Day 2
I forgot to mention our trip was during December and while many people wouldn’t think Bordeaux as a winter hot spot, it definitely knows how to adorn the city in Christmas merriment. A festive sea of lights hang over head as you walk the wide streets and glittering snowflakes and decorated trees fill the overwhelming large shop windows. Yuletide cheer is definitely in the air!
We wake up to a lovely morning and temperatures are in the low 50’s, like I said a “hot spot!” My husband was glad to have packed his sneakers and decided to start the day with a quick run along the promenade. A dedicated waterfront path along the river that runs between Pont Saint-Jean and Pont Bridge, bordering the historic center of downtown, less than a 3 mile distance with lots of great sights along the way. Viking also has a track on the sun deck, which is great for those mornings when you are sailing.
It is a Sunday, so we are lucky to be able to stroll through the Marche des Quais after breakfast. This is the outdoor market along the river, which is filled with regional delicacies, from oysters to charcuterie and cheese, to truffles and ripe fruits. However, the piece du resistance was the fig stuffed with foie gras, c’est magnifique! More on that later…
After purchasing our delicious treats it is time we head out on our walking tour to burn off some of those calories. First we head to Place des Quinconces, one of the largest squares in Europe; filled with what seemed to be over a 100 Christmas stalls all buzzing with excitement this time of year.
The elegant neoclassical golden-hued facade of Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux is our next stop. Obviously a highlight for me being the opera house; however, it captures any passer-byers attention and is in a great location. Shopping is easy from this point, since it is along Rue saint Catherine, the longest pedestrian street in all of Europe.
The tour also highlighted several spectacular churches, including the iconic gothic Cathedrale Saint-Andre, with its two soaring spires dominating the skyline.
Insider Tip- Bordeaux is a vey walkable city and the above ground tram is easy to use to hop on and off when exploring. We felt brave and ventured out on our own after lunch to explore the Marche de Noel and do a bit of shopping.
Komentarze