Day 1. Arrival in Castets-en-Dorthe.
Individual arrival from 15.00h and with the opportunity for a small test bike ride of about 10 km along the Entre-Deux-Mers canal which connects the Atlantic Sea with the Mediterranean. The area around Castets is flat and fertile, and you'll continue a bit inland past groves with walnuts and kiwi trees and along lush fields. Your cabin will be ready around 17.00h, followed by a welcome drink and dinner on board.
Day 2. Castets-en-Dorthe – Sauternes – Cadillac. Cycling distance 35-50 km.
Today it's the Sauternes area, with the sweet wines, which is to be explored on bike. You cycle along the Ciron river, which winds through the landscape. The cool water of the Ciron river blends with the warmer waters of the Garonne river. In the autumn, when the climate is dry and warm, it's exactly this combination of the warmth and cool that gives the favourable conditions for the production of the famous Sauternes wine. Along the peaceful country roads, you'll find the vineyards and the small castles, and the atmosphere is characterized by medieval impressions from when the English ruled in the region.
Late in the afternoon, the boat leaves the berth and sails down the Garonne river to Loupiac or Cadillac, a nice little town with a towering castle.
Day 3. Loupiac/Cadillac – Entre-deuz-Mers/Graves – Bordeaux. Cycling distance approx. 40 km.
Cadillac is a fortified town, in French a "bastide", located in the Entre-Deux-Mers wine region between the Dordogne and Garonne rivers. Today you cycle in the wine region "Premier Côtes de Bordeaux". If you wish, you can visit the author Francois Mauriac's house as well as the Château Malromé from the 16th century, where the painter Toulouse-Lautrect lived. Of course, the area also offers several tempting wine tasting places.
In the afternoon, you sail along the Garonne river to Bordeaux, where the ship moors at the quay in the city centre, overlooking the famous stone bridge Pont de Pierre, Place de la Bourse and Quai des Chartrons.
Enjoy a nice evening in Bordeaux's old streets and cosy squares with well-kept palaces in the background. Or relax on the boat, overlooking the lights over Bordeaux and the Garonne river.
Day 4. Around Bordeaux. Cycling distance approx. 16 km.
The city council in Bordeaux has done a lot to make it easy and safe for the cyclists to get around. Cycle along the river or follow the bicycle signs around the city. You can also sign up for a guided cycling tour (can be purchased on board).
There is a lot to look at, but among the most famous attractions we can mention the Porte Cailhau (the royal city gate), the Pey Berlans bell tower at the cathedral, the Golden Triangle area surrounded by three fine boulevards, the impressive fountain Girondins, the water mirror at the Place de la Bourse, and much more. There are plenty of sights to discover, but don't forget to also make a stop at a café and taste the classic canelé cake from Bordeaux.
A visit to the modern wine museum, La Cité du Vin, is also recommended.
Day 5. Bordeaux – Lamarque – Margaux (Médoc) – Bourg. Cycling distance approx. 40 km.
In the morning, the ship sails from Bordeaux to Lamarque in the Gironde estuary, where you start the day's cycling stage in the famous wine region of Médoc. As you wind your way through the vineyards, you'll discover some of Médoc's most beautiful castles and prestigious wineries, which proudly present several prized wines. Make a stop at one of these great wineries for a visit and wine tasting, and learn all about the classification of wines, before returning to the boat in Lamarque.
Late in the afternoon, we'll sail along the Gironde's wide estuary to Bourg, a picturesque small village where the rivers Gironde and Dordogne join together.
Day 6. Bourg – Blaye Fortress and vineyards – Fronsac/Libourne. Cycling distance 35-50 km.
After cycling out from Bourg, you'll soon reach the Cotes de Blayes vineyards. The area's wine châteaux are less known, but their wine production fully measures up to their more famous neighbours on the river bank opposite Médoc. You will be impressed to see what secrets this region is hiding behind its hilly landscape, covered with endless vines and littered with fairy-tale castles and elegant manor houses. Since the Middle Ages, countless pilgrims have passed through this region on their way to Santiago de Compostela. In Blaye you can take a short detour through the Vauban fortress (UNESCO World Heritage Site) to admire this military masterpiece built during King Louis XIV's reign. Return to Bourg on a beautiful, quiet road along the river bank. In the evening you sail to Fronsac/Libourne on the Dordogne river.
Day 7. Fronsac/Libourne – Pomerol & Saint-Émilion. Cycling distance 35-50 km.
In Libourne, you can stroll to the picturesque square, surrounded by buildings dating as far back as the 16th century. You can visit the weekly market on Friday morning before heading out on your bike to explore the famous wine regions of Pomerol and Saint-Émilion. Again, the landscape is one of countless vines. A true paradise for wine lovers! Explore the medieval streets of the beautiful village of Saint-Émilion and the surrounding vineyards. It's not without reason, that the area is protected by UNESCO. The route continues on small picturesque roads and paths where you'll get a glimpse of some of the world's most famous vineyards such as Angelus, Ausone, Cheval Blanc and Petrus.
Day 8. Checkout.
After an eventful week, it's time to depart for home.
Debarkation and transfer (if purchased) at 09.00h.
