Guest of Honour 
Gastronomy & Wine 
Guest Speaker 
Superior Stateroom
10% Ponant Bonus
21 m2
3
- Last staterooms
Gastronomy, Vineyards & Grands Crus
Lisbon - Bordeaux
Dates:
10/4/2023
to
19/4/2023
days
nights on board
An exceptional cruise focused on wine and gastronomy, in partnership with Château Latour and with featured guest starred chef Nicolas Isnard.
From Lisbon to Bordeaux, PONANT invites you to join an exceptional gastronomic and oenological cruise in partnership with Château Latour along the Portuguese, Spanish and French coasts. Get a different perspective on the Atlantic Ocean coastline during this 11-day trip aboard L’Austral.
Setting sail from Lisbon, the seven-hilled Portuguese capital, you will chart a course for the port of Leixoes, from where you will reach the city of Porto. Capital of the northern region of Portugal, this ‘city of granite, the centre of which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, is renowned for its wine.
Your journey will continue to Galicia and the city of Vigo, the biggest fishing port in Spain. Not far from here, Santiago de Compostela awaits you. This unmissable pilgrimage destination is home to a number of monuments from the Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque periods, testimony to its illustrious past.
L’Austral will then head for the capital of the Spanish Basque Country, Bilbao. Between daring architecture and the continuation of its ancestral traditions, you will be able to enjoy the city’s unique energy.
You will conclude your exploration of Basque Country on the French side with a stay in the city of Saint-Jean-de-Luz, before reaching the beautiful fortified town of Talmont-sur-Gironde.
During your last call in Pauillac, you will have the opportunity to make several visits and wine tastings at some very beautiful wine estates in the Saint-Estephe, Margaux, and Pauillac appellations.
Your cruise will end in Bordeaux, the wine capital of the world.
Ref : AU100423
Your itinerary
An exceptional cruise focused on wine and gastronomy, in partnership with Château Latour and with featured guest starred chef Nicolas Isnard. UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the historic centre of Porto from...
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Your trip in detail
Choose your stateroom
Choose your stateroom
Superior Stateroom
(21 m2)
From AU$8,440
10% Ponant Bonus
Deluxe Stateroom
(18 m2)
From AU$9,160
10% Ponant Bonus
Prestige Deck 4
(18 m2)
From AU$10,170
10% Ponant Bonus
Prestige Deck 5
(18 m2)
Fully booked
10% Ponant Bonus
Prestige Deck 6
(18 m2)
From AU$11,290
10% Ponant Bonus
Deluxe Suite
(27 m2)
Fully booked
10% Ponant Bonus
Prestige Deck 5 Suite
(37 m2)
Fully booked
10% Ponant Bonus
Prestige Deck 6 Suite
(37 m2)
Fully booked
10% Ponant Bonus
Owner's Suite
(45 m2)
Fully booked
Complete your trip
Complete your trip
Shore Excursions, Overlands & Pre/Post Programmes
To complete your voyage, PONANT can organise a range of shore excursions, pre & post cruise activities and packages, plus transfers.
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*Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability, and subject to change at any time. The category of stateroom to which this price applies may no longer be available.
Services provided
- 24h room service
- Inclusive Internet access Wi-Fi (availability dependent on navigation and latitude)
- Individually-controlled air conditioning
- Dressing room with shelves and closet
- Dressing table and hairdryer
- Dyptique Paris top-of-the-line bath products
- Minibar included
- Nespresso coffee maker and boiler
- Electronic safe
- Direct line telephone
- Bose Bluetooth speaker
- Flat screen TV, international channels (availability dependent on navigation) and videos on demand
- 110V American (two flat pins)/220V European (round sockets with two round pins)
- Three ADA staterooms
Select your stateroom category
Nicolas Isnard
Nicolas Isnard was born in August 1977, the 18th, in the south of France, next to the Mediterranean Sea: « Sea was my childhood ».
His taste for cooking came from his grandmother. Curious, fond of food and gourmet, he learns how to cook by her side.
From his years of learning in Sète, at the « Terrasses du Lido », Nicolas keeps the rigor with a big R, the discipline, and the rules to live in community.
His passion, energy and rigor allowed him to evolve, and work at the end of his apprenticeship, at 22, as a « Chef de partie » for a Relais & Château 1 * Michelin restaurant:
« Le Prieuré ».
He became Head chef of the « Auberge du Vieux Puits » at only 25. This restaurant is today a 3* Michelin, headed by Gilles Goujon. That is where he met his actual partner David le Comte.
In June 2008, with Cécile Sagory, David le Comte and Jessica Jean, he bought the Auberge de la Charme à Prenois, a few kilometers from Dijon.
Together, they decided to face the challenge of making their clients forget the former chef known for his molecular cuisine.
Their cuisine: a mix between tradition and innovation. Within a year they got a Michelin star.
Languages spoken : French and English
Photo credit : Christophe Fouquin
Bernard Antony
Bernard Antony, whose business operates in Vieux-Ferrette (Alsace), is one of the most renowned cheese ripeners in the world. His Alsace cellar plays host to a high-end international clientele. Prince Albert of Monaco and Archduke Otto of Austria have both been known to visit his boutique. Today, nineteen 3-star Michelin restaurants entrust Antony with their cheese board selection. Prominent French chefs from Alain Ducasse to Pierre Gagnaire are among those keen to access these heavenly cheeses, as are the major vineyards which use the services of this master cheese ripener in Vieux-Ferrette.
Language spoken: French
Photo credit: Marcel Ehrhard
Alain Miossec
A graduate with a PhD on “France Atlantic coastal nature management”, Alain Miossec is an expert on the sea and coasts. He has written several books on the subject (Les littoraux entre nature et aménagement, SEDES 1998, 3 éditions), a dictionary of the sea and coasts (Presses Universitaires de Rennes, 2012), Géographie des mers et des océans (PU Rennes 2014) and dozens of articles.
Since retiring in 2011, Alain Miossec has turned his attention and talent to cultural issues and now teaches wine at Nantes University.
His latest publications are about cuisine associated with the sea, particularly his latest work coedited with Jean Robert Pitte, La mer nourricière, un défi millénaire (gastronomy of the sea and managing resources).
Languages spoken: French, English
Photo credit: ARR
Laetitia Ouspointour
Laetitia Ouspointour is an oenologist and winemaker in the Bordeaux region where she trains 4,000 people a year in wine discovery.
She is the granddaughter of organic winegrowers in Saint-Émilion and has a degree from the Faculty of Oenology in Bordeaux. She is also a sommelier who has completed a diploma with the Wine & Spiti Eductaion Trust abroad.
Her activity is divided between training for individuals, events (with references such as the Cannes Festival) and accompanying professionals (she teaches at the Paul Bocuse Institute in Lyon for sommeliers and wine merchants).
Currently, she has invented a box that allows 4 people to follow a tasting course for 1 hour, then with the help of a pipette, the participants make their own wine. She won a medal at the Lépine competition for her invention in 2022.
She will make you discover the wines of Bordeaux under another angle, that of the assembly through wines of the right bank and the left bank, you will discover how to work out a balanced wine and especially that which resembles you.
Her approach remains friendly and accessible, she will take you on a journey through the aromas of Bordeaux wines.
Languages spoken: French and English
Photo credit: ARR
Subject to withdrawal in case of force majeure
Nicolas Isnard
Nicolas Isnard was born in August 1977, the 18th, in the south of France, next to the Mediterranean Sea: « Sea was my childhood ».
His taste for cooking came from his grandmother. Curious, fond of food and gourmet, he learns how to cook by her side.
From his years of learning in Sète, at the « Terrasses du Lido », Nicolas keeps the rigor with a big R, the discipline, and the rules to live in community.
His passion, energy and rigor allowed him to evolve, and work at the end of his apprenticeship, at 22, as a « Chef de partie » for a Relais & Château 1 * Michelin restaurant:
« Le Prieuré ».
He became Head chef of the « Auberge du Vieux Puits » at only 25. This restaurant is today a 3* Michelin, headed by Gilles Goujon. That is where he met his actual partner David le Comte.
In June 2008, with Cécile Sagory, David le Comte and Jessica Jean, he bought the Auberge de la Charme à Prenois, a few kilometers from Dijon.
Together, they decided to face the challenge of making their clients forget the former chef known for his molecular cuisine.
Their cuisine: a mix between tradition and innovation. Within a year they got a Michelin star.
Languages spoken : French and English
Photo credit : Christophe Fouquin
Ideal clothes for life on board:
During the days spent on board, you are advised to wear comfortable clothes or casual outfits. The entire ship is air-conditioned, so a light sweater, a light jacket or a shawl may be necessary. When moving about in the public areas of the ship and the decks, light but comfortable shoes are recommended.
Informal evening:
In the evening, you are advised to wear smart-casual attire, especially when dining in our restaurants where wearing shorts and tee-shirts is not allowed.
For women:
- Simple dress
- Skirt or trousers
- Blouse
- Polo
For men:
- Pleated trousers or chinos
- Sports jacket
- Shirt
- Polo
Officer’s evening:
For all cruises longer than 8 nights, an Officer’s Evening with a white dress code may be organized. Therefore, we encourage you to bring a stylish white outfit for the occasion (otherwise black and white).
Gala evening:
During the cruise, two gala evenings will be organised on board. Thus, we recommend that you bring one or two formal outfits.
For women:
- Cocktail attire
- Evening dress (if you wish to)
For men:
- Dark suit
- Tie recommended, possibly bow tie (if you wish to)
SHOP:
A small shop is available on board offering a wide range of outfits, jewellery, leather goods and many accessories.
A laundry service (washing/ironing) is available on board, but unfortunately there are no dry cleaning services. For safety reasons, your cabin is not equipped with an iron.
ACCESSORIES:
- Polarized sunglasses
- Swimsuit (for the Spa on board)
- Gym wear (fitness)
- Battery charger and memory cards for your camera
- Mobile phone charger
- Hat/cap
HEALTH CARE:
- Sunscreen and after-sun lotion
- Medications and prescriptions
OUTFITS ON BOARD:
- Casual outfits for the day
- Smarter outfits for dinners
- Elegant outfits for Gala evenings
- White or black and white outfit
PRECAUTIONS:
In your hand luggage, remember to bring any medicines that you need, and possibly a small spare bag of toiletries (in case of delay in the delivery of your baggage by the airline). Remember to always have your travel documents with you in case you need them: hotel vouchers, cruise vouchers, return flight tickets... Never leave them in your hold luggage.
All our cabins have a safe. We recommend not to go ashore with valuable jewellery.
PONANT activities
Highlights
- An exceptional cruise focused on wine and gastronomy, in partnership with Château Latour and with featured guest starred chef Nicolas Isnard.
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the historic centre of Porto from Leixões; Santiago de Compostela (Old Town) from Vigo; the Port of the Moon in Bordeaux.
- In Bilbao, it is possible to visit the famous Guggenheim Museum.
- Discover the green and historic region of the Basque Country during two ports of call: Bilbao and Saint-Jean-de-Luz.
- Opportunity to discover and taste exceptional wines during your ports of call at Pauillac and Bordeaux.
Ports of Call & Excursions
10 April 2023 - Lisbon
Embarkation 10/4/2023 From 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Departure 10/4/2023 at 6:00 pm
Portugal’s capital city located on the banks of the Tagus, only a few kilometres from the Atlantic coast, is a city of exceptionally rich cultural diversity. At the mouth of the river harbour, impose two UNESCO World Heritage monuments, Jeronimos monastery and Belem tower. The Alfama hillside is also worth visiting: known for its fado bars and its Moorish streets, this district is the oldest one of the city and one of the most typical. Not far from there, Chiado’s elegant streets are home to big fashion labels and are an invitation to a bit of of luxury shopping.
11 April 2023 - Leixões - Porto
Arrival 11/4/2023 early afternoon
Departure 11/4/2023 early evening
Located at the mouth of the Douro River, the port of Leixões lies less than 10 kilometres from Porto. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the historic centre of Porto is worth a visit for its famous Ribeira district, the metallic silhouette of the Dom-Luis bridge looming over its ancient houses, its richly decorated Baroque churches and its national Soares dos Reis museum. The São Bento station is also interesting for its typically Portuguese decoration, using Azulejos, blue square ceramic tiles decorated with geometric patterns or figurative scenes.
