Bordeaux & Saint-Émilion

Those travelling by train will get to enjoy the changing scenery as you travel from London to Bordeaux. When you start to see vineyards, you'll know you're only about an hour away. And you'll arrive in Bordeaux in style too, disembarking in the magnificent Saint-Jean train station - a beautifully restored, cathedral-like building designed by the legendary Gustave Eiffel (yes, that Eiffel).

However you arrive in Bordeaux - whether by train or air - we'll transfer to our hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Known as the "Pearl of the Aquitaine", Bordeaux is one of the largest UNESCO World Heritage sites in the world. It has a rich and varied history spanning 2,000 years. For 300 years it was ruled by England, creating an inextricable link between the city's history and our own. Most people know it for its wine-producing areas and the city is a gateway to some of the world's most famous vineyards - so you'd better believe that the wine on offer is some of the best around. However, you can't have the best wines in the world without food to match - and the gastronomy here is also top-notch. You almost can't go wrong on the hunt for dinner this evening.

After dinner, you could take a star-lit stroll to the Port of the Moon - a part of the city created during the Enlightenment with so many preserved buildings it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007. 

Deemed "the very essence of elegance" by Queen Elizabeth II, time in Bordeaux promises graceful streets, great food and even better drinks.

Just a stroll here is a pleasure in itself. A perfume of jasmine and orange blossom settles over the city in the mornings. (Our Product Manager, Claire, claims Bordeaux is the best-smelling city she's visited - and she's very well-travelled!) The paved streets that weave through the city are lined with 18th-century, yellow-stone buildings. And yet, you'll notice there are no crumbling facades here. The buildings are pristine. That's thanks to extensive restorations carried out in the mid-1990s and the city's UNESCO World Heritage status. You won't find high-rises on the left bank of the Garonne (which splits the city in two). We wouldn't blame you for wondering if you've accidentally stepped back in time.

This morning, we’ll tour the city - on foot and by coach - stopping at the riverside to admire the aristocratic grandeur of Place de la Bourse and the famous Miroir d'Eau, one of the city's main attractions. Adored by adults and children alike, this magical display rhythmically changes from a pool of water that reflects the 18th-century facades of the surrounding buildings to an eerie mist to a shallow pool - and back.

As we continue on our tour, we'll stop to appreciate the colonnaded Opera House and the merchant's houses that line the riverside. And see the quayside - it's considered one of the most magnificent waterfronts in the world thanks to the beautiful historic buildings that line the river.

The rest of the day is free for you to explore.

Although the area is known as a wine region – there is still so much to see in the city. Its four-line tram system is made up of carriages that are 98 per cent recyclable - and with so many pedestrian-only zones, it's the quickest way to get around. There are plenty of museums to see throughout the city, including the Musée d’Aquitaine - one of the largest French regional history museums outside of Paris. Here, you can learn more about Bordeaux's history, from the three centuries it was British-owned to its complex role in France's slavery-based commerce – the darker side to the city’s maritime history – and, more recent history, with exhibits on the 20th and 21st century. Looking to do a bit of shopping? The Triangle d'Or and lined with high-end boutiques, and the trendier St. Pierre district provides options for those not up to such ambitious price tags.

Signature Experience:

This afternoon, we'll enjoy a wine-tasting like never before at an organic, biodynamic wine merchant. We'll taste wine at its purest - no chemical pesticides or herbicides - and learn more about the organic farming techniques that make this possible. Will this be the future of winemaking? You decide. 

Wine enthusiasts need no introduction to Saint-Émilion (for those not in the know, it's known for some of the most famous wines – using predominately merlot and cabernet sauvignon grapes). This small village is known as one of France's most beautiful villages – the village and surrounding area is UNESCO-protected too. Here, the rolling hills are covered in family-run vineyards and quaint little chateaux. And today we'll visit one of those chateaux for a tour and tasting.

Follow a guide as they tell you about the history of the chateaux, the terroirs and the grape variety - everything that makes Saint-Émilion the best place to make merlot and cabernet franc. Finally, you'll be able to taste the final product for yourself and draw your own conclusions - we think you'll agree this is some of the best merlot you've tasted.

Afterwards, there'll be time to explore Saint-Émilion at leisure and grab lunch. The village is full of golden-hued, shuttered buildings –emblematic of the French countryside. As you explore, turning a corner means unveiling new sights - statues, fountains and other interesting architecture. It's easy to see why it was awarded "Les Plus Beaux Villages de France".

Next, we'll visit the old cloisters of Les Cordeliers. Maintaining much of its historic structures, you can imagine the religious order of the Franciscans strolling through the honey-coloured cloisters in their knotted robes and brown cloaks. As part of our guided tour, we'll venture underground to see the 3km of tunnels that run under much of Saint-Émilion citadel and the surrounding vineyards (don't worry, we won't make you walk all of it). At 20m underground, they are dark and have a near-constant temperature of 12 degrees - the perfect conditions for ageing wine. And, in the magnificently restored 15th-century church, you can taste their bubbly crémant - and buy a bottle to sneak home in your suitcase.

After a fascinating day in the heart of some of the world's most famous vineyards, we return to Bordeaux this afternoon and spend the rest of the evening at leisure.

Signature Experience:

In the beautiful surroundings of a typical Saint-Émilion chateau, enjoy a delicious lunch made with fresh, locally grown ingredients and seasonal produce - along with a glass of their famous wine, of course. 

Of course, the region renowned for wine has a wine museum - and everyone agrees it's not to be missed. Inspired by the movement of wine when it's swirling in a glass, the sight of La Cité du Vin is one that will stay with you long after you leave Bordeaux. If you love hands-on learning, you'll love this immersive interactive experience.

You'll learn about the history of wine through the ages - in France and worldwide. You can (digitally) tour vineyards in far-flung destinations - including hard-to-reach vineyards clinging to a South American cliff-side or basking in the Australian sunshine. There are even bell jars full of seemingly random items to teach you about the tastes and textures of wine with hands-on - or rather nose-on - examples. You could begin a new career as a sommelier.

After thoroughly exploring the exhibits, the visit ends at the top of the building where you can taste wine while looking out at stunning views of the Garonne River and Bordeaux. Choose one wine to try from a wide range of local and international options - is there a wine you've always wanted to try? Just ask.

The rest of the day is at leisure to explore Bordeaux as you please. If you're stopping for a sweet treat before continuing to explore this afternoon, we recommend trying a canelé. It's a soft rum and vanilla pastry filled with a custard centre and a thick caramelised crust - and a local favourite. Trust us, it's delicious.

Signature Experience:

Hidden in Bordeaux's former submarine base is Bassins des Lumières - a mesmerising digital art centre featuring high-quality visual and audio exhibitions. Projected onto the concrete wall - and reflected in the tranquil water of the wet dock - are some of art's most iconic pieces. It surrounds you. You'll really feel like you've stepped into the painting. 

Raise one last glass of wine on your plane or train journey home as we transfer to the airport or train station and return to the UK.