France - Bordeaux Chateaux, Rivers and Wine Boat and Bike Tour 2017 Individual Self-Guided or Guided 8 days / 7 nights

In many ways this is the perfect tour for any wine enthusiast keen to explore one of the most prolific and famous wine growing destinations in the world – the Bordeaux region of south west France. On a daily basis as you cruise the Dordogne, Garonne and Gironde Rivers on board your floating hotel for the duration for the tour, the appropriately named MS Bordeaux, you will cycle through areas where appellations such as Saint-Émilion, Pomerol, Sauternes, Médoc and Margaux have made Bordeaux wines world famous. But more than just a tour for oenophiles, the Bordeaux Wine, Rivers and Castles Bike and Barge Tour will also provide you with the opportunity to leisurely explore one of the most beautiful, historically famous and beloved parts of France by bicycle. As you cycle through this famous wine region you will have the opportunity to visit a number of wineries and, of course, taste various excellent wines varieties. But as you will very quickly discover, there is much, much more to the Bordeaux region than just fine wines; there are also grand chateaux to explore, a history that stretches from Gallo-Roman times, peaceful villages and picturesque vistas at every turn of the Dordogne, Garonne and Gironde Rivers. At the heart of the region is the city of Bordeaux, a cultural center if ever there was one. Once known as the “Sleeping Beauty”, the most bicycle-friendly of French cities definitely sleeps no more! The UNESCO World Heritage city stretches along the banks of Garonne River and invites visitors to savour its grand architecture, tempting cafés and shops and superb museums.

OK Cycle & Adventure Tours Inc. -- 1337B Wellington Ave – Ottawa, Ontario K1Y 3B8 www.okcycletours.com Toll Free 1-888-621-6818 Local 613-702-5350

Itinerary Day to Day Day 1: Castets-en- Dorthe – Canal des Deux Mers round tour 15 km Individual arrival and optional transfer from the meeting point in Bordeaux to the mooring location of the boat near the Canal des Deux Mers at Castets-en-Dorthe, located in the middle of the Garonne Valley. After settling in to your cabin, try out your cycling legs with a short first up bike ride around Castets. What you will discover is a fertile region aptly named “Little Holland” complete with walnut trees, kiwi orchards and vegetable fields. As you follow the bicycle path along the Canal des Deux Mers (Canal of Two Seas) that links the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, you will discover a lush rural countryside and quaint villages. In the evening, a welcome cocktail awaits you on board. Guide.voyages-sncf.com

Day 2: Castets-en- Dorthe – Sauternes round tour 35 - 50 km| Castets-en-Dorthe – Cadillac On your first day of cycling you will discover the Sauternais region, famous for the sweet dessert wines produced in the area. The route follows the winding banks of the Ciron River, whose icy waters flow into the warmer waters of the Garonne. In autumn, when the climate is warm and dry, the combination of the two different temperatures produce a mist that descends on the vineyards, promoting perfect conditions for the famous Sauternes wine. The country roads are dotted with picturesque chateaux whose elegant turrets rule over an ocean of colourful vines. Time seems frozen in a medieval era when Englishmen ruled the region. Thewinekart.com

In the late afternoon after re-joining the MS Bordeaux, you will sail downstream along the Garonne River to Cadillac, a small town famous for its towering castle Day 3: Cadillac – Entre-Deux-Mers / Graves round tour 40 km | Cadillac – Bordeaux Today’s cycling itinerary takes you through this “Premieres Côtes de Bordeaux” winegrowing area in the Cadillac region, widely recognized as the birthplace of Bordeaux wines. You will have the opportunity to visit the former residence of the writer Francois Mauriac and Malromé Castle, the home of the painter Toulouse-Lautrec, built in the sixteenth century. Wine tastings are offered here! Once back on board, you will sail along the Garonne River towards the enchanting city of Bordeaux. The MS Bordeaux will berth for the night in the city center where you will see the region’s most prestigious panorama: the Stone Bridge, Place de la Bourse and Quai des Chartrons.

