This tour is rated easy to moderate with daily cycling distances from 30 to 50 km (18 - 32 miles). The terrain is relatively flat with short climbs out of the river valleys onto the intervening vineyard area. Cycling tours in the basic package are semi-guided in that the tour leader provides daily briefings of the tour and participants cycle individually at their own pace with bicycle maps and route directions. The tour leader will be cycling all tours as well and can be reached on her/his mobile phone in case of questions or problems. Guided cycling packages can be booked, but only in advance: a group of max. 25 cyclists will be guided by an English speaking tour guide. Supplement will apply.

Day 1: Castets-en- Dorthe - Canal des Deux Mers, approx. 15 km
Individual arrival and optional transfer from the meeting point at Gare St. Jean train station in Bordeaux to the mooring location of the boat near the Canal des Deux Mers at Castets-en-Dorthe, located in the middle of the Garonne Valley. Embarkation starts at 03:00 p.m. You can enjoy an optional short first test bike ride around Castets, exploring this flat and fertile region aptly named "Little Holland" with its walnut trees, kiwi orchards and vegetable fields. Following the bike path along the Canal des Deux Mers (Canal of Two Seas) that links the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, you will discover this lush rural countryside. In the evening, a welcome cocktail awaits you on board.

Day 2: Castets-en-Dorthe – Cadillac, approx. 35 - 50 km
After a restful night on board, you will be ready to discover by bike the Sauternais region, where sweet dessert wines are produced. Part of the route follows the winding banks of the Ciron river, whose icy waters flow into the warmer waters of the Garonne. In the autumn, when the climate is warm and dry, the combination of the two different temperatures produce a mist that descends on the vineyards, promoting the perfect conditions for the famous Sauternes wine. The country roads are dotted with picturesque chateaux whose elegant turrets rule over an ocean of colorful vines. Time seems frozen in the medieval era when Englishmen ruled the region. In the late afternoon, back on board again, the tour continues by ship, heading downstream along the Garonne River to reach Loupiac or Cadillac, a small town with a towering castle.

Day 3: Cadillac - Bordeaux, approx. 40 km
Cadillac is located in the region of Graves, also known as the birthplace of Bordeaux wines. It is a fortified medieval village known as a Bastide in the Entre-Deux-Mers wine region in between the Garonne and Dordogne rivers. The cycling itinerary today leads through this "Premieres Côtes de Bordeaux" wine growing area. There is an opportunity to visit the former residence of the writer Francois Mauriac and Malromé castle, house of the painter Toulouse-Lautrec, built in the sixteenth century. Wine tastings are offered here! Once back on board, you will sail the Garonne River towards the enchanting city of Bordeaux, reaching the passage of the famous Stone Bridge and the pier in the city center, facing the region’s most prestigious panorama: the Stone Bridge, Place de la Bourse and Quai des Chartrons which intermingle in a single view.

Day 4: Heart of Bordeaux, approx. 15 km
The tour guide will propose a city tour of Bordeaux to discover its architectural gems on two wheels: this short cycling tour, mainly over cycling lanes, along both sides of the Garonne river in the cycling capital of France offers beautiful panorama views of the waterfront and the city. In the afternoon, enjoy the UNESCO sites of Bordeaux during a walking or cycling tour. Its main attractions are the royal entrance of the city (Cailhau Gate), the Big Bell of Pey Berlan, the Golden Triangle, the Girondins column, the water mirror… and more. You will discover beautiful squares, a hidden garden or quaint location where you can do a tasting of the Bordeaux renowned "cannelés" and coffee or fresh oysters and white wine. There is free time in the afternoon to shop or explore. Be sure to explore the town’s streets and shops where wine is as old as the underground cellars carved in stone or to visit the newly opened La Cité du Vin.

