Immerse Yourself in the Wine Wonderland of Bordeaux, France (Europe) for Six Days & Five Nights at Hotel de Seze in a Superior Double Room for Two, Including a Wine Tasting of Three Grand Crus in Bordeaux, a Full-Day Wine Tour to St. Emilion, a Full-Day Medoc Wine Tour and a Three-Course Dinner (Land Only) 

Experience the art of living with all your senses in Bordeaux, France! Renowned as the world capital of wine, this dynamic port city set on the Garonne River in southwestern France is recognized by connoisseurs and wine enthusiasts for its exceptional appellations, and welcomes 5.5 million tourists every year, who split their visits between the region's castles and vineyards, exploring the city's UNESCO-listed area and the seashores of the Aquitaine coast. Get a true taste for this beloved region two guided full-day small-group wine tours and a wine tasting that will allow you to learn about the vinification process and sample merlots and cabernets, as well as a delectable dinner!

Jump in to wine tasting with a tasting of three Grand Crus! Reach one of Bordeaux's centrally located wine bars and participate in a special Grand Crus Wine Class tasting session. The wine isn't the only sensation you'll encounter - you'll enter a mysterious hallway that opens up into an immense modern art deco room, full of strange machines made of stainless steel and a tall ceiling where, hung by their feet, hundreds of wine glasses seemingly float, suspended in mid-air.

Perhaps the crown jewel of your stay will be your two full-day wine tours to the regions of St. Emilion and the Medoc, where you'll be treated to exceptional wines and classic blends, all while visiting beautiful chateaus and villages. Saint Emilion is known for vineyards that date back to Roman times, and one of the most prolific appellations in all of Bordeaux. It is also responsible for some of the most prestigious, long-lived and expensive wines in the world, such as Chateaux Cheval Blanc, Ausone, Angelus, Figeac and Pavie, which sell for hundreds of dollars per bottle. During your visit to three classified growth chateaus, or cru bourgeois estates, you'll learn how the vinification process works. Between the guided visits and wine tastings, move on with your English-speaking driver tour guide to the gorgeous village of Saint Emilion itself. The village is a rare example of a largely intact medieval town whose geography has not been modified over the centuries. Here, you will enjoy a short walking tour taking in important historical sites like the Romanesque cloister and the monolithic church carved into the limestone cliffs. Your second tour will take you to Medoc, where you'll love three wine tastings at three classified growth or Cru Bourgeois estates. Learn all there is to know about the history of the estates, the wine making process as well as the techniques used during the wine making. Then, follow the castle road to admire some of the most famous chateaus such as Chateau Margaux, Chateau Palmer or Chateau Pichon Longueville.

With half of the city listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bordeaux is a place of history looking to the future. The beautiful stones rub shoulders with avant-garde buildings, statues and fountains, literature, and gastronomy. The city is characterized by its exceptional heritage, both architectural and intangible, that dates back to the 18th century, and of course the incredible wine that bears its name. With rich diversity and typicality in its soils, 60 appellations spread over 115,000 hectares, 10,000 properties, and 300 dealers, it's no wonder Bordeaux is known as the largest and oldest fine wine region in the world! The wine tourism activities are numerous: tastings, oenology, discovering the sommelier, guided tours of castles, meeting with winemakers, visiting museums, wine pairings - the list goes on. The nickname "Bordeaux Gourmande" illuminates the region's spectacular cuisine, famous for being creative, sensational and surprising. A three-course dinner in a carefully selected local restaurant is the perfect way to end your trip. The Bordeaux food scene has taken center stage, and today, the city is cluttered with interesting new offerings like experimental modern bistros, elaborate sanctums of haute cuisine and cozy button-down gastro-bars.

You'll enjoy your stay at the four-star Hotel de Seze, which is set among the shops and restaurants along Allées de Tourny, a Mecca for shopping, luxury goods, and gastronomy. This upscale hotel in an 18th-century building features a private 11-acre golf course, located a 15-minute drive away, and puts you within minutes of Saint-Catherine Street, the lake, and Bordeaux City-Centre. You can also walk from the lovely hotel to both Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux and the historic riverfront square, La Place des Quinconces. The refined, traditional accommodations come with flat-screen TVs, minibars and free Wi-Fi, and as a guest you'll have access to other amenities including a posh bar with a cigar lounge, and a spa with a whirlpool tub, a sauna and massage services.

Your trip for two includes:
6 days/5 nights accommodation at Hotel de Seze in a superior double room
Daily breakfast
Wine Tasting of three grand crus in Bordeaux
Full-day small group Merlot Wines of Saint-Emilion tour (tasting fees included)
Full-day small group of the Medoc wine tour (tasting fees included)
A three-course dinner at local restaurant in Bordeaux (alcohol excluded)
All room-related taxes (including VAT)
Free concierge reservation service

Terms and Conditions
Travel package is non-refundable and subject to availability. Certificates/gift cards cannot be replaced. Passport required for travel outside the U.S. Tours run on specific days of the week at specific times. Hotel may be substituted with equal or similar accommodations. Travel is (closed December through February. Local city taxes are the responsibility of the traveler and are required to be paid directly to hotel. Blackout dates: Vinexpo, Jun 17-22. A minimum 45 day advance reservation is required. Please email us at auction@stmaryhs.org to find out deadline to travel.