Flavors of Bordeaux
Blaye, Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux
September 4-13, 2027
Starting at: $6,700/person
We're returning to Bordeaux for another culinary adventure!
In October 2023, a winemaker named Daren Miller stopped in our Spring Grove, PA office and our relationship began with his US-based company Allochtone Wine Co. and has expanded to include his wife's family winery outside of Bordeaux, France! Since meeting Daren we've done several events together and spent time with the family in France, working with them to build this new itinerary. We're so excited to share some amazing new experiences with you all!
Join us on a delectable journey through Bordeaux and its enchanting surroundings, including Blaye and Saint-Emilion, on our exclusive culinary tour. Discover the heart of France's renowned wine region, where every meal is a celebration of tradition and taste. Stroll through Bordeaux's historic streets, savoring gourmet delights from bustling markets and artisan producers. Explore the scenic vineyards surrounding Blaye, and explore the Cognac region. In the medieval village of Saint-Emilion, wander through the ancient monolithic church, partake in wine tastings at family-run estates, and learn to craft regional dishes in a hands-on cooking class. Join us for an unforgettable experience that combines rich culinary heritage, world-class wines, and breathtaking landscapes, creating memories to last a lifetime.
Reserve your spot today and prepare to indulge in the flavors of this famous region! Keep scrolling for more tour details, pricing, and specific Trip Notes for this particular tour. Feel free to contact us with any questions!
Itinerary
In our 10 days together, we will make our way from the countryside châteaus to the medieval town of Saint-Émilion, and ending in bustling downtown Bordeaux.
Blaye (3 nights) - Our tour will start in the countryside outside the town of Blaye, which will be the perfect jumping-off point for exploring the nearby wine estates and the area of Cognac.
Saint-Émilion (3 nights) - This charming medieval village will make you feel like you've stepped into a storybook. The cobblestone streets, historic monolithic limestone church, quaint atmosphere and panoramic views of rolling vineyards will make a perfect stop during our tour.
Bordeaux (3 nights) - The city of Bordeaux itself offers a blend of historic architecture, vibrant culture, and gorgeous riverside views. Beyond the proximity to its famous wine region, we think you'll fall in love with the charming streets, lively markets, and world-class museums!
Tour Highlights
The wine barrel plays a major role in the winemaking process, affecting everything from flavor and aroma to structure. Discover the art and tradition of barrel making as we visit a cooperage workshop.
Learn about the "liquor of the Gods" - Cognac (brandy made specifically with grapes from the Cognac region) and explore the complex flavors and aromas embodied in this famous spirit.
We'll take a traditional fishing boat across Arcachon Bay to Cap Ferret, to wander through an oyster farming village before enjoying the freshest seafood lunch in an oyster hut overlooking the water.
Enjoy a walking food tour of Bordeaux's old town to discover not only the authentic and historic highlights, but also the gastronomic specialties of several artisans located throughout the town.
What would a trip to Bordeaux be without wine tasting!? We'll not only visit producers, but also take the time for some education - learning what to look for in a tasting, and what makes French wines so special!
Pricing and other details
EARLY BIRD PRICING through 4/15/26 - Best Price Guaranteed:
- Double occupancy: $6700/person ($6,999/person after 4/15/26)
- Single supplement: $900
Deposit of $3200/person is due upon booking to reserve your spot, along with a signed & completed registration form. Booking is not considered confirmed until deposit has been received.
Final payment is due 60 days prior to departure, or installments can be made at any time up until that due date.
Pricing includes:
- Nine nights of hotel accommodations (3 nights in the Blaye area, 3 nights in Saint-Émilion, 3 nights in Bordeaux)
- All planned excursions & classes, including visits to artisanal producers, wine tastings, a hands-on cooking class and more.
- Meals included: daily breakfasts at our accommodations and most lunches & dinners. We curate each menu to focus on traditional regional specialties, accompanied by local wines.
- Experienced tour leaders and local guides.
- Private motorcoach transportation throughout the tour
- Airport transfers on specified arrival/departure days/times. We include one group transfer for your arrival and departure at specified times. Any additional transfer will be at your own cost.
Not included:
- Airfare
- Gratuity for driver and Curata Travel and guest tour leaders, at your discretion
- Any spending during free time, personal purchases, extraneous hotel charges (minibar, laundry service, etc.) and any alcoholic beverages not included with meals.
Each member of the tour will be responsible for booking their own international flights. Flights are not included in the tour cost. One group transfer will be provided based on the times below. Any additional private transfers would be at your own cost.
