Biarritz & Bordeaux Cruise

We meet our group and Tour Manager at London St Pancras ahead of our journey to Paris on the Eurostar. Once in Paris we continue by rail through to Biarritz, where we check into our hotel for three nights. Nestled along France's Basque coast, the town is a joy to explore with its rugged cliffs, sandy beaches, and elegant architecture. Biarritz's rich history, once a favourite getaway for European nobility, is evident in its grand hotels and historic landmarks, creating a blend of sophistication and seaside relaxation.

Your full first day in Biarritz is free to begin exploring. The resort, with its sweeping promenade and vast beaches, offers a range of activities. You could spend your time simply strolling along the golden beaches and savouring Basque cuisine at a local café. Alternatively, you might like to try your luck in the casino or visit the town's lighthouse. If you're feeling energetic, you could stroll past the atmospheric Old Port to Rocher de la Vierge - a statue on a rocky headland, believed to protect local fishermen, now connected to the town by a footbridge.

• Breakfast

On today's excursion we travel by coach to Col de Saint-Ignace, where we connect with the superb Petit Train de la Rhune. This classic rack-and-pinion railway takes us through the dramatic Atlantic Pyrenees in lovingly restored wooden carriages. The route takes us through steep-sided rocky valleys, with a fabulous panorama over the rolling meadows and foothills of the Basque region. The summit of La Rhune marks the border between France and Spain and, at 3,000 feet above sea level, offers a magnificent panorama over the Bay of Biscay.

After time to admire the views, we descend the mountain and continue to the lively fishing port of St Jean-de-Luz. Here you have a little time to explore; maybe walk along the promenade to see the fishing boats bring in their catch. Otherwise, the medieval centre is a delight to wander around. We enjoy a 3-course dinner with cider in a local restaurant before returning to Biarritz.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Following breakfast in our hotel, we make our way by rail to Bordeaux - one of the world's most famous wine regions - a city brimming with 18th-century grandeur and 21st century energy. Here we transfer to our floating hotel for 6 nights, the MS Cyrano de Bergerac. After time to settle in, we are greeted with a welcome cocktail before tonight's 3-course dinner is served, accompanied by free-flowing wine and followed by an evening of entertainment on board.

Due to navigational considerations and tidal influence, the order of the itinerary may change.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Following a relaxed morning onboard, this afternoon we explore Bordeaux - a beautiful city which brims with 18th-century grandeur and 21st-century energy. As the world's largest urban World Heritage Site - with diverse architecture, welcoming boulevards and a quaint Old Town - Bordeaux also has an excellent choice of art museums. A city tour gives us an insight into Bordeaux's history. Alternatively, you could choose to explore at your own pace. Back on board this evening we enjoy dinner, wine and entertainment.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning we cruise to Libourne on the Dordogne. After lunch we travel to St Émilion for a guided coach tour of this UNESCO-listed city. According to legend, a Benedictine monk named Emilion sought refuge in one of the natural caves in the area to escape the celebrity status bestowed on him for performing a miracle. We see this very cave on our tour as well as the largest monolithic church in Europe. Visiting a family-run vineyard next, we enjoy a tasting of some popular local wines before returning to our ship where we sail to Cussac during dinner. We moor here overnight.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning we awaken in Cussac, a sleepy village on the banks of the Gironde. On a guided tour through the celebrated Médoc wine route, we're treated to a tasting at a vineyard along the Route des Châteaux. Following lunch, we sail from Cussac to Royan where we moor for the night and enjoy dinner this evening alongside some entertainment.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, we travel by coach to Rochefort, an ancient maritime city on the banks of the Charente River. On a tour into the city's intriguing past, we visit the Corderie Royale, a historic rope-making factory which supplied the French navy for centuries.

We then continue to one of the most historically important seaports on the European Atlantic coast, La Rochelle. After lunch at a local restaurant, we tour the natural and man-made architecture that makes this destination so unique. You then have time at leisure in La Rochelle to explore the Old Town and harbour. Or you could visit one of the city's many museums.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today our ship moors in the fortified 13th-century town of Cadillac, on the banks of la Garonne. With a choice of excursions, you could tour the medieval Roquetaillade Château, named after the troglodyte caves that are underneath. Built in 1306 as the last English castle in France, this castle is still privately owned by the Roquetaillade family, who have been residents here since it was constructed. It was opened to the public in 1956 and there's a working farm with Bazadais cattle as well as a vineyard which produces the famous white wine, Chateaufort de Roquetaillade.

Alternatively, you could enjoy a guided walking tour of Cadillac to uncover this medieval town. With attractive streets of sun-baked limestone buildings, Cadillac's focal point is its stately 15th-century Ducal Château. We return to our ship for lunch on board and set sail for Bordeaux. This evening, we enjoy a gala dinner, the perfect end to our holiday.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a final breakfast onboard, it's time to say goodbye to our wonderful crew this morning and head to the station by coach. We board the train to Paris, where we connect with the Eurostar service back to London St Pancras. Our holiday comes to an end here and you can make your way home with fantastic new memories.

• Breakfast