Scenic Diamond, 11 Night Bordeaux Affair with Madrid ex Bordeaux to Madrid ex Bordeaux, France to Madrid, Spain

Day 1
Welcome to Bordeaux, where your crew are ready to receive you on board the luxurious Scenic Diamond.

The moniker ‘Sleeping Beauty’ or La Belle Endormie was given to Bordeaux when industry was moved to the outskirts and the city was all but abandoned. In the late 20th century, the city was revived and restored to its former glory. The city centre was pedestrianised, limestone was revealed under blackened facades, and Bordeaux was listed as a World Heritage Site with more than 300 structures declared historical monuments. It’s now one of the most desirable places in France to live and visit.

Day 2
This morning is spent on board relaxing as you cruise into the beautiful 13th century port of Libourne.

Spend the afternoon in the nearby town of Saint-Émilion, a World Heritage-listed medieval village with world-famous wineries, beautiful architecture and historic monuments. It’s also the birthplace of macarons.

This evening your Scenic Space-Ship will be docked overnight in Libourne, a 13th-century city located at the confluence of the Dordogne and Isle rivers.

Day 3
Today you’ll have the opportunity to explore Libourne and its surrounding wine-growing region.

Scenic Freechoice: Walking tour of Libourne: Join your local guide for a walking tour of Libourne, the fortified harbour town with a rich history linked to the trade of wool, wine, salt and wood.Wines and vineyards of Saint-Emilion: Journey to the countryside of Saint Emilion for a wine tasting at one of the region’s most renowned château. Explore the property before tasting some of the estate exceptional wines.Visit to Chateau de Vayres: Château de Vayres is a remarkable historic monument that showcases a fascinating blend of medieval, Renaissance and 17th-century architecture. Admire an impressive collection of tapestries and period furnishings, all brought to life through a guided tour giving insight into the château’s rich history and its role in regional power struggles.Artisanal flour mill: Tour the machinery at a beautifully restored 19th century water mill on the Isle River and join a bread-making workshop.

This afternoon, relax on board as you sail towards Blaye. Toast the passing scenery with a regional wine or beer in the Panorama Lounge & Bar or spend time in the rejuvenating Salt Therapy Lounge.

Day 4
This morning you will arrive in Blaye. Most famously, this petite hamlet is home to a World Heritage-listed citadel that was constructed to protect the city of Bordeaux from enemy attacks.

Scenic Freechoice: Explore with the following Scenic Freechoice activities.Walking tour of Blaye: Stroll through the charming city of Blaye with a local guide, a World Heritage-listed monument that overlooks the Gironde Estuary.Active walking tour of Blaye: Tour the fascinating citadel of Blaye on an active walking tour with a local guide. Gain an understanding of the defence system created by the famous architect Sébastien Vauban.

Scenic Set in spectacular surrounds in the Médoc countryside, Château d’Agassac is truly enchanting. Dating back to the 13th century the Château is one of the oldest winemaking establishments in the region and is the venue for your unforgettable evening concert. Wander through the château and its gardens and soak in the ambiance of this magnificent property before a string quartet performs classical masterpieces for your enjoyment.

Day 5
Wake up this morning in Fort Médoc, located between Bordeaux and Pointe de Grave, at the northern end of the Médoc winegrowing region. This appellation grows some of the world’s most famous and expensive wines, particularly cabernet sauvignon.

Scenic Freechoice: Médoc wine tasting by coach: Travel by coach through this scenic region to a local winery and enjoy a tasting.Médoc wine tasting by bicycle: Discover the spectacular Médoc countryside by e-bike today and sample the region’s finest at one of the prestigious estates.Back on board, enjoy lunch as you cruise to Bourg, a picturesque town set on a rocky promontory. This quiet village sits among many famous World Heritage-listed sites and, though it is just as charming, remains largely undiscovered by the masses.

Scenic Freechoice: Bourg with Carriages Museum: Situated inside the grounds of Bourg Castle, visit the Carriages Museum with a local guide.Guided cycling along the Captain’s Road: Join an active cycling tour along the Captain’s Road, a winding coastal road offers spectacular views, and is lined with old captains homesteads with floral gardens, small fishermen huts and of course some vineyards.Visit a local estate: Enjoy magnificent panoramic views of the Gironde while tasting Côtes de Bourg wines at a local winery.

This evening your ship will continue its journey towards Cadillac, stopping overnight in Bordeaux before sailing onward.

Day 6
Departing Bordeaux early, your Scenic Space-Ship will cruise along the Garonne River to Cadillac. Founded in the 13th century, this charming, fortified city is centred around its magnificent château.

Scenic Freechoice: Explore with the following Scenic Freechoice activities.Sauternes by coach: Explore Sauternes by coach and enjoy a tasting of a chateaux fine wines.Sauternes by bike: Cycle through the rolling vineyards of Sauternes on an e-bike, whilst sampling local wines as you learn the fine art of grape harvesting and wine production.Walking tour of Cadillac: Discover the medieval township of Cadillac with its narrow streets and its marketplace on a walking tour, followed by a visit to the chateau in the heart of the village.