12 April 2023 - Vigo – Santiago de Compostela
Arrival 12/4/2023 early morning
Departure 12/4/2023 late afternoon
Nestling on the Atlantic coast, in the south of Galicia, the former fishing port of Vigo is now the region’s largest municipality. Its old town, more commonly known as O Berbés, will unveil its many historical monuments and the unusual architectural style of its homes. Off the coast, the Cíes Islands, declared a Nature Reserve and located in the Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park, offer truly splendid landscapes and exceptional biodiversity. Further north, make sure you visit Santiago de Compostela, which welcomes many pilgrims from all over the world every year. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, its historical centre has significant architectural heritage.
13 April 2023 - At sea
Arrival 13/4/2023
Departure 13/4/2023
During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This journey without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, or to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.
14 April 2023 - Bilbao
Arrival 14/4/2023 midday
Departure 14/4/2023 early evening
Bilbao, capital of the Spanish Basque country, is one of the most avant-garde cities in Europe. Its architectural audacity as well as its ancient built heritage will take you on a journey between traditions and innovations. An unusual cable car will allow you to reach the magnificent Guggenheim Museum, a unique construction of stone, glass and titanium, designed by the architect Frank Gehry and home to a collection of modern art and contemporary monumental sculpture. The narrow streets of the old city and the unmissable Ensanche district are also worthy of a visit, as is the Vizcaya bridge, the world’s first ever transporter bridge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
15 April 2023 - Saint-Jean-de-Luz
Arrival 15/4/2023 early morning
Departure 15/4/2023 evening
A renowned seaside resort in the South West of France, Saint-Jean-de-Luz is a picturesque and authentic town with a rich history. In particular, King Louis XIV married Maria Teresa in the famous Saint Jean the Baptist church in 1660. The seafront unveils stunning views, between the Basque architecture and the Cantabrian Sea. An unforgettable bay, which was frequented in the 17th century by privateers and wealthy ship-owners.
16 April 2023 - Talmont-sur-Gironde
Arrival 16/4/2023 midday
Departure 16/4/2023 late afternoon
You will sail along the coast to discover the remarkable Meschers caves, natural cavities carved into the chalk cliffs that loom over the Gironde estuary. Enlarged by man in the 19th century, they became troglodyte dwellings, some of which are still inhabited today. Punctuating the coastline of the Charente region with their poetic presence, the carrelets, fragile-looking huts on stilts fitted with a square fishing net, can be seen along the Saintonge coastline. The beautiful town of Talmont-sur-Gironde is to be found at the heart of the fortified city founded by Edward I, King of England and Duke of Aquitaine. The Sainte-Radegonde church, a jewel of Romanesque art, dating from the 12th century, looms majestically over the estuary.
17 April 2023 - Pauillac
Arrival 17/4/2023 early morning
Departure 17/4/2023 late evening
Discover Pauillac, a town in southwestern France located a few kilometres away from Bordeaux, stretching along the Gironde. The undisputed capital of Médoc, Pauillac will open up its magical universe for you, from culture and heritage to vineyards and châteaux. This stop will be a voyage of myriad flavours, particularly during the tasting of the region’s wines, revealing their soft ruby colours and reflections turning amber with time. Enjoy both a sensorial adventure and an adventure into the heart of the town. Don’t miss the visit of Saint Martin’s Church or the mysterious grotto of Artigues, dominated by a statue of the Virgin Mary. As for the Aspic Tower, it is topped with a dome from which the harvesters’ work used to be overseen.
18 April 2023 19 April 2023 - Bordeaux
Arrival 18/4/2023 early morning
Disembarkation 19/4/2023 at 7:00 am
Bordeaux stretches along the banks of the Garonne river, in South-West France. Its rich wine tradition makes it the world capital of wine. Let yourself be carried away by the history of the Port de la Lune, made a UNESCO World Heritage site for its prestigious classical architecture. On the famous Place de la Bourse, the past and the present unite: here you can observe the majestic old buildings reflected in the contemporary Miroir d’eau creation.
Porto city tour & wine tasting
From the pier, board your coach and start your 30-minute scenic drive to Porto.
Upon arrival, you will visit the Francis Church which is the most prominent Gothic monument in Porto and is also noted for its outstanding Baroque inner decoration.
You will continue your walk to the riverside, also known as the Ribeira one of Port’s landmarks, you will enjoy free time for shopping and stroll around this area.
You will then be driven to the Taylor’s wine cellar. Taylor’s is the archetypal Port house and it wines the quintessential Ports. Established over three centuries ago in 1692, Taylor’s is one of the oldest of the founding Port houses. It is dedicated entirely to the production of Port wine and in particular to its finest styles. Above all, Taylor’s is regarded as the benchmark for Vintage Port.
Noted for their elegance and poise as well as for their restrained power and longevity, Taylor’s Vintage Ports are blended from the finest wines of the firm’s own quintas or estates, Vargellas, Terra Feita and Junco. These three iconic properties, each occupying a distinct geographic location and with their own unique character, are the cornerstone of the company’s success and the main source of its unique and inimitable house style.
Taylor’s is also respected as a producer of wood aged ports and holds one of the largest reserves of rare cask aged wines from which its distinguished aged tawny Ports are drawn. The house is also known as the originator of Late Bottled Vintage, a style which the firm pioneered and of which it remains the leading producer. Based in Porto and the Douro Valley the family company is closely involved in all stages of the production of its Ports, from the planting of the vineyard, the cultivation of the grapes to the making, ageing, blending and the bottling of the wines. The family’s commitment to the future of Port is demonstrated in its single-minded dedication to the highest standards in Port production, its continued investment in all aspects of the firm’s operations and its determination to preserve the unique environment of the Douro Valley through the promotion of sustainable and responsible viticulture.
Following your visit and wine tasting, join your coach with a 30-minute drive back to the ship.
- This tour involves moderate walking on both uneven and flat surfaces and includes several steps inside the monuments and the wine cellar. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. The tour is not recommended for guests with limited mobility. Appropriate clothing is required to enter religious sites: shoulders and knees must be covered. The wine tasting is included on your tour. In case of religious services, the visit of the church will be an outside visit only.
Total : €110
According to availability, price per passenger.
Porto through your camera
From the pier, board your coach and start your 30-minute panoramic drive to explore Porto. Accompanied with a professional photographer, you will capture the main highlights of the city.
Porto, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996, is the gateway for a journey across the natural and cultural diversity of the region. It is known for the Porto wine which is shipped from here all over the world, but also for a heritage which combines ancient churches and monuments, such as the Cathedral and the Church of São Francisco, and modern buildings, such as Casa da Música and the Serralves Museum. The city is also famous for its School of Architecture which bred names like Álvaro Siza Vieira and Eduardo Souto de Moura, both winners of the Pritzker Prize.
Strolling through the city, you will discover the Cathedral which is located in the historical centre. It is one of the city's oldest monuments and one of the most important Romanesque monuments in Portugal.
Your walk will lead you to the Ribeira area, one of the city's oldest neighbourhood. Historically the quayside here was one of the busiest points on the River Douro with cargo ships sailing both up and down-stream and landing here. Today it is equally bustling but the major trade here is now tourism.
You will then cross the art street of Rua da Restauração before reaching the Santa Catarina Belvedere overlooking the Douro river.
Finally, you will join your coach for a 30-minute drive to your ship in Leixões.
- This tour involves 3 hours of walking on both uneven and flat surfaces and includes several steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. This tour will be done with your own camera. The professional photographer speaks only English. This tour is limited to 20 participants.
Total : €90
According to availability, price per passenger.
Santiago de Compostela
From the pier, you will board your coach and drive to Santiago de Compostela (a one-hour and fifteen-minute drive), one of the most important cities in Europe and the third most important place in the world for Christian pilgrimage.
Your tour will start by the Obradoiro Square where your guide will present you all the details of this square during a walking tour. You can admire the Cathedral, the Town hall, the Pazo (Palace of Saint Jerome) and the Hostal dos Reis Católicos. This former hospital was built in 1501 by orders of Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile to welcome unwell pilgrims and replace the old hospital which was then on the current Plaza de la Azabachería. Today it continues to fulfil its function of hosting service to the traveller, although it has a luxurious character. Every day, a dozen pilgrims carrying their compostela (pilgrim certificate) are allowed in the kitchen to graciously receive a meal.
Your guide will give you a complete description of the outside of the Cathedral and will show you the Jubilee Door which is only opened for the pardons of each Jubilee Year.
Then, you will have some time at leisure to walk along the historical streets before meeting your guide at the Hostal dos Reis Católicos, for the lunch served in one of the dining rooms of the hotel.
Before boarding your coach to Vigo, you will enjoy an inside visit of the Cathedral with the tomb of Saint James, maybe the most important piece of the Cathedral, the “Portico da Gloria” whose lintels were laid in place in 1188, one of the capital works of mediaeval sculpture. You will also visit the museum of the Cathedral.
- This tour involves 2 km (1,5 mile) of walking on cobblestone streets with many steps during the Cathedral visit. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. Appropriate dress is recommended to enter religious sites (shoulders and knees covered). The lunch is included in your tour.
Total : €140
According to availability, price per passenger.
Pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela
From the pier, you will board your coach and drive to your starting point of your hiking on the way of cross, 45-minute drive.
You will walk on the Spanish part of the way of cross borrowed by the pilgrims, to this day, to join Santiago de Compostela.
Santiago de Compostela is one of the most important cities in Europe and the third most important place in the world for Christian pilgrimage.
Once arriving, you will discover the Obradoiro Square where your guide will present you all the details of this square during a walking tour. You can admire the Cathedral, the Town hall, the Pazo (Palace of Saint Jerome) and the Hostal dos Reis Católicos. This former hospital was built in 1501 by orders of Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile to welcome unwell pilgrims and replace the old hospital which was then on the current Plaza de la Azabachería. Today it continues to fulfil its function of hosting service to the traveller, although it has a luxurious character. Every day, a dozen pilgrims carrying their compostela (pilgrim certificate) are allowed in the kitchen to graciously receive a meal.
Your guide will give you a complete description of the outside of the Cathedral and will show you the Jubilee Door which is only opened for the pardons of each Jubilee Year.
Then, you will have some time at leisure to walk along the historical streets before meeting your guide at the Hostal dos Reis Católicos, for the lunch served in one of the dining rooms of the hotel.
Continue with an inside visit of the Cathedral with the tomb of Saint James, maybe the most important piece of the Cathedral, the “Portico da Gloria” whose lintels were laid in place in 1188, one of the capital works of mediaeval sculpture. You will also visit the museum of the Cathedral.
Finally, reboard your coach to join your ship, a one-hour and fifteen-minute drive.
- This tour involves active walking on uneven grounds and cobblestone streets with many steps during the Cathedral visit. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. Appropriate dress is recommended to enter religious sites (shoulders and knees covered). The lunch is included in your tour.
Total : €140
According to availability, price per passenger.
Vigo & Baiona
From the pier, you will board your coach and start your scenic drive towards Monte Castro. Once arriving, you will enjoy a panoramic view on Vigo, its bay and its harbour.
Jules Verne wrote that Captain Nemo’s best kept secret was in Vigo. Did you know that this is where the Nautilus submarine came to stock up on gold? In Vigo’s estuary there are dozens of sunken ships loaded with the gold from the Americas, treasures that have not yet come to light.
Back to coach, you will drive to Baiona, one of the most important and characteristic fishing villages on the Galicia coast.
Here you will visit Parador Monterreal, an imposing 16th-century building that has been converted into a hotel. The fortress of Monterreal is highly evocative of times long past, with its walls (dating from the 11th to 17th centuries) and its mediaeval towers: the Reloxo, the Tenaza and the Príncipe Cativo. The walls are ideal for a pleasant stroll around the area, known as the Monte Boi Promenade, offering perfect views over the whole of Galicia’s southern coastline, and of course the town of Baiona.
