Great Solo Traveller Prices - Premium Ship: Single Supplement from $1,790
CroisiCruise: BIS_PP
8 Days
(2night Biarritz hotel stay / 5night cruise)
Biarritz | French Basque Country | Biarritz |- Bayonne | Bordeaux | Cussac-Fort-Medoc | Blaye(2) | Libourne(2) | Saint-Emilion | Bordeaux
Dive into the French Basque experience before a cruise on the Garonne and Gironde Rivers. Vacation in the heart of the famous seaside resort of Biarritz. Indulge in Basque culinary traditions and heritage—Espelette chili peppers, chocolate and ham in Bayonne, and Irouléguy wines. This trip will bring you to well-known pilgrimage points such as Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port—the last stage of the Way of St. James before the Pyrenees. Then, kick back and enjoy a delightful cruise while discovering the region surrounding Bordeaux.
THE CROISIEUROPE DIFFERENCE
- Gala dinner and evening : Welcome cocktail
- All meals included : Refined European cuisine, with table service for lunch & dinner
- Drinks included : With meals
- Open bar : Including Cocktails, Mocktails, Regional wines, Beer, Spirits & Soft drinks (excluding premium list)
- Free Wi-Fi in lounge and bar
- Headsets included for excursions
- Official welcome from the captain and crew
- Onboard activities
- Travel assistance and repatriation insurance
- All port fees included
- Prepaid Classic Sightseeing package
CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS
- Original back-to-back journeys to explore the French Basque Country and the Gironde region
- Discover:
- The Gironde Estuary
- Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and a tasting of Irouléguy wine
- Bayonne and a visit to a salted-meat workshop
- Discover the region's grands crus
- Bordeaux and its Chartrons District, the historic wine commerce area
- The Bassins des Lumières, an old submarine base that is now the largest digital art center in France
- Bike trip to explore the Libournais vineyards and a tasting of Pomerol wines
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- Itinerary
- Important Information
Day 1: Biarritz
You will be welcomed at your four-star hotel (or similar accommodations) in Biarritz at 5:00pm. Check-in and enjoy a welcome cocktail. Dinner and evening in Biarritz.
Although once a whaling village, Biarritz is now an upscale seaside resort. The city's destiny changed forever when Napoléon III and his wife, Eugénie, came to take advantage of the ocean's health benefits. You will have some free time on the Atlantic coast to walk along the cliffs or even have a swim!
Day 2: Biarritz - French Basque Country - Biarritz
Breakfast will be served at the hotel. Set out on a full day excursion to the French Basque Country. The tour will begin in Espelette, a small, colorful city decorated with its signature festoons—dried chili pepper strings. Mildly hot Espelette peppers are a cornerstone of French Basque cuisine. Take some time on your own to explore the city. There will be a traditional Basque lunch in Espelette. In the afternoon, you will tour Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and indulge in a tasting of Irouléguy wine. A charming village in the heart of the Pyrenees, Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port was named one of the most beautiful villages in France in 2016. Its unique position as the last stop on the Way of St. James makes it popular with pilgrims and hikers. After a guided tour, you will head over to the Irouléguy wine cellars for a visit and tasting. At the end of the day, return to Biarritz. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 3: Biarritz - Bayonne - Bordeax (Join Cruise)
Breakfast will be served at the hotel. This morning, join a guided tour of Bayonne and a salted-meat workshop. The guided tour of old Bayonne introduces you to the history of the French Basque Country and its culture. Strolling down the quaint, narrow streets, you will learn about the city center's rich architectural heritage, including the cathedral, cloister, and fortifications. You will then visit a salted-meat workshop to see how dried ham is made and taste a few of its products.
There will be a traditional Basque meal at lunch in a local cider house. Have a glass of cider directly from the barrel!
After your tour, you'll leave by coach for Bordeaux, where you'll board your ship at 6.00pm. You will be introduced to the crew at a welcome cocktail.
Day 4: Bordeaux - Cussac-Fort-Medoc - The Medoc
Cruise down towards Cussac-Fort-Médoc. In the afternoon, join the proposed excursion for both packages: Following the trail of the grands crus wines of Médoc, a renowned region where the most famous of all red wines in the world are cultivated. Return on board for dinner and an evening of entertainment.
