Itinerary
- Day 1
Bordeaux
You'll arrive in Bordeaux and board the Scenic Diamond, where you'll meet other passengers and kick things off with a toast. The ship sets sail on the Gironde, Garonne, and Dordogne rivers, so you'll spend the day getting settled into your cabin and taking in the riverside views.
Included Activities
- Board Scenic Diamond cruise ship
Landmarks/POIs Bordeaux - Day 2
Libourne
This morning brings a relaxing sail toward Libourne with quiet river scenery passing by. After lunch, you have a tour to Saint-Émilion, a UNESCO World Heritage village where you'll walk through medieval streets and see the Monolithic Church carved into the stone. The ship docks in Libourne overnight, a 13th century port town known for winemaking.
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Tour of Saint-Émilion village
- Visit Monolithic Church
Landmarks/POIs Saint-Émilion Monolithic Church Libourne - Day 3
Libourne to Fort Médoc
You'll have the morning to explore Libourne and the surrounding area. Options include a guided walking tour, visiting vineyards, cycling through wine country, or taking a watercolor painting class with local wines. Later in the afternoon, the ship sails to Fort Médoc where it docks for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Libourne
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Libourne - guided tour of rich history linked to wool, wine, salt and wood trade
- Wines and Vineyards of Saint-Émilion - journey to countryside and explore vineyards with tasting
- Biking and tasting at Château Siaurac - cycle through wine-growing region to estate with tasting
- Paint and Pour - watercolour class on Sun Deck with local artist, sipping local wines
Landmarks/POIs Château Siaurac - Day 4
Fort Médoc
Today focuses on the Médoc region, famous for producing top red wines and home to well-known estates. You can choose between a coach tour or e-bike ride along the Route des Châteaux with tastings at famous properties. If you prefer, there's a classical music performance at Château d'Agassac in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Médoc wine tasting by coach - travel through scenic region to local winery with tasting
- Médoc wine tasting by bicycle - e-bike tour discovering grand châteaux and wine tasting at prestigious estate
- Classical Concert at Château d'Agassac - live classical music performance in 13th century château
Landmarks/POIs Château d'Agassac - Day 5
Cadillac
The morning is relaxed as you sail to Cadillac. There's time for optional spa treatments or to take a French cooking class on board. After lunch, you'll arrive in Cadillac, a charming town founded in 1280 with historic buildings to see around town.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Sail to Cadillac
Optional Activities
- Spa treatment on board
- Scenic Culinaire cooking school
Landmarks/POIs Cadillac - Day 6
Cadillac
Cadillac sits near the Sauternes wine region, known for sweet fortified wines. Morning activities let you explore Sauternes vineyards by coach or bike. In the afternoon, you can visit Roquetaillade Castle, cycle through the Loupiac wine region, or tour Château Toulouse-Lautrec connected to the famous painter.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Sauternes by coach - coach tour through vineyards with winery tasting
- Sauternes by bike - cycling tour through rolling vineyards with tasting
- Roquetaillade Castle - guided tour of ancient castle with family descendants
- Biking in the Loupiac wine region - cycling tour with views of Château Benauge
- Château Toulouse-Lautrec - guided tour of historic estate including apartments of the famous painter
Landmarks/POIs Roquetaillade Castle Château Benauge Château Toulouse-Lautrec - Day 7
Bordeaux
You're back in Bordeaux with several ways to spend the day. Options include a guided city tour seeing the Gothic cathedral and Place de la Bourse, cycling through historic neighborhoods with local food stops, or shopping at markets with the ship's chef followed by a cooking demo. There's also an oyster tasting from Arcachon Bay, and an evening option for special access to the Bassins des Lumières digital art space with Champagne.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Fresh oyster tasting from Arcachon Bay
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Bordeaux - explore Gothic cathedral, Place de la Bourse and city highlights
- Cycling tour of Bordeaux - guided bike tour sampling canelé and local treats