OK Cycle & Adventure Tours Inc. -- 1337B Wellington Ave – Ottawa, Ontario K1Y 3B8 www.okcycletours.com Toll Free 1-888-621-6818 Local 613-702-5350

Day 4: Bordeaux: Heart of Bordeaux bike tour 30 km | Bordeaux – Bourg The highlight today is a guided tour of the city of Bordeaux where you will have the opportunity to explore the historical city the best way possible – on two wheels. The tour begins with a description of the town’s historical background, followed by the exploration of some of its main attractions; the royal entrance of the city (Cailhau Gate), the Big Bell of Pey Berlan, the Golden Triangle, the Girondins column, the water mirror… and more. You will ride on quiet roads to historic squares, a hidden garden and quaint locations where you can stop for a tasting of Bordeaux’s renowned “cannelés” and coffee or oysters and white wine. There is free time in the afternoon to shop or explore. Be sure to explore the town’s streets and shops where fine wine is still stored in underground cellars carved in stone. After dinner the MS Bordeaux will sail along the Garonne River via the Gironde estuary to Bourg, a picturesque village built on a rocky promontory and your destination for the day.

Day 5: Bourg – Pauillac| Pauillac/Lamarque – Medoc bike tour 40 km | Pauillac/Lamarque – Blaye This morning the MS Bordeaux will cruise from Bourg to Pauillac, the undisputed capital of the Médoc wine region. You will have time to walk through Pauillac which features an exceptional old chateau built by the English to guard the left bank of the estuary, the then frontier of their highly coveted territory. Later, as you wind your way through the vineyards, you will pass some of Margaux’s best wineries including Palmer, Issan, Lewis Brown, Rauzan Segla, Ferrière, and last but not least, Château Margaux . Pinterest.com

You will have the opportunity to stop at one of these great wine estates for a visit/tasting (optional). In the late afternoon, the MS Bordeaux will cruise along the wide Gironde estuary to your destination for the day, the jetty at Blaye which is overlooked by the remarkable 17th century fortress of Vauban.

OK Cycle & Adventure Tours Inc. -- 1337B Wellington Ave – Ottawa, Ontario K1Y 3B8 www.okcycletours.com Toll Free 1-888-621-6818 Local 613-702-5350

Day 6: Blaye Fortress and vineyards (UNESCO World Heritage Site) round tour 35 - 50 km | Blaye – Bourg-surGironde This morning, after a short loop through the citadel to admire the military masterwork of the ‘Sun King’ Louis XIV, you will cycle to the Côtes de Blaye vineyard. While the wine chateaux may be lesser known than some others in the region, it is still a beautiful location and the quality of the wine produced is second to none. As you cycle through the region you will see endless vineyards, fairy tale chateaux and elegant manor houses. Since the Middle Ages countless numbers of pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostella in Spain have passed through this region. estuaire-gironde.fr

After completing the day’s round tour on your bicycle, the MS Bordeaux will sail to Bourg-sur-Gironde, an historic village with a rich background and a beautiful architectural heritage. After dinner you have the option to go for a short ride or a walk to explore Bourg-sur-Gironde.

Day 7: Bourg-sur-Gironde – Fronsa Fronsac, Libourne & Saint Émilion vineyards 35 -50 km This morning the MS Bordeaux will cruise along the Dordogne River to Fronsac, where you will start you final day of cycling. A highlight along the way is the village of Libourne where you can stroll to the picturesque city square lined with buildings dating as far back as the 16th century. Take the opportunity to visit the weekly Friday market before starting your exploration of the famous Pomerol and Saint-Émilion wine areas. You are sure to enjoy cycling through this unspoiled UNESCO World Heritage landscape on small picturesque back roads and paths. Along the way you will pass the Angelus, Ausone, Cheval Blanc and Petrus vineyards – some of the world’s most famous wine estates, a true paradise for wine lovers! Day 8: Fronsac: Disembarkation and (optional) transfer back to Bordeaux Disembarkation after breakfast until 9.30am: End of your trip. Return transfer (optional) to the pre-agreed drop off point in the city centre of Bordeaux.

OK Cycle & Adventure Tours Inc. -- 1337B Wellington Ave – Ottawa, Ontario K1Y 3B8 www.okcycletours.com Toll Free 1-888-621-6818 Local 613-702-5350

Route

Technical Characteristics Tour Profile: Cycling during this tour in the Bordeaux area can be rated easy to moderate, with daily cycling distances from 30 to 50km. The terrain is relatively flat with some short climbs out of the river valleys onto the intervening vineyard areas and is suitable for cyclists with some (recent) practice and basic to moderate fitness levels.