Day 5: Cussac-Fort-Medoc - Gironde Estuary - Blaye(2)
Start sailing early this morning towards Blaye, whose Citadel built by Vauban is not to be missed. Join the proposed excursions:
CLASSIC: Blaye and a visit to its citadel in a tourist train, plus a tasting of regional products and wine: Set off to discover the history and heritage of Blaye and its citadel. Built by Vabaun under Louis the Great, the citadel protected Bordeaux from invasions as part of the Verrou Vauban with the Forts Pâté and Médoc. This three-garrison defense system is unique in France and has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Afterwards, we'll visit the Château Marquis de Vauban restaurant for a tasting of wine and some regional products.
DISCOVERY: Tour Blaye and its underground monuments on foot. After your tour, you will get to taste some regional products with an excellent glass of wine.
Return on board and cruise on the Gironde all the way to the estuary. Tonight there will be an evening of dancing.
DISCOVERY: Tour Blaye and its underground monuments on foot. After your tour, you will get to taste some regional products with an excellent glass of wine.
Return on board and cruise on the Gironde all the way to the estuary. Tonight there will be an evening of dancing.
(2) Depending on the tide, the stopover in Blaye may be replaced by Bourg.
Day 6: Blaye(2) - Libourne(2) - Saint-Emilion
Cruise to Libourne, a town rich with history and full of character located at the confluence with the Isle and the Dordogne Rivers. Upon arrival, join the proposed excursions:
CLASSIC: tour of Saint-Emilion.
DISCOVERY: Libourne by bike and wine tasting.
Return on board in Libourne. Tonight is a festive gala dinner and evening.
CLASSIC: tour of Saint-Emilion.
DISCOVERY: Libourne by bike and wine tasting.
Return on board in Libourne. Tonight is a festive gala dinner and evening.
(2) Depending on the tide, the stopover in Blaye and Libourne may be replaced by Bourg.
Day 7: Libourne(2) - Bordeaux
Cruise towards Bordeaux this morning. Join the proposed excursions:
CLASSIC: The Chartrons District, Wine and Commerce Museum.
DISCOVERY: The Bassins des Lumières.
There will be an evening of entertainment.
CLASSIC: The Chartrons District, Wine and Commerce Museum.
DISCOVERY: The Bassins des Lumières.
There will be an evening of entertainment.
(2) Depending on the tide, the stopover in Libourne may be replaced by Bourg.
Day 8: Bordeaux
One last buffet breakfast on board this morning before disembarking at 9.00am. End of our services.
INCLUSIONS:
- Accommodation, including breakfast and dinner, in a four-star hotel in Biarritz from Day 1 to Day 3
- Lunch on Day 2 and Day 3
- Full-day excursion to the French Basque Country - guided tour of Bayonne and a salted-meat workshop
- Your cruise with all meals from dinner the first evening to breakfast on the final day
- Onboard drinks included (except for drinks from the special lists)
- Double-occupancy cabin with shower in bathroom
- Assistance from the onboard multi-lingual host/hostess
- Welcome cocktail
- Gala dinner
- Onboard entertainment
- All port fees
- Prepaid Classic sightseeing package
EXCLUSIONS:
- Drinks from the special lists or drinks ordered during excursions or transfers
- Cancellation and baggage insurance
- Transfers to/from departure/arrival points
- Personal expenses
- For the safety of passengers, the captain and crew of the boat may decide to modify the navigational itinerary. The cruise schedule may vary according to tides and arrival times at ports of call may be subject to change.
- For optimal organization of the cruise, the organization of excursions can be modified according to the tide.
- Depending on the tide, the stopover in Blaye and Libourne may be replaced by Bourg.
Trip prices and dates are correct at the time of the website going live, however all offers are subject to reconfirmation at the time of booking. All featured tour itineraries and offers may be subject to change due to seasonal variations without notice, or due to local conditions or other conditions. Please confirm all details at time of booking. Travel insurance is mandatory for all Innovative Travel bookings. All passports must be valid for 6 months prior to your return to your home country. Visas are the responsibility of the traveller. Special VIP meet and assist offers are available in some destinations for New Zealand passport holders, for other nationalities please check at the time of booking. For full terms and conditions, please refer to our Booking Conditions page.