Day 5: Bordeaux – Bourg, approx. 40 km
In the morning the ship cruises from Bordeaux to Lamarque in the Gironde estuary, to start your cycling tour in the famous Médoc wine area. Winding your way through vineyards, you will discover some of Médocs most beautiful castles and prestigious wineries, which pride in 21 first great classified growth, including the Châteaux Palmer, Issan, Lewis Brown, Rauzan Segla, Ferrière, and the last but not least Château Margaux. You can stop at one of these great wine estates for a visit / tasting (optional) and learn everything about classifications before returning to the boat. In the late afternoon, the ship will cruise the wide Gironde estuary to the jetty of Bourg, a picturesque little town near the conjunction of the Gironde and Dordogne rivers. The old city center overlooks the Gironde estuary.

Day 6: Bourg – Fronsac/Libourne, approx. 35 - 50 km
You will enter the Côtes de Blaye vineyard. Its wine chateaux may be little known but their production has nothing to envy to its more famous neighbors on the more famous opposite river bank of Médoc. You will be surprised to see what this region holds in secret behind its hilly landscape covered with endless vines and dotted with scattered fairy tale chateaux and elegant manor houses. Since the Middle Ages, countless numbers of pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostella have passed through this region. Be enchanted by the "douceur de vivre" (sweet life), so typical for this wine region. In Blaye, take a short loop through the Vauban Fortess (on the UNESCO World Heritage List) to admire this military masterwork of the architect of Louis XIV, the "Sun King", before you return to Bourg by cycling part of the ‘Corniche’, a scenic, quiet road along the Gironde estuary. In the evening you will sail to Fronsac / Libourne on the Dordogne river.

Day 7: Fronsac/Libourne – Rundtour St. Émilion/Pomerol, approx. 35 - 50 km
In Libourne you can stroll to the picturesque city square, lined with buildings dating as far back as the 16th century. You can visit the weekly market on Friday mornings, before starting your exploration of the famous Pomerol and Saint-Émilion wine areas. Pedaling the countryside, bristling with vines, you will enjoy riding through this unspoiled UNESCO World Heritage landscape. Cycling the landscape provides a unique view of the village’s medieval lanes and surrounding vineyards. Take some time to visit beautiful Saint-Émilion. Your ride will continue on small picturesque back roads and paths where you will get a glimpse of Saint Émilion’s most famous châteaux. Along the way you will see some of the first classified wines such as Angelus, Ausonne, Cheval Blanc, Petrus - some of the world’s most famous wine estates. A true paradise for wine lovers!

Day 8: Fronsac/Libourne
After your final breakfast on board, it will be time for a return transfer (optional) to the pre-agreed drop off point at the Gare St. Jean train station of Bordeaux. Disembarkation before 09:00 a.m.

Day 1: Fronsac/Libourne, approx. 10 - 15 km
Individual arrival and optional bus transfer from the meeting point at the Gare St. Jean train station in Bordeaux to the mooring location of the MS Bordeaux in Fronsac/Libourne on the Dordogne River. After settling into your cabin, try out your cycling legs with a short first bike ride in the Libourne / Fronsac region. In the evening, a welcome cocktail awaits you on board.

Day 2: Fronsac/Libourne - Bourg, approx. 35 - 50 km
Your day starts with a visit and stroll to the picturesque Libourne city square lined with buildings dating as far back as the 16th century and the (partly covered) commodity market. In Libourne your exploration of the famous Pomerol and Saint-Émilion wine areas starts. You will enjoy cycling through this unspoiled UNESCO World Heritage landscape on small picturesque back roads and paths. Along the way you will pass the prestigious Angelus, Ausone, Cheval Blanc and Petrus châteaux and vineyards – some of the world’s most famous wine estates – a true paradise for wine lovers! Highlight is a visit of Saint Emilion. In the evening the ship will cruise down the river to the small town of Bourg at the conjunction of the Dordogne and Garonne rivers where you will berth for the night.

