Pentravel
Pentravel

Brilliant Bordeaux with Uniworld

Pentravel
8 days
06 Apr 25 to 13 Apr 25
Book by 31 Oct 24
Embark on a captivating voyage along the Garonne, Dordogne, and Gironde rivers, immersing yourself in a rich tapestry of history and vitality. Discover the picturesque landscapes, exquisite wines, and cultural gems of Bordeaux, Fort Médoc, Cadillac, Blaye, Libourne, and beyond. Stroll through archaeological wonders, visit historic landmarks, and traverse magnificent vineyards, indulging in quintessential French delights along the way.

Includes

  • 8 Day Uniworld Boutique River Cruise
  • 7-night cruise in a classic stateroom on the S.S. Bon Voyage
  • Delicious, five-star, farm-to-table cuisine: 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 7 dinners
  • Captain’s Welcome and Farewell Receptions
  • Welcome and Farewell Gala Dinners
  • Unlimited premium spirits and wines on-board, including fine wine, beer, spirits, soft drinks, specialty coffee and tea, and mineral water
  • 6 days of excursions, including “Choice Is Yours” options, all fully hosted by English-speaking local experts
  • Onboard entertainment and enrichment
  • All gratuities on-board
  • Onboard fitness centre and wellness classes with a certified wellness instructor
  • Use of bicycles and Nordic walking sticks for onshore use
  • Shipwide internet and wi-fi access
  • Services of an experienced Uniworld Cruise Manager
  • State-of-the-art Quietvox portable audio- headset system on all shore excursions
  • Mandatory port charges of R4,000 per person

Excludes

  • Flights
  • Arrival / departure transfers
  • Visas
  • Travel Insurance
  • Items of a personal nature

Extras

  • Note
  • The itineraries presented are subject to modification due to water levels, closures because of public holidays or other uncontrollable factors. Every effort will be made to operate programs as planned, but changes may still be necessary throughout the cruise. This day-to-day schedule is subject to change. Your final day-to-day schedule will be provided onboard on the first day of your cruise.

Highlights

  • 7-night cruise onboard S.S. Bon Voyage
  • All meals onboard
  • Unlimited premium spirits and wines on-board
  • Carefully curated excursions

Itinerary

Day 1: Bordeaux, Embark

Arrive at Bordeaux-Mérignac International Airport. If your cruise package includes a group arrival transfer or if you have purchased a private arrival transfer, you will be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the ship.

Day 2: Cussac Fort Medoc

The legendary Médoc region abounds with prestigious wine châteaux in a dizzying array of architectural styles, as well as miles of grapevines stretching to infinity. Take a scenic drive through the storied Médoc wine route, followed by a wine tasting at a beautiful wine estate. Featured Excursion Fresh Médoc Oysters Tasting Oysters have long been a beloved product of the Médoc—and for good reason. Discover why today as you join an oyster farmer at the Guards’ House terrace for a tasting of this delicacy, accompanied by a glass of local white wine. Choose between... Médoc Châteaux Route with Private Wine Tasting In 1855, when Napoleon III asked for a classification of the best wines in France to give visitors, some 60 Médoc wines were awarded Grand Cru status—out of 61 total. or Let’s Go: Bike in the Médoc Vineyards Combine fresh air, gorgeous scenery and fine wine with a bicycle ride among the prestigious Médoc vineyards. Meet your guide and mount your bicycle to pedal through the lush landscapes of historic estates that have seemingly remained unchanged for centuries.

Day 3: Cadillac

TThe French phrase “la douceur de vivre” is an accurate description for your time in Cadillac, known for its deliciously flavored dessert wines. Visit Château Royal de Cazeneuve, site of Henry IV’s and Queen Margot’s tempestuous love. Meet the owner around a glass of Sauternes in the reception hall. In the evening, a special Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you. Note: Sailing this stretch of the Garonne depends on the tides. If it is not possible to sail to Cadillac, you will be transferred to your destination via motorcoach. Choose between... Private Owner's Tour of Royal Château with Sauternes Toast You’ll journey through the vineyards to Château Royal de Cazeneuve, a polygonal 14th-century fortress with a royal pedigree. A favored residence of Henry IV, who inherited it from his mother, Jeanne d’Albret. or The Colorful Life of Toulouse Lautrec at Château de Malromé Uncover the history of artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec with a visit to Château Malromé. Originally the home of his mother, Adèle, Malromé would soon inspire much of his artwork.

Day 4: Blaye, Bourg Sur Gironde

Blaye The Route de la Corniche Fleurie…could this be the most beautiful road you’ve ever traveled? Find out today on the drive to Blaye Fortress, passing through one impossibly picturesque hamlet after another. Once you arrive, you’ll discover the wonders of this historic fortress, a UNESCO-designated citadel that once protected Bordeaux from attacks by sea. Featured Excursion Panoramas of Route de la Corniche Fleurie with Blaye Fortress This little road between Blaye and Bourg-sur-Gironde winds through picturesque hamlets with equally picturesque names—Pain de Sucre, Marmisson and Roque de Thau among them—limestone cliffs on one side, the Gironde on the other.

Day 5: Libourne (Saint-Emilion)

Libourne With Libourne as your base, travel to nearby breathtaking Saint-Émilion and immerse yourself more deeply in the region’s history and wine culture. The medieval town of Saint-Émilion is an ideal place to linger. Wander its cobblestone lanes lined with wine shops and bakeries, and stop to admire the amazing rock-hewn church that extends beneath the city’s streets. Note: Today's lunch will be on your own; ask your Cruise Manager for recommendations on the best nearby restaurants. Featured Excursion Saint-Émilion Walking Tour with Wine Tasting Hilltop Saint-Émilion offers both exceptional architecture and historic vineyards. The Romans were the first to plant grapes here, and this was the first vineyard region to be protected by UNESCO because of its history. Choose between... Nijmegen Walking Tour As you join a local guide on a walk through the streets of Nijmegen, you might be surprised by the youthful energy you find in the Netherlands’ oldest city. Discover a history that stretches back to the Romans and learn how this town recovered from World War II devastation. or Kröller-Müller Museum Visit Helene Kröller-Müller bought seven Van Goghs in a single day in 1912, valuing the painter’s then-little-appreciated work for his “great and novel humanity.” She went on to purchase many more of his paintings, and in the process, she almost single-handedly rescued him.