Then, you will discover old centre of the village with the remains of its ancient walls. A walk through the historic centre reveals impressive pazos (manor houses), such as that of the Correa family (from the 18th century), now the town hall with a tall tower, coats of arms and beautiful balconies; the Casa Ceta (or Casa do Perdón) from the 14th century; the Casa Mendoza (or Casa do Deán) with arched walkways beneath (from the 18th century) and a superb Baroque façade, or the Casa de Salgado (from the 17th century).
Finally, re-board your coach and start your return drive to Vigo, a 45-minute drive.
- This tour involves 2 km (1,5 mile) of walking on cobblestone streets with some steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun.
Total : €60
According to availability, price per passenger.
Pazo de Rubianes & wine tasting
From the pier, you will board your coach and start your 1-hour drive to Villagarcia.
Once arriving, you will visit the Pazo de Rubianes. Located in the Arousa estuary (Pontevedra), it is one of the three official lordships in Spain. The main building was constructed in the 15th century. In the 18th century the tower was pulled down, and a summer residence with rectangular plan was created. The gardens, with more than 11 hectares, have remarkable eucalyptus trees with perimeters of 12 meters, olives and magnolias. It has geometrical flowerbeds of French style, with sequoias and camphors. Its grandiose magnolias Magnolia grandiflora L. have been included in the Galician Monumental Tree Catalogue.
With an area of 25 hectares, the vineyard of Pazo de Rubianes is the largest in the region of Salnés. Don Gonzalo Ozores of Urcola - eighteenth Lord of the House of Rubianes and Marqués de Aranda- and his wife, Mrs. Paloma Rey Fernández Latorre, were responsible for the recovery of ancient vineyards and the new vineyard project that took place between the years 1997 and 1999. Don Gonzalo, great lover of his estate, had a great devotion for his vineyards and planned to produce wine on the property again. But he could not fulfil his dream before his death in 2006. His wife, Mrs. Paloma, picked up the baton in order to realise the desire of her husband. In 2009, ten years after the recovery of the vineyards, the first wine of this new winery of Pazo de Rubianes was bottled. Built in the 15th century, the cellar smells now like wine again, and allows to preserve the quality of each vintage. Only slightly less than 30 % of the grapes produced in the vineyards of Pazo de Rubianes are chosen to give rise to these exclusive wines with which each year comes the new crop of Pazo de Rubianes and García Caamaño wines.
After enjoying a walking tour on the gardens and the cellar, you will enjoy a tasting of this exclusive wine accompanied with tapas.
Finally, re-board your coach and start your return drive to Vigo, a 1-hour drive.
- This tour involves 2 km (1,5 mile) of walking on uneven paths with mud sometimes and some steps to enter the manor at Rubianes. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. The tasting is included on your tour. The tour of the gardens will be guided by the Botanical experts of the estate and translate in French by your guide. This tour is limited to 50 participants.
Total : €100
According to availability, price per passenger.
The Basque coastline
Discover the Cantabrian corniche, the fishing port of Bermeo and historic Guernica. From the pier, travel along the colorful Biscayan coastline and see the dramatic views of the Cantabrian corniche.
You will first visit Guernica, once the capital of the Basque Country. The local lords and kings met here in democratic assembly to promise to respect the special laws of Vizcaya. On 26th April 1937, during the Spanish Civil War, the town was razed to the ground by German aircraft, sent by Hitler to support Franco's troops. Discover the Picasso’s Guernika mural reproduction, illustrating the bombing and showing the tragedy of war.
During your visit, see also the petrified trunk of an oak tree that miraculously survived the horrific bombing raid. In the Park of Europe are the famous sculptures, symbolising Gernika-Lumo as a city of peace. See from outside the Casa de Juntas, where the Basque parliament has convened since 1979.
Continue to Bermeo, one of the area's most important fishing ports in the region. This colourful, working town has a large deep-sea fishing fleet that regularly operates off the coast of the Azores and southern Africa. See the popular Basque style architecture reflected in the fishermen's houses.
After the visit, drive to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe for a photostop before returning to the pier in Bilbao.
- This tour involves 1 mile (1.5 km) of walking on cobblestone streets in Bermeo and inclines in Guernica. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes.
Total : €55
According to availability, price per passenger.
Bilbao & Guggenheim Museum
Bilbao is a constantly evolving city and a dynamic metropolis where traditions and relics of the past live side by side with futuristic buildings recognised throughout the world as icons of modernity. This excursion will allow you to admire both aspects of the economic and cultural capital of the Basque Country.
From the pier, board your coach and proceed to the famous Guggenheim Museum designed by Frank Gehry.
This imposing and unmistakable titanium, granite and glass building reflected in the river houses important works of contemporary art. Designed by American architect Frank Gehry, the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao building represents a magnificent example of the most groundbreaking 20th-century architecture. With 24,000 m2, of which 11,000 are dedicated to exhibition space, the museum represents an architectural landmark of audacious configuration and innovating design, providing a seductive backdrop for the art exhibited in it. Altogether, Gehry's design creates a spectacular sculpture-like structure, perfectly integrated within Bilbao's urban pattern and its surrounding area. It was built between 1993 and 1997 representing the recovery of the banks of the river, redeveloping them for culture and leisure. The finish of the approximately 33,000 extremely thin titanium sheets provides a rough and organic effect, adding to the material's colour changes depending on the weather and light conditions. The other two materials used in the building, limestone and glass, harmonise perfectly, achieving an architectural design with a great visual impact that has now become a real icon of the city throughout the world.
Your tour will continue with a stroll around the old town with its handsome Renaissance, Baroque and Modernist buildings, where you will have the chance to admire the façade of the Cathedral of Santiago, example of Gothic architecture, and the elegant Plaza Nueva, with its distinctive porticoes.
After the tour, you will be transferred back to your awaiting ship.
- This tour involves approximately 1.5 km (1 mile) of walking on flat and cobblestones streets with some steps. It is not recommended to guests with limited mobility. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. Please note that due to the limited availability of guides, the inside visit of the museum might be done with headset.
Total : €70
According to availability, price per passenger.
Traditions & wine
From the pier, board your local coach for a scenic drive to Bermeo.
On your way, discover the rural beauty of the Basque country. As you travel through countryside dotted with secluded farmhouses and along the Biscayan Coast with its steep cliffs and isolated beaches, listen to your guide explanation.
Upon arrival, enjoy a guided walk of Bermeo, a charming city with a beautiful fishing harbour, which was the provincial capital until 1602. In the old quarter, be impressed by the Gothic Church of San Francisco, the 18th-century town hall and the neoclassical Church of Santa Maria.
Continue your journey through countryside and reach you next destination: Cellar Gorka Izaguirre. This local winery production owes its success to the passion of the team and of course the local grapes, Hondarrabi Zuri and Hondarrabi Zerratia. These delicate varieties are descendents of Basque farm houses, grown in the Northeast Atlantic. The bunches are small and concentrated which keeps them full of personality; the result is a wine with a unique identity. The coastal air, steep hilly slopes, southeast morning sun, well-aerated plots green lush hillsides impart a unique freshness and character to their wines.
After a visit of the winery, enjoy a wine tasting moment with local tapas.
Then, get back to the coach for the return trip to the pier.
- This excursion involves walking 0,9 mile (1,5 km) on uneven grounds, cobblestones, and some inclines. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun.
Total : €100
According to availability, price per passenger.
The elegant Basque Country city
From the pier, you will board your coach and start the 1-hour drive to San Sebastián, across the Spanish border.
The Kings and Queens of Spain chose San Sebastián as the royal seaside resort just as Napoleon III and the Empress Eugenie chose Biarritz. Today San Sebastián remains a brilliant and seductive city, a cultural hub of the Basque Country.
After a photo stop at Monte Igueldo, which provides a panoramic view of San Sebastián Bay, you will enjoy a panoramic tour of the city.
Then, you will make your way to the old town where your guided 45-minute walking tour will start. You will visit the city's "old quarter" with its narrow pedestrian streets.
Continue on to the famous streets lined with "tapas" bars, where you can enjoy some free time to experience the atmosphere while enjoying some tapas with Spanish wines or local cider (at your own expense).
Finally, you will return to your ship after a 1-hour drive.
- This excursion involves approximately 1.5 km (1 mile) of walking on uneven ground with steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. This tour is limited to 105 participants. The tapas are not included in the price.
Total : €65
According to availability, price per passenger.
Saint-Jean-de-Luz & Biarritz
From the pier, you will meet your guide and start your walking tour through the historic town.
Saint-Jean-de-Luz was formerly a famous pirate port. The Basque "privateers" sailed under the authority of the French King and were the scourge of English merchant ships. Saint-Jean-de-Luz became a veritable "pirates nest" and many of the fine houses today were built from the revenues of the privateers. The golden age of prosperity for the town was crowned by the marriage of Louis XIV and Maria Theresa of Spain in the Basque church in 1660. The royal wedding, which took place in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, was the result of the "Treaty of the Pyrenees" signed between France and Spain the previous year. The two houses where the couple awaited the marriage can be seen on either side of the town square. The Basque church of St. John the Baptist is particularly interesting. The doorway the couple used to leave after the ceremony was immediately walled up so that no-one else could cross the royal threshold. The interior is one of the finest examples of religious Basque architecture with classic wooden balconies typical of Basque churches.
Afterwards, you will board your coach and make your way to Biarritz. En route, you will pass Bidart and Guethary, typical villages of the region with their "fronton", where the Basques play the "pelota", their traditional sport.
Once you arrive in Biarritz, you will enjoy a guided panoramic tour following by a walking tour.
You will discover the "Queen of resorts and the resort of Kings" and the "Grande Plage", the main beach in town, where surfers from all over the world come to ride the waves.
Continue on to the hotel du Palais. Its façade overhangs the golden beach of Biarritz and recalls the idle and frivolous period of the 20's. Built in 1855 as a summer house for the Imperial couple, the building owes its E shape to the name of the Empress Eugenie.
The next stop will be the cosy fishing port nestled in the rocks. It is considered by many to be a separate tiny village within the city of Biarritz.
After the fishing port, it's off to the Rock of the Virgin, a landmark in Biarritz. This "island" is attainable only by an imposing bridge which was constructed by Gustave Eiffel, the same architect who, of course, designed the famous Eiffel Tower in Paris.
You will conclude your ocean front tour of Biarritz with the ancient whaling port, whaling having been an integral part of the history of Biarritz. It is an interesting as well as amusing tour packed with anecdotes from Biarritz’s colourful past. A photo-stop will be made at the lighthouse, located on the northern part of Biarritz with its panoramic view of the city.
Finally, you will return to your ship after a 30-minute drive.
- This excursion involves approximately 0.7 mile (1 km) of walking on uneven ground with steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. This tour is not recommended for guests with any mobility restrictions. This tour is limited to 70 participants.
Total : €65
According to availability, price per passenger.
Delicacies of Basque Country
Today, board your coach for a journey to exercise your tasting buds with exquisite chocolate from the Basque country. Chocolate was first introduced to France in Bayonne 400 years ago when Jews fleeing the inquisition settled in city of Bayonne. Using the recipe for chocolate brought back from their travels to the Americas, they became the first in France to transform cocoa beans. These chocolate makers soon became known for the quality of their ingredients and precise blending.
Begin your journey in Espelette village, nearby Bayonne. Famous for its red peppers, this little charming village, situated in the in the center of the Basque countryside and mountains, is also home to the Antton Chocolate house, nestled in a traditional red-timbered house. There you will be welcomed for a visit of the premises: your guide will tell you the history of chocolate with great passion. Also, you will be invited to enter into the heart of the production workshop, a visit where your senses will be awoken. Discover Antton’s most famous specialties: the Espelette chilli pepper chocolate and the black cherry chocolate.
You will have the opportunity to taste some of these fine chocolate before continuing your countryside drive to Sare, in the shadow of Rhune Mountain. Visit a local farmhouse for a sampling of Basque produces including cheese, apple jelly, cake, cider and wine.
