Vines and Tides: Bordeaux France Gastronomy Tour

Imagine yourself standing atop Europe's tallest sand dune, gazing across endless Atlantic waves while the scent of pine forests mingles with salt air. Picture underground limestone caves where precious wines age in medieval cellars, and sunlit mornings wandering flower-filled markets alongside a celebrated chef. This is Bordeaux beyond the glass, a journey that awakens all your senses to the soul of southwestern France.

Over seven unforgettable days, immerse yourself in a world where passion flows as freely as the wine. Learn to blend your own signature vintage in Saint-Émilion's UNESCO village, master classic French cooking techniques in an intimate kitchen, and taste oysters so fresh they taste of the sea itself. Between château visits and coastal adventures, discover why this region has captivated hearts for centuries.

Travel alongside like-minded women who share your curiosity and sense of adventure. From your first toast overlooking Bordeaux's illuminated architecture to your farewell dinner at a Michelin-recommended restaurant, you'll create connections and memories as rich and layered as the wines you'll discover together.

DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY

DAY 1 (OCTOBER 12) - WELCOME TO BORDEAUX

Your French adventure begins the moment you land at Bordeaux Airport, where private transportation delivers you through vine-covered countryside to your boutique hotel nestled in the city's historic heart. After settling into your elegant accommodations, meet your local guide for an enchanting walking tour through centuries of history. Stroll beneath honey-colored Neoclassical facades as golden afternoon light bathes the grand boulevards. Your guide leads you to hidden corners where you'll sample local delicacies and sip your first taste of the region's legendary wines. As evening descends, gather with your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner that sets the tone for the week ahead. Regional specialties arrive at your table paired with carefully selected wines, each glass revealing the complexity and character that make Bordeaux the wine capital of the world. Share stories, toast new friendships, and feel the excitement of adventures yet to come.

Note: Please arrive in Bordeaux by 3pm local time to participate in Day 1 activities. Pre-trip accommodations available for October 11 arrival upon request.

Meals: Dinner
Accommodations: FirstName Bordeaux

DAY 2 (OCTOBER 13) - CULINARY DISCOVERIES

The morning air buzzes with energy as you step into Marché des Capucins, Bordeaux's most vibrant covered market. Vendors arrange pyramids of sun-ripened tomatoes, wheels of pungent cheese, and baskets overflowing with wild mushrooms. Your local food expert navigates you through this sensory wonderland, sharing stories behind each specialty and introducing you to passionate producers. Sample jambon de Bayonne, creamy Ossau-Iraty cheese, and flaky cannelés while learning what makes each delicacy distinctly Bordelaise. Next, step into the kitchen of a celebrated local chef for an intimate cooking class that transforms you from observer to creator. Roll up your sleeves and master classic French techniques as aromatic herbs and butter fill the air. The reward for your efforts is lunch, where you savor every bite of your handcrafted dishes alongside wines selected to complement each course perfectly. The afternoon stretches before you, free to wander tree-lined streets, browse elegant boutiques, or simply sit in a sun-dappled square watching Bordeaux's daily rhythm unfold.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: FirstName Bordeaux

DAY 3 (OCTOBER 14) - MÉDOC WINE COUNTRY

Today carries you into the heart of Médoc, where the world's most prestigious wine estates stretch across rolling hills toward the Gironde estuary. Travel the legendary Route des Châteaux, where grand stone châteaux rise from perfectly manicured vineyards like castles from a storybook. Stop for photographs at iconic estates including Château Margaux and Château Mouton Rothschild, their architectural splendor matched only by the liquid treasures aging in their cellars below. Throughout the day, passionate winemakers welcome your small group into their private domains. Listen as they share stories passed down through generations, explaining the unique terroir that gives each vintage its distinctive character. Swirl, sniff, and sip your way through exclusive tastings, discovering why these wines command reverence from connoisseurs worldwide. Between château visits, the countryside captivates with its timeless beauty of endless vine rows marching toward distant horizons. As afternoon turns to evening, return to Bordeaux where a hidden gem restaurant known only to locals awaits. Here, away from tourist crowds, you'll experience authentic regional cuisine in an intimate setting that feels like a secret shared among friends.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: FirstName Bordeaux

