Detailed Bordeaux 2025 Itinerary

Day One

TRANSFER Enjoy a comfortable private transfer from Bordeaux–Mérignac International Airport (BOD) or Bordeaux Train Station to your accommodations at 4-star Hotel Burdigala. Your chauffeurs will be waiting for you at the arrival lounge just after you pick up your luggage. Just look for a sign with your name. ACCOMMODATIONS The plush Hotel Burdigala with its outstanding service and excellent food and wines is popular with visiting film stars. But here even non-celebs are made to feel important. At this sophisticated hotel in an elegant 18th-century building near the shopping street, rue Ste Catherine, the rooms are stylish and decorated using rich fabrics, wood and marble. The Burdigala offers a sense of spacious refuge within the city of Bordeaux. You’ll be excited to return to this comfortable setting at the end of a day’s exploration. WELCOME DINNER After spending the afternoon settling in, meet your travel companions and take a short walk to Restaurant Influences an elegant, modern and gourmet restaurant located in the heart of Bordeaux.
| Overnight in Bordeaux
| Dinner

Day Two

INTRODUCTION TO BORDEAUX TOUR

We continue our exploration of Bordeaux with a 3-hour introductory tour with a local. This private tour provides a perfect introduction to Bordeaux for first-timers or a reorientation for returning travelers to this unique region of France. We will explore Bordeaux’s viniculture and local history.

We’ll strike out from our hotel and meet our charming guide at the Sanna Sculpture at Place de la Comédie. Our guide will begin to introduce the historical narrative of Bordeaux, from the Medieval period to the Golden Age to the mid-1990s and beyond. Other stops along the way may include:

We will finish our introductory tour with a more comprehensive understanding of Bordeaux’s growth into a major wine-trading city. We’ll have visited a number of important locations, immersing ourselves in Bordeaux’s local life and grandiose history.

MASKED PARTICIPATORY BALL

The Bordeaux National Opera has organized a ball for the evening of June 14^th to provide opportunities to learn to dance with professional or experienced dancers of the Ballet de l’Opéra.

This ball takes place in GERARD BOIREAU SALON at the GRAND THEATRE and features a variety of dances and costumes. Attendees are encouraged to wear or borrow masks. The goal is to create a welcoming space for participants to enjoy learning ballroom dance, relaxing in freedom and anonymity.

Costume elements from the Opera’s stocks can complete your outfit.<br>

| Overnight in Bordeaux
| Breakfast

Day Three

BORDEAUX OLD TOWN & MARKET LOCAL FOOD W/ WINE TASTINGS TOUR

Chef Anne leads us on this delightful tour that is half food and half history! On 2 1/2hr tour we’ll visit the bustling Marche des Capucins where see restaurant chefs purchasing their products for the day and home chefs searching for inspiration. We’ll spend a good hour exploring the market and tasting our way through the stalls and enjoying local products like regional oysters, Basque cheese and charcuterie.

Then we’ll head into the historic center of Bordeaux to visit the small local shops as Chef Anne discusses the history of the city as a port. This is where we will explore pastry and spices with our tastebuds.

After we’ve tasted our way through the SW of France we’ll finish with seasonal plates and wine pairing.

Visit the historic Marche des Capucins
Learn the history of Bordeaux through the spice trade
Finish with small plates and wine at a local wine bar

| Overnight in Bordeaux
| Breakfast<br> | Food & Wine Tastings

Day Four

Today we head south to visit the 14th century Château de La Brède, home of the writer and philosopher Charles Louis de Secondat, better known as Montesquieu. The beautiful castle sits in a large wooded grove and has retained its appearance of a medieval fortress. Exploring the castle’s interior, we’ll follow in the footsteps of the writer through the emblematic places where he worked, including his library and his room which is preserved in its 18th century state. Next, we’ll head to Saint-Andre-du-Bois to Château Malromé, the former family home of the famous painter Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. We’ll explore the historic apartments of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and his original works. Château Malromé is also home to one of the oldest winegrowing estates that is still in operation. We’ll stroll this vineyard that has been in operation for five centuries, enjoy a tasting during an oenological tour of the barrel cellars and then enjoy a 3-course lunch, with wine, of course. Our last stop of the day is Chateau Guiraud. Originally known as La Maison Noble du Bayle, the estate earned its name, and its fame, when it was purchased by the Guiraud family in 1766. Today the estate is focused on organic farming as well as a global approach to sustainable viticulture. To cap off the day we’ll receive a private tour and tasting and learn the history of this great estate. | Overnight in Bordeaux | Breakfast | Lunch

Day Five

TARTS AND PIES – SWEET & SAVORY

This morning we’ll visit the Gastronome Bordeaux housed in a 17th-century building, where Chef Daniel Bowers and Wine Enthusiast Erica Bowers will provide us with an immersive culinary experience.

In this hands-on private class in a fully equipped, state-of-the-art kitchen, you’ll master the basics of crafting traditional French tart dough (pâte brisée) and classic flaky pie dough.

After class we’ll enjoy a delicious three-course lunch (with both sweet and savory offerings) and wine pairings.

This afternoon we’ll join some local folks in a game of Pétanque. After we’ll try the regional favorite aperitifs Pastis and Lillet with some snacks.

Then head out on your own to dinner or follow our local friends to a recommended dinner spot on the right bank overlooking the water.

| Overnight in Bordeaux
| Breakfast
| Lunch
| Aperitif & Snacks

Day Six

Free Day

Enjoy some time for independent exploration or just take the morning to relax before taking the optional tour.

HALF-Day tour to Saint-Emilion and Medoc, from Bordeaux

This afternoon we’ll take a drive to Saint-Emilion and discover firsthand some of the region’s scenic beauty. Learn the secrets of Saint-Émilion’s famous red wines, the importance of terroir and the art of producing Grand Cru wines on a guided tour of a Grand Cru winery. After strolling the vineyards and peeking into the barrel room, head to the tasting room to sample a variety of fine wines. In addition, we’ll enjoy a charming walk along the streets of the village. We’ll also tour a family-owned winery in either the Saint-Emilion Grand Cru or Pomerol appellation. Enjoy an expert tasting followed by a last glass of wine served with local delicacies.

| Overnight in Bordeaux
| Breakfast

Day Seven

Today we head to the coastal town of Arcachon where we’ll encounter the tallest sand dune in Europe. This is an exceptional natural site located in La Teste-de-Buch. We’ll climb to the top to get a breathtaking view over the Atlantic Ocean, the Arcachon Basin, the Banc d’Arguin, Landaise Forest, and the Cap Ferret peninsula. On a clear day we might be able to spot the Pointe de l’Espiguette. Our private guide will explain the different characteristics of the Dune, and regale us with its stories and legends.

Learn about the culture of this area which is heavily centered around fishing and oyster farming. We’ll enjoy a lunch of fresh shrimp, oysters and pate accompanied of course by white and rose wine.

We will also visit Winter Hill Village and the Observatoire Sainte Cecile designed by architect Paul Régnauld with the assistance of a young Gustav Eiffel. Your climb to the top is rewarded by panoramic views that reveal the stunning beauty of the surrounding landscape. From this vantage point, the shimmering waters of the bay stretch out towards the horizon, dotted with sailboats and framed by the majestic Dune du Pilat in the distance another breathtaking spectacle that will leave you in awe.

| Overnight in Bordeaux
| Breakfast
| Lunch

Day Eight

Departure Transfer It’s time to go home but a real learning escape never ends. Your professionally-trained driver will greet you with a name sign in the reception of the hotel, and offer to assist with luggage and guide you to your vehicle to go Bordeaux Airport BOD.
| Breakfast