Afterwards, reembark in your coach before going back to the ship in Saint Jean de Luz.
- This excursion involves walking on uneven surfaces, cobblestones and few steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. This excursion is limited to 25 participants. Order of the visit may vary.
Total : €115
According to availability, price per passenger.
Royan architecture tour
From the pier, board your local coach and take the 30-minute panoramic drive to Royan. Renowned for its particularly mild oceanic climate, the French department of Charentes-Maritime is one of the sunniest regions on the French Atlantic coast. Between sea and countryside, discover exceptionally rich historical and cultural heritage.
Upon arrival, start your exploration by foot. Your local guide, architecture specialist, will focus on post-war unique architecture.
At the foot of the Gironde estuary and the Atlantic Ocean, Royan is a famous family seaside resort, renowned for its beautiful fine sandy beaches, its unique architecture, a mix between Belle Epoque villas and 1950s urban design – including the emblematic Church of Notre Dame, and its wide range of sporting and cultural activities for all ages. Totally destroyed by the Allied air bombings in 1945, the city of Royan has become a laboratory for modern architecture and urbanism. Since, it is considered as a unique example of the architecture of the 1950’s.
During this tour, you will discover the most beautiful sites of Royan, including the Cathedral of Royan, the covered market and the charming residential districts. After your guided walk, enjoy some free time in Royan before rejoining your coach.
- This tour involves walking approximately 2,5 miles (4 km) on mostly ground with some steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun.
Total : €75
According to availability, price per passenger.
Hiking tour through Pauillac
Leaving the ship on foot, you will enjoy a nice guided walk though Pauillac village and the vineyards.
During this guided walk you will learn the secrets of the Gironde Estuary, see the departure site of Lafayette on its way to the Independence War, learn about the locals, countryside life and fishing techniques. Following your walk through Pauillac village, continue with a walk through the vines where your guide will show you the gravels and the grapes that make this beautiful estate one of the best of the world!
On your way you will discover some of the most prestigious Pauillac classified wine estates such as Château Latour, and Château Pichon Longueville.
- We recommend you wear walking shoes and sports clothes. This tour is not suitable for guests with walking difficulties. This tour is limited to 20 participants.
Total : €45
According to availability, price per passenger.
The famous Medoc Château Road
The Medoc wine road, located between the Gironde Estuary and the Landes forest, provides magnificent views of the vineyards. You will have the opportunity to take photos of some of the most famous Châteaux of the area. Medoc vineyards are orderly and well-kept almost to the point of fanaticism, and the region's world famous châteaux produce wines that are nothing short of divine… Moulis, Listrac, Saint-Julien, Saint-Estèphe, Pauillac, Médoc, Haut Médoc and Margaux (with the celebrated château of the same name).
You will visit the cellars of one of the famous estates: Château Gruaud Larose, located in Medoc district of Saint-Julien.
After a short stop at Chateau Margaux, continue your way to Château Gruaud Larose, situated on the Saint-Julien terroir just next to the village of Beychevelle, close to the 'Route des Chateaux'. While the surface of this district is quite small, it assembles the greatest concentration of 'Cru Classé' (classified growth) wines in the Medoc.
The vineyard is stretching over 82 hectares of gravely soil overlaying calcareous clay which gives a fine wine with character. As a result, it was classified « Second Grand Cru » (top ranked growth) in 1855. Throughout the centuries, Chateau Gruaud Larose has managed to impose a perfect balance between nature and the consideration of man’s work in its quest for excellence. The estate’s motto is 'The King of Wines and the Wine of Kings'. The nose and the bouquet of Château Gruaud Larose reveal the identity of its Medoc origins. An intense elixir imposing its tannic and spicy richness. A superb concentration, an unusual strength in the fruit and an astonishing final – profound and aromatic.
On site, you will first discover the estate from above, thanks to the recently built tower offering a spectacular view on the estate, its vineyards and the Gironde river. You will then proceed to the vat and barrel cellars and be introduced to the secrets of wine-making-techniques, before following your guide to the tasting room so as to indulge yourself with their wines.
You will enjoy a special tasting of two wines from the estate paired with French cheeses.
- This tour involves moderate walking on paved and pebbled terrain. You must negotiate various steps to visit the property and its wine cellars. We recommend you wear comfortable shoes. This tour is not recommended to guests with limited mobility or in a wheelchair.
Total : €110
According to availability, price per passenger.
Peddle through Pauillac
Discover Pauillac, the small commune which boasts 3,000 acres of the finest and most highly reputed vineyards in France. Get introduced to the Haut Medoc with a refreshing electric bike ride and explore the region whose geographical location and gravelly soil composition make it an absolute paradise for growing grapes.
Peddle your way through Pauillac as your guide accompanies you for a ride along the Gironde River before heading southwest into the heart of the vineyards. Roll along at a leisurely pace as you take it all in: the fresh air, the silence, the rows and rows of vines dotted here and there with the local farmers carefully tending to each detail, and the painstakingly manicured and exquisite estates themselves.
You will have the opportunity during this 11 km (7 miles) journey to snap photos or admire the views of such celebrated estates as Château Latour, Château Pichon-Longueville and Château Grand Puy Lacoste among others. Your guide will take you to places not accessible by car for exceptional views and enjoy a brief stop in the cosy hamlet of Bages as well.
- We recommend that you wear comfortable shoes and clothes for the bicycle ride. This tour is not suitable for guests who have difficulty cycling. The bicycle ride will take you over uneven soils, small gravel or pebbled roads and small slopes. This excursion is limited to 25 participants.
Total : €105
According to availability, price per passenger.
Gourmet guided walking tour of Bordeaux
Departure on foot from the ship berth for a walking tour of the UNESCO classified city of Bordeaux.
Take advantage of this short guided walking tour of Bordeaux city centre to discover some local traditional specialties, like chocolate, canelé cake, cheese, and of course Bordeaux wine.
Walk by the Grand Theatre, built by Victor Louis in 1773, one of the most beautiful in Europe and a pure work of art from the 18th century. Continue through the old Bordeaux district towards the Parlement (parliament) and Bourse (stock-exchange) Squares, before reaching the Cathedral Saint André and City Hall area. End the tour with the luxury boutiques district, called “the triangle” by the locals, and the Quinconces square.
- This tour is not suitable for persons with walking difficulties as it includes walking long distances, sometimes on cobblestoned streets. The tour will be on foot only. We recommend you wear flat, comfortable walking shoes. This tour is subject to a minimum of 10 participants.
Total : €55
According to availability, price per passenger.
Farm of Neuvic, French caviar producer
Neuvic Estate spreads out over 19 hectares at the confluence of the Isle and Vern rivers, in the town of Neuvic.
It is situated on the land of a farm dating back to before the French Revolution, which left traces and memories that can still be seen and felt on the stone walls. The Isle River is omnipresent, whether crossing the property or bordering its contours with its meanders flanked by imposing chalky cliffs.
Domaine de Neuvic produces and markets the Caviar de Neuvic. It also produces caviar for other brands in accordance with precise specifications. Domaine de Neuvic is first and foremost synonymous with an innovative and stringent quality approach.
In 2013, Domaine de Neuvic received the acclaim of the Association France Initiative, chaired by Mr. Schweitzer, as one of ten "remarkable companies" in France. This title rewards its innovative approach, promotion of its region and recognition of human capital as a criterion for the overall success of the company.
During the visit of the estate, your guide will tell you all the secrets of sturgeons breeding and how to make caviar.
At the end of the visit, you will have the opportunity to taste the estate’s caviar, with a glass of sparkling wine!
- We recommend you wear flat, comfortable walking shoes. This tour involves 1 ½ hour transfer each way.
Total : €95
According to availability, price per passenger.
Saint Emilion village & Château Soutard
There can be no better place to start a visit to this attractive region than UNESCO World Heritage Classified Saint Emilion region and village, heartland of the Merlot grape, which produces delicious, rich, round wines.
The vines on the "hill with a thousand châteaux", reach right up to Saint Emilion's 13th century town walls and surrounding moat dug out of solid rock. Members of the local wine brotherhood, the Jurats, proclaim the vintage banns in much the same way as their ancestors did during the reign of Richard the Lion heart.
You will visit the main monuments of the town: the Collegial church and its magnificent cloister from the 12th century, the ramparts (12th), the marketplace. Strolling in the streets, you will also see the Cadene gate and the King's Tower. You will then have some time at leisure for shopping.
Continue your discovery of the first UNESCO classified village by driving through the vineyard and going to the impressive Château Soutard where you will be explained the techniques of wine making during the visit of the cellars, before a wine tasting.
- This tour involves walking over cobblestone streets and some steps. We recommend you wear flat, comfortable walking shoes. This tour is not suitable for passengers with walking difficulties due to steep cobblestoned streets in Saint-Emilion in addition to several stairs in the château.
Total : €90
According to availability, price per passenger.
Visit of Château Smith Haut Lafitte
Following a customized tour of the estate, you will visit the owners' private cellar, taste the estate's first wine, both white and red, and the young vines in red.
Today, you will be invited to a special confidential wine tasting at Pessac-Léognan Classified Great Growth Château Smith Haut Lafitte estate. This great growth owes its reputation as "the quintessential Graves" to its superb Günz gravel terroir in a single block. The estate's history dates back to the Crusades. The Scottish navigator Georges Smith acquired the château in the 18th century and Monsieur Duffour-Dubergier, a Mayor of Bordeaux from a famous family of traders, was a subsequent owner.
Since its purchase by Florence and Daniel Cathiard in 1990, Smith Haut Lafitte has become one of the leading lights of Bordeaux thanks to its elegant, powerful red and white wines. In twenty years, the owners have not only brought the wine of Smith Haut Lafitte up to the very highest level, but also restored the château's 16th century tower, completely renovated two underground cellars, built their own cooperage, and introduced such organic methods as horse-drawn ploughing, home-made compost and the use of plant extracts.
Enchanted with this tasting of the finest wines of the Bordeaux wine region, historic cradle of the wine culture in the world, you will return to your ship.
- This tour involves moderate walking on paved and pebbled terrain. You must negotiate various steps to visit the property and its wine cellars. We recommend you wear comfortable shoes. This tour is not recommended to guests with limited mobility or in a wheelchair. This tour is limited to 25 participants.
Total : €130
According to availability, price per passenger.
Château La Dauphine: sustainability & wine
Close to Saint Emilion, Château de La Dauphine is a gem, an elegant blend between history and green modernity. Their remarkable wine tourism experiences were recently acknowledged with several gold awards: in 2014 for the Architecture & Landscape category, in 2016 for the food category, in 2018 for Sustainable Wine Tourism Practices and in 2020 for the Innovative Wine Tourism Experiences category. Château de La Dauphine was also 2020 International winner of the contest Best of Wine Tourism.
After a 45 minute-transfer, start a “green tour” with your guide. During this visit you will discover the property’s ethical and environmental initiatives: work in the vineyard, the beehives, biodynamic workshop, aquaponics, the permaculture vegetable garden and the scented garden.
Then, enjoy a delicious tasting of the estate production such as honey, Merlot jelly and three wines.
- This excursion involves walking on uneven ground and steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun.
Total : €95
According to availability, price per passenger.
Hike at Château Boutinet
Walk, wine and tapas food : the perfect combination!
From the pier, board your local coach for a 1 hour-transfer to Château Boutinet.
Upon arrival, meet Nathalie, the owner of Château Boutinet wine estate. For Nathalie, a visit to her estate rhymes with conviviality. This 17th century winery under refurbishment has been brought back to life with the passion of the owners for wine making and hospitality.
You will start with a walk around the property and discover the grape vines and the beautiful surrounding forest. Nathalie and her dog will guide you on foot through the vineyard, explaining her work in the vines, the challenges of a wine producer's life, and organic wine making technics.
After effort comes comfort: Back to the estate, Nathalie will invite you to a homemade tapas tasting sampling some of the local delicacies paired with 3 wines from the estate.
- This excursion involves walking approximately 1,86 miles (3 km) on uneven ground and steps. We recommend you wear hiking shoes and protect yourself from the sun.
