The most practical piece of advice I can give you for visiting Saint-Émilion is to wear sturdy walking shoes. You will thank me later, as you navigate up and down those captivating winding lanes, all inlaid with centuries-old shiny and slick ballast-cobblestones, beckoning you forward to explore this remarkably rich village.

Let me introduce you to Blaye, France, a petite but mighty hamlet, sitting at the southern tip of the Gironde estuary, formed by the confluences of the nearby Dordogne and Garonne rivers.  Blaye is a historical and powerful commune from medieval times, where the Citadel of Blaye and its military fortifications sit majestically over the waters of Western Europe’s largest estuary.

Bordeaux is a port city located in the southwestern region of France, known globally for its famous wine production. After many years of revitalization, this "sleeping beauty" has awoken from its slumber. With civic pride, a vision, and a grand plan for urban revitalization, the Bordelais set in motion a cosmopolitan renewal. Going about cleaning centuries of soot from historical limestone buildings, removing walls and traffic from the ancient city center. Demolishing and relocating riverfront warehouses and docks – creating a riverfront promenade for tourists, cyclists, and joggers to explore this beauty on foot.

Bordeaux is so much more than a place of world-renowned vineyards and wine. Bordeaux abounds with unexpected and heartwarming surprises, like experiencing the historical and heavenly Canelé, dating back to the 19^th century, created by the nuns at Saint Eulalia.  It is a bite-size, crispy golden-brown cake, with a thin outer crust, slightly burnt and caramelized, hiding a luscious melt-in-your-mouth treat permeating with a vanilla and rum fusion.

Surprises like Marché des Capucins, Bordeaux’s oldest and largest historical covered market, dating from 1749, still thriving in modern times. This market is often called the “belly of Bordeaux” where the history of the market has stood still. It offers regional delicacies like white asparagus from Blaye, briny oysters from Arcachon, pork belly from the Médoc region, fresh lamb chops from Pauillac (pojak) and more varieties of cheeses than one can imagine.

On the other hand, discover the pilgrim’s trail to Le Chemin de St. Jacques de Compostelle (the Way of St. James) through the heart of Bordeaux. The pilgrim’s route is marked by the inlaid scalloped seashells throughout Bordeaux. The route weaves through cobblestone streets beginning at Porte Cailhau, loops past Sainte Pierre, and on to Saint-André Cathedral for 8.4km through the historic city and beyond.

Bordeaux offers unparalleled treasures to explore, noble chateaux, and breathtaking scenery. Join me in savoring its best kept secrets.

 October 19-October 30, 2023

Tram, Taxi, Recommendation in/around Bordeaux 

Bordeaux-Mérignac airport

TBM  Tram, Bus, train

Marché des Capucins  (open Tuesday – Sunday)

Bordeaux Visitors Tourism

* bus from Bordeaux to Cadillac- take bus 481 from Stalingrad station.-Tram A

J. Christina is the author and owner of Scribbles and Smiles. Through our blog, we share stories of the wonderful discoveries we have made on our European travels. Christina (Christie) is married to John, a.k.a. Mr. Christie.  Hence, their bespoke pen name, J. Christina.  Christie is traveling solo on this adventure, 2023.

Most river cruises are inclusive, it becomes your floating 5-star boutique hotel, complete with regional tours, gourmet meals, and prestigious wines. Sailings and itineraries run the gamut from romantic and stunning, to awe-inspiring.  What we enjoy most is the variety of itineraries available for river cruisers i.e., active, educational, and leisurely.

One of our most memorable and educational experiences was in Aljmas, Croatia, located along the right bank of the Danube, and looking across the river to Serbia. Where we were transported into the countryside, accompanied by our translator, Paul. Our destination was a pre-arranged, private, in-home lunch at a classified Sobe (so-bays), owned by a multi-generational family offering farm-to-table meals for a nominal fee. Giving tourists a chance to see a more rural side of Croatia and hear their history from locals.

Uniworld Boutique River Ship 

My Bordeaux Tours

Croatian War of Independence 1991-1995

SOBE (similar to B & B)

Amsterdam 2017

Travel along with J.Christina by plane, tram, on foot, by private transport, and European river cruise ship, all-the-while discovering postcard perfect destinations that will linger in your memory forever.

As our adventures unfold, wing on with us, as we hopscotch down to Croatia's Dalmatian Coast, including stops in Montenegro and Slovenia where we will explore the length of this majestic Adriatic Sea coastline.