Additional Information About our Luxury Bordeaux "Grand Cru" Tours
Bordeaux Tour Summary • Bordeaux Dates & Prices • Bordeaux Itinerary • Tour Price Includes • Bordeaux Hotel
Download and print our BORDEAUX TOUR DETAILED BROCHURE (Adobe pdf)
Download and print our BORDEAUX TOUR -SHORT VERSION- BROCHURE (Adobe pdf)
Frequently Asked Questions about Our Bordeaux Tours
Are Off the Beaten Path, LLC tours in English?
Yes. All tours are conducted in English and designed for an English speaking clientel. The majority of OTBP Guests come from the U.S.A., Australia, Canada, New Zealand and England. Guests have also come from the Caribbean, Singapore, the Philippines, South Africa and Israel.
Where do we rendezvous on day 1 of the Bordeaux Tour?
Your OTBP Guide(s) will meet you at the St. Jean TGV train station in Bordeaux at 3:00 PM on day 1 of the tour. Specific meeting location details will be included in your complete tour information package we send you 30 days prior to the tour. .
Where does the Bordeaux Tour finish?
We depart the hotel in the morning in order to arrive at 10 AM at the St. Jean TGV train station in Bordeaux.
Which producers do you visit during the harvest tours?
Bordeaux is a very exclusive and closed world during the harvest. Rarely do producers open their doors to the public during the harvest. However, as Bordeaux industry insiders, we are happy to be able to use our priveleged relationships and connections to make visits to the following estates possible during our annual harvest tours. Below is our confirmed list of classified 1st growth wine producers we visit during our 2013 tours. These producers are the "creme de la creme" of the Bordeaux wine world!
- Chateau Haut Brion & La Mission Haut Brion - (1st growth grand cru 1855 classified - red and Graves grand cru 1953 classified/ratified 1959 - red)
- Chateau d'Yquem (Superior 1st growth grand cru 1855 classified - white)
- Chateau La Tour Blanche (1st growth grand cru 1855 classified - white)
- Chateau Figeac (Saint Emilion 1st growth grand cru classified B - red) - same terroir as Chateau Cheval Blanc
- Chateau Troplong-Mondot (Saint Emilion 1st growth grand cru classified B - red)
- Chateau Carbonnieux (Graves grand cru 1953 classified/ratified 1959 - red and white)
- Chateau Haut Bailly (Graves grand cru 1953 classified/ratified 1959 - red)
- Chateau Smith Haut LaFitte (Graves grand cru 1953 classified/ratified 1959 - red)
How should I go about making my travel plans?
Off the Beaten Path is a full service tour operator and it is our pleasure to assist you with all aspects of upcoming travel plans. Whether you are looking for a suggestion for a hotel in Paris or assistance with your rail tickets, simply contact us at contact@traveloffthebeatenpath.com or call us at 1.877.846.2831 for assistance.
What is the weather going to be like in Bordeaux?
In July, day time temperatures in Bordeaux and surrounding areas range in the high 80's- to mid-90's. In September, average temperatures range from 70's to 80's Fahrenheit. Typically it is sunny, but be prepared with the proper rain gear, as harvest time can be unpredictable.
What is not included on my Bordeaux Tour?
Airfare to and from France, train fare to and from Bordeaux St. Jean rail station, 1 lunch, 1 dinner, gratuities(tips) to tour guides and driver, personal purchases.
How should I tip my Off the Beaten Path guide(s)?
While OTBP provides very competitive salaries to its guides, it is customary to tip tour guides and drivers, as a show of appreciation for their hard work and services during your tour. Gratuities (tips) to tour guides and drivers are not included in your tour price. Our guests often ask us for guidelines on tipping, so these are presented as a service so you can know what industry standards are. The following are industry recommended tipping suggestions - It is recommended that each individual guest gives the following gratuities to each guide at the conclusion of the tour : 120 euros to the lead guide, 120 euros to the wine guide, 40 euros to the assistant guide and 20 euros to the driver. Some guests tip more, some tip less. Thank you for your consideration and gesture of appreciation to our guides and drivers!
Who are the Bordeaux Tours designed for?
OTBP's Bordeaux Tours are designed for discerning active travelers, from the seasoned traveler and independent traveler to the first time traveler to France. Join any one of the our tours as a solo traveler, a couple, a small group of friends or family, or bring your entire travel club, affinity group, women's organization or wine society. No culinary, history or other type of experience is necessary. Join us for the vacation of a lifetime to discover the Bordeaux wine region of France, as an insider, and make new friends along the way.
Do I need to be an expert to take your Bordeaux Tour?
Not at all. The idea is to learn about French culture, traditions, wine, daily life, artisan lives and culinary practices in a fun and relaxing environment. Our tours offer great learning opportunities for everyone. Off the Beaten Path guides are very skilled at adapting their discussions to the general level of knowledge of the group, providing good introductory information for novices, and more advanced discussions for those who have more experience or a specialty interest. It's vacation and our tours are all about having fun, enjoying new experiences and being active!
Is wine included at meals? What kind of wines are included at meals?
Yes, wine is included at all scheduled group meals together. We expertly match premium wines from the region we're visiting with each dish. Meals offer an excellent opportunity to try wines from appellations not available to guests at home, and to introduce guests to some select wines worth a favorable mention or that are exceptionally appreciated by the locals.
How are the Bordeaux Tours structured?
Having over 18 years experience in the tour industry, specifically with small group touring, we have found that our guests are generally more interested in active experiences, culture, people to people experiences and guided tours of museums and sites. Our guests like to visit private homes, and pursue their hobbies when they travel. Our guests enjoy being able to shop locally for items, such as, collectibles, art and local products. Our guests tend to do more homework and want a meatier trip, and also want to enjoy down time or leisure time to explore independently. All of our trips are designed based on these factors. Each trip offers organized activities and excursions daily combined with periods of leisure time each day. Our tours encourage individual approach and pursuit of your interests, as well as introducing you to new experiences and people during each trip.
How should I pack? How should I expect to dress during the tour?
Please limit your luggage to one medium-sized suitcase and one carry-on. Try not to over pack; you will not wear all your clothing! A suggested packing list will be enclosed in your tour information package. Pack comfortable light weight, casual clothing. It's vacation and we want our guests to feel and be as comfortable as possible during our daily activities and excursions. Our dinners together include a mix of Michelin star and casual bistro style restaurants. For men we suggest a business casual ensemble (no tie or jacket necessary unless it's your personal preference) and for women we recommend a casual dress for dinners.
What travel documents will I need for my Tour?
All travelers to France are required to have a valid passport. Please make 2 copies of your passport and personal identification before you depart. Keep one set of copies with you in a separate location from your travel documents, and leave the other set of copies with a contact at home before you depart. If you are not a U.S. citizen, please check with your consulate general for entry requirements.
Do I need to be an athlete to participate in the Bordeaux Tour?
No. Our daily walks are designed to appeal to active travelers of every fitness level. There is very little elevation gain/loss during the Bordeaux daily walks. Our trails are mostly gravel and dirt walking paths through small rolling and low lying vineyard hillsides. Travelers should count on walking approximately 2-3 hours each day. We are walking from wine producer to wine producer each day through spectacular classified vineyards. Come discover and enjoy fabulous Bordeaux wines along the "slow road" taking in the beautiful scenery of the vineyards and wine growing villages. Each walk includes winery tours and wine tasting along our trail, a truly fabulous way to discover Bordeaux wine country.
Bordeaux Tour Guest Testimonials
"We enjoyed the good mix of activities and the fact that the trip wasn't just wine tasting. We had a great group of traveling companions and it was fun getting to know them, as well as meeting the Chefs at cooking class. Seeing the harvest in action was the best! Thank you for taking such good care of us!!" Pam Miller and Jim Rasmussen, Boston, MA (Bordeaux Wine and Culinary Walking Tour)
"We had a spectacular time! We saw France as insiders and felt like we spent the week with friends and family! Thank you for a wonderful vacation! We look forward to another Off the Beaten Path tour!" John & Barbara Lawless, Hendersonville, NC (Bordeaux Wine and Culinary Walking Tour)