Total : €95
According to availability, price per passenger.
L'Austral
Innovative design, sleek shape and profile, refined interior decoration, friendly, intimate atmosphere: French designers and decorators have managed to give this ship a unique style and veritable signature of its own. Combinations of fine materials, colours and tones harmoniously livened up with touches of bright colour, elegant lines, discreet and subtle refinement… everything has been designed to create a unique atmosphere onboard, a veritable personality: the chic style and naturally relaxing ambiance of a veritable private yacht.
Up to 264 Guests
132 staterooms & suites
145 crew members
Spa
2 restaurants
Decks
Gastronomy & Wine
Succumb to the pleasures of fine dining as you enjoy the delights dreamed up or selected by the most talented sommeliers and Michelin-starred chefs of their generation. They will share with you their passion for the art of eating through gala dinners, tastings, workshops and fascinating talks. Special attention will be paid to the wines offered to you during these Gastronomy and Wine cruises: an exclusive wine list, expert wine and food pairings... As you visit the carefully selected ports of call in cities with a rich cultural heritage, the exceptional culinary and wine-tasting experiences are sure to surprise you.
Guest Speaker
Aboard your ship, an English-speaking lecturer will enlighten you about the culture and history of your destination to deepen your knowledge of the origins of local traditions, the history of emblematic sites, and stories involving famous personalities and those of major historical significance. During on-board lectures or on your shore visits, this expert will be there to share their precious knowledge with you throughout your PONANT cruise.
Shore excursions, Pre/Post & Overlands
TRAM TOUR OF LISBON
Travel with peace of mind as PONANT organises your day time between the airport and your port of embarkation.
Lisbon
Meet at Lisbon airport arrival hall. Look for PONANT sign. You will be greeted by our local English-speaking representative off the flight selected by PONANT.
You will depart the airport by coach and be taken to a local restaurant where your lunch will be served.
This afternoon, you will discover the city of Lisbon during a private tram tour.
First, you will reach the Belém district, also known as the district of the Great Discoveries for its many monuments dating from the 16th-century. You will make a stop at the magnificent Jeronimos Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Then, you will walk until the tram stop departure from Belem. During about 1 hour, enjoy the best way to get across town on board an icon of Lisbon. The small yellow or red trams beg to be photographed as they travel through the prettiest historic and residential quarters of the city.
Opening the windows and letting the parade of buildings covered in azulejos pass you by, glimpsing the sudden ascents and marvelling at the winding route between hills, miradors and squares that take your breath away, is one of the things you have to do while in the city.
Travel in the past while your private tram run through the tiny streets and the main arteries and catch a very good perspective of Lisbon until the final stop at Portas do Sol where the viewpoint is one of the best views of the town. From there, at the top of Alfama district, you will discover little by little the oldest and most traditional neighbourhood in Lisbon, with cobbled lanes and alleys and steeps, gruelling inclines. Enjoy the view, atmosphere, and authentic spirit of the oldest side of the capital.
After 30-minute walk, you will be guided until the pier to embark on board your ship.
Your programme includes:
- Transfers and visits as mentioned in the programme.
- Lunch with beverage package (mineral water + 1 soft drink or 1 local glass of wine + 1 coffee or tea).
- Services of a local English-speaking guide.
Your programme does not include:
- Tips for the driver and the guide.
- Personal expenses and other services not mentioned in the programme.
Please note:
- This tour involves approximately a 45-minute walk on uneven streets with some steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun.
- This tour is limited to 24 participants.
Duration and order of the visits may vary. To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents. In the event of schedule changes of PONANT’s selected flight, your programme will be adapted to ensure the most seamless and enriching experience. The content of your revised programme will be updated on the PONANT website, in My Ponant space and on the PONANT app. The final programme will also be sent to you along with your cruise documents.
Total : AU$330
Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.
ECOCHIC GETAWAY IN COMPORTA (2 NIGHTS)
Enhance your cruise and extend your trip with a carefully designed programme.
Day 1 – Lisbon airport/Comporta region
Meet at Lisbon Airport in the Arrival hall. Look for PONANT sign. You will be greeted by our local representative off the flight selected by PONANT or any other flight (provided that you have previously communicated your flight schedule to your travel agent).
Transfer of around 1 h 15 minutes from Lisbon Airport to the Sublime Comporta 5* Hotel. This is located in Muda, 20 kilometres (12.4 miles) from Comporta, a preserved region offering a setting that features dunes, pine trees, vineyards and rice fields. It is the ideal location for a rejuvenating break.
End of the day and diner are at leisure.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2 - Comporta area
Breakfast.
This morning, you will head towards the territory of Herdade da Comporta, a natural reserve that brings together several hamlets. In these wild landscapes between the ocean and endless rice fields, you will visit the Rice Museum, a site devoted to rice cultivation and the impact of this crop on the region’s history.
You will then set off to visit the vineyards where you will attend a tasting session. This experience will let you learn more about the specific features of grape cultivation in this unique environment whose sandy soil is subject to the influence of the ocean.
Then, you will have lunch in the decor of the Sublime Beach Club, the hotel beach restaurant looking out over the ocean.
The afternoon will be dedicated to discovering a typical Alentejo village, Alcacer do Sal, which is built along the Sado River. On your guided walk through the narrow streets of the old town, you will see the castle and the museum, among other sites. You will not leave before a taste of local colour, these sweets made of pine nuts that are called “pinhoadas”.
Back at your hotel (around a 30-minute drive), enjoy some free time to relax. Let yourself be tempted by the hotel’s well-being facilities or by an optional activity at an extra charge.
Optional activity — “Horseback ride on the beach”:
As an option and at an extra charge, set off on a 1 h 30 horseback ride to explore the paradisiacal coast that runs along your hotel’s region, featuring pine forests and dunes.
Dinner will be served in the main restaurant of the Sublime Comporta Hotel.
Day 3 – Comporta area/pier of Lisbon
Breakfast.
After breakfast, you will be driven to the departure point for a walk that will last around 2 hours and during which you will be introduced to bird watching. This narrow strip of land between the ocean and the rice fields is home to a large variety of species.
Back at the hotel, you will be able to freshen up before checking out from your room.
Lunch will be served in the hotel restaurant.
You will then be transferred to the pier of Lisbon to embark on board your ship.
Your hotel:
Nestling in a lush setting, the 5-star Sublime Comporta Hotel & Spa is an intimate, peaceful retreat approximately one hour out of Lisbon. Here, time stands still. The establishment boasts an eco-friendly design with an elegant, pared-down style and a relaxed atmosphere. Each room is built from noble materials and opens onto the surrounding nature, immersing you in light and tranquillity. The restaurant serves creative, regional cuisine made with produce from the hotel’s organic vegetable garden. Wines from Alentejo feature prominently on the wine list. As for the Sublime Comporta Beach Club, just 10 minutes from the hotel, it offers stunning views of the ocean. Treat yourself to a yoga session, a spa treatment, or merge with the elements during a bike ride or a horseback ride along the beach. Here, the most beautiful scenery remains the unspoiled natural environment of Comporta, bringing rice fields, pine forest, dunes, and long stretches of white sand to your doorstep.
Upgraded rooms are also available depending on availability and on a supplement basis. Contact your travel professional for further detail.
Your programme includes:
- 2-night accommodation in Guest Suite room at Sublime Comporta Hotel 5* (local standard) or similar, breakfast included.
- Meals as mentioned in the programme.
- Beverage package during meals (bottled water + 1 soft drink or 1 glass of wine or 1 local beer and 1 coffee or tea).
- Transfers, visits, and entrance fees as mentioned in the programme.
- The services of a local English-speaking guide.
Your programme does not include:
- Dinner on day 1.
- Personal expenses.
- Optional activities.
- Visa if necessary.
- Tips for the driver and local guide.
- Other services not mentioned in the programme.
Please note:
- It is imperative that the details of your departure flight are provided to your travel agent, no later than 30 days before the start date of your cruise, to secure the proper private transfer.
- This programme is not suitable for people with reduced mobility.
- Official check-in at 16:00.
- Official check-out at 12:00.
Contact of your hotel:
Sublime Comporta
EN 261-1 / 7570-337 Muda, CCI 3954 Grandola
Portugal
Telephone number: 351 269 449 376
Duration and order of the visits may vary. To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.
Total : AU$2,180
Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.
B-WINEMAKER WORKSHOP AT LA TOUR CARNET CHÂTEAU
This overland must be prebooked and prepaid at least 60 days prior to your cruise. Any reservation made after this deadline will be confirmed onboard based on availability. A minimum of participants must be booked in order to operate this tour. 100% of total cost will be billed for cancellations made less than 60 days before departure.
To visit Château La Tour Carnet is to plunge into history covering almost 1,000 years. Be an active participant and take part in a winemaking workshop and assist in the assemblage and bottling of your very own red wine that you will take with you. Unlike most wine-growing regions in the world, Bordeaux wines are blend wines made from several grape varieties. Learn why they are blended and how to differentiate between Cabernet and Merlot. Begin with a visit to this exceptionally preserved historic estate, its vineyards, its vat-house and its cellars before joining the sommelier in the workshop.
Once inside the workshop, participants will become apprentice oenologists and shall be tasked with creating their very own combinations using test tubes, conversion tables and 9 glasses. Guided by the sommelier, the participants will begin with a glass each of 100% Merlot and 100% Cabernet wines followed by 3 blends proposed by the host. The last 4 blends are completed according to tastes and palates so that each participant creates his or her own wine based on his or her favourite combination. Afterwards each participant will pour their creation into their bottle, cork it and operate the capper.
La Tour Carnet, originally called the Château Saint Laurent, whose famous tower was built in the 11th century, this ancient fortress was used by the English to battle the French nobility. When Bordeaux was capitulated to the King of France in 1451, Carnet, a devoted squire who stood by his lord, Count Jean de Foix, remained loyal to the King of England and refused to submit. Although Count de Foix died and Carnet and the English were finally defeated, the partially damaged castle retained its current name "La Tour Carnet". The estate changed hands several times over the centuries and even belonged to the philosopher Montaigne's brother-in-law, Thibault de Carmaing.
If the thick castle walls could talk they would tell the tales of centuries of fighting followed by flourishing trade and wine production from the 15th century onwards. Since the 16th century special emphasis was paid to the cultivation of the vine and wine quality. Luckily the Revolution of 1789 spared the estate which was owned by a Swedish nobleman, whose descendants labored to further improve wine quality. Their exceptional work was recognized and the estate was awarded the distinguished title of "Grand Cru Classé" in 1855. Bernard Magrez, the current owner, has undertaken a massive restoration and renovation program, increasing the vineyards and bringing the wine back to the excellence and undisputable quality it was known for.
- We recommend you wear comfortable shoes. This tour includes 7 assemblies and a personalized bottle, the visit of the vineyard, the vat room and the cellars. Introduction to the vines of the Bordeaux vineyard, assembly workshop and creation of his own cuvée customized for each participant. Possibility to buy wine on the spot or to send home. This tour is subject to a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 16 participants.
Total : AU$350
Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.
CHÂTEAU BEYCHEVELLE : SECRETS OF THE WINEGROWERS
This overland must be prebooked and prepaid at least 60 days prior to your cruise. Any reservation made after this deadline will be confirmed onboard based on availability. A minimum of participants must be booked in order to operate this tour. 100% of total cost will be billed for cancellations made less than 60 days before departure.
Chateau Beychevelle is without a doubt one of the most beautiful properties in the Médoc region with its elegant castle and sumptuous gardens spread over 250 hectares of land, of which only 90 are dedicated to vineyards. Its wines are classified as fourth growth and belong to the Saint-Julien appellation.
The château was first built in 1565 by the Bishop François de Foix- Candale and later passed on to his niece and her husband Jean Louis de Nogaret de la Vallette in the early 17th century. Known as the first Duke of Epernon, a great admiral and governor of Guyenne, he was a favorite of King Edward III and considered so powerful that ships passing the property would lower their sails "Baisse voile" in a sign of allegiance, hence giving the estate its name. "Baisse voile" later became Beychevelle and the official emblem of the estate.