- Shop with a chef - visit local food market with ship's chef to taste regional ingredients, visit Mercado de San Miguel, then return for cooking demonstration
- Afterhours access to Bassins des Lumières - exclusive digital art installation experience with Champagne
Landmarks/POIs Bordeaux Cathedral Place de la Bourse Mercado de San Miguel Bassins des Lumières Arcachon Bay - Day 8
Bordeaux to Bourg
You'll continue exploring Bordeaux with choices like the Cité du Vin Museum, motorbike and sidecar tours through the city, or a walking tour of Arcachon with its famous Baltard market food hall. You'll have free time on the ship as it sails toward Bourg.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Optional Activities
- Cité du Vin Museum - local tram to interactive wine discovery museum
- Tour Bordeaux by motorbike & sidecar - cruise through city by motorcycle or sidecar
- Visit Arcachon - walking tour with local guide finishing at Baltard market food hall
Landmarks/POIs Cité du Vin Museum Arcachon Baltard Market - Day 9
Bourg
The ship arrives in Bourg, a small town on a rocky hillside with old streets and historic architecture. You can visit the Carriages Museum at Bourg Castle, explore the ancient town of Saintes with 2,000 years of history, or take a full day trip to Cognac including a walk through town and a visit to Rémy Martin with cognac tasting.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Bourg with Carriages Museum - visit museum at Bourg Castle with local guide, view horse-drawn carriage collection
- Historic Saintes - tour charming town in Charente-Maritime with 2,000 years of history and lush gardens
- Full day excursion to Cognac - walking tour of fortified city, lunch, tour Rémy Martin estate with cognac sampling
Landmarks/POIs Bourg Castle Saintes Cognac Rémy Martin Estate - Day 10
Blaye
You'll dock in Blaye, home to a UNESCO World Heritage citadel built to defend Bordeaux. Choose a leisurely walking tour, an active citadel tour learning about Vauban's defense design, cycling along the Captain's Road, or visiting Château de la Roche Courbon with its formal gardens.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Blaye - stroll through charming city with local guide viewing World Heritage citadel
- Active walking tour of Blaye - tour fascinating citadel with local guide, understand Vauban's defense system
- Cycling along the Captain's Road - active cycling tour
- Visit Château de la Roche Courbon - guided tour of fortified castle with historic gardens
Landmarks/POIs Blaye Citadel Château de la Roche Courbon - Day 11
Bordeaux to Madrid
Your included flight leaves Bordeaux for Madrid this morning. You'll spend three nights in the Spanish capital getting settled into your hotel and exploring the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Flight from Bordeaux to Madrid
Landmarks/POIs Madrid - Day 12
Madrid
A guided tour takes you through Madrid this morning, showing the 17th century Austrian Quarter, Sabatini Gardens, and the Cibeles and Neptuno Fountains. You'll also see the traditional bullfighting ring, the Royal Palace, and Templo de Debod, an Egyptian temple from the second century BC. Dinner with fellow guests at a local restaurant happens this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner in a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Madrid - Austrian Quarter, Sabatini Gardens, Cibeles and Neptuno Fountains
- Traditional bullfighting ring viewing
- Royal Palace panorama
- Visit Templo de Debod
Landmarks/POIs Austrian Quarter Sabatini Gardens Cibeles Fountain Neptuno Fountain Royal Palace Templo de Debod - Day 13
Madrid
You have options for how to explore Madrid today. Either visit the Prado Museum with art spanning the 12th to 20th centuries, or take a walking tour sampling Madrid's food scene with stops for tapas and a visit to Mercado de San Miguel for jamón ibérico and croquetas. The afternoon is yours to shop, visit gardens, or explore the surrounding area.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Prado Museum visit - guided tour through collections dating from 12th to 20th century
- Tastes of Madrid walking tour - local guide introduction to Madrid flavors with stops at Mercado de San Miguel, tasting jamón ibérico and croquetas
Landmarks/POIs Prado Museum Mercado de San Miguel - Day 14
Madrid
After breakfast, you'll transfer to Madrid airport to head home with memories from your trip along the French rivers and through Spain.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Transfer to Madrid airport
