiencing southern France according to your tastes. After indulging in Bordeaux’s colorful culture and rich flavors, you and your palate will remember this journey for years to come.
This river cruise journeys through France, calling at Bordeaux, Libourne, Libourne, Blaye, Cussac Fort Medoc, Cadillac, Bordeaux and Bordeaux.
You’ll sail aboard the AmaWaterways river ship AmaDolce.
On our river cruises, you will enjoy an extensive lineup of included tours. In many cases, you will have a choice of excursions, such as standard tours, bike tours, hikes and Special Interest Tours. We always include a large variety of activities so that you can choose how you want to explore. No matter your preference, your days will be full of discovery and wonder.
Inclusions
- Saint-Émilion Excursion.
- Saint-Émilion bike tour.
- Bastide town and market visit.
- Ancient Watermill Visit and Breadmaking Workshop.
- Château Boutinet hike with wine and tapas tasting.
- Citadel visit.
FAQs
Accommodation is aboard the AmaWaterways river ship AmaDolce.
Stateroom categories available
- Suite
- Category A+
- Category A
- Category B
- Category C
- Category D
- Category E
- Single
How long is this journey?
This itinerary runs for 8 days and 7 nights.
When can I travel?
Departures are currently scheduled between 26 Nov 2026 and 17 Dec 2026, subject to live availability.
Are there different departure options?
Yes, multiple departures may be available depending on your preferred travel period.
What is generally included?
Inclusions typically cover guided touring and selected experiences, with exact details listed in the itinerary.
What style of accommodation is used?
Accommodation is pre-arranged as part of the journey, with specific properties shown in the trip details.
Provided by: AMAWaterwaysFine Print
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