Beautiful Bordeaux, the Dordogne and La Rochelle

We meet at London St Pancras* where we join the Eurostar to Paris. We are transferred by coach from the Gare du Nord to the Gare Montparnasse to board a train that whisks us south-wards. We travel through the French countryside to Bordeaux, a celebrated wine region, on the banks of the Garonne River. Here we are transferred to our floating hotel for six nights, the MS Cyrano de Bergerac. After time to settle in, we enjoy a welcome cocktail before our first 3-course dinner, accompanied by free-flowing wine. Dinner is followed by an evening of onboard entertainment.

*If you would like to travel by air, view our Fly & Cruise option here.

• Dinner

Today our ship moors in the fortified 13th century town of Cadillac, on the banks of la Garonne. Here you have a choice of excursions - either a tour of the medieval Roquetaillade Château or a guided walking tour of Cadillac to visit the town's gourmet market. We return to our cruise ship for dinner and tonight we set sail for Cussac, travelling overnight.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning we arrive at Cussac, a sleepy village on the banks of the Gironde. Here we disembark for a tour through the celebrated Médoc wine route and enjoy a tasting at a vineyard along the Route des Châteaux. On board this evening, we enjoy another freshly prepared dinner alongside some entertainment.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Disembarking in Libourne this morning, we travel to St Émilion for a guided coach tour of this UNESCO listed city. We also visit the Troglodyte cave that was inhabited by the Benedictine monk who founded the town, after he escaped the celebrity status bestowed on him for performing a miracle. We'll also see the largest monolithic church in Europe and visit a family-run vineyard for a tasting of some popular local wines before returning to Libourne and beginning our journey to Royan where we moor during the night. After dinner this evening we enjoy entertainment and dancing in the lounge.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, we travel from the dock in Royan by coach to Rochefort. an important and ancient maritime destination on the banks of the Charente River, and we take a tour into the city's intriguing past. Entrance is included to the Corderie Royale, an historic rope-making factory which supplied the French navy for centuries.

We 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 some free time in La Rochelle to explore the Old Town and harbour or maybe visit one of the city's many museums.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Following a relaxed morning on board, this afternoon we arrive back in 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 may choose to explore at your own pace. Besides its reputation for excellent wine, the city is also a centre for gastronomy. Back on board this evening, we enjoy a gala dinner, the perfect end to our holiday.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a final breakfast on board, this morning we disembark our cruise ship and transfer to the station. We board the train to Paris, where we connect with the Eurostar service back to London St Pancras.

• Breakfast