Luxury Bordeaux Food and History Stay

You will be collected from the airport in your private taxi and taken to your hotel where you can enjoy a gastronomic meal in the restaurant (not included).

You will be collected from your hotel and enjoy the beautiful scenery and pine forests as you drive to the Atlantic coast.

The bay of Arcachon is a small seaside resort, full of traditional charm and known for its thermal waters and delicious oysters. Indeed, 60% of the oysters eaten in France are grown in this area

In the morning, you have the option of climbing the highest sand dunes in Europe, the Dunes du Pilat. This is an unusual experience with some great photographic opportunities.

After a stroll around, you will visit an oyster farm located on the Cap Ferret peninsula. There, you will meet a couple of oyster farmers and enjoy an oyster tasting accompanied by a delicious glass of local white wine.

Lunch at a seafront restaurant (not included) will be followed by a 2 hour cruise in the Arcachon Bay on a traditional boat called a Pinasse. You'll discover Bird Island and its “Cabanes Tchanquées” (houses on stilts) as well as small oyster farming villages

At the end of the day you'll be transferred back to your hotel and enjoy a fine meal either in a local gastronomic restaurant or in the hotel's restaurant in the evening.

Today you'll enjoy a guided visit to a wine estate in the Graves winemaking area of Bordeaux. You'll discover the vineyards, the production facility and the area in which the wine is bottled and then stored in barrels.

You'll then enjoy a fascinating 2h tasting class in which you'll learn how different white wines complement 3 different types of caviar from the Bordeaux area.

Enjoy a delicious lunch at the Chateau (not included) before returning to your hotel late afternoon.

An option for the afternoon is a visit to the Vinotherapy spa at Caudalie. Quote available on request
An option for the day is for transport by helicopter rather than private taxi. Quote available on request

Your guide will accompany you on a fascinating 4h discovery tour of Bordeaux on foot during which you'll sample local gourmet delights at 5 different places that are dedicated to food lovers.

Meet the 2016 ‘chocolatier of the year’ and sample 3 of his chocolate creations. You'll also meet pastry chef Matthieu who produces the delicious sweet Bordeaux canelé.

You'll be ready for a coffee or hot chocolate at specialist coffee roaster Arthur's place and then some food at an exceptional restaurant in town where you can enjoy fried foie gras from the south west accompanied by a glass of local wine.

Afterwards you'll meet Cognac distiller Pablo in his beautiful facility where he produces a regional speciality, Pineau. Then, it's on to meet pastry artisan Olivier where you'll discover his famous ‘Dune blanche’ pastry.

Finally you'll go to cheese artisan Jean d'Alos establishment where you'll visit his refining cellars and taste 3 cheeses from SW France

In the evening, take a 3h cruise on the Garonne river and enjoy a delicious dinner on board (included), which features local specialities. See the beautiful illuminated UNESCO heritage sights of Bordeaux by night, a truly unforgettable experience.

During this private cookery workshop you'll learn how to make a classic French patisserie such as macarons or petits fours. You'll be sure to impress your friends back home with your new found skills!

In the afternoon, take a guided walking tour of the Bordeaux city centre UNESCO heritage sights with your expert local guide.

Round the day off with an exceptional gastronomic meal (not included) in a top city centre restaurant before returning to your hotel.

Your private tour guide will take you to Bourg sur Gironde where you'll enjoy a guided visit of the village and the historic citadelle. Here, you'll have the opportunity to taste the village speciality, Figues de Bourg, a very old delicacy which has links back to King Lous XIV of France.

Your next stop will be the Chateau de Vauban where you'll enjoy a delicious lunch featuring local products and accompanied by tastings of 3 of the estate's own wines.

After lunch, you'll visit the UNESCO registered village of Saint Emilion where you'll learn all about the legend of Emilion, visit the largest underground church in Europe, experience the catacombs as well as the Chapelle de la Trinité and its superb 14th century paintings.

Time then for some refreshments and some people watching in the picturesque square before returning to your hotel.

Discover the Gironde estuary from the unique perspective of your own private boat which can take up to 12 people.

Leaving from the quais in Bordeaux, your first stop will be for lunch (not included in the price) at a fabulous restaurant on the shores of the river. Here, you'll eat delicious seasonal cuisine inspired by the region and created from quality local produce.

After lunch, it's back on board the boat for a trip up the estuary to the UNESCO registered Citadelle de Blaye where you'll be given a private guided tour of this historic site.

Then it's all aboard again for your cruise back down to your starting point in Bordeaux

A sad day today as your stay in Bordeaux comes to an end. Your private taxi will take you to the airport or rail station for your onwards journey.