I hope you will agree that I’ve saved the best chapter of #MyVikingStory for last. The Jurisdiction of Saint-Émilion (including the town center and eight surrounding villages) was listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1999. With its winding cobblestone streets and incredible views from every vantage point, it is…
Viking Forseti River Cruise - "Chateaux, Rivers & Wine"
An 8-day river cruise through Bordeaux on Viking Cruises. Featuring destinations in Southwest France including Cadillac, Saint-Emilion, Libourne, and Blaye.
The Chateaux of Margaux
You might have noticed by now that I haven’t been ready to bid adieu to our Viking River Cruise in France. With each chapter posted in #MyVikingStory, the reality of our trip being over sets in a little bit more. And so I write this next post with heavy hands, as it…
Citadelle de Blaye
Visting the Citadel of Blaye was the most fun-filled excursion of our river cruise. The walled city was built in the 17th century to protect Bordeaux against invasions from the sea. The old barracks now house restaurants, art galleries, souvenir shops, a hotel, and a museum. I was excited to photograph the…
Bourg, briefly
We woke up on the fourth day of our river cruise in a small town called Bourg. There were no official excursions planned and the rainy weather left most of our party wanting to stay warm indoors. Looking out from the boat, it didn’t seem like there was much to see, but…
Market Day in Libourne
At first glance, the quiet Bastide town of Libourne might pale in comparison to the vibrant Bordeaux or picturesque Saint-Émilion, but I tend to find beauty in the ordinary. Our time exploring the open-air marché of Place Abel-Surchamp was one of my favorite memories from the trip. I love markets, in general,…
The Beauty of Bordeaux
Started working on a photo album this weekend for our “Chateaux, Rivers & Wine” Viking Cruise and realized how behind I am on blog posts of the trip. Trying to get back on track with these pictures from our full day in Bordeaux. Having already seen the gorgeous city at night, it…
In the Sweetness of Sauternes
I have a confession to make… I don’t care much about wine. Growing up, my parents rarely drank alcohol, save for dad’s occasional beer at a hockey game. We were a sparkling apple cider family, and that was fine with me. At the age of 31, my palate remains unrefined. The only…
Bordeaux by Night
Bordeaux, France was recently named Lonely Planet’s Best City in the World for travelers. After experiencing a few days in the city as part of Viking’s Chateaux, Rivers & Wine Cruise, I can personally attest to the validity of this claim. I fell instantly in love with its 18th century limestone buildings…