Taste of Bordeaux Wine Cruise

Your Host

Kat René is a lover of all things wine. She studies wine, travels for wine, writes about wine, and loves to talk about wine.

A Certified Specialtist of Wine as well as a holder of the Level 3 Award in Wines from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust, she is passionate about making the wine world accessible to all.

Whether hosting an event for an enthusiastic group of tasters or jetting off to explore a new wine region, her focus is always on making wine fun and entertaining for those who want to learn more.

Your Itinerary

On our special cruise, you’ll enjoy an extensive lineup of included tours. In many cases, you will have a choice of excursions, such as standard tours, bike tours, hikes and Special Interest Tours. We always include a large variety of activities so that you can choose how you want to explore. No matter your preference, your days will be full of discovery and wonder.

Bordeaux

Located on the Atlantic coast, along the left and right banks of the Gironde, Bordeaux’s vineyards are shaped by the water that tempers its climate and flows through its vintages.

But the unique and varied composition of the soil is also at play in these outstanding wines. Indeed, the 13 grape varieties authorized for use in the appellation are per- fectly at home here. In Bordeaux, their wines are made from an assemblage of varities.

More than 90% of the appellation’s wines are red. Merlot elegantly tops the list, reigning supreme on the right bank (Pomerol, Saint-Emilion). Cabernet Sauvignon brings its robust strength to the left bank (Médoc, Graves), while Cabernet Franc brings up the rear with its intense bou- quet and colourful hues.

In Sauternes, the alchemy of noble rot renders the sémil- lon sublimely sweet. Between Dordogne and Garonne, Entre-Deux-Mers is the promised land for a fresh, ex- pressive sauvignon blanc. In Pessac-Léognan, both of these grape varieties are matured in oak barrels to pro- duce great white wines worth waiting for: they’ll only get better in your cellar.

Claret is a unique wine with a long history, and the re- sult of a special winemaking process. The predominant grape is a nicely ripened merlot, that is not macerated for a long period of time allowing the wine to retain its light, pinky-red color and its lively palate.

Haut-Brion, Latour, Margaux, Mouton-Rothschild, Pé- trus, Yquem... names that everyone knows even though they account for less than 5% of production. You don’t need to be rich to drink a nice Bordeaux.

In recent years, Bordeaux’s winemaking chateaux have enthusiastically defied convention in an effort to stand out and expand wine tourism. Renowned archi- tects have designed avant-garde wine cellars that are a seamless addition to the landscape, and will be just as popular with wine lovers as with culture-vultures.

What’s Included

EXCLUSIVE CORKSKREW CONCIERGE AMENITIES

Hosted trip by Kat René

Private wine tasting and shore excursions

Group Dinners

SPACIOUS STATEROOMS

7 nights luxury accommodation in an outside stateroom (most with French balconies)

Computer for internet access

Entertainment-On-Demand in all staterooms featuring free high-speed internet access, movies, a music library and English language TV stations

Bottled water replenished daily

AN ARRAY OF AMENITIES

Wellness Program with a dedicated Wellness Host leading various exercise classes as well as discussions on healthy eating and relaxation techniques, both on board and on shore.

Personalized service from a highly trained Cruise Manager during both cruise and land programs Internet and Wi-Fi access

Sun deck whirlpool and walking track Fitness room, massage services and hair Main Lounge with panoramic views and bar

Daily entertainment including cultural performances

AWARD-WINNING DINING

All onboard dining in a variety of venues

Regionally inspired cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients The Chef’s Table specialty restaurant

Welcome Cocktail, Welcome Dinner, La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Dinner, Captain’s Cocktail and Gala Dinner La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs exclusive dining experience

Unlimited fine wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, sparkling wine and fresh juice with breakfast Sip & Sail Cocktail Hour with complimentary wine, beer, spirits and soft drinks

Tapas, snacks and refreshments served daily in the Main Lounge

A WORLD OF EXPLORATION

Immersive tours in every destination

Gentle, regular, active and late-riser tour options

Bike tours and hikes * Special Interest Tours

Knowledgeable guides * Personal headset for easy exploration Airport transfers with purchase of air from AmaWaterways

IMPORTANT: To participate in Taste of Bordeaux Wine Cruise events, guests must book only via The Cruise & Vacation Authority.

