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Canals to Châteaux: Cruise from Amsterdam to Bordeaux

Canals to Châteaux: Cruise from Amsterdam to Bordeaux

From AUD $7,600

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Description

This voyage from Amsterdam to Bordeaux follows the North Sea and Atlantic coasts through Belgium and France, linking grand mercantile cities with historic ports and island landscapes. From Amsterdam’s canal-lined streets, the route calls at Oostende before crossing to Normandy’s artistic harbour of Honfleur. The walled corsair city of Saint-Malo and the Breton port of Roscoff lead to rugged Belle-Île-en-Mer, before sailing south to Bordeaux, gateway to some of France’s most celebrated vineyards.

Trip Name
Canals to Châteaux: Cruise from Amsterdam to Bordeaux
Days
8
Overview
Vessel Type: Expedition Ship Length: 125 meters Passenger Capacity: 192 Built: 2022/2023 SH Diana is the newest and largest ship in the Swan Hellenic fleet, designed for modern expedition cruising with a strong sense of elegance and purpose. Built in Finland’s renowned Helsinki Shipyard, she combines cutting-edge hybrid diesel-electric propulsion and a Polar Class 6 ice-strengthened hull, enabling smooth exploration of the world’s most remote and rugged destinations. With space for just 192 guests, SH Diana offers a boutique 5-star experience across nine decks, featuring expansive viewing areas, a grand staircase, and refined interiors accented with exclusive onboard artwork. On board, guests enjoy exceptional facilities including the panoramic sauna, open-deck jacuzzi, heated outdoor pool, and dedicated expedition areas like the Swan’s Nest and BaseCamp. Cabins are thoughtfully equipped with Champagne, Lajatica toiletries, Nikon binoculars, and Illy coffee machines, ensuring comfort at every turn. Dining is a delight with venues like the Swan Restaurant and Pool Bar & Grill, while the crew’s attentive and personalised service ensures you feel truly cared for from the moment you step aboard. SH Diana is the perfect vessel for those seeking adventure wrapped in luxurious simplicity.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 Amsterdam (Netherlands)
Amsterdam is a gorgeous Dutch city where a boat cruise along the canals gets to the heart of things. Yet, the magic also unfolds while strolling through narrow streets and crossing the hundreds of bridges. It houses a treasure trove of fabulous art museums, including the Rijksmuseum, adorned with Dutch Masters, conveniently located near the Van Gogh Museum. To the south, picturesque stretches of countryside with windmills line the canals.
Day 2 - Day 2 Oostende (Belgium)
Once a retreat for European nobility, Oostende's charm lies in its sandy beaches, boardwalk, racetrack, 19th-century Belle Époque architecture, beachfront cafés and a harbour with seafood stalls. The Atlantikwall, a network of WWI and WWII bunkers, is now an open-air museum. Other museums include the Ensor Museum with James Ensor's maritime artworks, the Mercator aboard a 1930s three-masted ship, and Mu.ZEE, displaying Belgian art from the 1830s.
Day 3 - Day 3 Honfleur (France)
Honfleur in Normandy has attracted artists for centuries, including Impressionist Claude Monet, with many works on display at The Eugène Boudin Museum. Set on the Seine estuary in the department of Calvados (known for apple brandy), this picturesque harbour town has cobbled streets and colourful 16th- to 18th-century townhouses around the Vieux Bassin (old harbour). The 15th-century St. Catherine's Church is built entirely of wood by shipwrights.
Day 4 - Day 4 Saint-Malo (France)
The medieval coastal city of Saint-Malo is a labyrinth of streets. Dating back to the 12th century, Saint-Malo was once a haven for pirates and a stopping point for merchant ships. Today, colourful shops sit alongside aromatic markets, cafes and restaurants serving oysters, crêpes and cider. Intra-Muros, the ancient walled town, forms the heart of Saint-Malo, where the striking Gothic and Romanesque Cathédrale de St Malo dominates the skyline.
Day 5 - Day 5 Roscoff (France)
The charming French port of Roscoff sits on a peninsula at Brittany's tip. Despite a history of privateers and smugglers, the little city is known for its richly decorated merchants' houses. Near the port, a local hotelier created an exotic garden growing more than 3,500 species of plants from the Southern Hemisphere. Roscoff is also the origin of Onion Johnnies, Breton farmers who crossed to England to sell Roscoff pink onions on their bikes.
Day 6 - Day 6 Belle-Ile-En-Mer (France)
Belle-Île, the largest Breton island and second largest in mainland France, is known for its mild climate, rugged cliffs and stunning panoramas. The island features preserved moors, dunes and diverse flora and fauna. In the main town, Le Palais, is Citadelle Vauban, a star-shaped fortress. Other notable sites include the historic water tank Aiguade de Vauban, a museum on Sarah Bernhardt and the Grand Phare lighthouse overlooking Donnant Beach.
Day 7 - Days 7 - 8 Bordeaux (France)
Bordeaux, a key port city in southwestern France, is the heart of the French wine industry. The Cité du Vin, an interactive wine museum, and the UNESCO-listed 18th-century old city highlight its cultural and architectural significance. Surrounded by famed wine regions like Médoc, Graves, Sauternes, Pomerol and Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux blends rich history with world-class gastronomy and markets like Capucins and Chartrons.
Day 8 - Please note:
Itineraries are subject to change. 

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
25-08-202701-09-2027AUD $7,600Oceanview D4
25-08-202701-09-2027AUD $8,000Oceanview M4
25-08-202701-09-2027AUD $8,375Balcony D5
25-08-202701-09-2027AUD $8,750Balcony M5
25-08-202701-09-2027AUD $9,125Balcony D6
25-08-202701-09-2027AUD $11,400Junior Suite
25-08-202701-09-2027AUD $13,325Suite
25-08-202701-09-2027AUD $15,225Premium Suite

Inclusions

    • A progression of historic harbours, from Amsterdam’s canals to Honfleur’s Vieux Bassin and Saint-Malo’s fortified Intra-Muros.
    • Brittany’s coastal character, including Roscoff’s merchant houses and Belle-Île’s dramatic cliffs and Vauban citadel.
    • A grand finale in Bordeaux, centre of the French wine world and home to elegant 18th-century architecture.

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