Day 6: Libourne, Bordeaux

France’s rich agricultural tradition is the heart and soul of the region’s exquisite cuisine—and what better way to get a taste for the freshest vegetables, cheeses, breads and fruits than with a visit to Libourne’s lively farmers’ market? In the evening, a special Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you. Featured Excursions Village Day: Libourne with Farmer's Market How could you visit this rich agricultural land without delving into a farmer's market? Libourne’s market is the heart and soul of the town; everyone comes here to choose the freshest vegetables, the ripest cheeses, the most luscious fruits, the loveliest flowers. Nights Out: After Hours at the Bassins des Lumières Bordeaux’s Port de la Lune is home to a submarine base with a checkered past. Originally built during the German occupation of France in WWII, and later the target of allied bombings, this building has since attracted artists who wish to reclaim the site for beauty and culture. Choose between... Dutch Culinary Stroll to Rotterdam’s Market Hall Get a taste for Rotterdam’s culinary prowess and architectural achievements on a walk to Market Hall. Built in 2014, this extraordinary building is known for its futuristic look and unique culinary offerings—from bars and food stands to full-service restaurants. or Rotterdam, City of the Future With water levels rising in a country where much of the land is below sea level already, the Netherlands has a particularly vested interest in combating climate change. Learn how the country’s most modern city is also amongst its greenest as you get around town via electric city tram.

Day 7: Bordeaux

Discover Bordeaux’s many charms today, either on foot with a local expert or on two wheels—the locals’ preferred way to navigate the city’s charming backstreets. You have a wonderful selection of active opportunities to see this magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Site. Choose between... Do as the Locals Do: Bordeaux Walking Tour Catch a tram at the Quai des Chartrons to the Place de la Comédie, the heart of Bordeaux’ Golden Triangle. Though Bordeaux was the capital of Aquitaine in the Middle Ages and has its share of Gothic churches, it reached its apex in the 18th century. or Let’s Go: Bike Bordeaux Backstreets Hop on a bike and wheel with your expert guide along the Quai des Chartrons, a riverfront neighborhood that was the purview of British wine merchants back when they dominated the wine trade. Choose between... Stroll into the Artists’ Village of Veere Wander with the Cruise Manager through Veere’s central marketplace, where you will spot the well-known Scottish Houses, so called because Scottish wool merchants built them early in the 16th century when Veere was the primary port for Scottish trade goods. or Delta Works Drive The Dutch have been protecting their lowlands from the sea for 2,000 years. Back in 1953, a particularly bad storm flooded the countryside and killed almost 2,000 people, so they began a series of massive engineering projects called the Delta Works. Learn about the storm-surge barrier.

Day 8: Bordeaux, disembark

Disembark the ship. If your cruise package includes a group departure transfer or if you have purchased a private departure transfer, you will be transferred to Bordeaux-Mérignac International Airport for your flight home. Choose between... Bruges Walking Tour with Canal Cruise See why Bruges gives Amsterdam a run for its money as the “Venice of the North” as you cruise through the UNESCO-designated city center. The town grew up around a fort built by the first Count of Flanders as a defense against Viking invaders. or Ghent Walking Tour Since cars are completely banned in Ghent’s historic center, it’s a particularly pedestrian-friendly area. Stroll with your guide from the Church of Saint James, with its two Romanesque towers, to the Friday Market square, which, as its name suggests, was the site of a huge market.

Ship info

S.S. Bon Voyage
Introducing the S.S. Bon Voyage, our latest Super Ship gracing Bordeaux's rivers, promising an immersive journey into French culture, art, and wine. From the polished wood lobby adorned with brass accents to the emerald-hued bar, Le Salon Champagne, reminiscent of Yves Saint Laurent's Villa Majorelle, every detail exudes French elegance.

Terms & conditions

Prices is per single cabin, include discounts, and are subject to availability and rate of exchange changes. Offers above are a guide only and will vary depending on departure date, our guide price is based on the cheapest departure within the stipulated season and availability is correct at time of loading. Visas may be necessary and insurance is essential. Pentravel and Tour Operator terms and conditions apply, and can be requested. Excludes flights, transfers, visas, travel insurance and anything not mentioned. Savings are not valid on all itineraries and/or departure dates, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. High season supplements and block out dates may apply, pricing varies pending departure date. Package excludes flights. You can do optional free-time add-on experiences in your free time and pay for them as you travel (additional costs apply). Uniworld reserves the right to withdraw promotional offers and adjust savings anytime. All savings / discounts mentioned have already been included in the advertised price. Advertised price is based on 30 March 2025. At time of loading this may not be a definite departure. 2025 Early Booking Savings: SAVE 10% on all stateroom categories. Book by 30 September 2024 and pay in full at time of booking to be eligible for this offer. Pentravel and Tour Operator reserves the right to withdraw or amend promotional offers at any time. These packages are based on CASH price. E&OE;.

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2025 Early Booking Saving
R68,000
R54,400
per person sharing including port charge
Details
Valid on 6 Apr 2025
Stay
8 days
Dates
06 Apr 25 to 13 Apr 25
Book by
31 October 24
Experience ID
302
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