Azamara®: Azamara Quest

Surrounding Bordeaux are world-renowned vineyards and châteaux. Visitors from all over the globe come here to learn about the winemaking process - from growing grapes to harvesting, fermenting and bottling these top-quality wines. Here in the wine region the title of château can mean anything from a palatial residence to a basic winery. There are thousands of châteaux that rank from very modest family establishments to large famous properties where grapes are raised, fermented and then matured to produce the area’s famous wines. Visit Rue Ste. Cathérine - a half-mile-long pedestrian street leading through the Old Town’s major shopping area and marking the beginning of the elegant 18th-century city. - and Musée des Beaux Arts -- a museum with a large collection of 17th-century paintings by Flemish, Dutch and Italian masters as well as works by Delacroix.

Suggested Private Excursions

Bordeaux - Gourmet tour - 8 hours

Bordeaux - Cultural tour - 8 hours

Bordeaux -Saint Emilion Wine Tour - 8 hours

Bordeaux - A Wine, a Vintage, a Tasting… - 8 hours

Bordeaux - About Grape Varietals… - 8 hours

Bordeaux - Wine Architecture in Saint-Emilion - 8 hours

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La Rochelle has an interesting history. Today La Rochelle is centered around the old port and appears as a laidback but lively city that is very popular with tourists during the months of July and August. Although itself without beaches, stretches of fine sand can be found at the nearby Ile de Ré.

Today Nantes is the most important commercial and industrial center in west-central France and appears as a well-managed city with fine museums and carefully tended parks and gardens. One museum is dedicated to Jules Verne, born here in 1828. The Loire, foundation of Nantes’ riches, has dwindled from the city center. The area’s 18th century mansions - which were once the trademark of rich merchants - are still in tact. French influence was brought to Nantes by the Loire and its trade from the end of the 18th century when the city became known as “Little Paris.” The Place Royale and the Place Graslin were first laid out during that time. One of the most impressive landmarks is Chateau des Ducs, most of which is preserved. Today the castle complex contains several museums. Another important monument is Gothic Cathedral, built over a period of more than four centuries. Its soaring height and lightness are emphasized by clean white stone.

Today Nantes is the most important commercial and industrial center in west-central France and appears as a well-managed city with fine museums and carefully tended parks and gardens. One museum is dedicated to Jules Verne, born here in 1828. The Loire, foundation of Nantes’ riches, has dwindled from the city center. The area’s 18th century mansions - which were once the trademark of rich merchants - are still in tact. French influence was brought to Nantes by the Loire and its trade from the end of the 18th century when the city became known as “Little Paris.” The Place Royale and the Place Graslin were first laid out during that time. One of the most impressive landmarks is Chateau des Ducs, most of which is preserved. Today the castle complex contains several museums. Another important monument is Gothic Cathedral, built over a period of more than four centuries. Its soaring height and lightness are emphasized by clean white stone.

Located in the north-west of France in Brittany is the city of Brest. An important port and naval base, the Germans used the city as a large submarine base during World War II. After suffering major damage during the war, the city was rebuilt. One of the regions most visited tourist attractions, Brest is home to Oceanopolis, the largest open-air aquarium in Europe.

St. Peter Port is situated hillside overlooking the picturesque harbor of Guernsey. Brightly painted houses, granite stairs and cobbled lanes climb the hill, providing great views of the port and medieval castle. Among St. Peter's Church's former residents were Guernsey's Royalist Lieutenant Governor, and French and German occupation forces. Enjoy the idyllic countryside or stroll narrow streets of pretty St. Peter Port, enjoying the ambiance making Guernsey special. Town Church - found on the waterfront - is a 12th-century granite church. From the 18th century, the assembly of Market Halls stocked with the region’s produce are wonderful for browsing and taking photos. An excellent display traces Guernsey history. The Guernsey Museum and Art Gallery houses Lukis archaeological collection and Wilfred Carey collection of paintings, prints and cereamics. Descending from the museum are beautiful Candie Gardens laid out in 1898 with exotic plants. German Underground Hospital is a complex of tunnels memorialized to many forced laborers who worked on it.

Saint Malo is a prime tourist destination in Brittany. Visitors flock to Saint Malo to experience the unique "intra-muros" (meaning within the walls) streets of the old citadel. Visit Saint Vincent Cathedral, noted for its medieval and modern stained glass windows. The museum in Château de Saint Malo has exhibits illustrating the city's prosperous time during its heydays of piracy, colonialism and slave trading. The ramparts afford great views over the roof tops and harbor. Saint Malo also serves as a gateway for excursions to legendary Mont Saint Michel - with the Abbey of Mont Saint Michel and its ensemble of buildings soaring high above the sea. As amazing as the abbey itself are extraordinary tide variations that leave the mount to look out on stretches of bare sand at low tide, while the same expanse of land is submerged during high tide. South of Saint Malo is the medieval town of Dinan. Once totally surrounded by ramparts, 14 towers and a good part of the walls are still standing, encircling beautiful 15th-century timbered houses.