With more than 300 years of history, the current owners, the Groups Castel and Suntory continue the art of using traditional winemaking techniques for developing exceptional wines.
Discover the art of winemaking with an intimate approach alongside the true professionals of the trade and uncover their secrets while fully immersed in the heart of their cellars. Afterwards partake in a mysterious and unique form of wine tasting of four of the estate's wines.
- We recommend wearing comfortable shoes and clothing for the visit. This tour includes 4 wine tastings. Excursion limited to 10 participants.
Total : AU$270
Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.
Porto city tour & wine tasting
From the pier, board your coach and start your 30-minute scenic drive to Porto.
Upon arrival, you will visit the Francis Church which is the most prominent Gothic monument in Porto and is also noted for its outstanding Baroque inner decoration.
You will continue your walk to the riverside, also known as the Ribeira one of Port’s landmarks, you will enjoy free time for shopping and stroll around this area.
You will then be driven to the Taylor’s wine cellar. Taylor’s is the archetypal Port house and it wines the quintessential Ports. Established over three centuries ago in 1692, Taylor’s is one of the oldest of the founding Port houses. It is dedicated entirely to the production of Port wine and in particular to its finest styles. Above all, Taylor’s is regarded as the benchmark for Vintage Port.
Noted for their elegance and poise as well as for their restrained power and longevity, Taylor’s Vintage Ports are blended from the finest wines of the firm’s own quintas or estates, Vargellas, Terra Feita and Junco. These three iconic properties, each occupying a distinct geographic location and with their own unique character, are the cornerstone of the company’s success and the main source of its unique and inimitable house style.
Taylor’s is also respected as a producer of wood aged ports and holds one of the largest reserves of rare cask aged wines from which its distinguished aged tawny Ports are drawn. The house is also known as the originator of Late Bottled Vintage, a style which the firm pioneered and of which it remains the leading producer. Based in Porto and the Douro Valley the family company is closely involved in all stages of the production of its Ports, from the planting of the vineyard, the cultivation of the grapes to the making, ageing, blending and the bottling of the wines. The family’s commitment to the future of Port is demonstrated in its single-minded dedication to the highest standards in Port production, its continued investment in all aspects of the firm’s operations and its determination to preserve the unique environment of the Douro Valley through the promotion of sustainable and responsible viticulture.
Following your visit and wine tasting, join your coach with a 30-minute drive back to the ship.
- This tour involves moderate walking on both uneven and flat surfaces and includes several steps inside the monuments and the wine cellar. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. The tour is not recommended for guests with limited mobility. Appropriate clothing is required to enter religious sites: shoulders and knees must be covered. The wine tasting is included on your tour. In case of religious services, the visit of the church will be an outside visit only.
Total : €110
According to availability, price per passenger.
Porto through your camera
From the pier, board your coach and start your 30-minute panoramic drive to explore Porto. Accompanied with a professional photographer, you will capture the main highlights of the city.
Porto, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996, is the gateway for a journey across the natural and cultural diversity of the region. It is known for the Porto wine which is shipped from here all over the world, but also for a heritage which combines ancient churches and monuments, such as the Cathedral and the Church of São Francisco, and modern buildings, such as Casa da Música and the Serralves Museum. The city is also famous for its School of Architecture which bred names like Álvaro Siza Vieira and Eduardo Souto de Moura, both winners of the Pritzker Prize.
Strolling through the city, you will discover the Cathedral which is located in the historical centre. It is one of the city's oldest monuments and one of the most important Romanesque monuments in Portugal.
Your walk will lead you to the Ribeira area, one of the city's oldest neighbourhood. Historically the quayside here was one of the busiest points on the River Douro with cargo ships sailing both up and down-stream and landing here. Today it is equally bustling but the major trade here is now tourism.
You will then cross the art street of Rua da Restauração before reaching the Santa Catarina Belvedere overlooking the Douro river.
Finally, you will join your coach for a 30-minute drive to your ship in Leixões.
- This tour involves 3 hours of walking on both uneven and flat surfaces and includes several steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. This tour will be done with your own camera. The professional photographer speaks only English. This tour is limited to 20 participants.
Total : €90
According to availability, price per passenger.
Santiago de Compostela
From the pier, you will board your coach and drive to Santiago de Compostela (a one-hour and fifteen-minute drive), one of the most important cities in Europe and the third most important place in the world for Christian pilgrimage.
Your tour will start by the Obradoiro Square where your guide will present you all the details of this square during a walking tour. You can admire the Cathedral, the Town hall, the Pazo (Palace of Saint Jerome) and the Hostal dos Reis Católicos. This former hospital was built in 1501 by orders of Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile to welcome unwell pilgrims and replace the old hospital which was then on the current Plaza de la Azabachería. Today it continues to fulfil its function of hosting service to the traveller, although it has a luxurious character. Every day, a dozen pilgrims carrying their compostela (pilgrim certificate) are allowed in the kitchen to graciously receive a meal.
Your guide will give you a complete description of the outside of the Cathedral and will show you the Jubilee Door which is only opened for the pardons of each Jubilee Year.
Then, you will have some time at leisure to walk along the historical streets before meeting your guide at the Hostal dos Reis Católicos, for the lunch served in one of the dining rooms of the hotel.
Before boarding your coach to Vigo, you will enjoy an inside visit of the Cathedral with the tomb of Saint James, maybe the most important piece of the Cathedral, the “Portico da Gloria” whose lintels were laid in place in 1188, one of the capital works of mediaeval sculpture. You will also visit the museum of the Cathedral.
- This tour involves 2 km (1,5 mile) of walking on cobblestone streets with many steps during the Cathedral visit. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. Appropriate dress is recommended to enter religious sites (shoulders and knees covered). The lunch is included in your tour.
Total : €140
According to availability, price per passenger.
Pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela
From the pier, you will board your coach and drive to your starting point of your hiking on the way of cross, 45-minute drive.
You will walk on the Spanish part of the way of cross borrowed by the pilgrims, to this day, to join Santiago de Compostela.
Santiago de Compostela is one of the most important cities in Europe and the third most important place in the world for Christian pilgrimage.
Once arriving, you will discover the Obradoiro Square where your guide will present you all the details of this square during a walking tour. You can admire the Cathedral, the Town hall, the Pazo (Palace of Saint Jerome) and the Hostal dos Reis Católicos. This former hospital was built in 1501 by orders of Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile to welcome unwell pilgrims and replace the old hospital which was then on the current Plaza de la Azabachería. Today it continues to fulfil its function of hosting service to the traveller, although it has a luxurious character. Every day, a dozen pilgrims carrying their compostela (pilgrim certificate) are allowed in the kitchen to graciously receive a meal.
Your guide will give you a complete description of the outside of the Cathedral and will show you the Jubilee Door which is only opened for the pardons of each Jubilee Year.
Then, you will have some time at leisure to walk along the historical streets before meeting your guide at the Hostal dos Reis Católicos, for the lunch served in one of the dining rooms of the hotel.
Continue with an inside visit of the Cathedral with the tomb of Saint James, maybe the most important piece of the Cathedral, the “Portico da Gloria” whose lintels were laid in place in 1188, one of the capital works of mediaeval sculpture. You will also visit the museum of the Cathedral.
Finally, reboard your coach to join your ship, a one-hour and fifteen-minute drive.
- This tour involves active walking on uneven grounds and cobblestone streets with many steps during the Cathedral visit. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. Appropriate dress is recommended to enter religious sites (shoulders and knees covered). The lunch is included in your tour.
Total : €140
According to availability, price per passenger.
Vigo & Baiona
From the pier, you will board your coach and start your scenic drive towards Monte Castro. Once arriving, you will enjoy a panoramic view on Vigo, its bay and its harbour.
Jules Verne wrote that Captain Nemo’s best kept secret was in Vigo. Did you know that this is where the Nautilus submarine came to stock up on gold? In Vigo’s estuary there are dozens of sunken ships loaded with the gold from the Americas, treasures that have not yet come to light.
Back to coach, you will drive to Baiona, one of the most important and characteristic fishing villages on the Galicia coast.
Here you will visit Parador Monterreal, an imposing 16th-century building that has been converted into a hotel. The fortress of Monterreal is highly evocative of times long past, with its walls (dating from the 11th to 17th centuries) and its mediaeval towers: the Reloxo, the Tenaza and the Príncipe Cativo. The walls are ideal for a pleasant stroll around the area, known as the Monte Boi Promenade, offering perfect views over the whole of Galicia’s southern coastline, and of course the town of Baiona.
Then, you will discover old centre of the village with the remains of its ancient walls. A walk through the historic centre reveals impressive pazos (manor houses), such as that of the Correa family (from the 18th century), now the town hall with a tall tower, coats of arms and beautiful balconies; the Casa Ceta (or Casa do Perdón) from the 14th century; the Casa Mendoza (or Casa do Deán) with arched walkways beneath (from the 18th century) and a superb Baroque façade, or the Casa de Salgado (from the 17th century).
Finally, re-board your coach and start your return drive to Vigo, a 45-minute drive.
- This tour involves 2 km (1,5 mile) of walking on cobblestone streets with some steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun.
Total : €60
According to availability, price per passenger.
Pazo de Rubianes & wine tasting
From the pier, you will board your coach and start your 1-hour drive to Villagarcia.
Once arriving, you will visit the Pazo de Rubianes. Located in the Arousa estuary (Pontevedra), it is one of the three official lordships in Spain. The main building was constructed in the 15th century. In the 18th century the tower was pulled down, and a summer residence with rectangular plan was created. The gardens, with more than 11 hectares, have remarkable eucalyptus trees with perimeters of 12 meters, olives and magnolias. It has geometrical flowerbeds of French style, with sequoias and camphors. Its grandiose magnolias Magnolia grandiflora L. have been included in the Galician Monumental Tree Catalogue.
With an area of 25 hectares, the vineyard of Pazo de Rubianes is the largest in the region of Salnés. Don Gonzalo Ozores of Urcola - eighteenth Lord of the House of Rubianes and Marqués de Aranda- and his wife, Mrs. Paloma Rey Fernández Latorre, were responsible for the recovery of ancient vineyards and the new vineyard project that took place between the years 1997 and 1999. Don Gonzalo, great lover of his estate, had a great devotion for his vineyards and planned to produce wine on the property again. But he could not fulfil his dream before his death in 2006. His wife, Mrs. Paloma, picked up the baton in order to realise the desire of her husband. In 2009, ten years after the recovery of the vineyards, the first wine of this new winery of Pazo de Rubianes was bottled. Built in the 15th century, the cellar smells now like wine again, and allows to preserve the quality of each vintage. Only slightly less than 30 % of the grapes produced in the vineyards of Pazo de Rubianes are chosen to give rise to these exclusive wines with which each year comes the new crop of Pazo de Rubianes and García Caamaño wines.
After enjoying a walking tour on the gardens and the cellar, you will enjoy a tasting of this exclusive wine accompanied with tapas.
Finally, re-board your coach and start your return drive to Vigo, a 1-hour drive.
- This tour involves 2 km (1,5 mile) of walking on uneven paths with mud sometimes and some steps to enter the manor at Rubianes. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. The tasting is included on your tour. The tour of the gardens will be guided by the Botanical experts of the estate and translate in French by your guide. This tour is limited to 50 participants.
Total : €100
According to availability, price per passenger.
The Basque coastline
Discover the Cantabrian corniche, the fishing port of Bermeo and historic Guernica. From the pier, travel along the colorful Biscayan coastline and see the dramatic views of the Cantabrian corniche.
You will first visit Guernica, once the capital of the Basque Country. The local lords and kings met here in democratic assembly to promise to respect the special laws of Vizcaya. On 26th April 1937, during the Spanish Civil War, the town was razed to the ground by German aircraft, sent by Hitler to support Franco's troops. Discover the Picasso’s Guernika mural reproduction, illustrating the bombing and showing the tragedy of war.