The group transfer* will pick up at the Bordeaux (BOD) Airport on September 4 at 12:00p.m., then drop off at the same on September 13 by 9:30a.m.
We strongly recommend waiting to book non-refundable flights until your tour has been officially confirmed (at least 90 days prior to departure). While tour cancellations are uncommon, they can happen if minimum enrollment isn’t met.
If you prefer to book flights earlier, we recommend choosing refundable tickets or travel insurance that covers trip cancellation.
To ensure a high-quality, fully supported experience for all participants, our tours require a minimum number of confirmed guests before departure. Most of our tours operate with ~20 travelers; however, we must confirm a minimum of 12 guests before a tour is guaranteed to depart.
We typically make a final decision 90 days before departure. If the minimum number is not met by that date, we will notify all registrants and offer options including:
✔ transferring to a future departure date
✔ applying deposit toward another tour
✔ a full refund
Important: We strongly recommend that you do not purchase non-refundable flights until your tour departure is confirmed.
Our tours are designed for curious, engaged travelers who enjoy being out and about each day. While we don’t run “athletic” trips, our itineraries are active and require a good level of everyday mobility and stamina.
Most days include extended sightseeing, walking through historic centers, standing during guided visits, and getting on and off our touring vehicle multiple times.
You’ll likely enjoy this tour if the statements below feel comfortable and realistic for you:
✅ I can stand for up to an hour at a time
Guided visits at museums, historic sites, wineries, markets, and food producers often involve periods of standing. Seating is not always available.
✅ I can comfortably walk several miles over the course of a day
Daily sightseeing can add up to 8,000–12,000 steps. Walks are typically broken up throughout the day, but may include:
- Uneven cobblestones
- Hills or gradual inclines
- Rural paths at farms, vineyards, or countryside estates
You don’t need to be fast — but you should feel comfortable walking at a relaxed, steady pace with the group.
✅ I can get on and off a motorcoach without assistance
Our tours use comfortable touring vehicles, but they do require stepping up and down multiple times per day. Step heights vary by vehicle and location, and lifts are not available.
✅ I can manage stairs
Many historic buildings, small hotels, wineries, and family-run establishments do not have elevators, or may have only a few steps here and there. Even in hotels with elevators, some areas may still require stairs.
✅ I can handle my own luggage when needed
While assistance is often available, porterage is not guaranteed at every property. Guests should be able to:
- Roll or carry luggage short distances
We strongly recommend packing light and using manageable luggage.
✅ I have the stamina for a full, multi-day itinerary
Our tours are immersive and full of experiences from morning into the evening. Travel days, hotel changes, and full sightseeing schedules can be tiring — in a good way! Guests should feel comfortable keeping up with a busy but rewarding pace.
A few items of note for some of the destinations and the trip as a whole to help set expectations and better prepare you for the trip. Some of the expectations are outlined in our Traveler Guidebook and the Terms & Conditions form that you will use to register (see specifically the Traveler Code and Traveler Expectations sections), but to reiterate some as they specifically relate to this Bordeaux itinerary.
Cuisine - Our food tours focus heavily on the culinary specialities of each region and town we visit. So when we arrange a lunch/dinner or culinary experience, we are working with those restaurants to plan menus in advance that highlight the seasonal produce and dishes that reflect the region we’re in. France is well-known for its classic culinary techniques, such as braising, sautéing, and slow-cooking, to bring out the natural flavors of the ingredients. Sauces play a crucial role, often made from reductions of wine, stock, and herbs to create deep, concentrated flavors. With its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, you can expect fresh seafood like oysters and mussels.
We will be collecting some of this information at a later date from you, but if there are food allergies we need to be aware of, please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate them. If there are entire categories of food that you just don’t eat (and are not willing to try), this might not be the tour for you!
Terrain: As you'll find throughout most European towns and villages, walkways are often made up of cobblestones and limestone paving. Good walking shoes, being sure on your feet, and staying alert are all key to getting around! Saint-Émilion specifically is a hilly medieval town with often uneven steps and cobblestone roads.
Excursions: While there are no overly strenuous activities planned, you should be comfortable walking and standing for our various excursions or walking tours. You should be comfortable getting in & out of a bus without assistance. With all of our excursions, you are not forced to participate if something like this is not your ’thing.’ You always have the option to stay behind and enjoy some free time on your own (please note, as mentioned in the Terms & Conditions, there is no compensation or refund for any portion of the tour or excursion you do not participate in).
Gallery
Enjoy some highlights of our Bordeaux tour!