This wine tasting holiday will bring you between Bordeaux, “city of Art and History”, best-known for its exquisite cuisine and for having given its name to one of the finest wines in the world, the gorgeous châteaux Cazeneuve, de Roquetaillade and de la Brède, the long sandy beaches of the Atlantic coast and the fragrant pine forests. Discover the delicious French Bordeaux wine and take advantage of the many wineries inviting you for a tasting to become a real wine expert!
Regions to discover
Gironde: The region Gironde is a must see insider tip among tourists wishing to discover the beauty and diversity of France. Plan your trip well ahead, because you’ll definitely be spoilt of choice: Between Bordeaux, “city of Art and History”, best-known for its exquisite cuisine and for having given its name to one of the finest wines in the world, the gorgeous châteaux Cazeneuve, de Roquetaillade and de la Brède, the long sandy beaches of the Atlantic coast and the fragrant pine forests, the former fishing village Arcachon (now a sea resort in vogue) with its popular Dune of Pilat, the tallest sand dune in Europe offering a stunning view over the Atlantic Ocean, the pine forests and the hip peninsula Lège-Cap-Ferret with its wild rocky coastline, there is something for every taste.
Wherever you may stroll along the coast, you’ll definitely come across an authentic oyster fisher happy to give you a taste of fresh seafood, accompanied with a glass of delicious white, at a reasonable price. Bordeaux wine lovers are delighted by the choice of wineries inviting them for a tasting. If you don’t tolerate the dry heat of the Mediterranean coast, this is the perfect destination: a heavy rain shower only lasts until a bright blue sky chases the rain clouds away. Rent a bike and enjoy the healthy iodinated sea breeze!
Travel summary
Day 1 - Bordeaux
Day 2 - Lège Cap Ferret – Bordeaux
Day 3 - Ludon-Médoc – Bordeaux
Day 4 - Saint-Léon – Bordeaux
Day 5 - Bordeaux
Day 1: Bordeaux
Rental car at your disposal from Bordeaux Airport. Upon arrival in Bordeaux Airport, an automatic compact class rental car with navigation system will be available for a period of 4 days. This will allow you to move freely.
Dinner in a Local Home. This is the perfect occasion for a gastronomic pleasure together with locals. Helena and her husband live in a pretty house not far from the Bordeaux city center. They have recently renovated their home. While her husband, a wine expert, will take care of the wine, Helena, a passionate cook, will prepare the dinner. Around a nicely laid table in a convivial atmosphere, you will enjoy a top-quality home-cooked meal, made from fresh ingredients. Part of the menu: foie gras, Duck in the Bordelaise style, red wine and digestive.
Parking space and taxi stand in the proximity.
Helena and her husband speak English, French and Italian – Service arising from sharing Economy.
Included: Accommodation, breakfast, dinner, and drinks.
Day 2: Lège Cap Ferret – Bordeaux: Embark with an oyster farmer from Arcachon : tour and tasting of oysters
Christian invites you to embark on his oyster boat, to live his profession from within. He will present you his work tools and daily activities; If you want you can even participate in the tasks!
Christian raises oysters and sells them directly for tasting. So these are all steps in the chain that you will approach. You'll also enjoy this special and magical atmosphere that reigns on the wonders of Arcachon. You will make a stop near Bird Island and admire one of the last hut "tchanquée", which makes pride of the basin. (Duration: around 3h30 – commentaries in French and English – in groups of up to 8 participants).
Included: Accommodation, breakfast, local guide, and visit.
Day 3: Ludon-Médoc – Bordeaux: Gourmet Lunch in a hundred year old Cooperage of the Médoc region
Christine is proud to continue the traditional craft of a cooper, mastered by her family since 1902. Happy to share her love of wine and its aromas, she will open her cooperage for you.
She will introduce you to the manufacturing of barrels, the adequate choice of staves, the heating technique and long-established working methods.
Follow the beguiling scent of the heated oak barrels and learn about a craft in use since antiquity!
Your visit will end in style in the attached, family-owned, restaurant where you will be served a revisited traditional meal, accompanied by a choice of wines from the property.
(Duration: around 3 hours – commentaries in English or French – in groups up to 15 participants).
Included: Accommodation, breakfast, local guide, visit, lunch, and drinks.
Day 4: Saint-Léon – Bordeaux: Discover the History of a Family-Owned Vineyard of the Appellation Côte de Buzet
Jaques is a winegrower and an enologist. Through the history of the vineyard his family has owned for five hundred years, he will let you in on the finesses of winegrowing. From the estate he will take you for a stroll through the woods to the vineyards where you can discover the soul of wine, praised by Charles Baudelaire in his famous poem. You will also learn a great deal about the history of the Lot-de-Garonne, cultivation methods, the soils and the region’s special micro climate.
The stroll will finish in style in the family-owned wine cellar with a tasting of the organically grown wine. Savor the fine wine! You will walk along a six-kilometer long stretch with sloping paths, clayey and sandy soil. (Duration: around 3 hours - guided tour in French or English – in groups up to 14 participants).
Included: Accommodation, breakfast, local guide, and drinks.
Day 5: Bordeaux
End of your trip. You will drop off your rental car at Bordeaux Airport.
Accommodation: Apparthotel Adagio
Category: 4* Hotel
The Adagio City Aparthotel Bordeaux Gambetta is located at the heart of the city, just 2 minutes' walk from Place Gambetta and Bordeaux's old town, close to the Mériadeck business district.
Its 111 fully equipped apartments, ranging from 2-person studios to 2-room apartments for 4 people, make this 4-star holiday residence the ideal place to stay for a vacation or business travel. It also offers a fitness room with sauna and hammam.
The price includes:
- All services set out under “included in the program”.
- Standard room unless set out otherwise
- A travel folder with the reservation vouchers.
- A phone contact in case of an emergency during your trip
Not-included in the price:
- Transport (unless indicated otherwise).
- Cancellation and repatriation insurances, all-risks coverage.
- Meals (unless indicated otherwise).
- Personal expenses (drinks, tips etc.)