Luxury Wine & Gastronomy: Bordeaux & Dordogne
10-Day | Luxury | From $11,295 pp
Let your senses guide you around the world-renowned Bordeaux wine regions and Dordogne delicacies on a luxury wine and fine dining travel experience. This all-encompassing tour covers the must-see locations and must-do five-star experiences in Bordeaux and the Dordogne region.
See historic architecture, impressive medieval fortresses, and historic villages through private explorations of many châteaux, estates, family-run wine producers, brandy house, chocolate makers, and local fine dining. Days are filled with many wine tastings, showcasing the best this region has to offer, complemented by the region’s exquisite cuisine in our favorite restaurants. Wander through Europe’s longest pedestrian shopping street, and unwind in a quaint café, all while soaking in the exquisite French architecture and the vibrant “joie-de-vivre.”
This vacation promises unforgettable memories, complete with all transportation and guidance provided by your personal tour guide.
Tour Details
Length: 10 days, 10 nights
Dates: You choose! Pick any dates from April to November
Service: Fully Supported, All-Inclusive Guided Tour
Regions: Bordeaux, St-Émilion, Cognac, Dordogne, Sarlat, Rocamadour, etc.
Gourmet Tastings: World-Class meals all paired with delicious wines, crémant, rosé, sometimes even brandy.
Private Transportation: From the moment you arrive to when you get dropped off at the airport you’ll be riding in style in your own chauffered 9-Seater Mercedes-Benz Van.
Ten Day Luxury Bordeaux & Dordogne Itinerary
Bordeaux & Dordogne Like A Local With Your Personal, Friendly Wine Guide and Host!
Day 1
Arrival:
Bordeaux Sightseeing & River Cruise
Transportation from the Airport or Train Station to your Hotel in Bordeaux Center
4:00 pm – Sightseeing Tour of Historic Bordeaux
6:00 pm – Evening River Cruise Experience with Bordeaux Wine Tasting, paired with Cheese and Charcuterie.
Day 2
Left Bank:
Médoc & Margaux
9:30 am – Meet at Hotel
10:00 am – Château Tour & Tasting in Margaux
12:15 pm – Gourmet Lunch
2:00 pm – Château Tour & Tasting in Saint-Julien
4:00 pm – Chocolatier Visit
5:30 pm – Return to Bordeaux
Day 3
Pessac & Arcachon
10:00 am – Meet at Hotel
10:30 am – Tour a unique Grand Cru Château and its impressive tasting room cellar.
12:00 pm – Lunch at a special restaurant
After lunch, ride to the coast to enjoy an afternoon by the sea. Stroll the boardwalk and snack on local treats that the area’s known for, paired with sweet or smooth white wines.
Climb the Dune du Pilat, the tallest sand dune in Europe (Optional and highly recommended)
Dine in a Michelin-Star experience with a view of the ocean, before heading back to Bordeaux.
Day 4
Bordeaux, Museums, & Michelin Star Dinner
Wander through the charming old town at your own pace, enjoying coffee, wine tasting, and leisurely strolls along cobblestone paths. Don’t miss the world of wine at the Cité du Vin Wine Museum or regional history and artifacts at the Musée d’Aquitaine.
We’ll always recommend experiencing French fine dining à-la-Bordelais. Enjoy a four-course Michelin-star meal in one of our favorite restaurants in the world, which happens to be in Bordeaux.
Day 5
Right Bank:
Pomerol & Saint-Émilion
9:00 am – Meet at your Hotel
10:00 am – Historic Wine Estate Tour & Tasting in Pomerol
12:00 pm – Michelin-Chef Lunch in Historic St-Émilion
2:00 pm – Guided Tour of Underground Medieval Chruch and Hermit’s Grotto
Private Walking Sightseeing Tour of Historic Saint Émilion
Horizontal Wine Tasting at a local wine merchant
5:00 pm – Picturesque View from a Historic Château’s Garden
6:00 pm – Return to Bordeaux
Day 6
Visit Historic Cognac
The rich terroir of South West France doesn’t limit itself to world-class wines but also Grape-Base Apéritifs, and Fine-Brandy Digestifs from Cognac. Explore world-famous “Maisons” in this historic village just a short drive north of Bordeaux.
9:00 am – Meet at hotel
10:30 am – Private Tour of a Grand Maison de Cognac
11:00 am – Visit Cognac Riverfront
12:00 pm – Gourmet Lunch
2:00 pm – Historic Cognac Estate Tour & Tasting
6:00 pm – Return to Bordeaux
Day 7
Bordeaux Open Air Market &
Cooking Class
Stroll the riverfront market of fresh local delicacies from all around the region accompanied by a local foodie. Enjoy fresh seafood and white wine just like a Bordelais.
After lunch, learn from a French Chef in a 3-hour workshop (that starts at 2:00 p.m.) and culminates with an apéro spread where we enjoy our prepared dishes, with paired wines, of course.
Day 8
Gourmet Walking Tour with Michelin Star Lunch
Go on a gourmet tour of the renowned Chartrons District and Rue Notre Dame. Wander along the picturesque Garonne River, try pasteries from an oven that dates back to 1765, get fresh canelés, and sip delicious wines.
Enjoy a Michelin Star Lunch experience that might overwhelm your taste buds.
Day 9
Bergerac & Sarlat
Time travel to medieval and renaissance villages and relax at a 5-star hotel & spa.
