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Taste of Bordeaux
- Taste of Christmas
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Taste of Bordeaux – Taste of Christmas
Bordeaux knows how to dress for Christmas, and this itinerary is built to make the most of it. AmaWaterways‘ Taste of Bordeaux – Taste of Christmas River Cruise is a round-trip from Bordeaux along the Dordogne and Garonne, visiting Saint-Emilion’s UNESCO vineyards and limestone church, the 17th-century UNESCO Citadel at Blaye, Grand Cru estates in the Médoc, a 700-year-old medieval castle at Cadillac, and an exclusive wine festival to bring some extra seasonal warmth to the week.
4.69
from
241 reviews
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Cruise Line: AmaWaterways -
Ship: AmaDolce -
Duration: 6 Nights
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Departure: Nov - Dec
Taste of Bordeaux – Taste of Christmas Cruise Prices
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Taste of Bordeaux – Taste of Christmas Itinerary
A round trip from Bordeaux, heading out through Saint-Emilion and the Médoc before returning via Cadillac. Seven nights, one river system, and a wine festival somewhere in the middle.
Day 1
Bordeaux
You board in Bordeaux, welcomed with a drink and the ship dressed for the season.
Day 2
Libourne
Saint-Emilion is the destination today, one of Bordeaux’s most celebrated wine villages. The excursion includes wine tastings and a visit to the monolithic church carved into the limestone hillside, alongside its hidden catacombs. A bike tour through the winter countryside is the active alternative.
Day 3
Libourne
Three options today, each offering a different flavour of the local area. The Bastide Town and Market visit takes you through Libourne’s open-air market with seasonal treats to sample along the way. The Ancient Watermill visit includes a breadmaking workshop. For something more active, the Chateau Boutinet hike comes with a wine and tapas tasting at the end.
Day 4
Blaye
The 17th-century UNESCO Citadel at Blaye is the historical centrepiece of the day, with a scenic bike tour along the Chemin de Fer as the active alternative. A walking tour of Bourg takes in the Carriage Museum and a WWII petrol cistern. In the evening, an exclusive wine festival brings together local vintages, live music and festive dancing.
Day 5
Pauillac
A day in the Médoc, with two options: a guided tour of renowned wine estates with Grand Cru tastings and scenic vineyard views, or a hike through the Margaux vineyards with a local specialities tasting at the end.
Day 6
Cadillac
The excursion to Chateau de Roquetaillade, a 700-year-old medieval castle, is the standout today, combined with a visit to Cadillac town. A bike tour through the area is the alternative for those who’d rather be outdoors.
Day 7
Bordeaux
Back in Bordeaux for a final full day. The UNESCO city tour includes a tasting at Les Halles de Bacalan market, or you can join a bike tour of the city. In the afternoon, Les Bassins des Lumieres light show and the Bordeaux Cité du Vin wine museum are both available as excursion options.
Day 8
Bordeaux
Disembark in Bordeaux.
TASTE OF BORDEAUX – TASTE OF CHRISTMAS SHIPS
TASTE OF BORDEAUX – TASTE OF CHRISTMAS HIGHLIGHTS
Dordogne River Cruise Deals
Bordeaux wine country at Christmas, from Saint-Emilion’s underground church to a wine festival on the Garonne. Browse our latest AmaWaterways sailings and find the departure that works for you.
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Taste of Bordeaux – Taste of Christmas Cruise Review
Taste of Bordeaux – Taste of Christmas FAQs
What is the monolithic church in Saint-Emilion, and what makes it unusual?
The Monolithic Church of Saint-Emilion is a church carved entirely out of the limestone cliff beneath the village, rather than built from the ground up. Excavated between the 9th and 12th centuries, it is one of the largest monolithic churches in Europe. The itinerary’s day two Saint-Emilion excursion includes the church and its hidden catacombs.
What is the Exclusive Wine Festival on day four, and what does it involve?
The Exclusive Wine Festival is an evening event on day four in Blaye, included in the itinerary as one of the day’s options. It features local vintages, live music and festive dancing. It’s exclusive, meaning it’s arranged specifically for guests on this cruise.
What is the Blaye Citadel, and why does it have UNESCO status?
The Citadel of Blaye is a 17th-century fortress on the Gironde estuary, built by the military engineer Vauban under Louis XIV. It forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Fortifications of Vauban, inscribed in 2008 and covering twelve of Vauban’s military constructions across France.
What is Les Bassins des Lumières in Bordeaux?
Les Bassins des Lumieres is a digital art museum housed in a former submarine base in Bordeaux, one of the largest digital art centres in the world. It projects large-scale immersive artworks across the walls, ceilings and pools of the base’s vast concrete chambers. It’s available as an afternoon excursion option on day seven in Bordeaux.
What is Grand Cru wine, and what does the Médoc tasting on day five involve?
Grand Cru is a French wine classification indicating wines from officially recognised superior vineyards. In the Médoc, the classification system established in 1855 ranks the top estates from first to fifth growth, with the most celebrated producers concentrated around villages including Pauillac and Margaux. The day five excursion includes a guided tour of renowned Médoc wine estates and a tasting of Grand Cru wines, with scenic vineyard views included.
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