Day 7
Waking this morning in Bordeaux, you will have several options to explore this incredible city. Founded by the Celts around 300BC and became part of Julius Caesar’s Roman Empire in the 1st century. It has been an important trading port since the Middle Ages.

Scenic Freechoice: Guided tour of Bordeaux: Join your local guide on a tour of Bordeaux. Discover the highlights of the city, such as the magnificent Gothic cathedral and Place de la Bourse.Cycling tour of Bordeaux: Pedal through historic Bordeaux on a guided cycling tour. Sample delicious treats such as the traditional canelé, a custard cake.Shop with a chef: Join Scenic’s chef at a local food market to source the freshest local produce, before returning to the on board cooking school, Scenic Culinaire to learn the art of French fare.

This afternoon is at your leisure to wander the streets of Bordeaux. Spend your final hours in France wandering along the waterfront past 18th century buildings, make a beeline for the city’s Golden Triangle district for beautiful architecture and shopping, or visit La Cite du Vin, an interactive and sensory wine museum.

Day 8

Board your included flight from Bordeaux to Madrid where you will stay three glorious nights.

Day 9
Enjoy a tour of Madrid with a local guide this morning. You’ll explore the 17th century Austrian Quarter, the Sabatini Gardens, and the famous Cibeles and Neptuno Fountains. There will also be stops to see a traditional bullfighting ring, admire a panorama of the Royal Palace and visit the unique Templo de Debod, an Egyptian temple from the second century BC that was given to the city by the Egyptian government.

This evening, join your fellow guests for a delicious dinner in a local restaurant.

Day 10
Scenic Freechoice: Today chose how you want to explore with the following Scenic Freechoice excursions:Prado Museum visit: Visit the Prado Museum where your guide will escort you through the collections which date from the 12th to the 20th century. The museum opened in 1819 and has since successfully fulfilled its mission of preserving, exhibiting and enriching its collections of art, which are closely linked to the history of Spain.Tastes of Madrid walking tour: Today let your local guide introduce you to the flavours of Madrid. Join this walking tour through the streets of Madrid tasting local cuisine as you go. Make a stop at the bustling Mercado de San Miguel to learn about the Mercado culture in Spain. Explore the surrounding area and taste various local produce including jamón ibérico (cured Iberian ham) and tapas (small bites) while learning about their history and significance in Spanish cuisine.

Spend the afternoon strolling the fashionable boutiques that adorn the city centre’s many plazas, relaxing in one of Madrid’s manicured gardens or simply exploring the surrounding area at your leisure.

Day 11
After breakfast, transfer to Madrid airport with memories of a truly unforgettable journey.

This itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons such as high and low water. As such, the cruise may operate altered from that stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions.

Enjoy the ultimate France river cruise experience on board a luxury Scenic Space-Ship. Scenic recently upgraded Scenic Sapphire and Scenic Diamond to meet the same unrivaled standards set by our newest ships on the European waterways.

The upgrades include luxury suites boasting large private balconies fitted with Scenic Sun-Lounges, 32 inch Samsung HD TVs linked to Mac mini computers and complimentary internet access enhanced by an upgraded Wi-Fi system.

The two new spectacular dining areas, River Café and Table la Rive, are welcome additions, and all public areas feature new artwork, carpet, soft furnishings and designer furniture. Even the bar in the new Panorama Lounge of each ship has been upgraded and is made from sophisticated Port Laurent marble.

Scenic Sapphire and Scenic Diamond feature the finest of interiors and amenities including a vitality pool, fitness centre and spa complete with an innovative Salt Therapy Lounge. Our Royal Owner’s Suite boasts a luxurious 47 square metres and will surpass all expectations.

Another highlight of these ships is Scenic Culinaire, a bespoke cooking area where guests are able to participate in a series of cooking demonstrations.

The Scenic Story Established in 1986, for 40 years Scenic have been taking their guests to the most fascinating destinations in over 100 countries and every continent.

Uniquely, Scenic Group is now the only cruise company to design, build and operate its own ships through its in-house shipbuilding division, MKM Yachts. This fully integrated model ensures exceptional quality and a consistently elevated guest experience.

Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours sets the benchmark in truly all-inclusive, ultra-luxury travel. The Scenic Discovery Yachts including Scenic Eclipse and Scenic Eclipse II, with Scenic Ikon set to launch in 2028, offer unrivalled exploration across all seven continents, visiting more than 100 countries and 600 ports. Scenic’s river fleet is also expanding, growing from 13 to 16 ships with new additions planned for 2027 and 2028 in Europe, the Mekong and India, further strengthening their leadership in all-inclusive river cruising. Their handcrafted land journeys and extensions compliment the cruise experience, with immersive, seamlessly curated experiences around the world.

Cherish the Planet Scenic’s Cherish the Planet initiative is more than sustainability. It’s a commitment to creating positive change, from sustainability practices to rich community partnerships. They aim to leave as small a footprint as possible.

Award-Winning They are consistently recognised as the leading luxury cruise line and tour operator by respected consumer publications and industry groups. Scenic Eclipse was also named the Best Cruise Ship for Dining, Asia’s Best River Cruise Ship and Europe’s Best River Cruise Line at the inaugural World Cruise Awards in 2022.

