Wine tasting in Bordeaux & the Basque Country

Bordeaux

Day 1: Welcome to Bordeaux!

Upon arriving into Bordeaux, you’ll be greeted by the friendly face of your private driver who'll take you to your hotel.

Bordeaux is one of France's most exciting, vibrant, and dynamic cities. Half the city is UNESCO World Heritage-listed, fusing 17th-century architecture with striking new buildings - think barista-run coffee shops, superfood trucks, an exceptional dining scene, and more fine wine than you could ever possibly drink. 

In this region of wine and gastronomy, l’apéritif is an unmissable rendez-vous. Enjoy a tasting of wine, salted and sweet canelés, and other surprises. End the evening in an exceptional setting, soaking up a breathtaking view as you savor desserts designed like paintings - a vibrant mixture of colors, textures and volumes.

Bordeaux

Day 2: Uncover the very best of the city

Your guide will pick you up from your hotel in the morning to begin a historic deep-dive into Bordeaux. Spanning the 16th up to the 21st century, this tour provides a look into the foundations of the city’s history.

After lunch, your tour of Bordeaux takes on a gourmet twist, as you savor sumptuous flavors in-between strolls down scenic, historic promenades. Visit cheese caves within the stone-vaulted cellars of a 15th-century convent, where you will find a treasure trove of cheeses, gently aging to their optimal maturity.

Then, you'll tour a world-renowned company known for repopularizing the canelé. Relax as you sample these delights and other interesting desserts, accompanied by a hot drink. Finally, end the day with a pleasant wine tasting in a small, boutique wine bar, before setting out to spend the rest of the night at leisure.

Bordeaux - Arcachon - Bordeaux

Day 3: Seafood feasts by the beach in Arcachon

You'll spend the day on the coast in sunny Arcachon, an easy drive from the center of Bordeaux. You'll be well-placed for seaside discoveries, surrounded by oyster parks, traditional villages, and small peninsula beaches.

Take the opportunity to discover Bird Island with its cabins built on stilts, followed by the Cap Ferret peninsula with its small fishing villages and beaches. Try climbing the Pilat Dune, the largest sand dune in Europe, before marveling at the Banc d'Arguin oyster bank and the scenic landscapes of the Leyre river delta.

In the afternoon, you'll embark on a two-hour private boat ride on a pinasse (a typical local fishing boat), enjoy a tasting of oysters and white wine whilst on board.

Bordeaux - Saint Emilion - Bordeaux

Day 4: Taste your way through wine country

Today you'll be heading into the wine-clad hills of Saint-Emilion to taste locally-produced flavors across sought-after wineries!

After taking lunch in town or on a terrace among the vineyards, you'll visit a top estate in Pomerol, where you'll get to learn about the local production process and savor a tasting session. Some of the wineries you could be visiting today include the Châteaux Beau-Séjour Bécot, Troplong Mondot, Villemaurine, and many more - the list goes on!

Bordeaux - Gascony - Biarritz

Day 5: Journey to glitzy Biarritz

After checking out of your hotel, hit the road with your English-speaking driver-guide and head through the Graves area, traveling southwest into the region of Gascony (locally known as Gascogne). You'll be on your way into the Basque Country and Biarritz!

Biarritz was once the Monte-Carlo of the Atlantic Coast, transformed in the mid-19th century into a playground for monarchs and the glitterati, including Frank Sinatra, Bette Davis, and Ernest Hemingway.

Enjoy the town’s air of faded glamour, a charming blend of both chic and shabby. Its shore remains truly beautiful, with white breakers crashing on sandy strands. The focus of Biarritz is its Casino Municipal; just below is the picturesque harbor of the Port des Pêcheurs, backed by tamarisk shrubs and pink-and-blue hydrangeas. Beyond lies La Grande Plage, an immaculate sweep of sand loved by surfers.

Biarritz

Day 6: Cycle along the Basque coast

Today you'll cycle along the spectacular Basque coast on an electric bicycle. Away from car traffic, discover the most amazing views between Biarritz and Saint-Jean-de-Luz. There's no better way than this low-effort outing to fully enjoy the beauty of this wild stretch of coast!

On this eight-mile trip, venture through villages scattered along the coast: stop in Bidart, where the open view onto the Atlantic Ocean is breathtaking, before continuing to Guéthary, where you'll find the most charming pelota courtyard in the entire Basque region. Journey along the striking coastline in search of its best surf spots, before reaching Saint-Jean-de-Luz where you'll meet a very special wine producer, who ages his wine under the sea! 

