Southwest France, the Gironde estuary and Bordeaux vineyard finest wines [Part 2/2]

On foot, by bike, by helicopter... It’s up to you!

For those of you who like the dynamic kind of holidays, the guided tour of Bordeaux (voted last year's most popular touristy city by the reference guide Lonely Planet) can be completed by bike. This is the best way to travel the city and admire its countless listed buildings.

The Medoc region and its prestigious castles can be flown over by helicopter or cycled in in a gourmet* variant, where tastings of the greatest local wines goes on with perfectly matched cheeses – always to your taste buds’ delight. The walking tour of Blaye Citadel’s mysterious underground passages will enthrall history buffs. For the others, a pleasant ‘refreshing’ cultural break between the fortress’ massive white walls...

*In the same spirit, it is possible to opt for an informative gourmet stroll on the slopes of Cadillac before going to visit the wine cellars and succumb to local products’ appeal.

Hiking with a mountain guide between vineyards and marshes 

CroisiEurope offers a 6-day themed cruise dedicated to hikers. (Of course, it also includes a program for non-hiking accompanying passengers.) With a qualified mountain guide, lovers of the great outdoors will go on a quest to discover the Gironde and its awe-inspiring landscapes. Vines as far as the eye can see and Medoc’s characteristic marshes, Dordogne and Garonne’s verdurous trails, Blayais Bourgeais’ hills stunning view on the estuary... They will embrace the most striking panoramas of the region. This special cruise will take place in July: time to put these shoes on again!  

An extension in the fabulous Périgord Noir

Those of you who will choose the 6-day Secret heritage themed cruise in the Gironde estuary and on the Garonne river will have the possibility to precede their off-the-beaten-track sail with an agreeable stay (3 days / 2 nights in a hotel) in the region of the Périgord Noir. A coach tour with a certified guide will take you to the famous and impressive caves of Lascaux and Sarlat.

Lastly, the visit of the Château de Bourdeilles will follow a well-deserved tasting of regional products in the city of Périgueux.  

Oenology for grands crus connoisseurs

Five days to live in complete immersion in the heart of a prestigious vineyard.

This itinerary provides three full cruising days devoted to Bacchus’ divine beverage.

Exciting conferences, activities and tastings are here ‘taken care of’ by a renowned professional. Excursions on the menu include the Medoc and Saint-Emilion’s Routes des Grands Crus (= where to find the greatest wines) and Sauternes’ vineyard tour. The visit of Bordeaux, undisputable maestra of these lands, goes without saying as well as that of the illustrious castles of Roquetaillade and Cadillac. Bonus icing on the cake: a big contest organized on board allows lucky passengers to win a cruise along the Rhine with the triple star chef Marc Haeberlin.