Beautiful Bordeaux with Paris & Madrid

The glittering lights of the Eiffel Tower twinkling in the night sky, romantic couples walking hand in hand along the banks of the Seine and chic locals walking the runway that is the Champs-Élysées are just some of the images conjured when thinking about Paris.   Today is yours to explore at your own pace and marvel in this great city.

After breakfast, explore Paris with your choice of Scenic Freechoice excursions.  Freechoice: Guided tour of Paris: Journey via coach through the City of Light. You’ll see some of the city’s most scenic districts and monuments. Drive along the banks of the beautiful Seine River and pass Palais Garnier, the 19th century opera house, the Louvre, one of the world’s largest art museums, and the impressive Les Invalides complex. Secrets of Montmartre:  Step back in time as you trapse the winding cobblestone streets of the district that has been home to many famous artists for centuries and once you see the beauty of this district you will understand why. See some of the quirky characteristics of the district including the greenspace in the middle of the city, the vineyard of Montmartre that produces some 27 varieties of wine.

After breakfast, transfer via high speed train to Bordeaux where your friendly crew will welcome you on board the Scenic Diamond ready for your cruise along the waterways of the Bordeaux region.

Admire the tranquil riverside scenery as you sail towards Libourne this morning. After lunch, join a tour to nearby Saint-Émilion. This World Heritage-listed village has thousands of years of history and beautifully-preserved medieval buildings. Explore the unique Monolithic Church, which is mostly underground and carved directly into the limestone. This evening your Scenic Space-Ship will be docked overnight in Libourne, a beautiful 13th century port and winemaking capital of northern Gironde.

This morning, spend some time exploring Libourne and its surrounds.   Freechoice: Today choose from the following Scenic Freechoice options. Walking tour of Libourne: Take a guided tour of Libourne, with its rich history linked to the trade of wool, wine, salt and wood. Wines and Vineyards of Saint-Émilion: Journey to the countryside of Saint Emilion and explore its vineyards before a tasting. Biking and tasting at Château Siaurac: Cycle through this acclaimed wine-growing region to the impressive estate of Château Siaurac and enjoy a tasting. Paint and Pour: Join a local artist for a class on the Sun Deck of Scenic Diamond. Learn watercolour techniques and create your own masterpiece while sipping local wines. Set sail this afternoon for Fort Médoc, where you’ll dock overnight.

The Médoc region is considered the world’s leading red wine producer and is home to many legendary châteaux. Today, you’ll have the chance to explore this remarkable wine region. Freechoice: Today choose from the following Scenic Freechoice options. Médoc wine tasting by coach: With more than 16,000 hectares of vineyards across eight appellations, Médoc is home to the epic ‘Route des Chateaux’, or ‘Route of Castles’. On this coach tour you will travel through this scenic region to a local winery and enjoy a tasting of their wines. Médoc wine tasting by bicycle: Discover the spectacular Médoc countryside by e-bike today and see many grand aristocratic châteaux in the world’s leading red wine producing region. Afterwards, sample the region’s finest at one of the prestigious estates. Enrich Classical Concert at Château dAgassac: Set in spectacular surrounds in the Medoc countryside, Château DAgassac dates to the 13th century and is one of the oldest winemaking establishments in the region. Soak in the ambience of this magnificent property as live musicians perform classical masterpieces for your exclusive enjoyment.

Relax on board this morning as you sail to Cadillac. You could enjoy a treatment at the spa^ or learn more about French cuisine in the Scenic Culinaire cooking school. You will arrive into Cadillac after lunch. This picturesque town was founded in 1280 and retains many of its grand historic buildings. In 1701 French explorer Antoine de la Mothe, sieur de Cadillac took his name from the town and established the port of Fort Pontchartrain du Détroit, which would become modern day Detroit where the American auto industry began. The Cadillac car is named in his honour.

Cadillac is close to the Sauternes wine region, which is known for its sweet, fortified styles. Today, choose between a variety of experiences in the region surrounding Cadillac, from its bucolic countryside to its historic castles.  Freechoice: Morning Freechoice: Today, choose from the following Scenic Freechoice activities. Sauternes by coach: Take a coach through Sauternes to a vineyard for a tasting of the chateau’s fine wines. Sauternes by bike: Cycle through the rolling vineyards of Sauternes for a tasting. Freechoice: Afternoon Freechoice: This afternoon, choose from the following Scenic Freechoice activities. Roquetaillade Castle: Tour the ancient castle with the family whose ancestors have resided here for more than 700 years. Biking in the Loupiac wine region: Cycle the landscapes of the Gironde in the wine region of Loupiac and admire the breathtaking Château Benauge. Château Toulouse-Lautrec: During a guided tour you will discover the historic rooms of this estate including the apartments of the famous painter.

