What to do in France?
If you're into Travel, Wine, Art, Culture or Dance join me and let's rendezvous in Bordeaux France on October 9-18, 2015.
Bordeaux is considered a very tolerant and relaxed place. The cultural, artistic, and music scenes are very vibrant. The city was ruled by the English for a long time, which is why Bordeaux seems to have an "English flair".
Bordeaux is often referred to as "Little Paris", "La perle d'Aquitaine" (The Pearl of Aquitaine), and "La Belle Endormie" (Sleeping Beauty). What was once a sleepy city is now a thriving tourist destination and mecca for wine enthusiasts. You can reach Bordeaux via road, Train(Gare Saint Jean) or Plane (Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport ).
STAY
Your France experience will start at Le Majestic in Bordeaux where you will stay comfortably in an air-conditioned room(superior room) with a private, en suite bathroom or shower. They'll give their warm welcome and utmost care on your needs. They provide free WiFi access, TV, mini-bar, safe, hair-dryer and other amenities.
 |
| Located at the city center in Bordeaux the charming and refined 18th century building of Le Majestic offers you 47 bedrooms, each with its own specific decor, a flat and a suite. |
You will be staying at Le Grand de Tours in the city centre of Tours on your transfer to Loire Valley(October 13).
 |
The Grand Hotel Tours stands proudly in the centre of Tours exactly between the 'Vinci' Convention Centre and the central Tours train station.
DO
|
The 10 day tour includes a guided tour (qualified, licensed and English Speaking guides) in the city.
Bordeaux is a historic city with many tourist attractions. The main districts are briefly presented here for its monument, streets, and socio-economic profile makes Bordeaux unique.
 |
| Cours de l’Intendance |
|
|
The neighbourhood between Cours de l’Intendance and rue Peyronnet is the heart of Vieux Bordeaux (Old Bordeaux). Old Bordeaux is encompassed by the largest protected sector in France (150 hectares)
|
 |
Trivia: Several distinct neighbourhoods corresponds to the parishes (or former parishes) of Saint-Pierre, Sainte-Colombe, Saint-Michel, and Sainte-Croix.
|
 |
| Do not miss the Victory Arch (Roman architecture), at the center of La Victoire and a great example of the town's Roman roots. Climb the 243 steps of the tower of Saint-Michel, and enjoy the panoramic view of Bordeaux. Have a walk along the Sainte-Catherine street in the Pedestrian Center and enjoy the scenery. |
 |
| Basilica of Saint Martin of Tours |
 |
Do your Savvy Shopping in Bordeaux. History buffs will delight in the sculpted facades while bargain hunters will appreciate the flea market or a visit to bric-a-brac shops. Great if you want to bring home a souvenir.
 |
Saint Emilion.The tour will include:The Hermitage (Saint-Émilion's oldest monument), the Ossuary, the Catacombs, and the Monolithic Church, which were all carved out of solid limestone rock, as were dozens of kilometers of underground galleries (cellars or museums)
Tours is the largest city in the Loire Valley and its capital city. Historically and architecturally speaking, it is one of the cradles of the French Renaissance.Discover the area known as "Old Tours", pedestrian streets and numerous XVth and XVIth c. timber-framed houses, the famous place Plumereau, Charlemagne Tower, Saint-Martin collegiate church, and the new Saint-Martin Basilica.
|
Place Plumereau and the Old City Le Vieux Tours
Touraine is known as the "Garden of France" with such a wealth of produce!
In Tours, your guide presents you the indoor market with wide variety of produce is available in the market stalls.
 |
Château de Chenonceau
The “Chateau des Dames”, bridge built across the Cher, is famous for the great feminine figures who lived in it (Diane de Poitiers, Catherine de Medicis…) and for the beauty of its Renaissance gardens.
|
 |
| Guided tour of the Château of Chambord. Largest Chateau in Loire Valley. |
 |
| Guided tour of one of the most spectacular gardens of Touraine, Villandry |
|
Château de Blois. Farewell Tango Evening at the Royal Castle of Blois
TASTE
Touring the vineyards and wine tasting are one of the greatest pleasures when visiting Bordeaux. It is the second largest wine-growing region in the world and produces over 800 million bottles annually. It produces some of the best and most prestigious wines in the world!