During your visit, see also the petrified trunk of an oak tree that miraculously survived the horrific bombing raid. In the Park of Europe are the famous sculptures, symbolising Gernika-Lumo as a city of peace. See from outside the Casa de Juntas, where the Basque parliament has convened since 1979.
Continue to Bermeo, one of the area's most important fishing ports in the region. This colourful, working town has a large deep-sea fishing fleet that regularly operates off the coast of the Azores and southern Africa. See the popular Basque style architecture reflected in the fishermen's houses.
After the visit, drive to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe for a photostop before returning to the pier in Bilbao.
- This tour involves 1 mile (1.5 km) of walking on cobblestone streets in Bermeo and inclines in Guernica. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes.
Total : €55
According to availability, price per passenger.
Bilbao & Guggenheim Museum
Bilbao is a constantly evolving city and a dynamic metropolis where traditions and relics of the past live side by side with futuristic buildings recognised throughout the world as icons of modernity. This excursion will allow you to admire both aspects of the economic and cultural capital of the Basque Country.
From the pier, board your coach and proceed to the famous Guggenheim Museum designed by Frank Gehry.
This imposing and unmistakable titanium, granite and glass building reflected in the river houses important works of contemporary art. Designed by American architect Frank Gehry, the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao building represents a magnificent example of the most groundbreaking 20th-century architecture. With 24,000 m2, of which 11,000 are dedicated to exhibition space, the museum represents an architectural landmark of audacious configuration and innovating design, providing a seductive backdrop for the art exhibited in it. Altogether, Gehry's design creates a spectacular sculpture-like structure, perfectly integrated within Bilbao's urban pattern and its surrounding area. It was built between 1993 and 1997 representing the recovery of the banks of the river, redeveloping them for culture and leisure. The finish of the approximately 33,000 extremely thin titanium sheets provides a rough and organic effect, adding to the material's colour changes depending on the weather and light conditions. The other two materials used in the building, limestone and glass, harmonise perfectly, achieving an architectural design with a great visual impact that has now become a real icon of the city throughout the world.
Your tour will continue with a stroll around the old town with its handsome Renaissance, Baroque and Modernist buildings, where you will have the chance to admire the façade of the Cathedral of Santiago, example of Gothic architecture, and the elegant Plaza Nueva, with its distinctive porticoes.
After the tour, you will be transferred back to your awaiting ship.
- This tour involves approximately 1.5 km (1 mile) of walking on flat and cobblestones streets with some steps. It is not recommended to guests with limited mobility. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. Please note that due to the limited availability of guides, the inside visit of the museum might be done with headset.
Total : €70
According to availability, price per passenger.
Traditions & wine
From the pier, board your local coach for a scenic drive to Bermeo.
On your way, discover the rural beauty of the Basque country. As you travel through countryside dotted with secluded farmhouses and along the Biscayan Coast with its steep cliffs and isolated beaches, listen to your guide explanation.
Upon arrival, enjoy a guided walk of Bermeo, a charming city with a beautiful fishing harbour, which was the provincial capital until 1602. In the old quarter, be impressed by the Gothic Church of San Francisco, the 18th-century town hall and the neoclassical Church of Santa Maria.
Continue your journey through countryside and reach you next destination: Cellar Gorka Izaguirre. This local winery production owes its success to the passion of the team and of course the local grapes, Hondarrabi Zuri and Hondarrabi Zerratia. These delicate varieties are descendents of Basque farm houses, grown in the Northeast Atlantic. The bunches are small and concentrated which keeps them full of personality; the result is a wine with a unique identity. The coastal air, steep hilly slopes, southeast morning sun, well-aerated plots green lush hillsides impart a unique freshness and character to their wines.
After a visit of the winery, enjoy a wine tasting moment with local tapas.
Then, get back to the coach for the return trip to the pier.
- This excursion involves walking 0,9 mile (1,5 km) on uneven grounds, cobblestones, and some inclines. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun.
Total : €100
According to availability, price per passenger.
The elegant Basque Country city
From the pier, you will board your coach and start the 1-hour drive to San Sebastián, across the Spanish border.
The Kings and Queens of Spain chose San Sebastián as the royal seaside resort just as Napoleon III and the Empress Eugenie chose Biarritz. Today San Sebastián remains a brilliant and seductive city, a cultural hub of the Basque Country.
After a photo stop at Monte Igueldo, which provides a panoramic view of San Sebastián Bay, you will enjoy a panoramic tour of the city.
Then, you will make your way to the old town where your guided 45-minute walking tour will start. You will visit the city's "old quarter" with its narrow pedestrian streets.
Continue on to the famous streets lined with "tapas" bars, where you can enjoy some free time to experience the atmosphere while enjoying some tapas with Spanish wines or local cider (at your own expense).
Finally, you will return to your ship after a 1-hour drive.
- This excursion involves approximately 1.5 km (1 mile) of walking on uneven ground with steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. This tour is limited to 105 participants. The tapas are not included in the price.
Total : €65
According to availability, price per passenger.
Saint-Jean-de-Luz & Biarritz
From the pier, you will meet your guide and start your walking tour through the historic town.
Saint-Jean-de-Luz was formerly a famous pirate port. The Basque "privateers" sailed under the authority of the French King and were the scourge of English merchant ships. Saint-Jean-de-Luz became a veritable "pirates nest" and many of the fine houses today were built from the revenues of the privateers. The golden age of prosperity for the town was crowned by the marriage of Louis XIV and Maria Theresa of Spain in the Basque church in 1660. The royal wedding, which took place in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, was the result of the "Treaty of the Pyrenees" signed between France and Spain the previous year. The two houses where the couple awaited the marriage can be seen on either side of the town square. The Basque church of St. John the Baptist is particularly interesting. The doorway the couple used to leave after the ceremony was immediately walled up so that no-one else could cross the royal threshold. The interior is one of the finest examples of religious Basque architecture with classic wooden balconies typical of Basque churches.
Afterwards, you will board your coach and make your way to Biarritz. En route, you will pass Bidart and Guethary, typical villages of the region with their "fronton", where the Basques play the "pelota", their traditional sport.
Once you arrive in Biarritz, you will enjoy a guided panoramic tour following by a walking tour.
You will discover the "Queen of resorts and the resort of Kings" and the "Grande Plage", the main beach in town, where surfers from all over the world come to ride the waves.
Continue on to the hotel du Palais. Its façade overhangs the golden beach of Biarritz and recalls the idle and frivolous period of the 20's. Built in 1855 as a summer house for the Imperial couple, the building owes its E shape to the name of the Empress Eugenie.
The next stop will be the cosy fishing port nestled in the rocks. It is considered by many to be a separate tiny village within the city of Biarritz.
After the fishing port, it's off to the Rock of the Virgin, a landmark in Biarritz. This "island" is attainable only by an imposing bridge which was constructed by Gustave Eiffel, the same architect who, of course, designed the famous Eiffel Tower in Paris.
You will conclude your ocean front tour of Biarritz with the ancient whaling port, whaling having been an integral part of the history of Biarritz. It is an interesting as well as amusing tour packed with anecdotes from Biarritz’s colourful past. A photo-stop will be made at the lighthouse, located on the northern part of Biarritz with its panoramic view of the city.
Finally, you will return to your ship after a 30-minute drive.
- This excursion involves approximately 0.7 mile (1 km) of walking on uneven ground with steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. This tour is not recommended for guests with any mobility restrictions. This tour is limited to 70 participants.
Total : €65
According to availability, price per passenger.
Delicacies of Basque Country
Today, board your coach for a journey to exercise your tasting buds with exquisite chocolate from the Basque country. Chocolate was first introduced to France in Bayonne 400 years ago when Jews fleeing the inquisition settled in city of Bayonne. Using the recipe for chocolate brought back from their travels to the Americas, they became the first in France to transform cocoa beans. These chocolate makers soon became known for the quality of their ingredients and precise blending.
Begin your journey in Espelette village, nearby Bayonne. Famous for its red peppers, this little charming village, situated in the in the center of the Basque countryside and mountains, is also home to the Antton Chocolate house, nestled in a traditional red-timbered house. There you will be welcomed for a visit of the premises: your guide will tell you the history of chocolate with great passion. Also, you will be invited to enter into the heart of the production workshop, a visit where your senses will be awoken. Discover Antton’s most famous specialties: the Espelette chilli pepper chocolate and the black cherry chocolate.
You will have the opportunity to taste some of these fine chocolate before continuing your countryside drive to Sare, in the shadow of Rhune Mountain. Visit a local farmhouse for a sampling of Basque produces including cheese, apple jelly, cake, cider and wine.
Afterwards, reembark in your coach before going back to the ship in Saint Jean de Luz.
- This excursion involves walking on uneven surfaces, cobblestones and few steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. This excursion is limited to 25 participants. Order of the visit may vary.
Total : €115
According to availability, price per passenger.
Royan architecture tour
From the pier, board your local coach and take the 30-minute panoramic drive to Royan. Renowned for its particularly mild oceanic climate, the French department of Charentes-Maritime is one of the sunniest regions on the French Atlantic coast. Between sea and countryside, discover exceptionally rich historical and cultural heritage.
Upon arrival, start your exploration by foot. Your local guide, architecture specialist, will focus on post-war unique architecture.
At the foot of the Gironde estuary and the Atlantic Ocean, Royan is a famous family seaside resort, renowned for its beautiful fine sandy beaches, its unique architecture, a mix between Belle Epoque villas and 1950s urban design – including the emblematic Church of Notre Dame, and its wide range of sporting and cultural activities for all ages. Totally destroyed by the Allied air bombings in 1945, the city of Royan has become a laboratory for modern architecture and urbanism. Since, it is considered as a unique example of the architecture of the 1950’s.
During this tour, you will discover the most beautiful sites of Royan, including the Cathedral of Royan, the covered market and the charming residential districts. After your guided walk, enjoy some free time in Royan before rejoining your coach.
- This tour involves walking approximately 2,5 miles (4 km) on mostly ground with some steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun.
Total : €75
According to availability, price per passenger.
Hiking tour through Pauillac
Leaving the ship on foot, you will enjoy a nice guided walk though Pauillac village and the vineyards.
During this guided walk you will learn the secrets of the Gironde Estuary, see the departure site of Lafayette on its way to the Independence War, learn about the locals, countryside life and fishing techniques. Following your walk through Pauillac village, continue with a walk through the vines where your guide will show you the gravels and the grapes that make this beautiful estate one of the best of the world!
On your way you will discover some of the most prestigious Pauillac classified wine estates such as Château Latour, and Château Pichon Longueville.
- We recommend you wear walking shoes and sports clothes. This tour is not suitable for guests with walking difficulties. This tour is limited to 20 participants.
Total : €45
According to availability, price per passenger.
The famous Medoc Château Road
The Medoc wine road, located between the Gironde Estuary and the Landes forest, provides magnificent views of the vineyards. You will have the opportunity to take photos of some of the most famous Châteaux of the area. Medoc vineyards are orderly and well-kept almost to the point of fanaticism, and the region's world famous châteaux produce wines that are nothing short of divine… Moulis, Listrac, Saint-Julien, Saint-Estèphe, Pauillac, Médoc, Haut Médoc and Margaux (with the celebrated château of the same name).
You will visit the cellars of one of the famous estates: Château Gruaud Larose, located in Medoc district of Saint-Julien.
After a short stop at Chateau Margaux, continue your way to Château Gruaud Larose, situated on the Saint-Julien terroir just next to the village of Beychevelle, close to the 'Route des Chateaux'. While the surface of this district is quite small, it assembles the greatest concentration of 'Cru Classé' (classified growth) wines in the Medoc.
The vineyard is stretching over 82 hectares of gravely soil overlaying calcareous clay which gives a fine wine with character. As a result, it was classified « Second Grand Cru » (top ranked growth) in 1855. Throughout the centuries, Chateau Gruaud Larose has managed to impose a perfect balance between nature and the consideration of man’s work in its quest for excellence. The estate’s motto is 'The King of Wines and the Wine of Kings'. The nose and the bouquet of Château Gruaud Larose reveal the identity of its Medoc origins. An intense elixir imposing its tannic and spicy richness. A superb concentration, an unusual strength in the fruit and an astonishing final – profound and aromatic.
