Bordeaux - the wine capital of France

Departure from Sofia to Munich at 06:10 on a Lufthansa flight. Landing in Munich at 07:10 and continuation to Bordeaux at 12:50. Landing in Bordeaux at 14:45. Transfer toMercure Bordeaux Centre Ville 4*. Check in and free time for dinner. Overnight.

Start of a walking panoramic tour of Bordeaux with a local guide to see the city's landmarks, most of which are UNESCO sites - the Cathedral of Saint Andre, the Bourse building and the unique square in front of it - the „Water Mirror“, the City Theatre, the medieval port district of Port de la Luna, etc. Bordeaux is the second city in France, after Paris, with the most preserved medieval buildings and with a unique modern architecture. Therefore, a free afternoon can be filled with interesting activities. Free time for a self-guided walking and shopping tour along Sainte Catherine street in the centre of Bordeaux. This pedestrian street, 1250 metres long, is the main shopping street in Bordeaux and is considered the longest pedestrian shopping street in Europe. Optional visit to the Cité du Vin, a world-famous interactive museum using digital technology to explore the history of wine around the world (entrance from €27). An exhibition space dedicated to the cultural, historical and universal dimensions of wine culture will be at your disposal. The innovative and bold architecture of the „City of Wine“ is a symbol of modern Bordeaux and is often compared to a curving vine or wine pouring into a decanter. Cité du Vin also has two main dining venues open to all: 7 Restaurant (on the 7th floor with panoramic views of the Garonne River) and Latitude 20 bistronomic restaurant (on the ground floor), offering culinary experiences focused on wine and international cuisine.

Before lunch - departure for the family estate Château Reignac(30 km) - ideally located between the banks of the two rivers Garonne and Dordogne, where we will enjoy a picnic lunch with local cheeses and delicacies, combined with a tasting of wines with „Controlled Designation of Origin - Entre-Deux-Mers“ (AOC Entre-Deux-Mers).
Followed by a wine and French cheese tasting visit to the landmark estate Château Pape Clément, - one of the 4 wine estates of the famous winemaker Bernard Magrez ranked with the prestigious Grand Cru Classe nomination. Here we will learn not only the interesting history of the estate, but also taste wines from the famous Pessac-Léognan appellation, ranked in the Grand Cru Classé de Graves category. Return to Bordeaux in the late afternoon.

08:00 - departure to Saint Emilion (45 km) - one of the most famous wine regions in the world, both for its quality red wines and its quantities as a producer. It is no coincidence that the region is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as a characteristic landscape with vast vineyards and beautiful wine châteaux and villages perched on the hillsides, preserving its authenticity over the centuries. Walking tour of the medieval town of Saint Emilion, famous for the Monolithic Cathedral carved directly into the rock, the beautiful square in front of it with the preserved Covered Market, the Collegiate Church and its monastery, the Main Square and the Cathedral next to it. Free time in the cobbled streets of this romantic town. Depart for a first-class lunch with a glass of wine at the nearby five-star hotel, Château Grand Barrail Hotel & Spa 5* (5 km). Dress code - sport elegant. After lunch, tasting of wines with „Controlled Designation of Origin - Saint Emilion Grand Cru“ (AOC Saint Emilion Grand Cru) in Château La Marzelle. Return to Bordeaux in the late afternoon.

09:00 - Departure for the Medoc wine region (60 km), located on the western shore of the Gironde estuary, famous for its wonderful wine estates but also famous for its historic châteaux.
Visit to Château La Tour Carnet - one of the 4 wine estates of the renowned winemaker Bernard Magrez ranked with the prestigious nomination „Grand Cru Classe“. Tasting of wines with „AOC Medoc“ in a local winery. Continue inland to the Medoc region and lunch at a local restaurant, with delicious lamb cooked to a special recipe by the chef. Departure for Château Beychevelle for the tasting of wines with the „Saint Julien AOC“. It's hard to imagine a more perfect take on a French chateau than Château Beychevel. The delicacy of its classical architecture and the beauty of its French-style gardens make it one of the jewels of the Médoc. Return to Bordeaux in the late afternoon.

Departure for the Atlantic part of the Bordeaux region and the Gulf of Arcachon (70 km). Walk along the promenade of the charming resort town and the central square of Arcachon, which combines in its architecture not only French but also many Basque elements. Free time for lunch with the local speciality, the „Oysters of the Bay of Arcachon“. Departure (10 km) for the largest natural dune in Europe, the Dune du Pilat. The climb to the top of the dune will be rewarded with a wonderful panorama of the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Arcachon and the forests of Gascony. Return to Bordeaux in the late afternoon.

Transfer to Bordeaux airport for your 10:30 flight to Frankfurt. Landing in Frankfurt at 12:20 and continue to Sofia at 15:15 and landing at Sofia airport at 18:25.
End of program.