Winetasting and Tour in Medoc
The Médoc, one of the world's most famous vineyard regions, invites you to follow the Route des Grands Crus. You will go past many prestigious châteaux, reflecting the prosperity and prestige of Bordeaux winegrowers -great names such as Margaux, Latour, Mouton-Rothschild, Lafite-Rothschild. Visiting the estates, you will taste wines of infinite nuances in luxurious cellars. Fine Médoc is full of vigour, with an unforgettable bouquet and inimitable finesse.
|
 |
Château Margaux
|
|
Tour and wine tasting at Château Lynch-Bages, Grand Cru Classé - Pauillac.
 |
| Saint-Emilion,UNESCO World Heritage site, is situated in the hill. |
Winetasting and Tour in Amboise
Lunch at a wine specialist’s in matured Loire Valley vintages. Daniel, oenologist, welcomes you in his caves, former tuff stone quarries, for a tour followed by a tasting of Vouvray, Montlouis, Chinon, Bourgueil and Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil wines. In order to transcend your meal, you will pair your wines with a selection of delicatessen and cheeses (cheeses selected by Rodolphe le Meunier, 2007 cheese refiners’ world champion).
 |
Tour and wine tasting lunch at a cellar cave - drinks included
Domaine des Huards. Winemakers at the Domaine des Huards since 1846, the Gendrier family conducts the vineyard using organic and biodynamic agricultural practices. It is situated in Cour-Cheverny, between the Loire region and Sologne, a stone's throw away from Cheverny Castle and Chambord Castle.
| |
In Cravant les Côteaux, one of the most famous villages for Chinon wines, tour and tasting in the Domaine du Moulin à Tan, situated on the right bank of the river Vienne.
Before the hand grape picking and tasting, visit of the natural limestone cellar that our host, Pierre Sourdais, has been digging himself for 20 years now.
LEARN
Bordeaux is lively during the day and continues throughout the night. 10-day-Tour includes private dance lessons (Argentine Tango), starting from Milonga or Practica. Argentine Tango is a genre of music and an intimate partner dance with roots in Buenos Aires. Argentine Tango dancers are a tight-knit, friendly community of people and they recognize that tango is an expression of sensuality, passion, and fun.
Allons danser! (Let's dance!) Apprenons le francais! (Let's learn French)
|
|
|
Interested?
Tour is on First Come, First Serve basis. Limited slots. Reserve your spot NOW and pay Downpayment starts at $300 or 272 €.
Detailed 10days itinerary already available. For questions and modes of payment do the following option:
1.Message and Leave comments here with your email and contact numbers, How many are you in the group and Where you heard about us
2. Contact Genevieve Wines Mobile 415-822-2222. Email Genevieve.wines@gmail.com
3. Pay via Paypal.com Genevieves@sbcglobal.net
Contact us early (at least 2months) before departure to confirm booking of flight and air
fare.
Downpayment starts at $300 or 272 €
Price includes:
- Travel packages includes accommodations, meals, visits to vineyards and chauffeured transport.
- Transportation in a comfortable coach during 7 days of tour and for 7 Tango Evenings
- English speaking guide (1 for 30 people and 2 for 40 people) during 9 days
- 4 nights in hotel*** in Bordeaux city centre
- 5 nights in hotel*** in Tours city centre
- breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners - drinks included, entrance tickets
- guided visits and tastings as mentioned
- fees for the Tango Evenings and the Tango lessons.
The hotels, wineries and providers mentioned in this tour are subject to change according to the availability.
This price does not include: Other drinks, other meals, extra, personal expenses, , options (pre-nights in Bordeaux – price on request, transfer back to Paris by coach or private transfer by car – price on request).
|
|
