Bordeaux
Vins et Châteaux - Wine and Castles Tour
Our exclusive prestige tour is exactly what you dream of, if you are a connoisseur of wine and French culture. Seven days in Bordeaux, St Emilion, Medoc, Arcachon, Sauternes... and seven nights in the most prestigious Hotels & Châteaux in “Bordelais”... Enjoy the opportunity to taste some of the world's most famous wines, and sumptuous meals prepared by the best chefs. Luxury minivan and professional guide with commentaries in English.
Your Itinerary
Day 1 – BORDEAUX
Your guide is waiting for you from 2 pm until 6 pm at the Hotel Le Regent, in Bordeaux. She will be your “guardian angel” for the duration of your stay in our great region.
You will then meet your driver, who will have no other concern than to steer you in the best conditions throughout your trip.
Next, take a little rest in your hotel "The Regent", located in the heart of the city, facing the Grand Theatre de Bordeaux.
The afternoon will be devoted to explore the World Capital of Wine:
Bordeaux is renowned worldwide for its famous wines. On entering the city, you will be charmed by its river.The “Port of the Moon”, received in the past all the fleets of the world.It is responsible for the growth of international trade and developments of the 18th century: Place Royale (now Place de la Bourse), Grand Theatre, Les allees de Tourny. The quality of the architectural and urbanistic includes them among the most interesting sites in Europe.
Each neighborhood is a testimonial of its history: Saint-Pierre at the location of the Burdigala Gallo-Roman harbor, Saint-Michel and its Gothic spire, Saint-Eloi with its picturesque streets, the Hotel de Ville neighborhood where stand the Saint Andrew's Cathedral and the Palais Rohan ...
A magnificent dinner will conclude this first day in Bordeaux.
Day 2 – SAINT-EMILION
 The morning will be studious because we are offering a return to school to you!
In fact, you'll stay in the prestigious premises of the CIVB (Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux) with your Professor Oenologist that will remind you of the essential elements prior to the discovery of our region:
- Local geography of Bordeaux Grands Crus.
- Grapes and “terroirs” in Bordeaux.
- The assembly, a key element of Bordeaux wine.
- Mechanism and vocabulary of tasting.
- Recognition of different flavors (testing required)
- Search for balance and long finish (testing required).
- Tasting of 4 representative Crus of Bordeaux wines.
Dinner in one of the salons of Chateau Grand Barrail.
Day 3 – SAINT EMILION
 Morning cultural tour to explore this medieval World Heritage Site. Full of history, perched on a rocky promontory, Saint-Emilion and its vineyards have their original limestone. From the 9th to the 19th century, men have been willing to extract the rock to build the architectural ensemble of the city and the wine estates.
Evidenced by the presence of 200 km (more than 300 miles) of underground galleries and
the largest monolithic church in Europe.
After a lunch break to taste the local culinary specialties, you will be driven to the “Châteaux” for an afternoon tasting.
Dinner in one of the salons of Chateau Grand Barrail.
Day 4 – MEDOC
 We left the right bank of the Garonne river to the left bank, to meet the land that bears the most prestigious châteaux in the world: the Medoc.
The wine trail along the river is over 80 km wide. It is a succession of names worldwide known: Margaux, Latour, Mouton Rothschild, Beychevelle ...., all of the buildings are more beautiful than the others, kept to perfection. At any time you can ask the driver to stop in order to admire the marvels of the architecture.
This day will be devoted visiting the Great Classified Growths.
During the visit you will stop for a lunch at Arcins at the restaurant “Le Lion d'Or”. A“Country bistro” table but an incomparable place, where the owner and Chef Jean Paul Barbier, known for his joviality and good food will spoil you with seasonal cuisine. It also allows customers to bring their own wine, so many Château's owners have installed a small
cellar in the restaurant.
After this busy day you will rest at the Relais & Chateau Cordeillan-Bages for a gourmet dinner and a well deserved night.
 
Day 5 – BASSIN D'ARCACHON
Almost a day off!
In the morning you take the road toward the beautiful Bay of Arcachon. To do this you will cross a small part of the largest forest in Europe, the Landes forest, not without stopping at a small vineyard Medoc-owner, who will share with you his love for wine.
“Le Bassin d'Arcachon” is a popular site for its climate, its nature remained wild, and its surroundings.
If the weather allows it, you will have lunch at the foot of the famous “Dune du Pilat”, the highest dune in Europe, with breathtaking views of the “Banc d'Arguin”, which tag entry and exit of ocean waters in the basin, according to the regular cycle of tides.
 The digestive walk will board a “pinasse”, a secular ship of Arcachon oyster farmers. You will take time to ride around Bird Island and its famous huts on stilts and then go along the shores of the peninsula of Cap Ferret and will return to port slaloming between the “pignottes” of oysters fields.
In the evening you will stay in the vineyards of “Pessac Leognan”, and dine at the “Sources de Caudalie” hotel well-known for its health center by “Vinothérapie” unique in the world, where many international celebrities come to relax.
The beauty of the place and the quality of the services will leave you with a lasting memory.
Day 6 – GRAVES & SAUTERNES
 Visit your host prestigious cellars, the famous “Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte” and departure to a famous new area: Sauternes.
T he color of the sun, these wines match wonderfully with other local specialties like “foie gras” and poultry, all of which will be on the lunch menu we have planned for you.
Again, we will open the doors of their cellars to you.
 Returning to the “Sources de Caudalie”, it will not be too late to enjoy, if you wish, the soothing and beneficent infrastructures of the Vinothérapie Center.
(For dinner you could choose a low calories menu).
Day 7 – BORDEAUX
Eve of departure, you will also have the opportunity to "sleep in" at Caudalie.
Your driver and your guide will be available to advise you and guide you according to your desire of the moment: visiting museums, shopping, exploring the city or region...
For your last night, you will find the comfort of the Hotel Regent, and, as everything in France always ends with a good meal, you will end your stay in the Bordelais in a prestigious restaurant in Bordeaux .
Day 8 – BACK
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To ensure a good match with flights to the USA, your transfer to Bordeaux Mérignac airport will probably be very early.
See you soon! |
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
INCLUDED
- Accommodation in all luxury hotels
- All meals in the program, including appetizers, entrée and dessert
- The services of a guide throughout the tour with commentaries in English
- Transportation in a VIP minivan with AC
- Visits and tastings
- Boat trip in Arcachon
- 3 hours teaching at the Bordeaux CIVB
NOT INCLUDED
- Drinks during the meals and other meals not mentioned in the program
- All insurances
- Tips and personal expenses
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