Once the evening draws to a close, you will be driven back to your hotel to rest and relax.

Biarritz

Day 7: Feast at the Halles de Biarritz

Join your guide for a market tour and tasting in the colorful Halles de Biarritz! Enjoy the lively and vibrant atmosphere, meet local producers and vendors, learn about the city's culinary traditions and history, and discover some of the finest produce the Basque Country has to offer.

You’ll taste your way from stall to stall, enjoying fresh oysters and seafood, specialty cured meats, cheeses, wines, coffees and of course, the famous gâteau Basque. Make your way back to the hotel in the afternoon, or onwards to another part of the city to explore and spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure.

Espelette - Ainhoa - Saint-jean-pied-de-port

Day 8: Basque Country village discoveries

Today, explore the inland Basque Country as you drive through the most breathtaking landscapes! Visit some of the most beautiful towns and villages of the area: Espelette, Ainhoa, Sare, and Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port.

This tour is a great opportunity to get a taste of local and authentic Basque culture. Discover hidden secrets and charming corners in typical villages, each boasting unique architecture. You'll even meet with a local farmer who specializes in making espelette chili powder! Learn about the terroir and its core values, gaining a full understanding of the powder and how it's produced from the field to the tasting room.

Saint-jean-de-luz - San Sebastian - Bilbao

Day 9: Cross the Spanish border to explore more delights

More jewels of the Basque Country await to be unearthed today! First up is Bayonne, which stands as a capital for gastronomy and local traditions. There you'll taste its specialty ham together with some sheep cheese, and enjoy the passion and know-how of the region’s best producer before meeting the best artisan chocolate-maker in town. 

Afterwards, cross the Spanish border into San Sebastian via Saint-Jean-de-Luz for a journey into history and gastronomy, before reaching Bilbao. With staggering architecture, a venerable dining scene and stunning landscapes, Bilbao is one of the great treasures of the Basque Country.

Surrounded by rolling green hills, it offers a breathtaking coastline and a center dotted with parks and plazas, including the Parque Doña Casilda Iturrizar. Check into your hotel in the afternoon, and spend the rest of the evening at leisure, exploring the city.

Bilbao

Day 10: Immerse yourself in Bilbao's art world

Today, your guide will pick you up after breakfast for an art and architecture walking tour of Bilbao. Stop at the city's Guggenheim Museum, a marvel of contemporary architecture with its constantly-changing reflections and fleeting colors. Afterwards, you'll wander alongside your expert guide through the old industrial Abandoibarra district.

What’s great about Bilbao? It’s largely untouched by tourists: it’s the kind of place where you’ll rarely hear English, or even Spanish, being spoken. The natives speak Basque, and even the most touristy parts of the city are rarely crowded. You could easily spend a few weeks exploring all the nooks and crannies of this enchanting city and its vicinity.

Bilbao - Rioja Valley - Bilbao

Day 11: Roam through the vineyards of La Rioja

Your guide will pick you up this morning to experience La Rioja, Spain's famous wine region. This full-day tour combines beautiful landscapes and different historic vineyards that produce some of the best wine in the world.

Discover the secrets of Rioja wine cellars and enjoy wine tastings in privileged surroundings. You'll be taken on a journey that inflames the senses and will leave you wanting to come back for more. Beyond the wine, you'll visit historic towns in the area, stopping off at unknown viewpoints and areas only known to locals.

Bilbao - Urdaibai - Bilbao

Day 12: The allure of Txakoli wine in Urdaibai

A perfect experience for epicurean travelers, today's journey will lead you to a beautifully-designed winery in the oak-forested and biosphere reserve of Urdaibai.

Along the way, stop off at Gernika for a unique opportunity to explore this stunning region alongside your cultural guide. Visit an award-winning sommelier and winemaker who will activate all your senses with a tasting of Txakoli wine, and immerse yourself deeply into a region rich in history and biodiversity - a richness that's wonderfully matched with equally enticing wine.

Bilbao

Day 13: Bid farewell to Bilbao!

All good things must come to an end, but hopefully you'll have enjoyed your time exploring the very best of the wine regions that Spain and France have to offer. After breakfast, check out of your hotel and transfer to Bilbao’s airport to catch your flight back home. Safe travels!