Premium European Vineyard tours and tastings

At a glance

Trip Summary

On day three, you will be taken on a stunning guided cruise along the Arno River, where you will be able to take in breathtaking views of Florence’s main sights, such as the Pontevecchio and the mysterious Vasari corridor. You will be transported on one of only four remaining authentic barchetto wooden boats- a unique experience! In the afternoon, a tutored tasting session of four wines will be arranged for you in the city centre. It will be accompanied by local cheeses, meats, breads and olive oils. In the evening, a five course dinner with wines, water and coffee will be served in an intimate double Michelin starred restaurant in the city’s oldest tower.

After checking out of your hotel in Florence on day four, board a train to Rome. The journey time is approximately 1 ½ hours. Upon arrival in Rome, take a shuttle bus to the airport. The bus ride is in the region of an hour. Tickets can be purchased directly on the bus and cost approximately 5€ per person. Alternatively, there will be taxis waiting at the station. Once at the airport, board your flight to Bordeaux. The flight time is roughly two hours. There will be taxis waiting at the Bordeaux Airport arrivals. The airport is located 15 minutes away from the city centre by car and we expect the journey to cost in the region of 20€. Alternatively there are regular buses between the airport and Bordeaux (Line 1+). Tickets costs 1.5€ per person and can be purchased on site, not far from the bus stop. The journey time is in the region of 45 minutes. A shuttle bus also links the airport to the station, and the 30 minute journey costs approximately 7€ per person.

Upon arrival in Bordeaux, check into a Classic room at the 4* Hotel de Seze. After settling in at the hotel, enjoy an introductory tutored tasting session of six French red wines (including three Bordeaux wines) in a quaint wine bar, located within walking distance of your hotel. The tasting will be accompanied by a platter of cheeses and meats.

On days two and three, you will meet your guide at a central departure point for a full day transported and guided tour through the Bordeaux vineyards. On one of the days, you will visit the internationally famed left-bank Médoc and the other day, the UNESCO Classified appellation of Saint-Emilion and neighbouring Pomerol. During your tour of the Médoc, you will visit three Châteaux, learning particularly about the Cabernet Sauvignon grape and gaining an insight into what makes those big, bold reds so revered. During your visit to Saint-Emilion and Pomerol, you will discover the singularities of the softer wines, predominantly made from the Merlot grape. You will visit three Châteaux, and your guide will also take you on a walking tour of the picturesque village. During both days, you will learn all about the fascinating wine-making process from press to bottle, and each tour will conclude with a tasting of the Château’s wine. There will be a maximum of eight guests on the tour and each Château that you visit will be a Cru Classé estate. On one of the evenings, a three course gourmet dinner will be served in a premium city centre restaurant. Your dinner will be accompanied by three local wines.

On the morning of day seven, check out of the hotel and head to the train station, where you will board a train to Reims, in the Champagne region. The journey time is roughly 5 ½ hours. Upon arrival in Reims, check into a Privilège room at the 4* Hotel de la Paix ideally located in the city centre. The remainder of the afternoon and evening will be free for you to do as you please.

You will be picked up by an English-speaking guide at your hotel on the morning of day eight. Today, you will enjoy a full day transported Champagne tour, visiting two small, family-run Champagne Houses, as well as a large, prestigious estate. During your tour, your guide will present to you the entire process of creating the magic that is Champagne, and the legends, traditions and culture behind it. Your visits to two small producers will offer a diverse range of tastings to compare Champagnes from different regions. The tour will pause at lunchtime for a three course meal in a local restaurant, accompanied by a glass of wine, water and coffee. The tour day will end in style at a large, prestigious Champagne House in Epernay. This will usually be Champagne Moët and Chandon, Mercier or Champagne De Castellane, and after a full tour of the estate and cellars, a flute of Champagne will conclude your visit. You will be taken back to Reims at the end of the day.

On day nine, check out of the hotel after a leisurely breakfast. We will arrange train travel for you from Reims to Beaune, via Paris. The journey time will be in the region of 4 ½ hours. Upon arrival in Burgundy, check into a Charme room at the 4* Hotel de la Poste in Beaune town centre. Your Burgundy experience will start with an introductory tour and tasting session of six Burgundian wines at a local estate a short walk from the hotel.

