Bordeaux, Canal Du Midi and Provence
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Highlights:
This custom itinerary can take you though some of the most scenic areas of central France. Start your stay in the elegant city of Bordeaux, with its elegant buildings along the banks of the Gironde River.
Next, travel inland to the Dordogne and the area of Bergerac (where Cyrano came from) with its cave drawings, truffles and quaint villages. Follow the banks of the Canal Du Midi and stay within the ramparts of the castle at Carcassonne. Finish up your adventure in Avignon, gateway to Provence. A custom French wine and food tour created just for you.
This custom itinerary can take you though some of the most scenic areas of central France. Start your stay in the elegant city of Bordeaux, with its elegant buildings along the banks of the Gironde River.
Next, travel inland to the Dordogne and the area of Bergerac (where Cyrano came from) with its cave drawings, truffles and quaint villages. Follow the banks of the Canal Du Midi and stay within the ramparts of the castle at Carcassonne. Finish up your adventure in Avignon, gateway to Provence. A custom French wine and food tour created just for you.
SKU:
Explore: BORDEAUX, CANAL DU MIDI AND PROVENCE
Customizable Itinerary - 12 Days (from $6,235 per person)
Day 1: Depart USA
You board an aircraft for the overnight flight to France and the beginning of your Private French wine vacation.
Day 2: Arrival in Bordeaux
You arrive at the airport in Bordeaux where one of our drivers will meet you and transfer you to your hotel in the centre of town. After checking in, you can walk around the area viewing the Grand Theatre, the Maison du Vin (which represents the wine industry) and a large fountain honoring two of Bordeaux’s famous sons, Montaigne and Montesquieu. Take time to enjoy a walk along the banks of the Gironde River which connects Bordeaux to the sea.
Day 3: The Wines of Medoc and Graves
The Gironde River runs through the Bordeaux region creating different wines on the left and the right banks. Today you will visit the left bank where the wines of Medoc and Graves are cultivated. Although of equal quality, the wines of the Medoc are more recognized with names like St. Estephe, Pauillac, St. Julien and Margaux. You will visit some local vineyards and have lunch at one of them. You may even visit one of the “1st Growths” like Chateau Lafitte-Rothschild, Chateau Latour, and Chateau Mouton - Rothschild.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 4: the Wines of Pomerol and St. Emilion
You then travel to Graves where you find the wines of Pomerol including the prestigious Chateau Petrus. You then head to the 12th Century village of St. Emilion where you can walk through quaint streets and visit the church carved from a limestone rock face. Have lunch in St. Emilion and then visit some vineyards which could include Chateau Cheval Blanc or Chateau Figeac.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 5: In the Heart of the Dordogne
You will leave Bordeaux with your driver and travel inland to the Bergerac area home to truffles, foie Gras and even Caviar. You arrive at your chateau and have time for a swim or a treatment at the Spa before dinner in the Brasserie. Make sure to try the foie gras.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 6: Truffles or Caviar?
Today, after breakfast you have a variety of activities to select from. You can have a private tour to visit a farmer who collects Truffles and join him on the search. You can visit the operation where Sturgeons from the Dordogne River are raised to create Caviar. You can also visit the local market towns and caves at Lascaux filled with prehistoric art. You can even play nine or eighteen holes of world class Golf. Regardless of your selection you will enjoy a wine tasting of the Chateau’s own vineyard before dining at their Michelin-starred restaurant.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 7: A Scenic Drive to Carcassonne
After breakfast you will drive to the walled city of Carcassonne built on a hilltop that was originally inhabited around 600BC and was only conquered by the Romans in 120 BC. It is basically a town walled all the way around plus a main fortress. You will be staying inside the walls where you have a chance explore the streets and find a nice restaurant for dinner.
Breakfast
Day 8: Relaxing on the Canal du Midi
The Canal du Midi is a leisurely flowing 100 mile river than enters the sea in Provence. It is a place where vacationers go to relax and you have your choice of walking the footpath through the bucolic countryside, ranging further afield with rented bikes or renting a boat that you can drive yourself. Regardless of the mode of transportation, you will find a variety of quaint inns to stop for coffee, a glass of beer or lunch.
