From the French Basque Country to Bordeaux - Fine French cuisine at the foot of the Pyrenees and a cruise to discover Bordeaux and its outlying areas (port-to-port cruise)

CroisiCruise: BIS PP

8 Days

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. Jamesbefore the Pyrenees. Then, kick back and enjoy a delightful cruise while discovering the region surrounding Bordeaux.

THE CROISIEUROPE DIFFERENCE

- All meals included - DRINKS INCLUDED with meals and at the bar
- Refined French cuisine - Gala dinner and evening - Welcome cocktail
- Free Wi-Fi in lounge and bar
- Headsets are 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

- Itinerary 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

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 6pm. 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 excursio n 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 F