On site, you will first discover the estate from above, thanks to the recently built tower offering a spectacular view on the estate, its vineyards and the Gironde river. You will then proceed to the vat and barrel cellars and be introduced to the secrets of wine-making-techniques, before following your guide to the tasting room so as to indulge yourself with their wines.
You will enjoy a special tasting of two wines from the estate paired with French cheeses.
- This tour involves moderate walking on paved and pebbled terrain. You must negotiate various steps to visit the property and its wine cellars. We recommend you wear comfortable shoes. This tour is not recommended to guests with limited mobility or in a wheelchair.
Total : €110
According to availability, price per passenger.
Peddle through Pauillac
Discover Pauillac, the small commune which boasts 3,000 acres of the finest and most highly reputed vineyards in France. Get introduced to the Haut Medoc with a refreshing electric bike ride and explore the region whose geographical location and gravelly soil composition make it an absolute paradise for growing grapes.
Peddle your way through Pauillac as your guide accompanies you for a ride along the Gironde River before heading southwest into the heart of the vineyards. Roll along at a leisurely pace as you take it all in: the fresh air, the silence, the rows and rows of vines dotted here and there with the local farmers carefully tending to each detail, and the painstakingly manicured and exquisite estates themselves.
You will have the opportunity during this 11 km (7 miles) journey to snap photos or admire the views of such celebrated estates as Château Latour, Château Pichon-Longueville and Château Grand Puy Lacoste among others. Your guide will take you to places not accessible by car for exceptional views and enjoy a brief stop in the cosy hamlet of Bages as well.
- We recommend that you wear comfortable shoes and clothes for the bicycle ride. This tour is not suitable for guests who have difficulty cycling. The bicycle ride will take you over uneven soils, small gravel or pebbled roads and small slopes. This excursion is limited to 25 participants.
Total : €105
According to availability, price per passenger.
Gourmet guided walking tour of Bordeaux
Departure on foot from the ship berth for a walking tour of the UNESCO classified city of Bordeaux.
Take advantage of this short guided walking tour of Bordeaux city centre to discover some local traditional specialties, like chocolate, canelé cake, cheese, and of course Bordeaux wine.
Walk by the Grand Theatre, built by Victor Louis in 1773, one of the most beautiful in Europe and a pure work of art from the 18th century. Continue through the old Bordeaux district towards the Parlement (parliament) and Bourse (stock-exchange) Squares, before reaching the Cathedral Saint André and City Hall area. End the tour with the luxury boutiques district, called “the triangle” by the locals, and the Quinconces square.
- This tour is not suitable for persons with walking difficulties as it includes walking long distances, sometimes on cobblestoned streets. The tour will be on foot only. We recommend you wear flat, comfortable walking shoes. This tour is subject to a minimum of 10 participants.
Total : €55
According to availability, price per passenger.
Farm of Neuvic, French caviar producer
Neuvic Estate spreads out over 19 hectares at the confluence of the Isle and Vern rivers, in the town of Neuvic.
It is situated on the land of a farm dating back to before the French Revolution, which left traces and memories that can still be seen and felt on the stone walls. The Isle River is omnipresent, whether crossing the property or bordering its contours with its meanders flanked by imposing chalky cliffs.
Domaine de Neuvic produces and markets the Caviar de Neuvic. It also produces caviar for other brands in accordance with precise specifications. Domaine de Neuvic is first and foremost synonymous with an innovative and stringent quality approach.
In 2013, Domaine de Neuvic received the acclaim of the Association France Initiative, chaired by Mr. Schweitzer, as one of ten "remarkable companies" in France. This title rewards its innovative approach, promotion of its region and recognition of human capital as a criterion for the overall success of the company.
During the visit of the estate, your guide will tell you all the secrets of sturgeons breeding and how to make caviar.
At the end of the visit, you will have the opportunity to taste the estate’s caviar, with a glass of sparkling wine!
- We recommend you wear flat, comfortable walking shoes. This tour involves 1 ½ hour transfer each way.
Total : €95
According to availability, price per passenger.
Saint Emilion village & Château Soutard
There can be no better place to start a visit to this attractive region than UNESCO World Heritage Classified Saint Emilion region and village, heartland of the Merlot grape, which produces delicious, rich, round wines.
The vines on the "hill with a thousand châteaux", reach right up to Saint Emilion's 13th century town walls and surrounding moat dug out of solid rock. Members of the local wine brotherhood, the Jurats, proclaim the vintage banns in much the same way as their ancestors did during the reign of Richard the Lion heart.
You will visit the main monuments of the town: the Collegial church and its magnificent cloister from the 12th century, the ramparts (12th), the marketplace. Strolling in the streets, you will also see the Cadene gate and the King's Tower. You will then have some time at leisure for shopping.
Continue your discovery of the first UNESCO classified village by driving through the vineyard and going to the impressive Château Soutard where you will be explained the techniques of wine making during the visit of the cellars, before a wine tasting.
- This tour involves walking over cobblestone streets and some steps. We recommend you wear flat, comfortable walking shoes. This tour is not suitable for passengers with walking difficulties due to steep cobblestoned streets in Saint-Emilion in addition to several stairs in the château.
Total : €90
According to availability, price per passenger.
Visit of Château Smith Haut Lafitte
Following a customized tour of the estate, you will visit the owners' private cellar, taste the estate's first wine, both white and red, and the young vines in red.
Today, you will be invited to a special confidential wine tasting at Pessac-Léognan Classified Great Growth Château Smith Haut Lafitte estate. This great growth owes its reputation as "the quintessential Graves" to its superb Günz gravel terroir in a single block. The estate's history dates back to the Crusades. The Scottish navigator Georges Smith acquired the château in the 18th century and Monsieur Duffour-Dubergier, a Mayor of Bordeaux from a famous family of traders, was a subsequent owner.
Since its purchase by Florence and Daniel Cathiard in 1990, Smith Haut Lafitte has become one of the leading lights of Bordeaux thanks to its elegant, powerful red and white wines. In twenty years, the owners have not only brought the wine of Smith Haut Lafitte up to the very highest level, but also restored the château's 16th century tower, completely renovated two underground cellars, built their own cooperage, and introduced such organic methods as horse-drawn ploughing, home-made compost and the use of plant extracts.
Enchanted with this tasting of the finest wines of the Bordeaux wine region, historic cradle of the wine culture in the world, you will return to your ship.
- This tour involves moderate walking on paved and pebbled terrain. You must negotiate various steps to visit the property and its wine cellars. We recommend you wear comfortable shoes. This tour is not recommended to guests with limited mobility or in a wheelchair. This tour is limited to 25 participants.
Total : €130
According to availability, price per passenger.
Château La Dauphine: sustainability & wine
Close to Saint Emilion, Château de La Dauphine is a gem, an elegant blend between history and green modernity. Their remarkable wine tourism experiences were recently acknowledged with several gold awards: in 2014 for the Architecture & Landscape category, in 2016 for the food category, in 2018 for Sustainable Wine Tourism Practices and in 2020 for the Innovative Wine Tourism Experiences category. Château de La Dauphine was also 2020 International winner of the contest Best of Wine Tourism.
After a 45 minute-transfer, start a “green tour” with your guide. During this visit you will discover the property’s ethical and environmental initiatives: work in the vineyard, the beehives, biodynamic workshop, aquaponics, the permaculture vegetable garden and the scented garden.
Then, enjoy a delicious tasting of the estate production such as honey, Merlot jelly and three wines.
- This excursion involves walking on uneven ground and steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun.
Total : €95
According to availability, price per passenger.
Hike at Château Boutinet
Walk, wine and tapas food : the perfect combination!
From the pier, board your local coach for a 1 hour-transfer to Château Boutinet.
Upon arrival, meet Nathalie, the owner of Château Boutinet wine estate. For Nathalie, a visit to her estate rhymes with conviviality. This 17th century winery under refurbishment has been brought back to life with the passion of the owners for wine making and hospitality.
You will start with a walk around the property and discover the grape vines and the beautiful surrounding forest. Nathalie and her dog will guide you on foot through the vineyard, explaining her work in the vines, the challenges of a wine producer's life, and organic wine making technics.
After effort comes comfort: Back to the estate, Nathalie will invite you to a homemade tapas tasting sampling some of the local delicacies paired with 3 wines from the estate.
- This excursion involves walking approximately 1,86 miles (3 km) on uneven ground and steps. We recommend you wear hiking shoes and protect yourself from the sun.
Total : €95
According to availability, price per passenger.
TASTES OF BORDEAUX (1 NIGHT)
Enhance your cruise and extend your trip with a carefully designed programme.
Day 1 - Bordeaux
After disembarkation procedures are completed, you will be greeted at the port by our local representative.
You will be driven to the Hotel Sèze & Spa 4*, located in the heart of Bordeaux, where your will be able to leave your lugagge to enjoy your morning in Bordeaux.
Make the most of some free time to stroll the paved little streets before you go to the bistronomic restaurant “Le 7” where you will be able to appreciate regional cuisine while enjoying a panoramic view over the city centre of Bordeaux and the ‘Port of the Moon’ from the 7th floor of La Cité du Vin or enjoy the “Cookery lesson and lunch at Le Saint James” option.
Optional activity: Cookery lesson and lunch at Le Saint James
After having drop your luggage in at the Hotel Sèze & Spa 4*, you will be transferred to Bouliac, to Le Saint James restaurant, which has one star in the 2022 Michelin Guide. At the Côté Cours cookery school, you will benefit from a chef’s expertise during a cookery lesson introducing you to gastronomic classics in a professional kitchen. You will then enjoy the starter and main dish that you prepared yourself, as well as a signature dessert from the Michelin-starred restaurant.
Following your lunch at La Cité du Vin or at Le Saint James restaurant, you will continue your day with a visit of La Cité du Vin.
You will be able to discover the permanent and temporary exhibitions in this site dedicated to wine, which was inaugurated in May 2016. Via its permanent sensory and interactive exhibition, discover how this universal heritage has inspired humans and shaped their lives and their lands for millennia. Finish your visit on the 8th floor with a wine tasting in the Belvedere while admiring the panoramic views over the city of Bordeaux.
At the end of your visit, transfer to your hotel.
Evening and dinner are at leisure.
Overnight at the hotel de Sèze & Spa 4*.
Day 2 – Bordeaux
After breakfast, check-out and free time until your departure.
Your hotel:
Located in the heart of Bordeaux halfway between the Place des Quinconces and the emblematic Allées de Tourny shopping district, the Hôtel de Sèze & Spa 4* welcomes you to a refined universe. You will be able to make the most of its restaurant with bistronomic cuisine, its bar and its lounges, as well as its cigar humidor, in intimate comfort imbued with elegant and contemporary charm.
Your programme includes:
- 1-night accommodation in Superior room at the hotel de Sèze & Spa 4* (or similar), breakfast included.
- Meals as mentioned in the programme.
- Beverage package during meals (bottled water + 2 glasses of wine + 1 coffee or tea).
- Transfers, activities, visits, and entrance fees as mentioned in the programme.
- The services of a local English-speaking guide.
Your programme does not include:
- Dinner on day 1.
- Optional activity: Cookery lesson and lunch at Le Saint James with beverage package (bottled water + 1 glass of wine + 1 coffee or tea).
- Personal expenses.
- Tips for the driver and local guide.
- Other services not mentioned in the programme.
Please note:
- The optionnal activity : cookery lesson and lunch at Le Saint James has limited availability.
- Access to the Spa at the Hotel de Sèze is subject to a surcharge, and it is essential to book any treatments before your stay to guarantee their availability.
- The official check-out time for your room is 12 midday. If you wish to check out from your room after this time, you can ask at reception, subject to availability and surcharge.
Contact of your hotel:
Hôtel de Sèze & Spa 4*
23 All. de Tourny
33000 Bordeaux
Telephone number: +33 05 56 14 16 16
Duration and order of the visits may vary.
Total : AU$780
Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.