Breakfast
Day 9: Carcassonne to Provence
You will now be entering the final stages of your trip and many would say we saved the best for last as you make your way to Provence and a romantic Auberge on the outskirts of Avignon. After checking in to the hotel you take a walking tour of Avignon including the castles where the Popes stayed during the schism from Rome. Return to the Auberge for Provencal cooking. Dining in the garden is an option or on your private terrace.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 10: The Vineyards of Chateauneuf Du Pape
In the morning you will join a small group and a local wine expert to explore the vineyards of the Rhone River Valley. You will visit the vineyards of Chateauneuf du Pape and taste both their well-known Red and lesser known whites. You will have lunch and then visit two premier crus at Gigordas and Vacqueyras before returning to Avignon.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 11: A Day in Provence
A few Years’ ago Peter Mayle’s book “A Year in Provence “created an enormous interest in Provence. This program shows you the best of the Luberon Valley, Gordes and Roussillon and if you are traveling June through August you will likely see the purple fields of Lavender. Return to the Auberge for a final Provencal dinner.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 12: Return to USA
In the morning you will be driven to the airport for a connecting flight to Paris and the USA where you arrive back the same afternoon.
Breakfast
You board an aircraft for the overnight flight to France and the beginning of your Private French wine vacation.
Day 2: Arrival in Bordeaux
You arrive at the airport in Bordeaux where one of our drivers will meet you and transfer you to your hotel in the centre of town. After checking in, you can walk around the area viewing the Grand Theatre, the Maison du Vin (which represents the wine industry) and a large fountain honoring two of Bordeaux’s famous sons, Montaigne and Montesquieu. Take time to enjoy a walk along the banks of the Gironde River which connects Bordeaux to the sea.
Day 3: The Wines of Medoc and Graves
The Gironde River runs through the Bordeaux region creating different wines on the left and the right banks. Today you will visit the left bank where the wines of Medoc and Graves are cultivated. Although of equal quality, the wines of the Medoc are more recognized with names like St. Estephe, Pauillac, St. Julien and Margaux. You will visit some local vineyards and have lunch at one of them. You may even visit one of the “1st Growths” like Chateau Lafitte-Rothschild, Chateau Latour, and Chateau Mouton - Rothschild.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 4: the Wines of Pomerol and St. Emilion
You then travel to Graves where you find the wines of Pomerol including the prestigious Chateau Petrus. You then head to the 12th Century village of St. Emilion where you can walk through quaint streets and visit the church carved from a limestone rock face. Have lunch in St. Emilion and then visit some vineyards which could include Chateau Cheval Blanc or Chateau Figeac.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 5: In the Heart of the Dordogne
You will leave Bordeaux with your driver and travel inland to the Bergerac area home to truffles, foie Gras and even Caviar. You arrive at your chateau and have time for a swim or a treatment at the Spa before dinner in the Brasserie. Make sure to try the foie gras.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 6: Truffles or Caviar?
Today, after breakfast you have a variety of activities to select from. You can have a private tour to visit a farmer who collects Truffles and join him on the search. You can visit the operation where Sturgeons from the Dordogne River are raised to create Caviar. You can also visit the local market towns and caves at Lascaux filled with prehistoric art. You can even play nine or eighteen holes of world class Golf. Regardless of your selection you will enjoy a wine tasting of the Chateau’s own vineyard before dining at their Michelin-starred restaurant.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 7: A Scenic Drive to Carcassonne
After breakfast you will drive to the walled city of Carcassonne built on a hilltop that was originally inhabited around 600BC and was only conquered by the Romans in 120 BC. It is basically a town walled all the way around plus a main fortress. You will be staying inside the walls where you have a chance explore the streets and find a nice restaurant for dinner.
Breakfast
Day 8: Relaxing on the Canal du Midi
The Canal du Midi is a leisurely flowing 100 mile river than enters the sea in Provence. It is a place where vacationers go to relax and you have your choice of walking the footpath through the bucolic countryside, ranging further afield with rented bikes or renting a boat that you can drive yourself. Regardless of the mode of transportation, you will find a variety of quaint inns to stop for coffee, a glass of beer or lunch.
Breakfast
Day 9: Carcassonne to Provence
You will now be entering the final stages of your trip and many would say we saved the best for last as you make your way to Provence and a romantic Auberge on the outskirts of Avignon. After checking in to the hotel you take a walking tour of Avignon including the castles where the Popes stayed during the schism from Rome. Return to the Auberge for Provencal cooking. Dining in the garden is an option or on your private terrace.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 10: The Vineyards of Chateauneuf Du Pape
In the morning you will join a small group and a local wine expert to explore the vineyards of the Rhone River Valley. You will visit the vineyards of Chateauneuf du Pape and taste both their well-known Red and lesser known whites. You will have lunch and then visit two premier crus at Gigordas and Vacqueyras before returning to Avignon.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 11: A Day in Provence
A few Years’ ago Peter Mayle’s book “A Year in Provence “created an enormous interest in Provence. This program shows you the best of the Luberon Valley, Gordes and Roussillon and if you are traveling June through August you will likely see the purple fields of Lavender. Return to the Auberge for a final Provencal dinner.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 12: Return to USA
In the morning you will be driven to the airport for a connecting flight to Paris and the USA where you arrive back the same afternoon.
Breakfast
