Luxury Break in Bordeaux
Enjoy a luxurious six days and five nights in Bordeaux. Based in an intimate 5- star hotel just off the Place des Quinconces, you are well-placed to take advantage of this wine and gastronomy paradise. Your private local guide leads two days of tasting the best wines that Saint-Emilion and Medoc have to offer. Another day takes you along the Atlantic coastline to the tallest sand dunes in Europe and the seductive Arcachon Bay. This is a place with spectacular sandy beaches and some of France’s best oysters.
DAY 1 Bordeaux
Private Transfer
A chauffeur will meet you for a private transfer between the airport in Bordeaux and your hotel.
DAY 2 Bordeaux – Saint Emilion
Full-Day Private Guided Tour of Prestigious Saint-Emilion Vineyards
Your guide will pick you up at your lodging for a day on the Saint-Emilion wine trail through Pomerol, Lalande de Pomerol, and Fronsac. This region is known for its delicate, fruity Merlot-dominated wines. This tour allows you to better appreciate Bordeaux and Saint-Emilion wines.
Experience intimate visits and tastings at two prestigious Grand Cru Classé wineries and a third family-owned winery. Pending on availability, specific châteaux can be added to the itinerary. Some fine options include Château Pavie, Château Canon, Château Beauséjour-Bécot, Château Clos Fourtet, Château Soutard, Château de Pressac, and Château de Ferrand.
Visit the charming village of Saint-Emilion. Taste local French specialties in the vineyards. In the afternoon experience an opportunity to taste different grapes varietals, blend them, and create your own wine!
Lunch is at your own expense. Eating at one of the châteaux is a nice option. If the weather is nice, you can have lunch outside on the terrace or in the garden.
Hotel pick-up and drop-off are included
DAY 3 Bordeaux
Two-Hour Private Walking Tour of Bordeaux
It is truly exciting to stroll through a city with as rich a history as Bordeaux. Your private guide takes you to Bordeaux’s essential sites and its most impressive monuments, churches, and squares. Continue your tour with a walk along the river banks to admire the unique panorama over the Garonne River. Nearby, Old Bordeaux features charming squares and restaurants.
A visit to the Bordeaux Patrimoine Mondial center explains Bordeaux’s architectural heritage and the dynamic Bordeaux of tomorrow. The tour ends at Place de la Bourse, where the reflecting pond has become emblematic of the city.
Guided Cruise along Garonne River
The most charming and comfortable way to discover the historic heart of Bordeaux is on a Bateau Mouche. This tourist boat cruises along the Garonne River which tranverses Bordeaux before flowing into the Atlantic.
Glide along the river while taking in the panorama of the city’s landmarks and the beautiful Aquitaine, Jacques Chaban-Delmas, and Eiffel stone bridges. Discover the city’s history from the Middle Ages to the 18th century.
Duration: around 1 ½ hours
DAY 4 Bordeaux – Arcachon
Private Tour of Arcachon and the Dune of Pilat
A chauffeur will meet you for a private transfer between your lodging and the day’s activities.
Arcachon is one of the most popular seaside destinations in all of France. You can find miles and miles of sandy beaches. South towards Biscarrosse the waves are ideal for surfing or body-boarding. The town center’s features variations of neoclassical, neo-gothic, old-colonial and Swiss-chalet architecture, making it very vibrant with plenty of markets.
This winter town (the ville d’hiver) is home to grand villas dating to the 1860s when the town was promoted as a sanitarium because of its natural beauty and fresh air.
If you crave a tasty treat, try the moules frites (mussels and fries). You’ll find them in any of the beachside restaurants. And just a short walk away from the beachfront you will find more restaurants offering fine great at reasonable prices.
France is famous for its oysters. The Oyster House in Arcachon gives insight into oyster farming techniques. All of that learned will certainly whet your appetite for an oyster tasting. The Gujan-Mestras Port is a perfect spot for that!
Interested in seeing the tallest sand dune in Europe? The Dune of Pilat is almost 360 feet (100 m) high and its top invites you to admire the view over the Atlantic Ocean.
Hotel pick-up and drop-off included
DAY 5 Bordeaux – Ludon-Médoc
Full-Day Private Guided Tour of the Medoc Wine Region
Your guide will pick you up at your lodging for a day on the Medoc wine trail through the mythical Margaux, Saint-Julien, and Pauillac appellations. These wines made Bordeaux world-famous. This terroir produces powerful red wines heavy on Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot varietals. The guide will provide you all the information about the Bordeaux & Medoc wine regions.
Experience intimate visits and tastings at two prestigious Grand Cru Classé wineries and a third family-owned winery. Pending availability specific châteaux
can be added to the itinerary. Some fine options include Château Montrose, Château Pontet Canet, Château Pichon-Longueville, Château Mouton- Rothschild, Château Lynches-Bages, Château Lagrange, Château Gruaud- Larose, Château Giscours, Château Cantenac-Brown, and Château du Tertre.
Taste local French specialties in the vineyards. In the afternoon experience a blending session. This is an opportunity to taste different grapes varieties, blend them, and create your own wine!
Lunch is at your own expense. Eating at one of the châteaux is a nice option. Weather-permitting, you can have lunch outside on the terrace or in the garden.
Hotel pick-up and drop-off are included
DAY 6 Bordeaux
Private Transfer
Meet your driver in the lobby of your hotel for your transfer to Bordeaux train station or airport.