UPCOMING TRIPS

SOLD OUT

Bordeaux with Somerset Ridge Winery

April 8 - April 16, 2024

You are invited to join Cindy and Dennis Reynolds, owners of Somerset Ridge Winery, on a premier trip to the Bordeaux wine region to discover the wines, cuisine and culture of this spectacular and singular region of France.

On this eight night adventure, we’ll savor the nuances of the diverse appellations surrounding elegant, architecturally-rich Bordeaux with tours and tastings at five distinctly unique wineries. We’ll also make chocolates alongside a Meilleur Ouvrier de France (Best Artisanal Chocolate Maker) during a day on neighboring Arcachon Bay, shop at a fresh market with a chef followed by an amazing lunch at his rustically elegant restaurant and we’ll enjoy the sights and history of the charming UNESCO-designated port city of Bordeaux.

You’ll relish your first six nights in a downtown Bordeaux four-star hotel within walking distance of Bordeaux’s remarkable sites  and the last two nights, we’ll luxuriate at the sumptuous Les Sources de Caudalie, a five-star hotel and spa nestled in the vineyards of Château Smith-Haut Lafitte, just south of Bordeaux. In this region, we’ll take a step back in time when we visit a medieval castle before discovering fabulous reds and some of Bordeaux’s special white wines – from very dry to the famous sweet Sauternes. We will have time to relax and enjoy the amenities of this premier hotel and spa – get ready for some pampering!

This trip is limited to 18 wine and food lovers and we anticipate that it will fill quickly.

A non-refundable deposit of $450 is due with registration.

Price per person: $4,650 (based on double occupancy)

Price includes accommodation for eight nights, seven full days of excursions, transportation throughout the tour, all meals (wine included!) as listed in the itinerary. Price does not include airfare and transportation to and from Bordeaux. You are welcome to make your own travel arrangements or we are happy to assist with any of your needs. Meals provided are listed in parentheses. B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

Please email Kathy Denis at kathy@getawayalacarte.com with any questions and for registration.

CURRENT ITINERARY*

DAY 1

Our tour begins late afternoon at the hotel in Bordeaux, in the heart of the pedestrian district near the Grand Théâtre. We will kick off our adventure with a welcoming apéritif before setting out for dinner, just a short walk from the hotel. (D)

DAY 2

After breakfast at the hotel, the day begins with a journey in our private coach winding along the Route des Châteaux through the Médoc wine region on Bordeaux's left bank, known for the dominant Cabernet Sauvignon grape variety. Our stop at one of the classified wineries includes a private tour and tasting followed by lunch in a local restaurant. The afternoon awaits more wine discovery with a second VIP winery tour and tasting before heading back to Bordeaux. Dinner is enjoyed at a cutting-edge restaurant in the city center. (B,L,D)

DAY 3

Today we put on our walking shoes and head for breakfast outside the hotel at an artisanal bakery, still baking bread in a wood-fired oven built in 1765 under Louis XIV.  Following a delicious breakfast, we appreciate an immersive multi-sensory oenological experience at the renowned Cité du Vin wine museum. After discovering the intricacies of wine from around the world and finding a spot for lunch at this stunning riverside museum, we are off to meet with a member of one of the oldest wine merchant families in Bordeaux. We gather in his bourgeois family home adjacent to the luscious Public Garden for an insider’s glimpse into Bordeaux’s wine business, complete with a sparkling tasting while nibbling on some local sweet treats. Enjoy some free time before dining at a top-notch restaurant in the center of town. (B,D)

DAY 4

After our breakfast at the hotel, we head out for a day on beautiful Arcachon Bay, located just off the Atlantic Ocean. Our hour-long coach journey will wind through the forest of Les Landes, originally planted in the XIIIth century. Our first stop is a local Chocolate Boutique for a hands-on chocolate workshop with a Meilleur Ouvrier de France (Best Artisanal Chocolate Maker). We then meet with an oyster farmer at his regionally-inspired wooden oyster shack and learn more about this delicacy before tasting the local variety of oysters as well as shrimp and several other specialties while sipping on perfectly paired wine. Enjoy the rest of the day relaxing at the beach, people-watching from a café or shopping in the charming beachside town of Arcachon. We then head back to Bordeaux for dinner at your leisure. (B,L)

DAY 5

Today after breakfast our coach takes us across the Garonne River through the “Entre Deux Mers” wine region to the charming Medieval village of Saint Emilion, a UNESCO World Heritage site. In Saint Emilion we enjoy a sweeping panoramic view of the town before winding through cobblestone streets on our own. We then meet up for a tour and tasting of the local sparkling wine “Crémant de Bordeaux” and finish our visit with a “picnic” lunch in the charming setting of this former monastery. We head back to Bordeaux for free time before meeting for another memorable meal together. (B,L,D)

DAY 6

This morning we head out for a tour of Les Capucins, Bordeaux’s largest and oldest food market. We meet with an expert from a local wine shop, who takes us through the market to taste local specialties before exploring the market on our own. We then walk to his wine shop just steps away from the market to continue with a wine tasting and brunch. In the afternoon we meander back towards the hotel, winding through town to see several of the iconic monuments before free time to discover areas you have not seen. Alternatively, take this time to get a head start on packing for tomorrow’s departure for a day in the vineyards south of Bordeaux and our stay in a sumptuous hotel and spa nestled in the vineyards of a renowned winery. Dinner is at a local wine bar, where you will select your wines by the glass from an interactive self-pour wine dispenser system. (B,L,D)

DAY 7

Following breakfast, we load up our coach and venture south of Bordeaux  to discover the castle and grounds of the medieval Château de la Brède where the 18th century political philosopher Montesquieu made his home. We then continue on to explore Bordeaux’s sweet Sauternes wine region, stopping for lunch at a restaurant overlooking the vineyards of its sister winery. After lunch, just steps away, we will learn more about the magical climatic influences that come together to produce Botrytis cinerea (Noble Rot), the necessary fungus that develops to sweeten the grapes. After hearing about (and tasting!) this rare elixir, we check into the charming accommodations at Les Sources de Caudalie, Château Smith-Haut Lafitte’s luxury hotel located in the heart of the Pessac-Léognan vineyards. For dinner, choose between the 2-Michelin star restaurant La Grand’Vigne, the country inn La Table du Lavoir or the delicatessen and wine bar ROUGE. (B,L)

DAY 8

After enjoying breakfast in the beautifully appointed restaurant at Les Sources de Caudalie, take in the amenities the hotel has to offer at your leisure. Choose from services at the unique Vinotherapie Spa to bike riding, taking a dip in the indoor pool or yoga then at lunch dine at  La Table du Lavoir or the delicatessen and wine bar ROUGE. In the afternoon we meet for a VIP tour of the winery, including their on-site cooperage and the owners’ private wine cellar. Dinner will be together for our farewell meal at the country inn restaurant, La Table du Lavoir. (B,D)

DAY 9

Your stay with Get Away à la Carte ends this morning and you are free to continue your travels with a shuttle back to Bordeaux to catch your train or plane. Bon voyage! (B)

*Please note that excursions included on this itinerary are based on our current plan. However, should any of our partner’s schedules change we might have to make necessary modifications.

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