France Self-Drive Holiday to Bordeaux

At a glance

Trip Summary

Upon arrival, check into a Superior room with its own private terrace at the beautiful Château Cordeillan-Bages, located in the Médoc countryside. In the evening, a three course dinner will be served in the Château’s Michelin-starred restaurant. Please note that drinks have not been included as part of the package, and can be ordered and paid for locally.

After breakfast on day two, e-bikes will be provided for the day (if you would prefer a private driver instead, just let us know and we will provide you with the relevant supplement). Take a scenic 10km ride along the pretty riverside to the famous village of Saint-Estèphe. Here, you will be welcomed at a Grand Cru Classé Château where following a tour of the estate, a grand three course lunch will be served in the opulent surroundings of the Château’s dining room. Your meal will be served alongside a selection of the Château’s vintages. After lunch, cycle back to the hotel and en route, stop at a second Château for a private tour and tastings. As well as the Michelin-starred restaurant, the Château also has a more informal brasserie, and we would be pleased to reserve you a table for dinner this evening.

After a leisurely breakfast and check out on day three, make your way cross country to Saint-Emilion. Here, check into a Deluxe room at the magnificent 5* Château Grand Barrail, a unique 19^th Century Château with a charming fairytale feel. The afternoon will be free to relax and luxuriate in your stunning surroundings. With its spacious bedrooms, luxurious spa, delightful outdoor pool and pretty gardens, Château Grand Barrail has a lot to offer. In the evening, a four course dinner (excluding drinks) will be served in the Château’s elegant and traditionally-French dining room.

On the morning of day four, you will be met at the Château by an English-speaking specialist driver/guide, who will accompany you throughout the day on a private basis.

Merlot is the predominant grape variety in Saint-Emilion, and you will firstly be taken to a highly-regarded winery for a private tour and tastings. You will then visit a second Château located just outside of Saint-Emilion. Here, the experience will include a private tour of the estate, vineyards and technical facilities, followed by tastings of two wines. Following the tour, a gourmet picnic lunch with a refreshing glass of rosé will be served in the Château’s stunning parkland. In the afternoon, enjoy a private tour and tastings at a winery in the sought-after Pomerol appellation.

After breakfast and check out on day four, drive to Sauternes, the home of the world’s most prestigious sweet wines. Here, check into a Superior room at the 5* Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey. After settling in, you will be taken on a private tour of the on-site Grand Cru Classé winery, concluding with a vertical tasting of four different vintages. In the evening, a seven course gourmet dinner paired with more of the Château’s wines will be served in the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant.

On day five, your driver/guide will return and accompany you on a second day of transported tours. The morning will be spent at Château Pape-Clément, a historical Grand Cru Classé Château in the nearby Graves appellation. A representative will lead you on a fascinating private tour of the estate, vineyards, vat-house and barrel cellars. You will then have the unique opportunity to try your hand at being a wine-maker, creating nine different blends and bottling and labelling your favourite to take home with you. An unforgettable picnic lunch will then be served in the Château’s picturesque gardens. In the afternoon, you will be welcomed at the iconic 400 year old Château d’Yquem, where you will taste the most celebrated sweet wine in the world, and discover the secrets of how these botrytised wines are made. The evening will then be yours to relax and unwind after a hard day’s tasting.

On your final morning, check out and make your way back to Calais for your return Eurotunnel crossing. The driving time will be just over nine hours, and we would be very pleased to arrange an overnight stay en route if you would like to break up the journey.

Outline Itinerary

Day Three

• After breakfast and check out, make your way cross country to Saint-Emilion.
• Here, check into a Deluxe room at the magnificent 5* Château Grand Barrail.
• The afternoon will be free to relax and luxuriate in your stunning surroundings.
• In the evening, a four course dinner (excluding drinks) will be served in the Château’s elegant and traditionally-French dining room.

Day Four

• In the morning, you will be met at the Château by an English-speaking specialist driver/guide, who will accompany you throughout the day on a private basis. Your tour day will comprise of:
• A private tour and tasting at a highly-regarded Saint-Emilion winery.
• A tour and tastings with a gourmet picnic lunch at an award-winning Château.
• A private tour and tasting at a winery in the sought-after Pomerol appellation.

Day Five

• After a leisurely breakfast and check out, drive to the village of Sauternes.
• Here, check into a Superior room at the 5* Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey.
• After settling in, you will be taken on a private tour of the on-site Grand Cru Classé winery, concluding with a vertical tasting of four different vintages.
• In the evening, a seven course gourmet dinner paired with more of the Château’s wines will be served in the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant.

Day Six

• In the morning, your driver/guide will accompany you on another day of tours. Your tour day will comprise of:
• A private tour, tasting at blending experience at Château Pape-Clément, in the Graves appellation.
• A gourmet picnic lunch in Château Pape-Clément’s picturesque grounds.
• A private tour at Château d’Yquem, where you will taste the most celebrated sweet wine in the world.

Final Day

• After breakfast and check out, make your way back to the UK, taking the Eurotunnel from Calais to Folkestone at your convenience.

(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). 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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Further Information