As a lover of fine wine and dining, I was really looking forward to my first European River cruise experience on board the luxurious Scenic Diamond in France. From here I would explore the Gironde, Garonde and Dordogne rivers, sailing pass some stunning French countryside, vineyards and medieval villages.
I boarded the ship and started my adventure in Bordeaux. I was welcomed aboard by Mandy, the very knowledgeable cruise director, and the ships very friendly staff, who offered me a welcome aboard drink before showing me to my cabin. There I was met by my own personal butler who showed me everything in the cabin and was there to cater to my every whim during my stay. The cabin had everything I would need for the voyage as well as a mini bar restocked daily and pillow menu. My cabin was situated on the middle deck of the ship and even had a balcony. It had a retractable window which meant I could have the outside in whenever I wanted it. It was wonderful sitting on the balcony watching the world sail by and do a spot of bird watching.
From where I was docked, I could walk around and see the delights of Bordeaux. This city is a UNESCO world heritage site and has over 300 structures declared as historic monuments to walk around and discover. It was breathtaking, viewing the neoclassical architecture whilst walking around the pedestrianised city centre. Afterwards I enjoyed a coffee French style in a traditional café overlooking the river, watching the world go by. I finished off my tour by walking through a local Sunday food market and sampled some local delicacies such as cheeses, meats and sweets.
I visited the picturesque town Blaye, a town that is steeped in history. I did a walking tour of the Citadelle of Blaye, that was built to protect Bordeaux and the surrounding areas from invasion. It is perfectly preserved. It is the largest of the three fortifications making up the Bolt of the Estuary, and with a total of 38 hectares, 1.6 kilometres of ramparts, four bastions, and buildings from a chapel to a prison, there was a lot to explore. I even went through some underground passages, which gave a unique perspective of the fort. There was also a nice selection of shops and cafes to visit as well. The town itself was very picturesque and had some nice shops and cafes to browse in. I also did a guided tour of the medieval town of Bourg. Here I went to the Carriages Museum at the castle and walked through 16th century passageways to the guards’ rooms to see the immense World War II oil tanks that the Nazis used for their submarines during that time. It was fascinated to see how they hid their ships there and used the area in their bid to hold on to France and Europe during WWII.
This cruise also provided numerous opportunities to sample some wine from the region. I went to the Sauternes region and learnt the science behind creating some wonderful wines from the region. At Chateau Rayne Vigneau, I toured the vineyards, learnt all about the age of the vines and the type of soil needed to create the finest grapes for producing wine. I then went inside to look at the preparation of the wine and how the ages of the barrels give the wine a unique taste. It was fascinating. I even got to sample them at the end – which was very nice!
This appreciation of fine wine was continued by a visit to Medoc. The area has been one of the leading red wines producing regions since the 18th century. Here I travelled along 16,000 hectares of vineyards known as the ‘Route des Chateaux’, taking in some stunning houses, which have been owed by the same wine producing families for generations. This route begins from Bordeaux to Pointe de Grave at the northern end of Medoc. This day was ended by a visit to Chateau Prieure Lichine, to sample various types of red wine, which this one family has produced for centuries, and they were amazing to taste and enjoy.
Later I enjoyed a classical evening concert at Chateau d’Agassac in Medoc. The chateau dates back to the 13th century and is one of the oldest wine producers in the region. It was amazing to walk the grounds and gardens of the chateau and take it all in, especially the history of the place. I saw their wine cellar and saw how they can infuse the wines with flowers and spices, to create different flavours. Here I was able to listen to a female string quartet play classical masterpieces and contemporary music to us over a glass of wine. It was a very moving and unforgettable experience. This is something exclusive which scenic offers all it guests and it was a truly magical night and was a genuine highlight for me.
The ship also offered some memorable on-board experiences such as sampling fresh oysters from Arcachon, which were very nice. I even tried snails. I also was invited to the L’Amour Restaurant, which offered a very exclusive dining experience, as it only caters for up 32 guests each night. Here I was able to enjoy a five-course meal of French delicacies paired with local wines watching the sunset over the river. It was a very memorable night.
I also got to experience Scenic Culinaire, where I was able to enjoy a food shopping experience with the chef. It was great as I was able to see how he sourced local ingredients for the day from one of the ports of call and then prepare a traditional dish alongside him and enjoy this with a glass of wine when it was cooked. There were also opportunities to be active by going on cycling tours at each port. This was not too strenuous as they are e-bikes so you could pedal yourself or let the bike do the work. It was a good way to see the sights. If I wanted to have some time to relax, I would visit the innovative Salt Therapy Lounge, where I could lie down on a bed and let the healing salt treatment do its work. It was wonderful.
My trip with Scenic showed what an amazing experience it can be on onboard one of their ships as well as have a greater appreciation of wine. The attentiveness and knowledge of the staff was first class, and each port of call offered a unique insight into the area. I would recommend booking a scenic cruise to anyone, especially as everything is included, from premium drinks provided all day as well as tips. This is a holiday where there are no extras to worry about. The only requirement was to relax, enjoy the scenery, ports of call and have a good time. I certainly did with Scenic.
