bordeaux - wine, chateaus, and the golden triangle
Bordeaux - spring, wine, and chateaus
It’s a lazy Sunday afternoon and the sun’s warmth feels delicious from our patio.
Early this morning we turned out of the Bay of Biscay to the River Garonne and are leisurely cruising down brackish waters to the beating heart of Bordeaux.
Smells of lunch waft over from the pool deck.
Chef has prepared a toothsome spread of fresh grilled fish with asides of salads, we sneak plates back to the sanctuary of our patio. Here we can watch chateaus and vineyards drift past like a series of gallery paintings without interruption.
We feast and return to lounging.
Now in France, there is no better way to stretch out in the spring sun than in lingerie and a loosely draped kimono. A glass of wine at the fingertips, the light breeze across bare skin, and the melody of distant birdsong. The energy is flirtatious and fun.
We glance at each other and smile, words are not needed at this moment. We continue to drift.
Bordelais ( Bordeaux-ians ) picnic along the banks and punctuate the silence with animated hoots and greetings, we wave and cheers in return. Young leaves look like green confetti strewn through groves of branches reaching skyward. Nature gives way to structures and a beautiful city reveals itself. We sail in with pride and dock as temporary neighbors to the stunning square, Place de la Bourse.
It’s late afternoon when we spill out into the warmth of the city losing ourselves in narrow streets that spoke off from plazas and roundabouts. This city is dripping in 18th-century classical architecture and charm.
Our dining schedule is out of sync with the city and we hunt for an afternoon snack to pair with a glass of Bordeaux. One wine bar with a lovely outdoor setup takes pity on us and offers fresh bread with oven-warmed Camembert. The only letter we can utter in this moment is an elongated M. Mmmmmmmm!
As the sun retreats so do we, heading on board our ship for the best views of the city lights.
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The next morning slumbering in bed, we are shocked to a state of wake, then panic as our doorbell rings. Breakfast is waiting at the door.
Quick, where are the house coats?!
Seconds later our courteous butler enters to set a very indulgent breakfast atop a white tablecloth. We stifle giggles as this was a close call. With patio doors thrown wide, we watch the mist burn off the river as the sun rises warming the air. Smells of a spring morning mix with bacon, eggs, and coffee. This is a rare and delightful moment that is taken in with full reverence.
The weather gods are smiling upon us as we return to land and stroll the Triangle d’Or ( the Golden Triangle ). Here luxury boutiques, gourmet restaurants, and grand hotels line the streets. We meander aimlessly, then, set a course for lunch reservations at Amicis - a Micheline-starred restaurant in the heart of this triangle. With a set menu at 34 euros per patron, we are speechless. Seated on a small outdoor patio, drool-worthy plates of food are presented with great attention to detail. Cars pass slowly and their drivers peak out of open windows wishing ‘Bonne appetite’ as we tuck in.
Fresh air and an exquisite meal are the perfect combination for summoning a post-prandial nap. I can think of no better place than stretched out in the sun on our pool deck. With most guests out for the day this space is luxuriously quiet, only light Euro-lounge music dances on the breeze. I bask for hours!
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Our final day here and we breakfast with the river. So many perfect ingredients have come together for these dreamy few days. In the heart of Bordeaux, on a sunny spring morning, aboard a luxury ship, enjoying breakfast with formal settings and beautiful service on an outdoor patio with a view to die for. Mimosas in hand we cheers to this heavenly slice of time.
Before leaving we are told a visit to L’intdentant is a must! Here lives a wine collection of over 20,000 bottles that hug the walls of a 12-meter-high spiral staircase. Upon entering this collection Trevor begins to dance in happiness, then point blank refuses to leave.
Eventually, he relents and we vow to return to the city for a lengthy and intimate visit.
We pass through the security kiosk before boarding and one of the guards charges over convinced Trevor is the French actor, Jean Marais. His UK accent does not deter him from insisting on a photo. So, for that moment Trevor is a famous French actor.
Pourquoi pas?
With everyone back on board we join our fellow world adventurers on the top deck to bid Bordeaux adieu. Spirits are high and everyone is filled with joy and wine as we sail back to the Bay of Biscay and up to our next destination.
