A Tale of Two Regions - Toulouse to Bordeaux

This exclusive, nine-day voyage offers a deep immersion into the heart of French wine culture, bridging the historic charm of Occitanie with the global prestige of Bordeaux. Curated by Christian Hoeffel, this journey is limited to just 20 guests to ensure an intimate, upscale experience.

The Land Journey (Days 1–4): Traveling in a luxury 30-passenger Grand Touring coach, we traverse the scenic French countryside with ample space. We will stay in hand-selected accommodations, including the modern Novotel Toulouse Centre and the elegant, historic Chateau de la Tour.

The River Voyage (Days 4–10): In Bordeaux, we transition to the MS Cyrano de Bergerac, a premium vessel. Guests enjoy Upper Deck cabins as we navigate the Garonne and Dordogne rivers, visiting world-renowned appellations.

--- FULL ITINERARY ---

Day 1: The Pink City Awakening (Tuesday, October 5)

Your grand expedition begins with an independent arrival in the vibrant city of Toulouse before checking into our upscale city-center hotel. This afternoon, you will join our expert guides for an intimate architectural walking tour through the city's historic terra-cotta core. We will conclude our opening day by toast-introducing the journey ahead over a multi-course welcome dinner paired with dynamic local Fronton estate wines.

Day 2: The Medieval Citadelle (Wednesday, October 6)

Today, our private luxury touring coach journeys southwest from Toulouse deep into the rugged heart of historic Occitanie. You will step directly back into the Middle Ages with a privately guided exploration within the double-walled, tower-dominated ramparts of the UNESCO-listed Carcassonne Citadelle. Afterward, we will escape to an intimate boutique winery in the fortress region to taste bold Languedoc field blends before returning to Toulouse for a relaxed evening.

Day 3: South West Terroir & Tapas (Thursday, October 7)

We check out of the city this morning to journey north through the rolling countryside hills of the Tarn-et-Garonne. Our destination is the historic river town of Valence d’Agen, where you will experience an immersive 4-course sommelier-led Tapas and Wine Masterclass Lunch. After a scenic afternoon photography stop in the stunning medieval village of Auvillar, we will unwind with an overnight stay at the elegant, peaceful Chateau de la Tour.

Day 4: The Maritime Gateway of the Wine Capital (Friday, October 8)

Our land journey concludes as we travel northwest into Bordeaux to explore the grand maritime heritage of the Quai des Chartrons wine-merchant district. From there, you will enjoy priority entry to the high-tech, interactive exhibits inside the iconic La Cité du Vin museum, culminating in a panoramic glass of wine overlooking the city roofs. At 6:00 PM, we step aboard the premium 5-anchor MS Cyrano de Bergerac to settle into your stateroom and toast the river voyage ahead at the Captain's Welcome Cocktail.

Day 5: The Left-Bank Gravel Terroir of the Médoc (Saturday, October 9)

Our cruising voyage launches with a deep dive into the mythic left-bank gravel terroir of the world-famous Médoc peninsula. We depart via private minibus down the famous Route des Châteaux, stopping at the historic Phare de Richard lighthouse for an expert geographical briefing on the unique climate of the Gironde Estuary. The afternoon concludes with a fully private, behind-the-scenes cellar tour and an elite tasting flight of 3 vintage red wines at a prestigious Cru Classé estate.

Day 6: The Maritime Coastline of the Gironde Estuary (Sunday, October 10)

We step ashore in the oceanfront resort city of Royan for a guided architectural heritage tour tracking the dramatic shift from Belle Époque holiday villas to iconic 1950s modernist reconstruction landmarks. Next, we head slightly inland to a family-run distillery for an exclusive, highly educational masterclass detailing the copper-pot distillation secrets of aged VSOP and XO Cognac. We wrap up our coastal excursion by exploring the medieval marshland fishing channels of Mornac-sur-Seudre over a glass of local white wine.

Day 7: The Clay-Limestone Slopes of the Right Bank (Monday, October 11)

Our day on the legendary Right Bank begins with an intimate private tasting of fine, Merlot-dominant wines at a historic estate cultivated since the Middle Ages. From there, you will gain rare behind-the-scenes access to a traditional French cooperage to watch master craftsmen hand-toast oak aging barrels over open wood fires. We complete our journey in Saint-Émilion with a private guided exploration inside Europe's largest subterranean monolithic church, hand-carved directly out of limestone rock.

Day 8: The Garonne River Slopes and Sweet Terroir of Cadillac (Tuesday, October 12)

Today, we track the geography of the Garonne River southeast of our Bordeaux docking point to explore the dramatic, sun-drenched hillsides of the Cadillac region. You will discover how the unique river mist and gravel-limestone slopes interact to create some of the world's most complex and celebrated sweet and dry white wines. We will conclude our geographic immersion with a private tasting at an old-world estate to experience firsthand how this specific riverbank microclimate develops unmatched aromatic richness.

Day 9: The Ancient Forest and Graves of the South-West (Wednesday, October 13)

We travel south of the city, into the ancient pine forest bordering the historic Graves wine region, via private transit to explore the moated medieval Château de La Brède. Next, we enjoy a VIP family reception at an elite estate in the prestigious Pessac-Léognan AOC to taste how this unique gravel-and-sand geology shapes their celebrated white and red wines. Tonight, dress up for our grand voyage finale: the multi-course Captain's Festive Gala Dinner on the water.

Day 10: Final Farewell (Thursday, October 14)

Enjoy a final morning buffet breakfast in the main dining salon of the vessel while overlooking the historic riverfront of the Garonne. Official disembarkation takes place at 9:00 AM at the Quai des Chartrons. From here, your private airport transfers will smoothly transit you away from the Aquitaine Basin to Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport (BOD) for your return flights home.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

• * Premium Accommodations (3 nights in 4-star land hotels).
• * 7-Day River Cruise aboard the premium MS Cyrano de Bergerac (Upper Deck cabins).
• * Private Daily Shore Excursions and Regional Wine Tastings.
• * Private Spacious Land Transfers & Entry Tickets (including La Cité du Vin).
• * All Guide Gratuities, Port Taxes & Custom Travel Gear.

NOT INCLUDED

• * International & Domestic Airfare.
• * Premium Onboard Specialty Drink Reserve Lists.
• * Personal Travel Insurance Packages.
• * Personal Expenses, Independent Meals & Shopping.
• * Shipboard Laundry Services.