The next morning, meet your English-speaking driver/guide for a full day transported and guided tour of the vineyards. You will be transported in an off-road vehicle, allowing access to locations that are usually off-limits. During the first part of the tour, you will be introduced to the sources of some of the greatest Chardonnay wines – namely the famous vineyards of Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet and Chassagne-Montrachet. In addition to white wine, you will also be introduced to the Pinot Noir grape from Pommard, Volnay and Santenay. The morning will conclude with a visit to a nearby domaine in the Côte de Beaune, where the owner will take you on a full tour of the estate and beautiful vaulted cellars, explaining to you all about their wines as you taste them. In the afternoon, you will explore the Côte de Nuits, driving through the famous vineyards of Nuits-Saint-Georges, Vosne-Romanée, Vougeot, Chambolle-Musigny, Morey-Saint-Denis and Gevrey-Chambertin. Your guide will reveal to you the secrets of Burgundy wine whilst you enjoy a glass in the heart of the vineyards. Your time in the Côte de Nuits will then conclude with a visit to a second domaine, for a tour of the estate and cellars and followed by tastings of the estate’s wines. You will be taken back to Beaune at the end of the day. A four course gourmet dinner will be served in a premium city centre restaurant, accompanied by two half bottles of local wine, water and coffee.

After checking out on day eleven, we will arrange rail travel to Paris for you. The journey will take approximately 3 ½ hours. In the capital, check into a Superior room at the 4* Hotel Beauséjour Montmartre, a charming boutique hotel located in the romantic Montmartre district. Enjoy some free time in the afternoon and evening to explore the gorgeous city of love.

Check out of your hotel on the morning of day twelve and make your way to Paris Charles de Gaulle airport. The hotel would be more than happy to call a taxi for you. The taxi ride would cost in the region of 40/50€ and would take approximately half an hour. Alternatively you can take the RER B departing from the Gare du Nord. The journey time is in the region of 35 minutes and the tickets cost around 10€ per person. We will arrange your flight from Paris to Bilbao for you. The flight should take 1 ½ hours. Once in Bilbao, we will organise a private transfer for you from the airport to your hotel in La Rioja. In the Rioja region, check into a Superior room at the 4* Finca de los Arandinos hotel. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner with drinks served in your hotel’s restaurant.

On day thirteen, an English-speaking specialist guide will pick you up after breakfast and accompany you throughout the day. Our Spanish Tour Manager was born and bred in the region and not only will she entertain you throughout the day with fascinating historical and cultural anecdotes, she will also share with you her extensive wine knowledge. You will be taken to two wineries for tours and tastings and a traditional lunch will be served at one of these estates. At the first estate, guests will marvel at the centuries-old cellars and enjoy a private wine tasting session, whereas the second winery is more modern, offering a complete contrast. After returning to the hotel to freshen up and have a siesta, you will be taken for a tasting session of three premium Rioja wines with platters of local tapas. You will then have time to participate in the traditional evening tapas run on the famous Calle Laurel in the town of Logroño.

Your guide will return on the next day and accompany you to a family-run winery to see wine production on a small scale, as well as a visit to the fascinating Vivanco wine museum and lunch in an authentic Spanish restaurant. Please note that drinks have not been included as part of the lunch package and can be ordered and paid for directly at the restaurant.

On day fifteen, check out of the hotel.

Region Map

Outline Itinerary

Day Four

• After a leisurely breakfast, check out of the hotel.
• Rail travel will be arranged for you from Florence to Rome (journey time roughly 1 ½ hours).
• Once in Rome, a bus will take you to the airport. Tickets cost in the region of 5€ per person and can be purchased locally on the day.
• We will arrange flights between Rome and Bordeaux for you.
• Once at Bordeaux airport, you will find regular buses which will take you to the city centre. The journey with the Liane 1+ takes in the region of 45 minutes and tickets cost 1.50€ per person. Alternatively there is a shuttle bus going from the Airport to the Train Station. The journey takes about 30 minutes and tickets cost around 7€. You will also find taxis waiting at the arrivals.
• Check into a Classic room at the 4* Hotel de Seze in the city centre.
• Enjoy an early evening tutored tasting session of six French red wines including Médoc, Saint-Emilion and Graves. Your wine will be accompanied by a platter of cheeses and meats.

Day Five

• After breakfast, meet your English-speaking guide at a central departure point for a full day guided and transported tour of the Médoc, visiting three Châteaux.
• In the evening, a three course gourmet dinner will be served in a premium city centre restaurant, accompanied by three local wines.

Day Six

• In the morning, meet your English-speaking guide at a central departure point for a full day guided and transported tour of Saint-Emilion and Pomerol, visiting three Châteaux.
• As always, we would be pleased to reserve you a table for dinner.

