Compare Chateaux, Rivers & Wine by Viking River Cruises vs Four days in Saint-Emilion, Margaux, Blaye & Cadillac by Memosine

Day 1: Bordeaux, France

Meals : D
Accommodation : UNESCO Pauillac Vineyards, France

Fly to Bordeaux. We meet you at the airport and take you to your ship*. The rest of the day is yours to relax or explore Bordeaux on your own. Second only to Paris in French historic monuments, Bordeaux’s thoughtfully preserved 18th-century urban areas make it a desirable film location, and its graceful port on the Garonne River is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We remain docked overnight.

Day 2: Pauillac (Margaux), France

Meals : B, L, D
Accommodation : Blaye Vauban Citadel, France

This morning you'll sail along the Gironde River, docking at Pauillac in the Médoc region before lunch. This afternoon, enjoy a wine country tour featuring several wine-tasting opportunities, including the area’s famous full-flavored Margaux. Travel through the rolling vineyard-laced hills to dinner at a château, accompanied by the château’s own wines. Relax aboard your ship this evening, or explore Pauillac’s marina and the Plaza Lafayette, where the Marquis de Lafayette set sail to the New World. Pauillac, the undisputed capital of the Médoc wine region, is home to Châteaux Lafite Rothschild, Latour and Mouton Rothschild, among others. Before returning to your ship, catch a glimpse of the Île de Patiras lighthouse in the middle of the Gironde.

Day 3: Blaye (Cognac), France

Meals : B, L, D
Accommodation : UNESCO

Early this morning we sail to Blaye and arrive during breakfast. Blaye boasts an extraordinary 17th-century citadel, dramatically set on a rock beside the river, incorporating the ruins of an ancient Gothic château that contains the tomb of Charibert II, king of Aquitaine. Legend has it that the Frankish hero Roland, who served Charlemagne, is also buried there. The citadel of Blaye, its city walls and two other forts are collectively listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take a guided tour of the citadel, then enjoy some free time in Blaye. Or, you may choose to take an optional excursion to the charming medieval town of Cognac, birthplace of one of the world’s best-known types of brandy. Here, you will tour the family business of Camus, one of the most tradition-steeped Cognac houses in the area, and try your hand at blending. We lift anchor late this afternoon and dine while sailing toward Libourne, where the Isle and Dordogne Rivers meet. (B, L, D)

Day 4: Libourne (Saint-Émilion), France

Meals : B, L, D
Accommodation : UNESCO Cadillac Alley, France

Begin your day with a leisurely stroll to Libourne's picturesque city square, lined with buildings dating as far back as the 16th century, or take part in one of two optional excursions: an exploration of the Bergerac area in the Dordogne to learn more about truffles, a great French delicacy; or a wine tasting at a nearby château, of some local vintages from the Saint-Émilion and the Pomerol appellations. Later, take a tour to Saint-Émilion, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you see the town's superb medieval lanes and delightful views of the surrounding vineyards from the upper town. Spend a pleasant afternoon exploring the town's streets and shops.

Day 5: Cadillac (Sauternes), France

Meals :  B, L, D
Accommodation : Bordeaux, France

Enjoy scenic morning cruising along the idyllic Garonne River, stopping after lunch at Cadillac. Disembark for your excursion to Sauternes. Learn how the area’s sweet dessert wines are made and taste some examples during your tour. Return aboard for dinner.

Day 6: Cadillac & Bordeaux, France

Meals :  B, L, D
Accommodation : Bordeaux, France

We sail along the Garonne toward Bordeaux, enjoying a quiet morning. Tour the city center upon arrival and see some of Bordeaux’s highlights, including the Place des Quinconces, one of the largest squares in Europe; the neoclassical Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux; and several spectacular churches. We remain docked overnight so you can explore the city’s restaurants, bars and nightlife.

Day 7: Bordeaux, France

Meals : B, L, D
Accommodation : Bordeaux Palace Bourse, France

You have a full day at leisure, giving you more time to appreciate the well-preserved architecture of Jacques Ange Gabriel and son, and to taste the city’s cuisine and wine appellations. Perhaps pick up a few bottles to take home with you. You won't want to miss the Place de la Bourse, with its mirror-like reflecting pool, impressive by day but absolutely stunning at night. You also have the option of taking a full-day excursion to Arcachon, a commune on the Atlantic coast, to see the Victorian-era villas, walk on the boardwalk and taste the oysters, a local delicacy. Or, you have the option of participating in a market visit with the Viking Chef to see where the local chefs of Bordeaux find their fruit, vegetables, meats and fish.

Day 8: Bordeaux, France

Meals : B

After a final onboard breakfast, disembark and we take you to the airport for your flight home.* Or, extend your journey with 3 nights in Paris.

Day 1: Bordeaux, Margaux, Blaye, 50km

• 10:00 am: Departure from the Memosine agency in Bordeaux
• 10:30 am: Admire your first vines and drive along the Gironde estuary
• 11:30 am: Visit of an 1855 classified great growth Château followed by a wine-tasting*
• 3:00 pm: Lunch (not included)
• 2:30 pm: Legendary Castle Road to Margaux
• 3:00 pm: Wine-tasting visit in lovely Cru Bourgeois Château**
• 4:30 pm: Ferry crossing Lamarque-Blaye
• 6:00 pm:  Settle in your charming guesthouse in Blaye***

Classified Château: Dauzac, Desmirail, Prieuré-Lichine **Cru Bourgeois Château: Lamothe-Bergeron, Haut-Breton Larigaudière ***Guesthouse: Clos Réaud, Villa Prémayac

Day 2: Blaye, Bourg sur Gironde, Saint-Emilion, 60km

• 08:30 am: Breakfast at the guesthouse (included)
• 10:00 am: Free visit of Blaye Citadel
• 11:30 am: Drive along the Dordogne river past charming Bourg-sur-Gironde
• 1:00 pm: Lunch (not included)
• 3:30 pm: Wine-tasting visit in a Fronsac appellation Château on the way to Saint-Emilion*
• 6:00:pm: Night amongst the Saint-Emilion vineyards**

Château: La Rivière **Guesthouse: Franc Grâce-Dieu, Haut-Sarpe

Day 3: Saint-Emilion, Pomerol, Sauternes, 90km

• 08:30 am: Breakfast (included)
• 10:00 am: Wine-tasting visit in the lovely family property*
• 11:00 am: Famous Châteaux loop to see Pomerol, Domaine de Petrus, Châteaux Cheval Blanc and Angelus
• 12:00 am: Lunch (not included)
• 2:30 pm: Guided visit of the Saint-Emilion underground monuments and monolithic church
• 3:30 pm: Free time around Saint-Emilion
• 4:30 pm: Leisurely drive to Sauternes past Saint-Macaire medieval city
• 6:30 pm: Night amongst the vineyards Sauternes**

Château: Franc Grâce-Dieu, Haut-Sarpe **Guesthouse: Relais du silence du Château d’Arche

Day 4: Sauternes, Graves, Bordeaux, 80km

• 08:30 am: Breakfast (included)
• 10:00 am: Wine-tasting visit in the property of Sauternes appellation*
• 11:00 am: Stop by Château Yquem and drive along the Landes forest
• 12:30 pm: Lunch in the Graves wine region (not included)
• 2:30 pm: Visit of the Château of La Brède, former home of world-famous philosopher De Montesquieu
• 4:00 pm: Stop at the Sources of Caudalie, famous for their grape-based cosmetics
• 5:00 pm: Drive across the Graves region and back to Bordeaux along its 18th-century quays
• 6:00 pm:  Arrival at the agency in the Chartrons district of Bordeaux