2 nights in Bilbao, 2 nights in San Sebastian, 7-night roundtrip Bordeaux cruise, 2 nights in the Loire Valley and 1 night in Paris

1. Day 1
   Sun, May 25, 2025

   BILBAO. Check into your hotel for the beginning of your Basque Country land package
2. Day 2
   Mon, May 26, 2025

   BILBAO. Travel to the Basque town of Guernica, infamously bombed by German and Italian air forces during the Spanish Civil War ''' and the subject of one of Picasso'''s most renowned paintings. Immerse yourself in culture and visit the open-air market where you'''ll find a variety of local specialties, from cheese to peppers to fish. Later in the day, take an informative walking tour through Bilbao and learn how to order Basque tapas, known locally as pintxos, and revered for their small size and big taste. (B)
3. Day 3
   Tue, May 27, 2025

   BILBAO ''' SAN SEBASTIAN. Take a deep dive into the contemporary art within the world-famous Guggenheim Museum, a work of art itself. Designed by architect Frank Gehry, the museum features a daring and innovative fa''ade and showcases work by such artists as Andy Warhol, German artist Anselm Kiefer, and Basque masters Eduardo Chillida and Jorge Oteiza. Later in the day, transfer to San Sebasti''n and check into your hotel. In the evening, take a stroll through Old Town, the second oldest neighborhood in the city, where distinctive architecture and pintxos bars beckon, made even more romantic by the evening light. (B)
4. Day 4
   Wed, May 28, 2025

   SAN SEBASTIAN. Discover the charms of the '''City by the Bay of Biscay.''' Known in the Basque language as Donostia, San Sebasti''n was once a prominent fishing village and was burned to the ground in 1813 after being occupied by Napoleonic troops. However, by 1887, after rebuilding, the city flourished as a popular tourist destination and spa resort. Later in the day, enjoy some free time in the city renowned for holding the second highest number of Michelin stars per square meter. (B)
5. Day 5
   Thu, May 29, 2025

   SAN SEBASTI''N ''' BAYONNE ''' BORDEAUX - EMBARKATION. Check out of your hotel and transfer to Bordeaux via the French Basque town of Bayonne. Later, embark the ship in Bordeaux for your Taste of Bordeaux cruise. (B,D)
6. Day 6
   Fri, May 30, 2025

   LIBOURNE. Welcome to Libourne, a gateway to one of Bordeaux'''s most elite wine regions. Join an excursion to Saint ''milion, known for its celebrated vineyards, and while here, explore the monolithic church carved out of one piece of limestone rock, and then go under the church to discover its catacombs and caves. Afterwards, enjoy a Grand Cru Class'' wine tasting at a local ch''teau. Alternately, you can enjoy an excursion to Saint-''milion solely to discover more of the small historic town. If you prefer a more active adventure, pedal through the vineyard-rich countryside to Saint-''milion. (B,L,D)
7. Day 7
   Sat, May 31, 2025

   LIBOURNE. Stroll through the colorful, open-air market, tasting some of the region'''s specialties. As a unique alternative, travel back in time to visit an ancient watermill and learn the tradition of breadmaking. Or, you can get your heart pumping by venturing deeper into town by hiking through one of Libourne'''s renowned vineyards, accompanied by a tasting of local wine and tapas. (B,L,D)
8. Day 8
   Sun, Jun 01, 2025

   BLAYE ''' BOURG. Once in Blaye, you can join a tour of its 17th-century citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For a more active excursion, take a bike ride around Blaye along a former railway. Later in the day, you can choose to bike from Blaye through the idyllic French countryside to Bourg. Or, in the ancient village of Bourg, take a walking tour and visit the Carriage Museum, which houses a wonderful collection of horse-drawn vehicles, and the World War II Petrol Cistern. Towards the evening, experience the hospitality of this charming medieval village with an exclusive wine festival. Meet the local wine growers and taste the fruits of their labors as well as enjoy live French music and dancing. (B,L,D)
9. Day 9
   Mon, Jun 02, 2025

   CUSSAC-FORT-MEDOC. Cussac-Fort-Medoc is a peaceful commune in southwestern France and your gateway to the famed M''doc region, renowned for producing some of the world'''s finest Bordeaux wines. You will see some of the most beautiful and famous wine estates. You'''ll then visit a local ch''teau for a tasting of Grand Cru wines. More active guests can hike through the vineyards and taste local specialties. Alternatively, or you may enjoy a drive along the coast to Soulac-sur-Mer where you'''ll see unique sights, such as the Statue of Liberty and the Cordouan lighthouse known to be the oldest in France. (B,L,D)
10. Day 10
    Tue, Jun 03, 2025

    CADILLAC. Visit the impressive Castle of Roquetaillade, an amazingly preserved masterpiece of medieval military architecture owned by the same noble family for 700 years and travel to the Sauternes wine region to either Chateau de Rayne Vigneau or Ch''teau Guiraud to taste the highly prized golden-hued sweet wines produced here. For those wishing to explore more of the history on the decadent castles, you can enjoy a visit to the Roquetaillade castle and Cadillac castle. Or, pedal through the charming town of Cadillac for a guided bike tour. (B,L,D)
11. Day 11
    Wed, Jun 04, 2025

    BORDEAUX. The breathtaking capital of the wine world, Bordeaux is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and classified as a '''City of Art and History.''' You'''ll have an opportunity to experience much of the rich culture and architecture on a city tour followed by a visit to the famed indoor Les Halles de Bacalan market for a tasting of local specialties to please the palate. Bike enthusiasts will wish to join a tour along the city'''s amazing network of bicycle paths. Depending on your interests, you have a choice from two excursions in the afternoon. Enjoy a visit to the immersive and interactive Bordeaux Wine Museum, housed in an awe-inspiring building. Alternately, be treated to a spectacular sound and light show, Les Bassins des Lumi''res. (B,L,D)
12. Day 12
    Thu, Jun 05, 2025

    BORDEAUX ''' DISEMBARKATION ''' LOIRE VALLEY/AMBOISE. Disembark the ship and transfer to Tours for free time for lunch before arriving in the Loire Valley, where you will check in to your Amboise hotel. (B)
13. Day 13
    Fri, Jun 06, 2025

    AMBOISE. Visit three of the Loire Valley'''s regal ch''teaux starting with the Ch''teau de Chenonceau, one of the most beautiful castles in France. This ch''teau has been referred to as the '''Women'''s Castle''' since it is the only castle in the region that has been built, inhabited and saved by women during the Renaissance. Ch''teau du Clos Luc'' was Leonardo da Vinci'''s last home where he completed some of his most famous works under the patronage of the King of France. The Ch''teau d'''Amboise, perched on a promontory overlooking the Loire River, was the first Renaissance ch''teau built in the Loire Valley and features extravagant residences, gardens and a Gothic chapel, where Leonardo da Vinci is buried. (B)
14. Day 14
    Sat, Jun 07, 2025

    AMBOISE ''' PARIS. Check out of your Amboise hotel and, en route to Paris, visit two more majestic ch''teaux. While Ch''teau de Chambord, located at the heart of Europe'''s largest enclosed wooded park, began as an unassuming hunting lodge, it is now the biggest ch''teau in the Loire Valley with 426 rooms, 77 staircases and 282 fireplaces. Next, either marvel at the residence of seven kings and ten queens of France at the famous Ch''teau de Blois where you'll discover the secrets of the French court, or enjoy free time. Afterwards, transfer by motorcoach to your hotel at Charles De Gaulle Airport. (B)
15. Day 15
    Sun, Jun 08, 2025

    DEPART PARIS. Bid farewell to Paris and prepare for your flight home. (B)