Day Seven

• After a leisurely breakfast, check out of the hotel.
• Rail travel will be arranged for you from Bordeaux to Reims (journey time roughly 5 ½ hours and includes at least one change).
• Upon arrival in Reims, check into your Privilege room at the 4* Hotel de la Paix.
• We would be happy to recommend a restaurant and book you a table if required.

Day Eight

• After breakfast, meet your guide at a central departure point a short walk from the hotel. Your tour day will comprise of:
• Tours and tastings at two small, family-run Champagne Houses.
• A three course lunch with drinks in a local restaurant.
• A tour and a flute of Champagne at a large, prestigious Champagne House.
• You will be taken back to Reims at the end of the day.

Day Nine

• After a leisurely breakfast, check out of the hotel.
• Rail travel will be arranged for you from Reims to Beaune (including a change in Paris). The journey time will be in the region of 4 ½ hours.
• Upon arrival in Beaune, check into a Charme room at the 4* Hotel de la Poste, ideally located in the town centre.
• Enjoy a late afternoon cellar tour and tasting session with a traditional Burgundian wine-maker. Your knowledgeable host will talk you through tastings of six varied Burgundy wines.

Day Ten

• After breakfast, you will be met at the hotel by an English-speaking driver/guide, who will accompany you on a full day transported tour. Your tour day will comprise of
• Stops at several vineyards in the Côte de Beaune and the Côte de Nuits.
• A tour and tastings at a winery in the Côte de Beaune.
• Free time for lunch.
• A tour and tastings at a winery in the Côte de Nuits.
• A tasting amongst the vines.
• In the evening a four course gourmet dinner will be served in a premium city centre restaurant, accompanied by two half bottles of wine, water and coffee.

Day Eleven

• After a leisurely breakfast, check out of the hotel.
• Rail travel will be arranged for you between Beaune and Paris (journey time roughly 3 ½ hours).
• Upon arrival in the capital, check into a Superior room at the 4* Hotel Beauséjour Montmartre.
• The remainder of the afternoon and evening will be free for you to do as you please.

Day Twelve

• After breakfast, check out of the hotel.
• Make your way to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. The RER B departing from the Gare du Nord can take you to the airport in roughly 35 minutes and tickets cost in the region of 10€ per person. Alternatively, the hotel would be more than happy to call a taxi for you.
• Flights between Paris CDG and Bilbao will be arranged for you. The flight time will be around 1 ½ hours.
• We will arrange a private transfer for you from Bilbao Airport to la Rioja.
• Upon arrival in the Rioja wine region, check into a Superior room at the 4* Finca de los Arandinos hotel.
• In the evening, a welcome dinner will be served in the hotel’s restaurant, alongside local wines, water and coffee.

Day Thirteen

• After breakfast, an English-speaking guide will collect you from the hotel and accompany you throughout the day. Your tour day will comprise of:

• Tours and tastings at two Rioja bodegas.
• Lunch at one of the estates.
• Time to relax at the hotel before the next activity.
• In the evening, you will have a tasting session with tapas before being taken to Logroño for free time to participate in the famous tapas run.

• You will be taken back to the hotel at the end of the evening.

Day Fourteen

• After breakfast, your guide will return and accompany you on a second day of tours. Your tour day will comprise of:

• A tour and tastings at a traditional family-run bodega.
• Lunch (excluding drinks) in an authentic Spanish restaurant.
• An in-depth visit to the Vivanco wine museum.

• You will be taken back to the hotel at the end of the day.

Final Day

• After a leisurely breakfast, check out of the hotel.

(ii) The outline itinerary is indicative and is subject to minor changes depending on supplier availability. Availability cannot be guaranteed until we have received a confirmed booking, together with the deposit payment (or payment in full where the dates of travel are in less than 60 days). If the named accommodation / visits are not available, we will endeavour to find suitable alternatives of a similar grade; this may be subject to a supplement or a rebate depending on the price available.

Package Prices

• These prices are per person and based on two people travelling together and sharing a twin or double room.
• These are realistic guide prices, based on travel in standard season (usually April to the end of October). Considerable discounts often apply for travel out of season (usually November to the end of March) or if there are more than two of you travelling together. Please let us know your preferred travel dates for a definitive price.
• Although we propose specific hotels as part of our standard packages, we enjoy excellent relationships and preferential rates at the majority of the hotels in each of our featured destinations. Therefore if you would prefer to stay in a different hotel, this can be arranged. Please contact us for the relevant supplements/discounts.
• Other room grades are available at most of the hotels that we work with. Just let us know which hotel you prefer and we will send you the relevant supplements for the various room grades.
• Single supplements and extra night prices are available upon request.

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