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ITINERARY

Discover the port city of Bordeaux and you’ll find a city rich in history and culture. This elegant gem in the southwest of France is renowned for it’s wine, to be sure, but there’s so much more for you to discover. Beautiful Bordeaux, with its stunning architecture, sprawling squares and intricately sculpted fountains, will capture your heart.

Food and wine are practically synonymous with French life and life in Bordeaux is an epicure’s delight. As you discover Bordeaux you’ll learn the heart and soul of the region by sampling the many delectable foods and luscious wines produced here.

Bordeaux is the most classified wine region in all the world and as you discover the distinctions of the classifications you’re knowledge of wine will develop-along with your palate. Come stroll the streets of St. Emilion, enjoy a glass of white wine while indulging in oysters so fresh they were just plucked from the sea. Discover the night-life of the city of Bordeaux, visit an ancient underground cellar. Embark on a truly French diversion and take a leisurely scenic drive through the French countryside, stopping for a picnic along the way as you relax in the sunshine and gaze out upon the legendary vineyards of this noble wine region.

While on your trip of a lifetime, you’ll visit some of the most prestigious estates along with those hidden gems-the lesser known wine making estates. As their guest you’ll be lavished with hospitality. At a vintage tasting you’ll sample rare and highly sought-after wines. You’ll discover what the skilled winemakers of this renown region know about toasting barrels in order to create a flavor unique to certain wines. You’ll even sample some of the wines straight from the barrel.

We feel certain you will come away enlightened, enriched and enchanted when you discover Bordeaux.

Day 1: Arrival in Bordeaux. walking tour,  Introduction to Bordeaux Wines, Dinner

 Meet your tour guide at 3:30 pm at the lobby for a guided walking tour in Bordeaux. After the tour we'll have a workshop, an introduction to the wines of Bordeaux. Here you’ll learn about the classification system of Bordeaux as we taste these exquisite wines and have dinner.

Day 2: Medoc: 3 Winery Visits, Lunch
Awaken to the beauty of southwestern France and get ready for a full day of discovery. We’ll uncover the secrets of the world famous wines of the Bordeaux region by embarking on a one of a kind journey along the Routes des Chateaux, in the Medoc region of Bordeaux. The Routes is dotted with renowned vineyards and historic castles, and there is no other wine route anywhere that boasts as many legendary and famous vineyards. You’re sure to recognize the names of these prestigious Grand cru wines. We’ll visit 3 wine estates.

There’s no better way to experience the sheer beauty of this historic wine region than by enjoying a lunch while gazing out upon the vineyards which are the birthplace of these exquisite wines.

Upon retuning to Bordeaux, evening at leisure.

Day 3: St. Emilion village, Chateaux visits and tasting, Private vintage wine tasting
This morning will find us journeying to Saint Emilion and Pomerol. Our first visit will be to a Premier Grand Cru Classé in St. Emilion. This property is located on the impressive limestone plateau of St. Emilion. Deep beneath the vines laid underground caves filled with bottles of what some consider being the very best Bordeaux wines. We’ll taste 3 of these exquisite wines. Next we’ll be on our way to visit one of the oldest properties in Bordeaux. This family owned property is still making wine, after 14 generations of vintners from the same family. Rare tulips and orchids dating back to Roman times can be found blooming naturally among the vines. You’ll surely be transported back in time when you look out upon the ancient grounds. A rare bottle of wine was found under the floor of the family’s private cellar. The wine dates back to 1750! We will be privy to a vertical tasting different vintages and to be hosted for lunch by the family.

After lunch we will visit the medieval village of St Emilion. 

In the early evening we’ll enjoy a coveted and rare opportunity to sample the different vintages of Bordeaux wines. 

Upon return to Bordeaux you have the rest of the evening at leisure.

Day 4: Graves, Sauternes Chateau Visits, Lunch
Our fourth day is a full one as we begin with a trip south of the city where we’ll visit some of the top classified red and white estates in Graves and Sauternes. We’ll start with a private chateau in Graves where the hospitable owners welcome us, as dear friends, into their home. There we will get to know our friendly hosts and enjoy a wine tasting as well as lunch. This Graves chateau is rich in history and lore which the family will proudly share with their new friends.

