Brilliant Bordeaux

Day 1: Biarritz
If you have arranged a Uniworld arrival transfer, you will be greeted at the Biarritz Airport by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the Hotel du Palais Biarritz. This property was originally a lavish palace commissioned by Napoleon III for his wife, Empress Eugénie—in fact, a bird’s-eye-view of the hotel reveals a clear “E” shape in her honor. Biarritz was the empress’s favorite place to holiday, and it may just be yours after your stay here.

Day 2: Biarritz
FEATURED EXCURSION: Biarritz Walking Tour with Market Visit
Today after breakfast you will embark on an exciting tour of Biarritz. Start with a visit to the Biarritz lighthouse, where you can enjoy a fantastic view of the bay. If you so choose, you can climb the 248 steps to the top and take in a view of the cape that highlights the boundary separating the sandy coast and rocky mountains of the Basque country. Next, take in the historic architecture of the Biarritz city center on a walking tour. We’ll end our tour at the market hall, where you might choose to stay and explore during your free time before returning to the hotel.

Day 3: Biarritz
FEATURED EXCURSION: Discover the Basque Country
Today after breakfast you will discover the cities of Bayonne and St. Jean de Luz. In contrast to the resort town of Biarritz, Bayonne offers a laid-back, authentic take on Basque life. And while it may surprise you, this mellow town is also the capital of French chocolate. You’ll find several master chocolatiers crowded into the charmingly narrow shops and alleyways of Bayonne, alongside an eclectic array of small boutiques.

Next up: the Atlantic fishing village of St. Jean de Luz. Right by the border to Spain, this town is famous for hosting the marriage of King Louis XIV of France and Maria Theresa of Spain, a union that helped end the Franco-Spanish War.

Day 4: Biarritz
Today after breakfast you will transfer from the hotel in Biarritz to the ship in Bordeaux to begin your cruise.

Day 1: Paris
You’ll disembark and travel aboard a TGV train bound for the dazzling city of Paris, riding at high speed through the serene French countryside. Once you reach the hotel, you will be greeted by your local host, who will show you the neighborhood. The rest of the day is yours to do with as you wish. Unwind at the hotel or go out and explore the city. There are so many fabulous things to see and do in Paris; your host can offer suggestions to help you make the best use of your time. You might visit Montmartre to watch the artists working in the Place du Tertre or go for a stroll down the famed Champs-Élysées.

Day 2: Paris
FEATURED EXCURSION: Opera Garnier Discovery Walk
Put on comfortable walking shoes and plan to spend a couple of hours strolling through the geographical heart of Paris. Your first stop: the Jacquemart-André Museum. Steps away from the Champs-Élysées, this museum is home to the city’s premier private collection of fine art. Step inside to find yourself face-to-face with originals by Botticelli, Rembrandt, and many more.

From there, we’ll continue our walk to the Opéra de Paris Garnier, also known as Palais Garnier. Work on this extravagant opera house began in 1865 and continued for 15 trouble-filled years, which included the discovery of an underground lake beneath the construction site. It’s still there, incidentally—confined to an enormous cistern where carp swim and rescue divers train. Your guide will take you inside to explore this glorious tribute to Second Empire opulence, complete with dazzling chandeliers, red-velvet wall coverings and draperies, gold-leafed cherubs, marble friezes, and a spectacular 20th-century ceiling by Marc Chagall.

Then head out through the 8th arrondissement, exploring the wide avenues and arcades designed by Baron Haussmann when he modernized Paris between 1852 and 1870. See the Palais-Royal, which now houses government offices but still boasts a lovely garden, and La Comédie-Française, the only state theater to have its own troupe, before you loop back toward your hotel, passing the National Library and the Paris Bourse.

Note: Occasionally, the Opera Garnier will not be available for this extension. On such occasions, an alternative experience will be arranged, such as a visit to the Musee d’Orsay or a walking tour of Paris’ popular Le Marais district.

Day 3: Paris
You have sampled exquisite culinary delights and experienced the best of Paris’ legendary sights. Now it’s time to check out of the hotel. If you have arranged a Uniworld departure transfer, you will be transferred to Paris Charles de Gaulle International Airport for your trip home. Your Uniworld adventure may be over, but we know you’ll enjoy the memories you’ve made for years to come.