Uncover the proud legacy and heritage of Southwest France.

Come late November, the streets of Europe fill with twinkling lights. The faint sound of carolers beckons around each corner, the scents of roasting chestnuts and sweet-spiced gingerbread waft through the air, and towns across the continent begin erecting their wooden stall markets. The atmosphere is pure magic, made more special by its rarity—the Christmas markets are only around for a few short weeks a year. That’s why we love experiencing them the way we do. On our Holiday Season Cruises, we visit several markets in a variety of towns on one cruise. It’s the perfect tasting menu of European holiday traditions.

1. Bordeaux, FranceSitting right at the beginning of Bordeaux’s shoulder season, September comes with many of the perks of Bordeaux’s peak summer travel rush (like great weather and more open businesses), while also benefitting from lower crowds and temperatures starting to level off. The most exciting part: September is wine harvest season! Visiting during this time of year will bring you a unique perspective on this region’s deep cultural connection to winemaking.

Uniworld cruise through Bordeaux: this destination truly has it all. From magnificent vineyards and historic architecture to world-class cuisine and enriching excursions, Bordeaux offered the perfect balance of relaxation and discovery. Whether you're a seasoned wine lover or a curious newcomer, this region welcomes you with open arms—and a full glass.

Uniworld’s new Premium Golf Package offers the perfect blend of adventure and luxury. Offered on select Summer 2025 departures of Brilliant Bordeaux—an 8-day cruise through France’s premier wine region—this add-on package includes several enhanced inclusions for golfers. Between explorations of Southwestern France, onboard pampering, free-flowing wine, and mouthwatering cuisine, golfers will enjoy two 18-hole rounds at top rated courses, caddy service, range balls, lunch on the courses, and more.   Keep reading for an in-depth look at both properties featured on our Premium Golf Package!   Grand Saint Emilionnais6,186 yards | Par 72 This stunning course was named among the top 5 in all of France. It was designed by Tom Doak, a minimalist course architect, who is passionate about incorporating natural landscapes into the routing of every hole. In designing the course, no unnatural alterations were made to the shape of the earth. The result is a rolling landscape, where each hole flows into the next as smoothly as a meandering river. Framing the path are 100+ year old oak trees and grape vines from surrounding wineries. Make sure to take in the view of the whole course from the clubhouse—it is truly something special. Just a few miles from the UNESCO-designated medieval village of St. Emillion.   Cabot BordeauxChateaux: 6,938 yards | Par 71Vignes: 6,820 yards | Par-71 The Cabot name goes hand-in-hand with destination golf. The collection is behind a plethora of incredible courses around the world, and the Cabot Bordeaux location is no exception. Guests who have opted in to our Premium Golf Package will enjoy an 18-hole game at one of two courses at the site, depending on availability. The first, the Chateaux course, was designed by legendary course architect Bill Coore. His first and only course in Europe, Chateaux is characterized by sandy soil and heather-lined bunkers. Golfers will find themselves tempted by routing that encourages high risk, high reward strategy. The Vignes course, on the other hand, was designed by Rod Whitman, another exceptional course architect. Having assisted on the earlier Chateaux project, Whitman was inspired to create a second course that offers a variety of strategy options. Like its sister, Vignes rewards risky moves, delighting skillful players with carefully arranged obstacles, while still accommodating a range of playing styles. This variation course is designed to be as fun for beginners as it is for advanced players.