You’ll find out how the soil, a gravelly variety, contributes to the distinctive flavors of the grapes, and ultimately the wine. The variety of wines produced here is wide-ranging; dry whites, soft reds, and Cerons, a sweet wine.

After lunch at the chateau we’ll visit a grand Sauternes chateau which is classified, yet still family-owned. Our visit will surely open a whole new world of white wines for you to discover. The wines of Sauternes are among the most palate-pleasant sweet wines in the world. Though highly desirable, Sauternes wines are relatively undiscovered. They will provide us with a sweet ending to our Bordeaux wine tasting tours.

Your evening will be free so that you may once again soak up Bordeaux at night. Discover more of what the city has to offer, enjoy a glass of wine with the locals, or simply take in the ambiance from your place in one of the city’s beloved squares.

Day 5: The Coast of BordeauxCap Ferret, Oyster Farm, 
The sea is calling to us and today we answer as our travels take us to the Atlantic coast to discover the secluded seaside town of Cap Ferret. Characterized by the heady scent of pine trees and miles of soft sandy beach the biggest draw for locals and their guests would be the oysters. We’ll spend time at a family-run oyster farm where we’ll learn about the traditional French methods of oyster cultivation. We’ll enjoy a taste as we sample the freshest of oysters and sip a lovely white wine.

Upon return to Bordeaux evening at leisure.

You’re sure to return to your home with so many stories to tell, fond memories to reflect upon and discoveries made during your one-of-a-kind week in Bordeaux.

Day 6 : Departure
Depart home or consult with us if you wish to explore another destination. Check out the Dordogne region.

Arrival Details

  • Airport city:

    Bordeaux

  • Pick-up Location:

    N/A

  • Pick-up time:

    N/A

Departure details

  • Airport city:

    Bordeaux

  • Drop off location:

    N/A

  • Drop off time:

    N/A

The program includes:

  • 5 nights accommodation
  • All breakfasts
  • 3 lunches including wine
  • 1 Dinners including wine
  • Oyster tasting
  • A Wine expert guide
  • Introduction class to Bordeaux wine
  • Bordeaux by night guided walking tour
  • Transportation during day trips
  • Wine tasting fees
  • Wine , Wine and more Wine!

The program does not include

  • Flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Transfers to/from the hotel.
  • Anything not mentioned in the program

TERMS & CONDITIONS

A deposit of  $500.00 per person is required at time of booking to guarantee the space on the tour. Balance of the full amount is due 90 days prior the first day of the tour.

CANCELLATION

Your deposit is refundable within the first 30 days of your deposit, so long as you have booked more than 180 days before the start date of the tour. If you book within 180 days of the start date of the tour, your deposit is immediately non-refundable. 90 days or less before the start date of the tour, the tour is non – refundable. 

Balance

90 days or less before the start date of the tour, the tour is non – refundable unless we are able to rebook another participant for the date/tour you are booked on.

Food N wine vacations, Inc reserve the right to re-calculate prices due to currency fluctuations. For full terms and conditions refer to Terms and conditions page.

Your home while in Bordeaux is a boutique hotel, located in the heart of Bordeaux, where everything is at your door step

The decoration of the rooms is a blend of 18th century bordelaise inspiration & contemporary style.

All rooms are soundproof and feature individually controlled air conditioning, a flat screen TV, Wi-Fi, pillow top mattresses, safe and a minibar.

*Irons/ironing boards and hair dryers can be requested.

Other amenities include a restaurant, bar, cigar room and a Spa.

Note: It's possible to have separate beds

DATES & PRICES

2024

2025

  • Sept 14 – Sept 19
  • $ 3700.00
  • Available

Single supplement: $ 600.00

Prices are in USD.

Looking for a Private Group Tour?
We can accommodate private groups year round

VIDEO

TRAVEL INSURANCE

We highly suggest purchasing travel insurance to protect your travel investment. Many travel products are non-refundable.

You can get a quote here

Emergencies happen when you least expect it. Travel protection provides coverage for Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption, Medical and Dental, Emergency Assistance and Transportation, Baggage, Baggage Delay, Travel Delay and much more. Plus, we offer our exclusive One Call 24-hour Traveler Assistance Service to help you with emergency situations that arise during your trip.