Your Ship

Enjoy the sweet life aboard AmaDolce. Your experi- ence starts in your elegantly appointed stateroom, where Entertainment-On-Demand and soothing bath and body products bring you the ultimate in comfort before your cozy bed envelops you in sweet dreams.

Warm caramel and honey-colored tones adorn the room while a French balcony—available in most state- rooms—allows you to indulge in scenic views. Follow your nose to the Main Restaurant or clink glasses

in the bar, where rich, chocolate-hued woods bring beauty to the backdrop of your every craving.

The Chef’s Table specialty restaurant is the cherry on top of an already exquisite culinary experience  on board that includes lunch and dinners paired with unlimited wine, beer and soft drinks. And should you wish to stay active, a Sun Deck walking track, fitness room and a fleet of onboard bicycles are ready and waiting to assist you on your wellness journey.

Bilbao & San Sebastian

4 Night Pre-cruise Tour

November 1-5, 2020

Double $1,200pp/Singe $1,500/ Transfers $30pp

NOVEMBER 1 - BILBAO, SPAIN

Arrive in Bilbao and check-in to your hotel.

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NOVEMBER 2 - BILBAO

Immerse yourself in culture on an informative walking tour through Bilbao. Visit an authentic market where you’ll find a variety of local specialties, from cheese to pep- pers to fish and learn how to order Basque tapas, known locally as pintxos, which are revered for their small size and big taste. (B)

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NOVEMBER 3 - 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 fea- tures a daring and innovative façade and showcases work by such artists as Andy Warhol, German artist Anselm Kiefer, and Basque masters Eduardo Chillida and Jorge Oteiza. You’ll also 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. Later in the day, transfer to San Se- bastián and check into your hotel. In the evening, enjoy a guided 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)

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NOVEMBER 4 - SAN SEBASTIAN

Discover the charms of the “City by the Bay of Biscay.” Known in the Basque lan- guage as Donostia, San Sebastián 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)

NOVEMBER 5 - SAN SEBASTIAN – ARCACHON, FRANCE – BORDEAUX – EM- BARKATION

Check out of your hotel and transfer to Bordeaux via Saint Jean de Luz and Bay of Archachon. Later, embark the ship in Bordeaux for your Taste of Bordeaux cruise. (B,D)

Loire Valley & Paris

3 Night Post-cruise Tour

November 12-15, 2020

Double $1,200pp/Singe $1,650/ Transfers $30pp

NOVEMBER 12 - BORDEAX – DISEMBARKATION – TOURS – AMBOISE

Disembark the ship and transfer to the Loire Valley, where you will check into the château. (B)

NOVEMBER 13 - AMBOISE

Visit three of the Loire Valley’s regal châteaux starting with the Château de Che- nonceau, one of the most beautiful castles in France. This château has been referred to as the “Château de Dames” (Women’s Castle) as it was looked after by many women, including Diane of Poitiers and Catherine de Medicis, whose lega- cies are honored by the remarkable gardens named for them outside the castle.

Château du Clos Lucé 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 Château d’Amboise, perched on a promontory overlooking the Loire River, was the first Renaissance château built in the Loire Valley and features extravagant resi- dences, gardens and a Gothic chapel, where Leonardo da Vinci is buried. (B)

NOVEMBER 14 - AMBOISE – PARIS

Check out of your Amboise hotel and, en route to Paris, visit two more majestic châteaux. While Château de Chambord, located at the heart of Europe’s largest enclosed wooded park, began as an unassuming hunting lodge, it is now the big- gest château 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 Château 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)

NOVEMBER 15 - DEPART PARIS

Bid farewell to Paris and prepare for your flight home. (B) Transfers Cruise only Round trip Bordeaux Airport (BOD) $45 pp