Day 1:  St Emilion for 3 nights

Meet & greet private transfer from Bordeaux airport to hotel in St Emilion by Mercedes Class S

1 suite, breakfast & taxes included at Hotel Hostellerie de Plaisance*****

Located in the heart of St Emilion village, 45 minutes from Bordeaux, the Hostellerie de Plaisance offers a panoramic view of Saint-Emilion and its vineyards. Surrounded by a terrace and a garden, this old stone monastery proposes spacious and classically designed rooms. Wi-Fi access is free for guests throughout the hotel. The Hostellerie de Plaisance has a gastronomic restaurant with a large wine list. Breakfast can be served in your room at an extra cost.

 

Day 2: Arcachon Bay

Private driver guide at disposal for the day with Mercedes Class S

Arcachon Bay with tasting in an Oyster Farm & Private Pinasse boat ride & Champagne

Arcachon is a popular bathing location on the Atlantic coast 55 kilometers (34 miles) southwest of Bordeaux. It has a fine beach and a mild climate said to be favorable for invalids suffering from pulmonary complaints. The town of Arcachon is only 150 years old. Not long before 2 May 1857, when Emperor Napoleon III signed its official « birth certificate », it was just a forest of pine trees, oaks and strawberry trees (arbutus), with no road links, and home – mostly when the weather was expected to be warm, and more in wood huts than in real houses – to fewer than 400 people, mostly fishermen and peasants. In earlier years, when some hygienists began to recommend sea bathing, three sea establishments were laid out by some entrepreneurs especially for the Bordeaux bourgeoisie. At its southern entrance from the Atlantic ocean, Arcachon Bay is crowned by Europe’s largest sand dune, the Dune de Pyla (or du Pilat), nearly 3 kilometres long, 500 metres wide, reaching 107 metres in height, and moving inland at rate of 5 metres a year. Today depart from Bordeaux and head towards this land locked sea known as » The Arcachon bay ».

Upon arrival, discover the oyster sheds that are laid in rows one next to each other and that belong to the local oyster farmers that make this destination so well known to all French oyster aficionados. Here you will have the opportunity to taste some oysters accompanied with fresh baguette, lightly salted butter and white wine of course. For lunch, your guide will certainly suggest one of the many high quality sea food restaurants located along the shore. Finally, indulge in a  unique boat ride on board a local « Pinasse », the traditional boats of the Bay of Arcachon. All built out of wood, mention of the boats date back to the 1500’s at a time when they were used only for fishing. This pleasant ride will have you see the numerous oyster farms and admire ‘Birds Island’ with its « Tchanqués » huts built on wooden piles.

 

Day 3:

Private driver guide at disposal for the day with Mercedes Class S

Full day private guided tour of St Emilion with local guide to visit the underground monuments

The history of the village goes back to medieval times and the whole jurisdiction is classified as UNESCO World Heritage for its natural landscape. The village is made up of fascinating Romanesque churches and ruins stretching all along steep and narrow streets. Concerning the wines of Saint Emilion, known as the right bank, the Romans were the ones who originally planted the vineyards as early as the 2nd century. Reminders of the Roman techniques of wine planting can be seen in some of the estates such as chateau Bellevue owned by world famous Angelus winery. The village was named after the monk Émilian (which then derived into Emilion), a traveling confessor, who settled in a hermitage carved into the rock in the 8th century.

Enjoy a visit and wine tasting in a classified growth Chateau of the appellation.

Private exclusive tour underground.  The history of the village goes back to medieval times and the whole jurisdiction is classified as UNESCO World Heritage for its natural landscape. The village is made up of fascinating Romanesque churches and ruins stretching all along steep and narrow streets.

Concerning the wines of Saint Emilion, known as the right bank, the Romans were the ones who originally planted the vineyards as early as the 2nd century. Reminders of the Roman techniques of wine planting can be seen in some of the estates such as chateau Bellevue owned by world famous Angelus winery. The village was named after the monk Émilian (which then derived into Emilion), a traveling confessor, who settled in a hermitage carved into the rock in the 8th century.

Then, enjoy a visit and wine tasting in Cos d’ Estournel, one of the absolute best estates in Bordeaux. Probably the most beautiful winery too, with its dramatic Oriental inspired Pagodas. Cos d’ Estournel have just completed a massive, three year, multi million euro renovation of their cellar. The gorgeous new Indian baroque style cellar room with its elephants and candles was designed by Jacques Garcia of Costes in Paris and the Regent in Bordeaux. And the stunning new vat room was designed by the same architect that did Louis Vuitton shop on Champs-Élysées.

Take in the beautiful cellar and continue with a tasting of various vintages of Cos d’ Estournel and their unique and delicious white wine- a novelty for the region.

 

Day 4: Bordeaux for 3 nights

Private transfer from St Emilion to Bordeaux

Driver at disposal for the day

1 prestige suite, Opera view, breakfast & taxes included at Hotel Intercontinental Bordeaux le Grand*****

Directly opposite the Grand Théâtre, this 5-star hotel is in the heart of the historic centre of Bordeaux. It offers a concierge service, a babysitting service upon request, gourmet restaurants and a 1000m² spa and wellness centre. New Bordeaux Stadium is 3.7 miles away. LCD flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi access and Bose Wave radio systems are all standard features of the air-conditioned guest rooms. Each is decorated with 19th-century furnishings and has an elegant marble bathroom with bathtub, bathrobe and slippers. Breakfast can be served directly in the room or selected from the generous buffet. Guests can enjoy views of Bordeaux from the rooftop bar before dining in Le Bordeaux. The hotel’s restaurant, Le Pressoir d’Argent, serves innovative and gastronomic dishes created by Gordon Ramsay. Les Bains de Léa comprises a fitness centre, indoor swimming pool, hammam and sauna. The spa has 12 treatment rooms including 2 couple rooms and an outdoor terrace with a hot tub.

