Viking River Cruises announced a new itinerary in France’s Bordeaux region for 2014. This eight-day cruise—Châteaux, Rivers & Wine—allows guests to enjoy the beauty and history of Bordeaux and the Aquitaine region, while exploring some of the world’s finest names in wine. Guests will sail on Viking Forseti, marking the first time a Viking Longship will be deployed in France.
Châteaux, Rivers & Wine takes guests on an exploration of the Dordogne, Garonne and Gironde Rivers. The eight-day cruise journey begins in Bordeaux and makes its first stop in Pauillac, where guests can sip the full-bodied blends of the Médoc and Margaux wine regions and travel along the Route des Châteaux for an insight into château life. Next, guests have the opportunity to explore the Citadel in Blaye and the town of St. Emilion—both UNESCO World Heritage sites—before continuing on to Cadillac, where they can taste the Premier Cru wines from the Sauternes region. The voyage concludes with a tour of the churches, Louis XV architecture and cafes of Bordeaux.
Viking’s Culture CurriculumSM on Châteaux, Rivers & Wine was designed with the assistance of local experts to provide opportunities for passengers to experience various aspects of the regional culture. Guests may learn to make tender canelés, a caramelized custard pastry, observe the winemaking traditions of the area, begin or expand their appreciation of fine Bordeaux wines and brush up on their conversational French with optional onboard lessons.
Guests on the Châteaux, Rivers & Wine cruise will travel on the Viking Forseti, which will be the newest ship to sail the rivers of the Aquitaine Valley—and the first Viking Longship to sail in France.
For more information, visit www.vikingrivercruises.com.