Discover Bordeaux’s multitude of culinary delights and scenic treasures today with a variety of Scenic Freechoice activities to choose from. Freechoice: Guided tour of Bordeaux: Join your local guide on a tour of Bordeaux. Discover the highlights of the city, such as the magnificent Gothic cathedral and Place de la Bourse. Cycling tour of Bordeaux: Pedal through historic Bordeaux on a guided cycling tour. Sample delicious treats such as canelé, a custard cake. Shop with a chef: Join Scenic’s on board chef at a local food market to shop for and taste the best ingredients this region has to offer before returning to Scenic Diamond for a cooking demonstration to learn the art of French fare. Back on board, your Cruise Director will organise a special treat for you, with a tasting of fresh oysters delivered straight from the waters of Arcachon Bay. Enrich Afterhours access to Bassins des Lumières: After the doors have closed to the public, you will be welcomed with a glass of Champagne to Bassins des Lumières, Bordeaux’s former WWII submarine base, now an impressive digital art installation. Be treated to an exclusive show, customised and curated just for Scenic guests.

Continue your exploration of Bordeaux today with a variety of compelling options. Freechoice: Cité du Vin Museum: Take a local tram to the Cité du Vin Museum and enjoy an interactive journey of wine discovery. Tour Bordeaux by motorbike & sidecar: Join your host as you cruise through Bordeaux in the side car and/or on the back of a motorcycle. Visit Arcachon: Join your local guide for a walking tour of the charming bayside town of Arcachon, finishing your visit at Baltard market, an undercover food hall where stallholders tout local delicacies. This afternoon you’ll enjoy time at leisure on board as you sail towards Bourg.

Your ultra-luxury Scenic Space-Ship will be docked in Bourg today, a picturesque town set on a rocky promontory. Built as a defensive château, it’s a maze of ancient alleyways, moats and bell towers on the Dordogne.  Freechoice: Today, choose from the following Scenic Freechoice activities. Bourg with Carriages Museum: Situated inside the grounds of Bourg Castle, visit the Carriages Museum with a local guide and discover the unique collection of horse-drawn carriages on display. Historic Saintes Take a tour of Saintes, a charming town in the Charente-Maritime department of southwestern France that’s steeped in 2,000 years of history and lush gardens. Full day excursion to Cognac: The fortified city of Cognac is renowned for producing some of the world’s finest brandy. Enjoy a walking tour of the town. After lunch, tour the estate of famed Rémy Martin before sampling some of the cognacs.

This morning you will arrive in Blaye. Most famously, this petite hamlet is home to a World Heritage-listed citadel that was constructed to protect Bordeaux city from enemy attacks.  Freechoice: Today, choose from the following Scenic Freechoice activities. Walking tour of Blaye: Stroll through the charming city of Blaye with a local guide, viewing a World Heritage-listed monument that overlooks the Gironde Estuary. Active walking tour of Blaye: Tour the fascinating citadel of Blaye on an active walking tour with a local guide. Gain an understanding of the defence system created by the famous architect Sébastien Vauban. Cycling along the Captain’s Road: Join an active cycling tour along the Captain’s Road. Visit Château de la Roche Courbon: Guests will discover this fortified castle transformed into a historic château with sprawling manicured gardens during a guided visit.

Board your included flight from Bordeaux to Madrid where you will stay three glorious nights.

Enjoy a tour of Madrid with a local guide this morning. You’ll explore the 17th century Austrian Quarter, the Sabatini Gardens, and the famous Cibeles and Neptuno Fountains. There will also be stops to see a traditional bullfighting ring, admire a panorama of the Royal Palace and visit the unique Templo de Debod, an Egyptian temple from the second century BC that was given to the city by the Egyptian government.  This evening, join your fellow guests for a delicious dinner in a local restaurant.

Freechoice: Today chose how you want to explore with the following Scenic Freechoice excursions: Prado Museum visit: Visit the Prado Museum where your guide will escort you through the collections which date from the 12th to the 20th century. The museum opened in 1819 and has since successfully fulfilled its mission of preserving, exhibiting and enriching its collections of art, which are closely linked to the history of Spain. Tastes of Madrid walking tour: This morning let your local guide introduce you to the flavours of Madrid. Join this walking tour through the streets of Madrid tasting local cuisine as you go. Make a stop at the bustling Mercado de San Miguel, where vendors sell gourmet tapas, cheeses, and sweets. Taste various local produce including jamón ibérico (cured Iberian ham) and croquetas (crispy, creamy croquettes), while learning about their history and significance in Spanish cuisine. Spend the afternoon strolling the fashionable boutiques that adorn the city centre’s many plazas, relaxing in one of Madrid’s manicured gardens or simply exploring the surrounding area at your leisure. 

After breakfast, transfer to Madrid airport with memories of a truly unforgettable journey.  This itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons such as high and low water. As such, the cruise may operate altered from that stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions.