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Bordeaux Bike Tour

Road Cycling in France with DuVine Adventures

Highlights

  • 5 nights Luxury Accommodations: Chateau Sanse and Hotel Château Grand Barrail
  • Site visits: Entre deux Mers, St Emilion, Wine School, Medoc
  • Meals: All breakfasts, two lunches and four gourmet dinners including wine
  • Wine tastings: Château de Langet, Château Margaux, Château Palmer, Château Angelus
  • Biking: Passing Grand Cru Classe vineyards, medieval villages, chateaux. Flat to rolling terrain rating, average 30 miles a day

Full Description

Join us on one of our most relaxing bike tours as we cycle peaceful byways along emerald-green fields and endless fertile vineyards that bear some of the world's finest wines.

Imagine 99,000 acres of Merlot ... 62,000 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon ... and 32,000 acres of Cabernet Franc. Welcome to Bordeaux. From serene Gensac, dotted with relics of its feudal past, we'll bicycle across the famed Dordogne River to medieval St. Emilion. Private wine tastings reveal the nuances of exquisite Cabernets and dry Sauvignon Blancs at the appellations of St. Emilion, Pomerol, and Margaux. You'll understand why the most serious wine drinkers are drawn to this wine lover's paradise. Close each day sipping Bordeaux's elixir and delighting in cuisine fit for a gourmand. And three soothing nights at our exclusive Bordeaux spa serve as a perfectly calming cap to each fulfilling day.

Includes:

  • All accommodations in deluxe châteaux, charming country inns, and wine estates
  • All breakfasts, two lunches, four gourmet dinners including wine
  • New 27-speed aluminum Giant bicycle, choice of five lightweight frame sizes, light weight helmet, gel seat, handlebar bag, rear carrier rack, lock, patch kit with spare tube, pump, lock,  bell and toe straps option
  • Bilingual guide(s) who look after your every little need
  • Support vehicle that sweeps the daily bike route offering refreshments and snacks, transporting your purchases, and offering transfers to the hotel
  • Highlighted regional maps with history on each sight and options to stop along the way.
  • All transportation from rendezvous to final drop-off
  • All gratuities for baggage, porters, and hotel service
  • Daily briefings. Your guides review each morning the best route-including which direction to take at the crossroads, where to turn for a flatter option and how to find that shortcut back to the hotel
  • DuVine Adventures t-shirt, water bottle and luggage tag
  • Detailed final documents including itinerary and hotel list
  • DVD of your once in a lifetime trip
  • Exceptional customer service
  • Complimentary travel coordinator available to assist you with all of your pre- & post-trip travel plans and arrangements

Excludes:

  • Airfare to/from the departure point
  • Gratuities to local guides

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1

Coubeyrac-Rouse your palate with the region’s finest sparkling wine as we toast your arrival at Château de Sanse, in peaceful Gensac. After a bike fitting, safety talk and map review, we’ll spin alongside the Dordogne River on a loop ride through Pessac-sur-Dordogne. We’ll stop for a visit with our friend Roger who has turned his old watermill and bakery into a fascinating winery. He will explain his passion for wine as well as how to properly taste Bordeaux wine. Back at the château, relax by the pool or take in the fabulous terrace views of the Gensac vineyards. For this evening’s dinner we have a warm invitation to the hotel's elegant restaurant where our hosts will treat us to a savory feast with herbs, vegetables and other fresh seasonal fare. Meal: Dinner. Destinations visited: Gensac, Pessac-sur-Dordogne. Distance cycled: 14.6 km/9 miles

Day 2

Blasimon-After an outdoor breakfast on the terrace, we’ll pedal through the vineyards of Entre-Deux-Mers that run as far as the eye can see. This area is steeped with feudal history dating back to the 3rd century B.C. Beyond the elegant stone churches and charming French cottages, we'll arrive in medieval Blasimon. A gourmet picnic at the base of the sinking abbey will rejuvenate us for more riding-through Mauriac, Listrac and Coubeyrac–with stops along the way for photos. Before dinner, your guides will take you to the Chateau Carbonneau for a visit and tastings with Wilifred and his friendly Bernese Mountain dogs. After an invigorating day of indulging your senses, a decadent dinner at the Château de Sanse will be prepared for you. Meals: Breakfast/Gourmet Picnic/Dinner. Destinations visited: Doulezon, Ruch, Blasimon, Mauriac, Listrac, Coubeyrac & Gensac. Distance cycled: 34.8 km/21.5 miles

Day 3

Gensac, Crossing over the Dordogne to St. Emilion-Today’s ride takes us down a long descent to finally cruise alongside the Dordogne River. Pass by kiwi trees and fishermen looking for a catch on this calm meandering river. After crossing over the river via historic Castillon-la-Bataille, we will arrive at the medieval city of St. Emilion. This breathtaking destination is home to an astounding monolithic church that was carved by Benedictine monks out of a single slab of stone (truly a remarkable sight!) Upon arrival, we will taste the famous St. Emilion wines at one of our favorite estates. Lunch is at the café of your choice (the main square has ample options) followed by “wine school,” where you will really develop your inner sommelier. End the afternoon with a café au lait and one of the town’s trademark macaroons, or stroll and shop along the cobbled streets. The next three nights will be spent at the Château Grand Barrail Hotel and Spa, settled among St. Emilion’s picturesque Grand Cru Classé vineyards. The Grand Barrail is an exquisite example of the art of warm hospitality and you will experience this in full form at dinner tonight. Meals: Breakfast/Dinner Destinations visited: Flaujageus, St. Magne, St. Christophe, Castillon & St. Emilion Distance cycled: 30.2 km/18.7 miles.

Day 4

Pomerol & St. Emilion-Delight in a leisurely breakfast, explore the extensive and picturesque grounds of your luxurious château, then climb onto your bike and prepare for a fantastic day of cycling. Famed for its wonderful green stretches and rich vineyards, the region has ideal terrain for biking. We’ll cycle by some of the most important estates in Pomerol and St. Emilion: Cheval Blanc, Château Figeac, Petrus, Ausone and more. We will taste the wines of Chateau Figeac or Petrus' neighbor to the east, Château Gazin. Enjoy a tasting at Moulin de Langet, one of the only four organic vineyards in all of St. Emilion, where we’ll relax with a gourmet picnic. This lovely estate is the perfect place to see the process of winemaking on a small scale. We will then cycle back to the hotel where you can spend the day shopping in town or being pampered at the spa. The night will be yours to dine at any of the outstanding St.Emilion restaurants. Meals: Breakfast/ Gourmet Picnic Destinations visited: Pomerol, Bertin, Montagne & St. Emilion. Distance cycled: 21.1 km/13 miles

Day 5

Margaux & Paulliac-A morning drive will take us to Paulliac, Margaux and St. Estephe in the Médoc region for a day of tasting some of the region’s most famed wines. We’ll see the vineyards of Medoc: the famous Château Margaux, Château Palmer, Château Mouton-Rothschild, Château Latour and many others. We'll visit Chateau Palmer or Chateau Lynch Bages as well as another surprise Grand wine estate. Today’s wine tasting extravaganza will be a truly epic experience. We will return to the hotel by van and then cap off the week with an elegant dinner in town. Meals: Breakfast/ Dinner. Destinations visited: Paulliac, Margaux, St. Estephe.

Day 6

St Emilion/Bordeaux-After breakfast, feel free to enjoy a final stroll around the grounds before we drive back to Bordeaux, where you can say goodbye to the fabulous region however you see fit. Meal: Breakfast. Accomplished: Total Satisfaction! TRIP TOTAL: 100 KM/62 MILES, averaging 25 km/15.5 miles per day. Optional longer rides available each day.

About The Operator:

DuVine Adventures

Headquarters:

Somerville, MA

Each season over 25% of our guests are repeat DuVine Travelers. It is an honor to be selected as the bike tour operator of choice by seasoned and experienced travelers like you. Everything we do-from selecting the most beautiful destinations, to providing the high level of hospitality you crave-results in a truly outstanding travel experience. With DuVine you'll bike though beautiful landscapes at your own pace, indulge in gourmet regional cuisine, sample world-class wines, and rest in charming luxury hotels. Bike, eat, drink and sleep, while our guides handle every detail, so all you have to do is enjoy your vacation DuVine style.

Exceeding Expectations

At DuVine, we have a keen eye for detail. But we aren't the type of people to settle for basics. Our guests are special, and we pride ourselves on pampering our travelers each and every day. Over the years, DuVine Adventures has forged relationships with local innkeepers and restaurateurs in the regions we travel. Our friends, the vintners, chocolate makers, and colorful locals, love to share their stories and knowledge with DuVine travelers.

Experienced and Friendly Guides

We are particularly proud of our guides whose outstanding knowledge and efforts allow us to provide first-rate adventures. Your two dedicated DuVine guides will tirelessly work to make sure your experience is nothing short of exceptional.

Our guides are seasoned travelers who are fluent in the local language and customs and experts in wine, cuisine, art, and history. If you need help reading your menu, simply ask your guide. Want to know the best place to get gifts for family back home? Our guides can advise.

Our DuVine guides will anticipate your every need on and off the bike. They will
clean your bike, offer you a fresh towel or give you cool water before you even realize you're thirsty. Don't be surprised if you see one of your guides zipping off to orchestrate a gourmet picnic in the vineyard.

Our guides are passionate about creating whimsical memories. They love to see you smile and will ensure that you are totally satisfied! Their goal is to deliver the vacation of a lifetime, which is always DuVine!

Van Support

All guided tours are fully supported by a van that sweeps the day's route. As you bike along, our support vehicle is never far off to collect your purchases, distribute refreshments or offer a ride back to the hotel.

Bikes Included

Get ready to roll as DuVine includes bikes on all of its trips. We supply top-of-the-line hybrid bicycles with just the right combination of features. Our unique handlebar bag is the perfect size to hold a sweater, wallet, camera, and other personal items. Our bikes come in five sizes for a superior fit and ultimate riding confidence and comfort. All have light aluminum frames, a wide gear range with easy shifting, and comfortable saddles for effortless riding. If you prefer your own trusty steed, feel free to bring it along.

Wine Included with Dinner

DuVine Adventures is proud of the itinerary upgrades we make each season, which are always based upon the feedback of our guests. We include savory local wines with all dinners to provide maximum enjoyment at each meal.