DAY 4 (OCTOBER 15) - SAINT-ÉMILION ENCHANTMENT

The medieval village of Saint-Émilion appears like a vision from another era, its honey-stone buildings climbing limestone cliffs beneath a UNESCO World Heritage sky. Narrow cobblestone streets wind between ancient walls where history whispers from every corner. Descend into underground cellars carved centuries ago from living rock, where constant cool temperatures create the perfect environment for aging extraordinary wines. The mystical atmosphere of these limestone caves adds magic to each tasting, as candlelight flickers across bottle-lined walls. Your true adventure begins in an intimate wine blending workshop where you become the winemaker. Learn to identify subtle differences between grape varieties, understand how oak aging transforms flavors, and create your own signature blend to take home as a delicious souvenir. After savoring lunch in this enchanted setting, explore Saint-Émilion's picturesque streets at leisure. Discover artisan shops tucked into medieval archways, admire panoramic views from hilltop terraces, and photograph the village's iconic Monolithic Church rising from the bedrock itself. Late afternoon brings you back to Bordeaux with time to rest before dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: FirstName Bordeaux

DAY 5 (OCTOBER 16) - ARCACHON BAY COASTAL ADVENTURE

Trade vineyards for seascapes as you journey to Arcachon Bay, where the Atlantic Ocean creates a magical inner sea constantly reshaped by winds and tides. Begin in the elegant Winter Town district, where 19th-century villas showcase whimsical architecture that transported Belle Époque society to these healing shores. Then prepare yourself for an unforgettable climb up the Dune du Pilat, Europe's highest sand dune rising over 100 meters above sea level. The ascent challenges your legs but rewards you with breathtaking panoramas stretching across turquoise bay waters on one side and the endless green expanse of Landes Forest on the other. Feel the wind in your hair and the vast Atlantic stretching toward the horizon. Descend to board a traditional wooden boat that carries you across glittering waters to authentic oyster farming villages. Watch skilled cultivators demonstrate their ancient craft, then taste the bay's famous oysters so fresh they were pulled from the water moments before. Pair each briny, mineral-rich bite with crisp local white wine as you float on gentle waves, surrounded by working oyster beds that have sustained these communities for generations.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: FirstName Bordeaux

DAY 6 (OCTOBER 17) - YOUR BORDEAUX DISCOVERY

Today belongs entirely to you, an invitation to explore Bordeaux following your own curiosity and pace. Perhaps you'll spend the morning at the spectacular Cité du Vin museum, where interactive exhibits bring wine culture to life through all five senses. The building itself resembles a glass decanter catching and reflecting light across the Garonne River. Browse elegant shopping streets where centuries-old boutiques sit alongside contemporary designers, or lose yourself in the antique markets hunting for French treasures to carry home. Maybe you'll simply claim a table at a sidewalk café, ordering a café crème and watching Bordeaux's beautiful choreography unfold around you. This is your time to revisit a favorite neighborhood, complete that perfect photograph, or discover something unexpected around the next corner. As evening approaches, gather one final time with your travel companions for a farewell celebration. Tonight's dinner at a Michelin-recommended restaurant showcases the very best of regional cuisine, each course more exquisite than the last. Raise your glass to new friendships forged, adventures shared, and the journey that brought you all together.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodations: FirstName Bordeaux

DAY 7 (OCTOBER 18) - AU REVOIR, BORDEAUX

Savor one last French breakfast in Bordeaux before private transportation returns you to the airport. As the countryside rolls past your window, you'll carry home more than photographs and souvenirs. You'll take with you the taste of oysters fresh from the bay, the satisfaction of creating your own wine blend, the warmth of laughter shared over exceptional meals, and friendships with remarkable women who transformed from strangers into companions. The wines of Bordeaux may be legendary, but the memories you've created together will prove just as timeless.

Meals: Breakfast