It’s not the most obvious of ideas, it’s true, so we thought we’d just slip it in there to see how you react… What about a small cruise-cum-bike tour in the Bordeaux region?

In fact, the concept couldn’t be simpler. You hop on the MS Bordeaux, stash your bags in one of the fifty cabins, store your bike in the hold — and off you go! Anchors aweigh! The boat sails along the river at night, while you cruise the lanes on your bike during the day. What’s on the itinerary? Well, a few turns of the pedal will take you through the vineyards of Bordeaux, along the Garonne and into the Gironde estuary. To say there is plenty to do would be something of an understatement: the Entre Deux Mers, Sauternes, Médoc, Saint-Emilion — over the course of a week you’ll cover 220 km more or less. And you can recover from it all in your cabin, with roughly the same level of comfort as a hotel room (shower, toilet, air conditioning and satellite TV) plus a different view every morning! And trust us, that soon becomes something you look forward to! In the evening, you eat locally in the restaurant on the promenade deck, with the sun setting over the horizon as you knock back some fine wine before heading off to the land of nod… because tomorrow it will be more of the same pleasures.

Tips nearby: 

L’Atelier de Candale: At Saint-Laurent-des-Combes, 10 minutes from Saint-Emilion. A bistro in the château of Candale with refined, modern cuisine: braised ribs and vine shoots, poached cod in cockles à la nage... Also a fine selection of local wines and stunning views over the vineyards from the terrace.

Le Logis de la Cadène: In Saint-Emilion in the mediaeval town, with three bedrooms and two restrained and cosy suites. Located directly next-door, the Maison Cadène has four suites with warm, wooden furniture and old, restored floors. Gourmet food is served at the Logis. The Maison Cadène has a billiard table, spa, library and garden.