Aquitaine - the unknown Southwest

 

Your destination Aquitaine, land of water and wine, was the home of Eleonor of Aquitaine, queen of France and England. Southwest France is a popular destination for gourmets from all over the world, therefore it is called “land of thousand pleasures”, such as the full-bodied wines from the Bordeaux region, the fruity wines from the Pyrenees as well as delicacies such as truffle from the Périgord, duck and goose liver from Les Landes or Béarn, cheese from the Pyrenees, oysters from Arcachon and Sauce Béarnaise, which is famous in all parts of the world for sure. A paradise for gourmets and wine lovers, Aquitaine offers everything you need.

Do you want to taste the wine, in which King Heinrich IV was baptized? Do you like goose liver (hot and/or cold)? Do you know the wine, which was taken for a Petrus during a blind wine-tasting by experts? Do you know the smallest wine-growing area of France? Your journey starts in Bordeaux and from here you will explore the wines of the Madiran, Pacherenc-du-Vic-Bilh, Jurançon and the Irouléguy.


Day 1


Main Square

 

You travel individually to Bordeaux. You will visit the historical centre of Bordeaux. Actually, the old part of Bordeaux is the largest conserved city center in France. Bordeaux, former Burdigala, has been a booming city ever since 56 B.C. In the 12th century, the city grew rich due to wine-trading with England.
In the afternoon you will stroll through the park or nuzzle in the wine-shops for treasures. In the evening you may enjoy dinner in one of the many gourmet restaurants (ask for our assistance when you need a recommentation).

B&B in your hotel in Bordeaux.


Day 2



Château Bouscassé
Bayonne

 

After breakfast, you leave Bordeaux and travel to the area of the red Madiran and the white Pacherenc-du-Vic-Bilh wines. At noon you will met one of the most famous wine growers of the area in his Château. First you will see the lovely created garden of taste before tasting the dry and sweet white wines and the substantial red wines. During the vesper you will taste typical pies, cheese and cake, and finally a wine, which is made of 100% Tannat. 

Late afternoon, you will reach Bayonne, the capital of the Basque region. In Basque the town is called Ibaîon, which means rivers streaming together and which is a synonym for what the Romans called Lapurdium. Bayonne has always been a shelter for refugees, i.e. the Jews from Spain and Portugal in the 18th century. They brought the famous recipes for chocolate and even today the chocolate is still made the same way.  Don’t miss to drink a hot chocolate in Bayonne!


B&B in a hotel in Bayonne.


Day 3



Pyrenees
Hotel le Palais

 

Today you will visit the smallest wine-growing area in France: Irouléguy. You will enjoy the beautiful landscape of the Pyrenees, the excellent Irouléguy wines (white, red, rosé) and brandies. Be convinced that are as tasty as a good Bordeaux!


In the afternoon you will reach Biarritz, the “chic” center of Aquitaine. You may stroll along the seafront or take a bath in the Atlantic Ocean. In the evening you may either go to the Casino or the famous hotel Le Palais, which Napoleon III had built for his wife Eugénie, therefore the building has the shape of an E. The French chief and star-cook Jean-Marie Gautier will take care of you. If you want to dine here, please note that gents are only admitted with jacket and tie. During your dinner you will enjoy the unique view of the Atlantic Ocean.


B&B in a hotel in Bayonne.


Day 4


Duck

 

At noon you will travel to Dax in the Départment “Les Landes”, where you will taste home-made duck liver on a farm. Then you will continue to Magesq, where you will try according to our opinion the best hot goose liver of the southwest. Enjoy Bernhard Coussau’s dishes, you will return to your hotel in Bayonne and taste the famous Basque liqueur.


B&B in a hotel in Bayonne.


Day 5


Pichon Longueville Baron

 

In the morning you will leave Bayonne for Arcachon, where you will have fresh oysters with a glass of white wine.
In the afternoon you will reach Bordeaux. You may enjoy dinner with corresponding wines in the evening.


B&B in a hotel in Bordeaux.


Day 6

 

Farewell Aquitaine and return home.








  How to contact us


MIO GmbH

Tour Operator
P.O. Box 11 02 45
46122 Oberhausen
Germany

Tel.:  +49 (208) 63 53 91 02
Fax:  +49 (208) 63 53 91 06 

Email: mytrip(at)service-group.net

German webside:
www.reisen.service-group.net