Suggested Private Excursions

Saint Malo Shore Excursion - Brittany Coast and Saint Malo - 8 hours

Cherbourg is built on the probable site of the Roman camp of Coriallum. By the 11th century the community was known as Carusbar or Carusburc. It was sacked by the English in 1295, but it withstood several English sieges during the following two centuries. Projects for the fortification and improvement of the harbour were initiated in the 17th century. In 1758 Cherbourg was captured by the British, and its port facilities were destroyed; they were restored in a long-term project begun in the 1770s and completed in the mid 19th century. During World War II the city was occupied by the Germans in 1940, and it suffered heavy damage while being recaptured by the Allies in 1944. From here visit Arromaches, the Normandy Beaches and Mont St Michel.

The peaceful setting of the picturesque port of Honfleur along the estuary of the Seine attracted many artists and writers over the years, including Impressionist Painters. Throughout its history, numerous maritime journeys were initiated from Honfleur. It's a place of great historic charm, notably around the Vieux Bassin, where lofty slate-and-timber fronted houses overlook the colorful yacht and fishing harbor, and sloping cobbled streets recall 16th century Honfleur. Not to be missed are the 15th century wooden church and the Impressionist paintings of the Musee Eugene Boudin. From here it is possible to visit Monet's Garden, Arromanches, the Normandy Landing Beaches and if there is time, Paris.

Suggested Private Excursions

Honfleur - Flower Coast - 8 hours

Honfleur - Etretat / Fecamp - 8 hours

Honfleur - Normandy Landing Beaches - 8 hours

Honfleur - Pays d'Auge Gourmet Tour - 8 hours

Zeebrugge is an important port city in Flanders, connecting Belgium’s intricate railway and canal transportation systems. It is the gateway to medieval Bruges, one of northern Europe's most picturesque old cities and Brussels with its tree-shaded boulevards, splendid parks, imposing monuments, and beautiful buildings.

Cosmopolitan Amsterdam is most famous for its narrow, gabled houses lining the canals. Interesting attractions include the medieval weighhouse, Royal Palace on Dam Square, and New Church. Its most glamorous industry is the diamond trade. Not too far from Amsterdam are the flower centers of Aalsmeer, the picturesque fishing villages of Volendam and Marken, cheese markets at Edam and Gouda, and historic Haarlem, the main center of the bulb-growing industry. Enjoy the city’s sights from a glass-topped sightseeing boat which passes characteristic gabled houses and negotiates picturesque arched bridges. Facing Dam Square, the Royal Palace was built in 1648 and is still officially the royal residence, although the royal family resides in The Hague. The marbled Citizens Hall with inlaid maps of the world is worth seeing. One of Amsterdam’s most visited sites is historic Anne Frank House. Rijksmuseum, the city’s most prestigious museum, houses the largest collection of Dutch paintings in the world. Van Gogh Museum houses a striking collection.

Suggested Private Excursions

Amsterdam: An Introduction to Amsterdam – 4 hours

Amsterdam: Highlights of Amsterdam - 8 Hours

Amsterdam: The Three Sisters, Delft & Den Haag - 8 Hours

Cosmopolitan Amsterdam is most famous for its narrow, gabled houses lining the canals. Interesting attractions include the medieval weighhouse, Royal Palace on Dam Square, and New Church. Its most glamorous industry is the diamond trade. Not too far from Amsterdam are the flower centers of Aalsmeer, the picturesque fishing villages of Volendam and Marken, cheese markets at Edam and Gouda, and historic Haarlem, the main center of the bulb-growing industry. Enjoy the city’s sights from a glass-topped sightseeing boat which passes characteristic gabled houses and negotiates picturesque arched bridges. Facing Dam Square, the Royal Palace was built in 1648 and is still officially the royal residence, although the royal family resides in The Hague. The marbled Citizens Hall with inlaid maps of the world is worth seeing. One of Amsterdam’s most visited sites is historic Anne Frank House. Rijksmuseum, the city’s most prestigious museum, houses the largest collection of Dutch paintings in the world. Van Gogh Museum houses a striking collection.

Suggested Private Excursions

Amsterdam: An Introduction to Amsterdam – 4 hours

Amsterdam: Highlights of Amsterdam - 8 Hours

Amsterdam: The Three Sisters, Delft & Den Haag - 8 Hours