Itinerary
- Day 1
Paris
You'll board the AmaLyra in Paris and get settled into your stateroom. Dinner happens on board as you kick off your Grand Seine and Bordeaux river cruise adventure.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Day 2
Les Andelys
Head to Château Gaillard, the former stronghold of Richard the Lionheart sitting on chalk cliffs above the Seine. You can pick a morning castle tour, a hiking adventure from the Seine banks, or a guided bike tour through Les Andelys. After that, you'll take a scenic cruise along the winding Seine.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Choice of: Morning tour of Château Gaillard, hiking from the Seine to Château Gaillard, or guided bike tour of Les Andelys
- Scenic cruise along the Seine
Landmarks/POIs Château Gaillard - Day 3
Le Havre
You'll travel to Honfleur, a charming seaside town known for its harbor and inspiration to Impressionist painters. In the afternoon, choose between a UNESCO city tour of Le Havre or a guided bike tour through the town itself.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Excursion to Honfleur
- Choice of: UNESCO city tour of Le Havre or guided bike tour of Le Havre
Landmarks/POIs Honfleur - Day 4
Normandy
This day focuses on Normandy's rich history with multiple options to choose from. Visit American sector beaches like Omaha Beach and Colleville-sur-Mer cemetery, or check out Gold and Juno beaches in the British and Canadian sectors. You could also explore the Pays d'Auge region for apple cider and Calvados, or visit the Seine Museum in Caudebec-en-Caux.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Choice of: American Normandy Beaches tour (Colleville-sur-Mer cemetery, Omaha Beach, Longues-sur-Mer artillery battery, Arromanches), OR British and Canadian Normandy Beaches tour (Ranville Cemetery, Pegasus Bridge, Beny-sur-Mer Canadian cemetery, Courseulle WWII museum, Arromanches), OR Pays d'Auge excursion, OR Seine Museum visit in Caudebec-en-Caux
Landmarks/POIs Omaha Beach Colleville-sur-Mer Cemetery Longues-sur-Mer Arromanches Ranville Cemetery Pegasus Bridge Beny-sur-Mer Courseulle Caudebec-en-Caux - Day 5
Rouen
Spend the morning in medieval Rouen with several excursion choices available. See the square where Joan of Arc was martyred and the Medieval Quarter, try a 'Tastes of Normandy' tour sampling chocolate and Norman cheese, or join a guided bike tour. Later you'll visit Bonnemare Castle, a 16th-century structure lined with poplar trees.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Choice of: Walking tour of Rouen (Joan of Arc square, Medieval Quarter, Great Clock), OR "Tastes of Normandy" tour, OR guided bike tour
- Visit to Bonnemare Castle
Landmarks/POIs Joan of Arc Square Rouen Medieval Quarter Great Clock of Rouen Bonnemare Castle - Day 6
Vernon
You'll enjoy scenic cruising around Vernon, then disembark for your choice of activities. Visit Claude Monet's home and gardens in Giverny with its water lilies and Japanese bridges, tour Château de Bizy, an 18th-century estate inspired by Versailles, or take a guided bike tour through the French countryside.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic cruising around Vernon
- Choice of: Visit to Claude Monet's home and gardens in Giverny, OR escorted tour of Château de Bizy and its gardens, OR guided bike tour through French countryside
Landmarks/POIs Monet's Gardens, Giverny Château de Bizy - Day 7
Auvers-sur-Oise and Paris
Travel to Auberge Ravoux in Auvers-sur-Oise, where Vincent van Gogh spent his final 70 days. Alternatively, explore Château Malmaison, the former home of Napoleon and Josephine, or stay in Paris for a guided bike tour followed by a panoramic tour through the Latin Quarter and Luxembourg Gardens.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Choice of: Visit to Auberge Ravoux (Van Gogh's last home) in Auvers-sur-Oise, OR visit to Château Malmaison, OR guided bike tour of Paris with panoramic tour of Latin Quarter and Luxembourg Gardens
Landmarks/POIs Auberge Ravoux Château Malmaison Latin Quarter, Paris Sorbonne University Luxembourg Gardens - Day 8
Paris to Bordeaux
You'll leave the AmaLyra and board a train to Bordeaux. The crew handles your luggage while you relax and watch the scenery pass. Upon arrival, you'll board the AmaDolce, settle into your stateroom, have lunch on board, then explore Bordeaux on your own in the afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Train transfer from Paris to Bordeaux with luggage service
- Boarding of AmaDolce cruise ship
Optional Activities
- Leisure exploration of Bordeaux in the afternoon
- Day 9
Libourne and Saint-Émilion