You may also consider ‘Cancel for no reason’. It may seem costly, but if you are deeply concerned about things like Hurricanes, strikes, Coronavirus outbreak, terror attack and such, you should look into that.

For pre existing condition, it’s important to purchase a policy within 10 days of your deposit.

FAQ about Travel Insurance

FLIGHTS

You can fly to Bordeaux.

You can fly to Paris and take a train.

We provide a complimentary consulting with your pre or post travel plans.

PRE AND POST IDEAS

You can visit Paris for few days.

We highly recommend combining the tour to Bordeaux with a tour to Dordogne.

TOUR PACE

Walking pace is like walking around town.

Be ready to drink….. a lot of wine!

MORE INFO

What should I wear?

Stay casual and comfortable. Mornings and evening are chilly but during the day it’s warm. Even in full summer, hot days can quickly turn into cool evenings. Be prepared with a light sweater during the summer months, and something a little heavier in spring and fall.

You won’t need to dress up anywhere you go. If you would like to try to blend in with the locals as much as possible, think “smart casual” or “preppy” for men, and “light and stylish” for women. Italians are very fashion conscious, but not formal.

In the summer months, you will most likely want to wear shorts. Make sure they have good pockets. However, always make sure you also have some long pants

Bring flat shoes, as you will be walking in medieval towns with cobblestone streets or farms with unpaved roads.

If you want to dress up for dinner, dress as if you are having dinner with friends.

How many bags can I bring?

We recommend bringing one medium suitcase and another small bag or trolley.

Please check our packing advice.

Packing

We advise you to pack light. We also recommend planning what you need based on each day of your travels.

You will need the extra space for souvenirs. You may not think about it now, but believe us; you’d want to take home that tasty olive oil, a bottle of wine that you can’t find at home, local specialties, or ceramics.

On that note, the best advice we can give you is “bubble wrap”. Bring bubble wrap with you. It’s cheaper and more convenient to bring it from the U.S and you will probably never leave home without it.

We highly recommend you use packing cubes for efficient packing and to keep things organized. You can search for videos on YouTube to learn more about it.

Do I need a passport?

Yes!

Copy of passport

We strongly suggest that you to make a copy of your passport.

Should I bring my cell phone?

It is a good idea to bring a cell phone. See our tips for communications while on a tour down below.

Do I need converters or transformers?

European power outlets run at 220 volts. You must buy a transformer to avoid shorting out and/or causing permanent damage to your devices. You will need it for cell phones, cameras, tablets, and other US-made electronics.

Tip: If your electronics can be powered by either 120 volt or 220-volt outlets (the device will usually have this listed in the technical specifications in a format like 120/240 volts, meaning the device can be powered from any power outlet around the globe), you will only need a plug adapter. Please note that a plug adapter is not a transformer, and using one with a device not capable of handling 240 volts will cause permanent damage and may even render the device unusable.

 

Money

We find that a debit/credit card of a credit union bank has low rates for an ATM withdrawal or credit card charges. In addition to credit union banks, here is a list of cards that offer a low or no foreign transaction fee: Capital one no fee hassle card, Chase Sapphire preferred, Chase ink business card, United mileage plus, Barclays arrivals world, Amex platinum card, Capital one venture reward, bank Americard travel reward, Marriott, Southwest, Barclaycard arrival plus, United mileage plus, Citi Hilton honors.

It is also important to let the credit card company or your bank know what country you are traveling to and the exact date

Communications

It is recommended to have a cell phone with you, however, if you plan to bring your smart phone, make sure to turn off mobile data right before you board the plane. If the data is not turned off, your mobile provider may charge you hundreds of dollars for using their services outside the U.S. On certain phones, you may be able to disable data roaming (phones that support this feature will most likely have it turned off by default). This will automatically turn off data outside the U.S.

You may want to check with your cell phone provider what data/voice/ text they offer when you travel to Europe. Things are changing for the better. For example, if you have an unlimited plus plan with AT&T you can pay $10 a day and continue using your phone in Europe as if you were at home.

WhatsApp is a free service that lets users message one another seamlessly between mobile and desktop devices.

WhatsApp is known for its enhanced privacy features, like end-to-end encryption, and its free, web-based international calling. Read on to find out how you can leverage the Facebook-owned messaging giant to make free international calls.


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