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Bordeaux, Vineyards & Châteaux on River Royale
Discover the unparalleled riches of Aquitaine and its charming capital city, Bordeaux. Bordeaux, on France’s Southwestern coast, is a unique region unto itself, yet still profoundly French. You’ll cruise three rivers as you explore the stunning countryside, alive with stately Châteaux and abundant vineyards and wine estates. Uniworld’s Epicurean Adventure Program™ includes a special French Master
...Discover the unparalleled riches of Aquitaine and its charming capital city, Bordeaux. Bordeaux, on France’s Southwestern coast, is a unique region unto itself, yet still profoundly French. You’ll cruise three rivers as you explore the stunning countryside, alive with stately Châteaux and abundant vineyards and wine estates. Uniworld’s Epicurean Adventure Program™ includes a special French Master Chef-set dinner menu and a tasting of Arcachon oysters—a local delicacy—onboard, as well as chateau and wine estate tastings and a Cannelé-making demonstration on this culinary-rich journey.
Though settled by the Romans and ruled by the English, Aquitaine is profoundly French. From its noble châteaux to its breathtaking estuary, Bordeaux, as the region is also known, is an oenophile’s paradise and every traveler’s dream.
Sail three rivers on this journey—the Garonne, the Dordogne, and the Gironde—and savor the unique gastronomical heritage of southwest France. You’ll be treated to a sumptuous display of culinary magic throughout your journey. Taste regional delights including—duck confit, caviar d’Aquitaine, and oysters. Indulge in an onboard meal designed by French Master Chef (and owner of the two-Michelin-star-rated Relais and Chateau Hostellerie de Plaisance in Saint-Émilion) Philippe Etchebest. And delve deeply into the Bordeaux region’s exalted wines. You’ll travel the Médoc wine route to partake in a wine tasting at an exclusive wine estate; visit the cellars of Premier Grand Cru to savor some of the world’s most highly rated wines; and embark on a study of Sauternes, meeting the winemakers of this region’s sweet wine and enjoying a wine-pairing lunch at Château d’Arsac. With great food and wine; the charming towns of Bergerac, Saint-Émilion, and Bordeaux; and ample time to take in the breathtaking scenery, you’ll discover the many pleasures of French life.
Who will enjoy this cruise
Those interested in epicurean pursuits, winemaking (and tasting!), history, and culture, as well as nature lovers.
Epicurean Adventurer Program™
Wine tasting at Château d’Arsac and a Saint-Émilion wine estate
Epicurean dinner with menu set by award-winning French Master Chef Philippe Etchebest
Cannelé-making demonstration and tasting
Arcachon oyster tasting onboard
TRUE ALL-INCLUSIVE BOUTIQUE RIVER CRUISING™ in 2014: All gratuities onboard and onshore; unlimited beverages onboard including an extensive selection of distinctive wines, craft and regional beers, spirits, cocktails, and non-alcoholic beverages; shore excursions with local experts as your guide; free Internet and Wi-Fi; and all arrival and departure day transfers.
Watch this video to take a peek into the charm and romance of Bordeaux.
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Information is subject to change.
TRUE ALL-INCLUSIVE BOUTIQUE RIVER CRUISING™ in 2014: All gratuities for all onboard and onshore services; unlimited fine wine, beer, spirits, and non-alcoholic beverages; shore excursions with local experts as your guide; free Internet and Wi-Fi; and all arrival and departure day transfers.
YOUR CRUISE PACKAGE INCLUDES:
TRAVEL
7-night cruise in a riverview stateroom on the breathtaking
All transfers on arrival and departure days
TASTE
All meals onboard, prepared using the finest and freshest ingredients
7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners
Captain’s Welcome and Farewell Receptions
Welcome and Farewell Gala Dinners
Unlimited beverages onboard, including fine wine, beer, spirits, soft drinks, specialty coffee and tea, and bottled water
EXPLORE
10 excursions, including “Choice Is Yours” options, all fully hosted by English-speaking local experts
Guided “Go Active,” “Do as the Locals Do,” and “Gentle Walking” programs
3 UNESCO World Heritage sites
Services of an experienced Uniworld Cruise Manager
State-of-the-art Quietvox portable audio headset system on all excursions
Use of bicycles and Nordic walking sticks
EXPERIENCE
Captivating onboard local entertainment
Cultural enrichment, including a Signature Lecture: “Aquitaine: Three Rivers, One Ocean, and a Unique Land”
Exclusive Epicurean Adventurer Program™
Information is subject to change.
The River Royale was remodeled in 2014 to capture the essence of the Bordeaux region, with a timeless style that emphasizes elegance and comfort as you sail through southwestern France. Carrying no more than 130 passengers, this intimate ship is a wonderful place to savor the scenery, dine on exquisite cuisine, and relax with friends over drinks in the Salon Gascogne’s Aquitaine Bar and other richly appointed public areas.
The Highest Standards in Luxury River ...
The Highest Standards in Luxury River Cruising
In 2004, Uniworld was acquired by The Travel Corporation (TTC), a highly successful international travel group founded by Stanley Tollman. TTC has more than 30 top brands, including Trafalgar, Insight Vacations, and Contiki, as well as Red Carnation Hotels, a renowned collection of four- and five-star luxury properties.
TTC has made major investments in Uniworld's ships, crew, and staff, with an eye towards providing guests with all the elements of an unforgettable Six-Star Experience: Expertise; Service; Luxurious Ships, Uniquely Designed; Culinary; Choice; and Truly All-Inclusive. Combining the tour planning and hotel management expertise of TTC’s sister companies with Uniworld’s decades of superior nautical experience has created an entirely new category of luxury river cruising.
The Boutique Experience, Onboard & Onshore
The renowned Red Carnation Hotel Collection was founded in the early 1980s by Beatrice Tollman, who has many years of experience as a chef, cookbook author, and hotelier in South Africa, Europe, and the US. The family-run business now spans four generations—including her husband Stanley and three children—and owns and operates 17 boutique properties in five countries. Mrs. Tollman was named Hotelier of the Year at the European Hospitality Awards in 2012.
Boutique hotels are known for their destination-specific interior décor, gracious service, and carefully selected amenities, all of which provide an intimate, elegant, and relaxed experience. Similarly, Uniworld’s boutique river cruises allow guests to travel from one exciting destination to the next aboard a stylish floating hotel with inviting lounges, cozy libraries, panoramic restaurants, sumptuous cuisine, exquisite antiques and original art, and luxurious riverview staterooms and suites. Meticulous attention to detail is readily apparent on every company-owned ship, including Uniworld’s three stunning Super Ships—the S.S. Antoinette, S.S. Catherine, and S.S. Maria Theresa (debuting 2015).
Gracious and Attentive Service
In partnership with its sister company, Red Carnation Hotels, Uniworld takes pride in its long-lasting relationships with guests, for whom there is “No request too large, no detail too small.” Uniworld employs a professionally trained, dedicated, English-speaking staff, so guests never have to worry about communication.
Itinerary
| Day | Destination | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bordeaux (Embark) | ||
| 2 | Cadillac | ||
| 3 | Cruising the Garonne River and Gironde Estuary, Pa | ||
| 4 | Blaye, Bourg-sur-Gironde, Cruising the Dordogne Ri | ||
| 5 | Libourne (Saint-Émilion) | ||
| 6 | Libourne, Cruising the Garonne River, Bordeaux | ||
| 7 | Bordeaux | ||
| 8 | Bordeaux (Disembark) |
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