Select the Deck to view detail.

Scenic Diamond - Jewel Deck

Scenic Diamond - Sapphire Deck

Scenic Diamond - Diamond Deck

Scenic Diamond - Sun Deck

Select the Cabin to view detail.

Cat RJ - Junior Balcony Suite

These spacious Suites (250ft²), located on the Sapphire and Diamond Decks, have a private full-length balcony and elegant en-suite bathrooms featuring a large vanity basin, bathtub with shower above.

Cat RS - Royal Panorama Suite

At 325ft², this suite is the largest on the ship. At the rear of the Diamond Deck, enjoy panoramic views of the breathtaking passing scenery through floor to ceiling windows across two walls of the cabin.

Cat RO - Royal Owners Suite

These Suites on the Diamond Deck are the ultimate in luxury with more space (510ft²), impeccable service, thoughtful touches, an outdoor balcony, lounge area and an oversized bathroom.

Cat E - Standard Suite

15m2/160ft2. Staterooms are located on the Jewel Deck with large picture windows to ensure a great view. They have a spacious design and clever layout alongside all the usual luxurious amenities and furnishings.

Cat C - Balcony Suite

Including Scenic ‘Sun Lounge’ – 19m2/205ft2. Located on the Sapphire and Diamond Decks they feature a full-length outdoor balcony with the exclusive ‘Sun Lounge’ system and are larger than the standard river cruise cabins on Europe’s rivers.

Cat B - Balcony Suite

Including Scenic ‘Sun Lounge’ – 19m2/205ft2. Located on the Sapphire and Diamond Decks they feature a full-length outdoor balcony with the exclusive ‘Sun Lounge’ system and are larger than the standard river cruise cabins on Europe’s rivers.

Cat BS - Single Balcony Suite

Scenic Tours staterooms are amongst the largest in Europe, 15.6 sqm (170 sq ft) for a standard stateroom. The luxurious fittings and amenities have been planned with the total comfort of our guests in mind. Suites and staterooms are fitted with a modern flat screen TV, superior air conditioning system, internet access, minibar, hairdryer, personal safe, power points suitable for Australian appliances and a state-of-the-art inroom entertainment system offering a choice of over 1000 movies on demand. Exclusive to Scenic Tours, 82% of our staterooms are Private Balcony Suites, complete with a large teak balcony furnished with outdoor chairs and a table. This unique feature gives our guests the freedom to retire to their suite with a glass of fine wine and watch Europe’s spectacular scenery pass by from the comfort and privacy of their own balcony.

Cat A - Balcony Suite

Including Scenic ‘Sun Lounge’ – 19m2/205ft2. Located on the Sapphire and Diamond Decks they feature a full-length outdoor balcony with the exclusive ‘Sun Lounge’ system and are larger than the standard river cruise cabins on Europe’s rivers.

Cat P - Balcony Suite

Including Scenic ‘Sun Lounge’ – 19m2/205ft2. Located on the Sapphire and Diamond Decks they feature a full-length outdoor balcony with the exclusive ‘Sun Lounge’ system and are larger than the standard river cruise cabins on Europe’s rivers.

Cat BJ - Junior Balcony Suite

These spacious Suites (250ft²), located on the Sapphire and Diamond Decks, have a private full-length balcony and elegant en-suite bathrooms featuring a large vanity basin, bathtub with shower above.

Cat RA - Royal Balcony Suite

These Suites on the Diamond Deck are the ultimate in luxury with more space (300-315ft²), impeccable service, thoughtful touches, an outdoor balcony, lounge area and an oversized bathroom.

Cat BA - Balcony Suite

Including Scenic ‘Sun Lounge’ – 19m2/205ft2. Located on the Sapphire and Diamond Decks they feature a full-length outdoor balcony with the exclusive ‘Sun Lounge’ system and are larger than the standard river cruise cabins on Europe’s rivers.

Cat BB - Balcony Suite

Including Scenic ‘Sun Lounge’ – 19m2/205ft2. Located on the Sapphire and Diamond Decks they feature a full-length outdoor balcony with the exclusive ‘Sun Lounge’ system and are larger than the standard river cruise cabins on Europe’s rivers.

Cat PA - Balcony Suite

Including Scenic ‘Sun Lounge’ – 19m2/205ft2. Located on the Sapphire and Diamond Decks they feature a full-length outdoor balcony with the exclusive ‘Sun Lounge’ system and are larger than the standard river cruise cabins on Europe’s rivers.

Cat PP - Balcony Suite

Including Scenic ‘Sun Lounge’ – 19m2/205ft2. Located on the Sapphire and Diamond Decks they feature a full-length outdoor balcony with the exclusive ‘Sun Lounge’ system and are larger than the standard river cruise cabins on Europe’s rivers.

Cat D - Standard Suite

15m2/160ft2. Staterooms are located on the Jewel Deck with large picture windows to ensure a great view. They have a spacious design and clever layout alongside all the usual luxurious amenities and furnishings.