Day 3: Bourg - Blaye round tour + Blaye Fortress (UNESCO Site), approx. 35 - 50 km
You cycle and visit village squares and towering chateaux. Be enchanted by the ‘douceur de vivre’ (sweet life), so typical for this wine region, the Côtes de Blaye vineyards. While the wine from this region may be lesser known than some ‘neighbors’ in the St. Emilion, Pomerol and Médoc areas, the quality of the wines produced is second to none. As you cycle you will see endless vineyards, fairy tale chateaux and elegant manor houses. Since the Middle Ages countless numbers of pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostella in Spain have passed through this region. In Blaye, take a short loop through the Vauban citadel to admire the military masterwork of the architect of ‘Sun King’ Louis XIV. Return to Bourg via the ‘Corniche’, a scenic, quiet road along the Gironde estuary.

Day 4: Bourg – Bordeaux, approx. 40 km
This morning you will enjoy breakfast while sailing the wide Gironde estuary to the jetty of Lamarque. Later, as you wind your way through the vineyards, you will pass some of Margaux’s best wineries including the châteaux Palmer, Issan, Lewis Brown, Rauzan Segla, Ferrière, and last but not least, Château Margaux. You will have the opportunity to stop at one of these great wine estates for a visit / tasting (optional). In the late afternoon the MS Bordeaux will sail along the Garonne River towards the enchanting city of Bordeaux. The ship will berth for the night in the city center where you will see the region’s most prestigious panorama: the Stone Bridge, Place de
la Bourse and Quai des Chartrons.

Day 5: Heart of Bordaux, approx. 15 km
The highlight today is a visit of the city of Bordeaux where you will have the opportunity to explore the historical city the best way possible – on two wheels. Enjoy fantastic views of the old city’s waterfront during a bike ride on the new bike paths along the Garonne river. You will have an introduction with the town’s historical background, followed by the exploration of some of its main attractions, walking of by bike; the royal entrance of the city (Cailhau Gate), the Big Bell of Pey Berlan, the Golden Triangle, the Girondins column, the water mirror and Place de la Bourse… and more. Visit historic squares, a hidden garden and quaint locations where you can stop for a tasting of Bordeaux’s renowned "cannelés" and coffee or take some fresh oysters and white wine. There is free time in the afternoon to shop or explore. Be sure to explore the town’s streets and shops where fine wines are still stored in underground cellars carved in stone or to visit the newly opened La Cité du Vin. After dinner you will cruise the Garonne to the picturesque town of Cadillac.

Day 6: Cadillac – Castets-en- Dorthe, approx. 35 - 50 km
You will discover the Sauternais region, famous for the sweet dessert wines produced in the area. Part of the route follows the winding banks of the small Ciron River, whose icy waters flow into the warmer waters of the Garonne. In autumn, when the climate is warm and dry, the combination of the two different temperatures produce a mist that descends on the vineyards, promoting perfect conditions for the famous Sauternes wine. The country roads are dotted with picturesque chateaux whose elegant turrets rule over an ocean of colorful vines. Time seems frozen in a medieval era when Englishmen ruled the region. In the evening cruise further upstream to the scenic village of Castets-en-Dorthe, the end of the navigable part of the Garonne River.

Day 7: Castets-en- Dorthe – Entre Deux Mers/Graves, approx. 40 km
Today’s cycling itinerary takes you through this "Premieres Côtes de Bordeaux" winegrowing area on the northern bank of the Garonne river, widely recognized as the birthplace of Bordeaux wines. You will have the opportunity to visit the former residence of the writer Francois Mauriac and Malromé Castle, the home of the painter Toulouse-Lautrec, built in the sixteenth century. Wine tastings are offered here! Your last dinner on board is in Castets-en-Dorthe.

Day 8: Castets-en-Dorthe
Disembarkation and (optional) transfer back to Bordeaux. After your final breakfast on board, it will be time for a return transfer (optional) to the pre-agreed drop off point at the train station of Bordeaux. Disembarkation before 9 a.m.

The Garonne, Gironde and Dordogne Rivers are part of a tidal river system that results in changing water levels (daily changes of up to 6 meters / 20 ft.) in the region. Every effort is made to follow the scheduled itinerary, however, based on tides it may be ammended or modified as required.