8:30 am – Leave at Hotel with luggage
10:00 am – Visit Bergerac
12:00 pm – Gourmet Lunch
2:00 pm – Visit Historical Sarlat
5:00 pm – Check into Sarlat Hotel
Day 10
Monbazillac & Rocamadour
Learn about dessert fine wines from the Monbazillac region, and experience for yourself why Rocamadour cheese is so famous.
9:00 am – Meet at Hotel
10:00 am – Visit Monbazillac and the Château de Monbazillac
12:00 pm – Gourmet Lunch with Monbazillac and Desert pairing
2:00 pm – Visit Historical Rocamadour
5:00 pm – Return to Sarlat
Departure
Transportation to Airport or Station
After breakfast and checking out this morning, you will be met at your hotel by your guide and driven back to Bordeaux, and the International Airport to catch your departing flight or the Saint-Jean Train Station to get on your train.
Bon voyage les amis!
What’s Included;
- 10 nights accommodations in two 5-Star hotels, breakfasts included
- 7 Gourmet Lunches, including wine
- 2 Michelin-Star Dinners, including wine
- 10 Châteaux / Estate Tours
- 35+ Unique Wines tasted
- Private wine guide and host
- Transportation for excursions
- Entrance fees to Estate Visits and Châteaux Tours
- Full support from a local concierge
- Transfers from/to Bordeaux Airport or Train Station
What’s NOT Included;
- Transportation to and from Bordeaux
- Travel & Health Insurance
Starting at $11,295 per person
Discounts are available for group reservations of 5 or more guests.
We stay in very nice hotels that have been hand-selected to maximize comfort while minimizing cost.
- Hotel de Seze
- Yndō Hotel & Spa
- Villas Foch Bordeaux
- Le Boutique Hotel & Spa
- InterContinental Bordeaux – Grand Hotel & Spa
- Le Petit Manoir
Over the years, we have found a few amazing 4-star and 5-star properties that distinguish themselves beyond their rating.
For self-guided tour parties wishing to upgrade their accommodations, we can provide custom pricing for four- and five-star hotels, pending availability.
For groups of 4 or more, short-term rental options such as Airbnb can be recommended.
We are your local guides! Who better to show you around breathtaking Bordeaux than local expats that have fallen in love with this region!?!
Having the local perspective enhances your experience, providing insider knowledge and opportunities that only a local resident can offer. From greeting guests when they arrive to personally handling reservations and transportation, to curating excursions, to problem-solving (e.g., unexpected cancelations and other unforeseen issues), your concierge is here to help make your trip unforgettable.
What To Expect On A Day-Trip?
Bordeaux Wine Vacation Day Trips start by picking you up from your hotel in a first-class touring van and driving through a sea of vineyards to the wine region of the day. You’ll visit 2 to 3 different wine-producing estates with tasting and tours of each property, enjoy a five-star gourmet meal that’s typically French, and pair the experience by tasting a comparative selection of fine wines from the region. At the end of the day, your guide will shuttle you back to your hotel and give recommendations or reservations for evening activities in Bordeaux.
What's it like to visit a Château?
Château tours last between 1 and 2 hours, often including a presentation of the vineyard, the history of the château, and a guided tour of the vat room and cellars ending with a vintage tasting of the wine(s) Mis En Bouteille Au Château.
Which Château do we visit?
Examples of Château we visit:
Château Beychevelle, Château Léoville Poyferré, Château Smith Haut Lafitte, Château de la Riviere, Château La Mission Haut Brion, Château Haut Bailly, Château Pape Clément, Château Valandraud, Château Saint-Georges, Château Guiraud, Château D’Yquem, etc.
Is there a special estate that you want to visit? Let us know! We’d love to help organize your dream tour 🙂
Which hotel will we stay in?
We generally target very nice 4-star hotels and some excellent 5-star properties, which we hand-select to maximize comfort while minimizing cost.
Over the years, we have found many amazing 4-star properties that distinguish themselves beyond their rating. We have loved developing all of our hotel relationships and sharing them with our guests. For self-guided tour parties wishing to upgrade their accommodations, we can provide custom pricing for four- and five-star hotels, pending availability.
Do you offer discounts?
Yes! We offer discounts to group reservations of 4 to 7 guests. Contact us to learn more.
Tour Highlights
• Embark on a truly French immersion of discovery in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
• Relax at a luxury hotel with 19th-century decor and a world-class restaurant.
• Learn about historic French architecture on a walking tour of several UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
• Ride along the Route des Châteaux and enjoy leisurely scenic drives through the French countryside.
• See for yourself the sea of vineyards stretching across rolling hills in the Médoc and limestone plateaus of St-Émilion.
• Tour world-famous Châteaux, wine estates, and unique wine making facilities.
• Discover the many wine appellations of the surrounding region: Médoc, Pomerol, Graves, Sauternes, Fronsac, St-Émilion, many more.
• Enjoy gourmet meals and Michelin-Star dining experiences.
• Visit the Atlantic Coast, and enjoy freshly caught seafood.
• Climb Europe’s largest sand dune, an impressive view of land and sea.
• Stroll the medieval streets of Saint-Émilion for a step back in time.
• Shop the many storefronts along Rue Saint-Catherine and the luxury boutiques of Bordeaux’s Triangle d’Or.
• Explore ancient underground wine cellars stocked with priceless collections and hidden treasures.
• Taste many different Bordeaux wines, often on location and some straight from the barrel in the cellar.
• Compare notable vintages and historic winemaking methods.
• Uncover the vibrant nightlife of the city center.
• Capture breathtaking pictures and memories that will last a lifetime!
Bonjour Bordeaux!
For information and reservations, please contact us to chat about your ideal Bordeaux Wine Vacation…