Distance: 275 km

Travel Dates: Departures Saturdays from Castets-en-Dorthe to Fronsac – April 22; May 6; May 20; June 3; June 17; August 26; September 9; September 23; October 8; October 7, 2017 Departures Saturdays from Fronsac to Castets-en-Dorthe: April 29; May 13; May 27; June 10; June 24; September 2, September 16; October 2; October 14, 2017

OK Cycle & Adventure Tours Inc. -- 1337B Wellington Ave – Ottawa, Ontario K1Y 3B8 www.okcycletours.com Toll Free 1-888-621-6818 Local 613-702-5350

Price per person

April 22

April 29/ May 6/ All Other Dates October 14 €1099.00 €1249.00

Twin Cabin Lower Deck double occupancy

€999.00

Twin Cabin Upper Deck double occupancy

€1149.00

€1249.00

€1399.00

Single Cabin Upper Deck double occupancy

€1349.00

€1449.00

€1649.00

Single Cabin Lower Deck double occupancy

€1299.00

€1399.00

€1599.00

Junior Suite Lower Deck double occupancy

€1299.00

€1399.00

€1549.00

Reservation fee (obligatory surcharge) per booking/party

€15.00

Rental bicycle with 21 gears, hand brakes, pannier bag

€75.00

Rental e-bike (limited number)

€165.00

Package guided cycling

€200.00

Family Special: children up to age 15 pay 50% when gooking with at least 1 full paying adult; offer applies for all departures in July 2017 (offer applies only to tour price) Included:  Tour and accommodation on board in the booked cabin category  Full board: 7 x breakfast, 6 x picnic lunch during bike tours, 7 x three course dinner  Use of bed linen and towels (change of towels daily possible), daily cleaning of the cabin  Welcome cocktail, presentation of ship + crew and briefing on the first evening  Tour leader (English speaking) with daily briefings of the bike tours, some short walking tours; individual semiguided cycling tours: tour leader is not guiding the group, but cycling in the area and can be contacted during bike tours by mobile phone in case of questions, problems or emergencies (fully guided cycling as option / surcharge)  Printed instructions and detailed maps for individual daily bike tours, 1 set/cabin  Complimentary coffee and tea every until 04:00 PM Not Included:  2 Bus transfers: Sat. at 02:00 PM from meeting point in the center of Bordeaux to ship (Castets-en-Dorthe /Fronsac, respectively) and return on next Sat. at 09:00 AM from ship to meeting point in Bordeaux (transfer time: 1 hr. each); roundtrip: € 45  Other transfers, parking fees, entrance fees & excursions & wine tastings  Drinks on board, personal insurances, gratuities (at your discretion)  Special diets on request / surcharges may apply

OK Cycle & Adventure Tours Inc. -- 1337B Wellington Ave – Ottawa, Ontario K1Y 3B8 www.okcycletours.com Toll Free 1-888-621-6818 Local 613-702-5350

The Ship Bordeaux

Facts & Figures: Number of guests: max. 96 Number of cabins: 49 Length: 78 m (256 ft.) Width: 10 m (33 ft.)

Cabins lower deck • 34 twin cabins: approx. 7.5-8.0 M² (81 – 86 sq.ft.), 2 single beds next to each other • 2 junior suites: approx. 11.6 M² (125 sq.ft.), 2 single beds next to each other, small sitting area Cabins upper deck • 11 twin cabins: approx. 7.5-8.0 M² (81 – 86 sq.ft.), 2 single beds next to each other • 2 single cabins: approx. 6.0-7.0 M² (65 – 75 sq.ft.),

All cabins have a small window that can be opened, ensuite bathroom with shower + toilet, air conditioning, satelliteTV, mini-safe. The salon on the upper deck combines a bar and a lounge area and a small dance floor; large panoramic windows all round; separate restaurant; sun deck with a large sunroof, chairs and tables; cycle shed.

Assisting people in realizing their touring dreams worldwide is our passion. www.okcycletours.com

THIS IS A PARTNER TOUR FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT OK Cycle & Adventure Tours Inc. 1337B Wellington Ave – Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1Y 3B8

Toll Free 1-888-621-6818

Local 613-702-5350

TICO Ontario Registration No: 50022848