2 hour Bordeaux Tour followed by La Cite du Vin

Welcome to Bordeaux! Come and discover one of the most fascinating French towns that has resurrected. Coined the « Sleeping Beauty », the city has over gone a radical transformation leading it to be declared UNESCO World Heritage in 2007. During our private guided walking tour of Bordeaux, you will discover the most famous monuments and landmarks that the city has to offer. Bordeaux has been classified a “City of Art and History” and is home to one of Europe’s largest collection of 18th-Century architecture. As you walk through imposing squares and handsome avenues, you will see big-ticket attractions such as the neo-classical Grand Théâtre, conceived as a “Temple to the Arts and Light” or Saint Adrews Cathedral where young Eleanor of Aquitaine married Louis VII.

Entrance tickets to La Cite du vin

Despite only opening its doors in May 2016, the spectacular La Cité du Vin is already on its way to becoming one of Bordeaux’s star attractions. Both an architectural landmark and a fascinating tribute to the city’s wine-making heritage, the futuristic building looms over the banks of the Garonne and offers a unique 360-degree view from its 115-foot-high (35-meter-high) belvedere.

Described by some as part museum, part theme park, La Cité du Vin whisks visitors on a self-guided, fully interactive tour of French wine history and heritage, with multi-sensory exhibitions and multimedia displays spread over 10 floors. Travelers are also offered the opportunity to sample wines from around the world (or grape juices for younger visitors), plus a choice of restaurants, wine bars and boutiques. Plans are underfoot to also host temporary art exhibitions.

 

Day 5: 

Private driver guide at disposal for the day with Mercedes Class S

Full day in the Medoc with wine tasting

You will visit two of our favorite estates here such as Palmer or Giscours. Begin the day with a visit to Palmer, one of the most impressive wineries architecturally with its regal Château. Begin with a tour of the vineyards and continue with a private tour and conclude with a tasting of their Grand Vin Château Palmer .

At this stage you will be well ready for lunch and we have a charming picnic on the grounds of Giscours planned for you. Your dapper and handsome host Marc will take you on a private tour of the property and direct you to your romantic corner, where overlooking the vineyards you’ll tuck into your gourmet hamper stuffed with goodies like truffle saucisson, cured hams, brioche, Brie, crusty bread, rosemary almonds, marinated olives, Foie Gras, local chocolates made in Margaux- and a bottle of Château Giscours!

In the afternoon at your leisure (you could do some wine shopping in Margaux first if you liked), return to your hotel.

 

Day 6:

Private driver guide at disposal for the day with Mercedes Class S

Graves & Sauternes Wine tour

Start off in the morning with the discovery of the Pessac Léognan appellation. Pessac-Léognan is a wine appellation within the Graves subregion of the Bordeaux wine region. Both red and white wine are produced within the appellation, which consists of 10 communes. The appellation was created in 1987 as a sub-region of the Graves wine-making district south of the city of Bordeaux to represent the area’s better-known producers, and is centred around the towns of Pessac, Talence and Léognan. It contains all of the Grands Crus Classés listed in the classifications of 1953 and 1959, several noted for producing both red and dry white wine of classed standard.

Sauternes is a French sweet wine from the Sauternais region of the Graves section in Bordeaux. Sauternes is made from Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle grapes that have been affected by Botrytis cinerea, also known as noble rot. This causes the grapes to become partially raisined, resulting in concentrated and distinctively flavored wines. Due to its climate, Sauternes is one of the few wine regions where infection with noble rot is a frequent occurrence. Wines from Sauternes, especially the Premier Cru Supérieur estate Château d’Yquem, can be very expensive, due largely to the very high cost of production. Barsac lies within Sauternes, and is entitled to use either name.

Today, depart for the Graves region and enjoy the visit and wine tasting in two chateaus among which a classified growth of the Pessac-Leognan appellation. After some free time for lunch, head towards the Sauternes region. After a drive through the vineyards and beautiful landscape of the area, enjoy a visit and wine tasting session in a classified growth of the Sauternes or Barsac appellations.

Tailor-made tour, the collector, visit and tasting of 4 Grands Crus Classes at Chateau Pape Clement at 2:30 pm

Stir up your senses during an new journey in the exceptional place of Château Pape Clément, Grand Cru Classé de Graves in Pessac. Come for a unique, initiatory and playful getaway in Bordeaux, and discover the wine differently and as nowhere else ! From delicate sensations to whirlwinds feelings, let you guide during a sensory journey. At first, the touch is highlighted, with soils and materials tactile discovery. In wine storehouses, the sense of smell expresses itself. A tasting of monovines will allow you to understand the aromas and the contributions of each, in a place soaked by smells of oak and of vintage wines in creation. Then, the sight comes : a moment between past and present, where you can see the changes which have shaped the vineyard, from 1250 to nowadays. To perfect this experience, your taste is put to the test during a blind tasting.

We will also organize a tasting at Château Yquem. You’ll visit the prestigious Smith Haut Lafitte winery, on the same gorgeous property. Your host is excellent and after a tour of the historic chais (cellars) finish the visit in their tasting room, overlooking the vineyards. And at the end, you are transported in various sound contexts, to understand how they can influence your judgment of wine…

 

Day 7: Departure

Private transfer from hotel to airport