Welcome to Paris! Take the TGV train from Paris-Gare Montparnasse to Tours. A private transfer will take you from the train station in Tours to the Hotel Le Choiseul in Amboise. Rest of the day is at leisure.
Overnight stay in Amboise at Le Choiseul Hotel.
After breakfast, meet your English speaking driver guide at your hotel and start your full day small group tour to Chateaux of Chenonceau, Chambord & Caves Ambacia Wine tasting.
Guided Tour of the Chateau of Chenonceau. The unique architecture of the Chateau of Chenonceau makes it one of the most exquisite Chateaux in the Loire Valley. Nicknamed "The Ladies Chateau", the castle of Chenonceau is related to important French women such as Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medici. The magnificent Renaissance Gardens around it make it even more spectacular.
Transfer to Amboise for the lunch (not included). We highly recommend to have lunch at Caves Ambacia. Caves Ambacia welcomes you in its restaurant "l'Oppidum" where you will discover typcial Loire Valley products such as Cheeses, Delicatessen and Fishes.
Les Caves Ambacia, the Loire Valley Wine Experience! Sensorial visit and Vintages' Odyssey followed by a wine tasting class led by a sommelier (5 wines including 1 vintage Vouvray wine).
Transfer to Chambord.
Guided tour of the Chateau of Chambord. Drive to the Estate of Chambord, a national game reserve as large as the city of Paris. The Chateau de Chambord (guided tour) is a unique monument by its architecture and proportions. Leonardo da Vinci probably took part in the conception of the project. With more than 400 rooms and its double spiral staircase, the Chambord is a highlight of the Loire Valley.
Drop-off is at 06:30 PM at the Amboise Tourist Office.
Overnight stay in Amboise at the Hotel Le Choiseul or similar.
Day at leisure
Overnight stay in Amboise at Le Choiseul Hotel.
After breakfast, take a private transfer to the train station and board your TGV to Bordeaux, described as “an outstanding urban and architectural ensemble” and well-known to be the wine capital of the world!
Overnight stay in Bordeaux at Hotel De Seze.
You will start your day with a winery located along the Chateau Road. Enjoy a visit of the property and discover the technical installations so that you may understand the whole wine making process. After the visit, it will be time to experience your first commented wine tasting session. This will be a chance to gain an excellent understanding of the wines produced here, whether as an introduction to wines or to expand on your existing knowledge. Free time for lunch.
After lunch, we will return to Bordeaux. Along the way, we will stop in two different carefully selected wineries so that your full day wine tour from Bordeaux to the Medoc is complete. We will include different appellations. Left Bank Bordeaux wines include most renowned Châteaux like Châteaux Margaux, Palmer. As time allows, we will stop in front of renowned wineries such as Palmer, Margaux, Rauzan Segla, Cantenac Brown.
At 6.00pm, your guide will drop you off at 12 cours du 30 Juillet, (Bordeaux) which is just at 3 minutes walking from your hotel.
Overnight stay in Bordeaux at Hotel De Seze.
Enjoy a visit and wine tasting in a famous classified Growth Château of the Pomerol or Saint Emilion appellation. You'll start with the best of what Saint-Émilion and Pomerol region wines have to offer! Most of the great Saint-Emilion and Pomerol wine comes from the chateaux located on the côtes and the plateau. The côtes are the rich limestone hillsides that surround the picturesque village of St. Emilion, and the plateau has soils with limestone, clay, gravel, sand and iron deposits. The majority of the best Saint Emilion wine comes from the estates located on the plateau and the côtes right here and is why St. Emilion produces wines of richness, exotic textures and minerality.
Time to continue to the next winery Classified Growth Chateau in the Village. The visit will be followed by a commented tasting that will take place in the village and that will include wines from the surrounding appellations such as Pomerol, Cotes de Castillon, Lussac, Montagne or Saint Georges Saint Emilion. You will enjoy a guided tour of the village of St. Emilion, a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site, and then you'll enjoy some free time for personal exploration before we go to lunch. The village takes its name from a Benedictine Monk who went by the name of Emilian. He lived in the area and is responsible for commencing the creation of the uniquely designed, limestone church at the heart of the village. Today, Saint-Emilion is also famous for its fascinating romanesque churches and the ruins which stretch all along the steep and narrow streets, all punctuated with cafés and boutiques of the terroir.
In the afternoon, continuing with your discovery and experience, a third visit and wine tasting session takes place in a local winery of the Pomerol or Saint Emilion wine producing region. Here you'll encounter independent and passionate wine makers, with some hands-on learning about the living cultural heritage of Bordeaux’s wine: from grape varieties of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, to geology of the soil, the climate, and most importantly, the art of the wine making itself in this unique appellation. The tour will finish around 5:30pm at 12 cours du 30 Juillet, just 3 minutes walking distance from your hotel.
Overnight stay in Bordeaux at Hotel De Seze.
After breakfast, you’ll be picked up from your hotel at 9.30am for a full-day wine tour through the Graves region, home to the renowned Pessac-Léognan and Sauternes appellations.
Begin in Pessac-Léognan, celebrated for its red and white wines. Visit a carefully selected winery, learn about its winemaking traditions and enjoy a guided tasting showcasing the character of the region’s wines.
Stop for lunch at a restaurant near the vineyards, where local and fresh produce from the Bordeaux region takes centre stage.
In the afternoon, continue to Sauternes, famous for its distinctive sweet white wines. Tour one of the region’s first Grand Cru estates, discover the fascinating winemaking process behind Sauternes and finish with a guided tasting highlighting its characteristic aromas and flavours.
Return to Bordeaux after the tour.
Overnight stay in Bordeaux at Hotel De Sèze
Your package ends this morning after breakfast at the hotel.
Bordeaux
Located in the heart of Bordeaux, the Hôtel de Sèze is part of the great French hotel tradition with 55 rooms (including 3 suites) and plays the card of the cozy spirit with its services: the Comptoir De Seze Restaurant and its bistronomic cuisine, the Bar and its lounges , smoking room, and cigar cellar, the Spa , a true temple of well-being exclusively for customers. This elegant hotel proposes rooms that blend harmoniously decorated in the sprit of the 18th century with exclusive furnitures. The color and decoration of bold wallpaper deliver an intimate and cozy ambiance.
Amboise
Located at the edge of the Loire and at the foot of the Royal Castle of Amboise, homeland of Leonardo da Vinci, the hotel Le Choiseul is a charming house typically from Tours built in 18th century. The hotel enjoys an exceptional location in the heart of the Valley of Loire castles. Le Choiseul has 30 rooms of 5 different categories, from the most elegant apartment to the most delightful room. They offer pleasant views over the Italian garden, the Loire and the Château d'Amboise.
