Bordeaux

ESCORTED WINE TOUR OF BORDEAUX VINEYARDS

Bordeaux needs little introduction as capital of the most prestigious wine region in the world. But the city is more than just a gateway for this ancient nectar: it is a cultivated and charming city, elegantly placed on the Gironde estuary with the briny scent of the ocean pervading its wide and imposing avenues.
Our 5 day tour of the Bordeaux vineyards is for mini-groups - from 2 to 6 guests in a comfortable minibus driven by your knowledgeable english-speaking guide. This approach means that you get right into the interesting estates and chateaux without wasting time on tourist traps and missed turnings.
The basic 5 day programme can be prolonged with optional extra days to Cognac, the Spirits capital of the world, or to the Sauternes region famous for its sweet white wines.

Day 1: Arrival at Bordeaux airport; welcome by your driver guide, panoramic tour of Bordeaux and transfer to your 4* hotel in Bordeaux city centre.
Diner and overnight at the hotel

Day 2: Full day tour of Médoc
Pick up at the hotel by your driver guide, departure for the Médoc, the
most famous of the Bordeaux vineyards which lies to the North-West of Bordeaux city, a vast spit of land between the Atlantic Ocean to the West and the Gironde Estuary to the East, a geographical location which confers on it a temperate climate suited to vine-growing. This symbiosis of plant and environment has given us 60 Grand Crus classés and 400 Crus Bourgeois in the 8 AOC of the Médoc.
Visit and tasting at the Chateau Lascombes, Grand Cru classé in
Margaux Appellation
Visit and tasting at the Chateau Lynch Bages, Grand cru classé in
Pauillac Appellation
Lunch somewhere in the area
Visit and tasting at the Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de
Lalande at Pauillac or Mouton Rothschild.
Return to Bordeaux. Overnight at the hotel.09h00 am Pick up at the hotel by your driver and guide, departure for the Médoc, the most famous of the Bordeaux vineyards.

Day 3: Full day tour of Saint Emilion
Pick up at the hotel by your driver guide and departure for Saint
Emilion.
Visit to the Château Franc Mayne, Grand Cru classé of Saint Emilion
Visit St Emilion, mediaeval city, UNESCO world heritage site and one of
the centres of Bordeaux wine-making. Lunch in the medieval city.
Visit to the Château Fonplegade, Grand Cru classé of Saint Emilion
Return to Bordeaux. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 4: Bordeaux
Departure at 10 am for a guided visit (2 hours) of Bordeaux to discover
the old town: You will be able to discover the new heart of the City which
has been considerably renovated with cleaned-up monuments,
pedestrian zones and a brand-new tram service. From the vestiges of
the Middle Ages (11th century cathedral of St André, the St Pierre
quarter), to the elegance of 18th century (the 4 km long facade
overlooking the river, the place royale, the Grand Theatre, Bordeaux's
1781 opera). You will discover the differents golden ages of Bordeaux's
history, dominated by the wine trade and various colonial influences.
This afternoon you can do some shopping in the centre.
Overnight at the hotel

Day 5: Bordeaux
breakfast in hotel. Onward travel (or extra optional days to Cognac and/or Sauternes - see below)

Price per person:
1104 euros based on 4 people minimum 1380 euros based on 2 people minimum

This price includes:

- 4 nights accommodation based double
or twin room.
- Breakfast included
- 1 gourmet meal, the first night
- Transport in luxury mini van
- Wine tasting (Mouton, Franc Mayne,
Fonplegade)
- Guided visit of Bordeaux with a guide from
the tourist office.
- The services of a professional driver
guide as per itinerary

This price does not include lunches, tips, personal expenses

Optional extra day tour to Cognac
Pick up at the hotel by your driver guide, departure for Cognac the most famous spirit in the world.
Lunch somewhere in the area
Visit and tasting at the Hennessy distellery and the Martell distillery.
Return to Bordeaux. Overnight at the hotel

PRICE: Base 2: 522 euros per person
Base 4: 354 euros per person
Included: 1 night, breakfast, transport,
the services of a professional driver guide

Option: Full day tour of Graves and Sauternes
Pick up at the hotel by your driver guide and the departure for Graves.
Visit and tasting in the Graves vineyards
Lunch somwhere in the area
Continue to Sauternes, where you will visit and taste a Grand Cru Classé. Return to Bordeaux. Overnight at the hotel

PRICE: Base 2: 438 euros per person
Base 4: 306 euros per person
Included: 1 night, breakfast, transport,
the services of a professional driver guide