You arrive in Libourne, your gateway to Bordeaux's elite wine regions. Join an excursion to Saint-Émilion to explore celebrated vineyards and the monolithic church with its catacombs. Taste Grand Cru wines at Château de Ferrand or Château de Pressac, or do a wine-focused bike tour instead.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Choice of: Excursion to Saint-Émilion with monolithic church visit and Grand Cru wine tasting at Château de Ferrand or Château de Pressac, OR wine-focused bike tour through vineyards to Saint-Émilion, OR town exploration of Saint-Émilion, OR visit to Château de Vayres with formal gardens tour
Landmarks/POIs Saint-Émilion Monolithic Church, Saint-Émilion Château de Ferrand Château de Pressac Château de Vayres - Day 10
Libourne
Explore Libourne with multiple options at your fingertips. Stroll through an open-air market tasting regional specialties, visit a cellar in nearby Fronsac to learn about winemaking history, or hike through family-owned vineyards at Château Boutinet followed by wine tastings and locally sourced tapas.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Choice of: Open-air market exploration with regional tastings, OR cellar visit in Fronsac with wine tasting, OR vineyard hike at Château Boutinet with wine and tapas tasting
Landmarks/POIs Fronsac Château Boutinet - Day 11
Blaye and Bourg
You can explore Blaye's 17th-century citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, or take a bike ride along a former railway. Later, bike through the French countryside to Bourg, or do a walking tour of this medieval village and check out its Carriage Museum. By evening, you'll attend an exclusive wine festival with local growers, tastings, live music and dancing.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Choice of: Tour of Blaye's 17th-century citadel, OR bike ride around Blaye along a former railway
- Choice of: Bike from Blaye through French countryside to Bourg, OR walking tour of Bourg with Carriage Museum visit
- Evening wine festival in Bourg with local wine growers, tastings, live French music and dancing
Landmarks/POIs Blaye Citadel Bourg - Day 12
Cussac-Fort-Médoc and Médoc Region
You arrive in Cussac-Fort-Médoc, your entry to the Médoc wine region. You'll view famous estates like Château Latour, Château Mouton Rothschild, and Château Lafite Rothschild. Taste Grand Cru wines at either Château Gruaud Larose or Château Léoville Poyferré, then either hike through vineyards at Château Margaux or drive to Soulac-sur-Mer.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- View of famous wine estates: Château Latour, Château Mouton Rothschild, Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Pichon Longueville
- Grand Cru wine tasting at Château Gruaud Larose or Château Léoville Poyferré
- Choice of: Vineyard hike at Château Margaux with local specialties, OR coastal drive to Soulac-sur-Mer with Statue of Liberty and Cordouan lighthouse
Landmarks/POIs Château Latour Château Mouton Rothschild Château Lafite Rothschild Château Pichon Longueville Château Gruaud Larose Château Léoville Poyferré Château Margaux Soulac-sur-Mer Cordouan Lighthouse - Day 13
Roquetaillade and Sauternes
Visit Castle of Roquetaillade, a well-preserved medieval structure owned by the same family for 700 years. Travel to the Sauternes wine region to taste sweet golden wines at Château de Rayne Vigneau or Château Guiraud. For history buffs, explore both Roquetaillade and Cadillac castles, or do a guided bike tour through Cadillac.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Castle of Roquetaillade
- Choice of: Sweet wine tasting at Château de Rayne Vigneau or Château Guiraud in Sauternes region, OR visits to both Roquetaillade and Cadillac castles, OR guided bike tour of Cadillac
Landmarks/POIs Castle of Roquetaillade Château de Rayne Vigneau Château Guiraud Cadillac Castle - Day 14
Bordeaux
Explore Bordeaux, the capital of the wine world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Start with a city tour, then visit Les Halles de Bacalan market for local tastings. Bike enthusiasts can tour the city's extensive paths. In the afternoon, choose between the Bordeaux Wine Museum, the Les Bassins des Lumières light show, or a night cruise viewing illuminated Bordeaux landmarks.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- City tour of Bordeaux
- Visit to Les Halles de Bacalan market with local tastings
- Choice of: Guided city bike tour, OR Bordeaux Wine Museum visit, OR Les Bassins des Lumières sound and light show, OR special illuminations cruise
Landmarks/POIs Les Halles de Bacalan Bordeaux Wine Museum Les Bassins des Lumières - Day 15
Bordeaux Departure
You'll disembark the AmaDolce and say goodbye to the crew in Bordeaux. After breakfast on board, you'll prepare for your flight home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
