Head for the Southwest of France, Bordeaux & Dordogne region, then relax by the French Basque coast immersing yourself in the French, Basque and Spanish cultures in a local mansion. Pretend you live there and enjoy French living at its best while golfing.
DATES: 15 days in October 12, 2011 with a start in Bordeaux until October 25,2011 in Pau
COST: 4,680 euros based on double occupancy
Single supplement: 1,340 euros
Non golfers credit: deduct 310 euros and enjoy a 50min spa treatment
at Chateau Vigiers
COST: 4,680 euros based on double occupancy
Single supplement: 1,340 euros
Non golfers credit: deduct 310 euros and enjoy a 50min spa treatment
at Chateau Vigiers
Cost includes:
- 6 nights in 3 different upscale hotels with buffet breakfasts
- a 7 night stay in upscale mansions overlooking the Atlantic ocean with pools with housekeeping & heated pool
- local transportation by mini van or bus
- all breakfasts ( except on the last night)
- 10 special dinner events are included (out of 13 nights in France) some of them are cooking parties with prestigious chefs whenever it is a tremendous experience,
- 8 golf green fees,
- Evelyne Dufau, founder of Expérience Authentique as your local host around the clock with the group, plus a number of certified local guides joining on specific outings
- 3 wine tastings in wineries of different regions
- all tips to drivers and guides
- cancellation insurance is extra
Trip outline : Golf in Southwest France & Experience French living where it is at its best
Wednesday October 12, DAY 1: WELCOME Bordeaux Airport ( later part of the morning)- transfer to the Dordogne region
- Evelyne welcomes the group at the airport, at the most popular time selected by the majority of travelers when arriving from Canada via a connecting flight in Paris .
- Travel for 1h15min by bus to Château des Vigiers (www.vigiers.com) , also referred to as the Little Versailles of Perigord, golf & country club, located deep in the heart of the Bergerac vineyards with 27 hole golf course and spa.
- Settle for 2 day-2 night stay to catch up on jet lag among rolling wine country, historic Bergerac & medieval Dordogne villages nearby, and of course on site golfing & spa- Enjoy the luxury and slow pace of Château des Vigiers & nearby region.
Unlimited golf during your stay. - 6.30PM 3-course welcome dinner on site with drinks & review of the trip logistics
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Thursday October 13, DAY 2: Let’s hit the French greens + visits
- 9AM golf at Château Vigiers
- 3.00PM guided visit by bus of Bergerac, nearby medieval villages
- Possible Wine tasting stop at winery along the Bergerac wine road or visit of a chateau
- 3 course Dinner with drinks at Château Vigiers
Friday October 14, DAY 3: Golf, St Emilion, arrival in Bordeaux
- AM golf at Château Vigiers
- 3PM bus depart from Château des Vigiers via the medieval town of St Emilion with check in at hotel in Bordeaux center before dinner
- Guided visit of the walled town of ST Emilion, its underground monuments
- Wine tasting of a St Emilion Grand Cru classé at a wine estate
- Check in for a 3 night stay in luxurious Bordeaux hotel (http://theregentbordeaux.com), in the heart of the action, to enjoy city life independently by foot.
Breakfast buffet every morning - Dinner on your own for the night
Saturday October 15, DAY 4: the city of Bordeaux
- 10AM guided walking tour of the city
- PM on your own in Bordeaux
- Short street car transfer to head out for Dinner
- 7.30PM Group dinner at a famous Bordeaux Restaurant La Tupina (www.latupina.com) to experience and learn more about French Southwest cuisine
Sunday October 16, DAY 5: Golf in Médoc and exploration of the most prestigious wine region
- AM departure by bus to Médoc ( within 30 min of Bordeaux) for the day
- 9.30AM Golf du Médoc ( departures on 2 courses in the tradition of Scottish links)
- 3.30PM One wine tastings at Grand Crus classé wine estates with one of the famous appellation ( Margaux, St Julien, Pauillac, St Estèphe)
- Return by bus from Médoc to hotel in center of Bordeaux
- Evening & dinner on your own in Bordeaux
Monday October 17, DAY 6: Leave Bordeaux region for French Basque coast with golfing stop by the sea half way down
- 8.30AM bus to Moliets ( about 1h15min drive) on the Atlantic coast
- 10AM Golf at Moliets Golf Course ( ranked one of the top 10 in France)
- Bus transfer from Moliets to St Jean de Luz ( 1hour) with drop offs at the two mansions ( see slide shows Mansion 1 & Mansion 2)
- Group settles in two luxurious mansions in St Jean de Luz on the coast, a 5min drive apart, for 1 week
- Daily buffet breakfast, daily housekeeping Monday to Friday
- On that 1st night, a cold buffet at each house is served to kick back and enjoy the new home
Tuesday October 18, Day 7: St Jean de Luz; feel at home in the Basque country
- AM Mini van transfer to the center of town. Meeting at the local market, les Halles, for morning activities. Group is organized in 3 smaller groups of 8 and rotate around 3 activities: Guided walking tour of St Jean de Luz , market tour with renowned local chef Paul Dubertrand with each group buying ingredients for a course in the evening, and Basque pelota demonstration and initiation
- Lunch on your own in town.
- Explore on your own in the PM. �
Mini van transfer to the home at a pre-agreed time. - Cooking party with chef Paul Dubertrand at one of the houses for the full group with mini van transfer provided for half of the group staying at the other house
Wednesday October 19, Day 8: Golf in ST Jean de Luz, (La Nivelle ) visits of inland villages
- 8.30AM golf La Nivelle, 1st departure after mini van transfer
- PM outing by bus to the inland villages set on the foothills of the Pyrénées: Ascain, Sare & old fashioned & scenic train ride to the top La Rhune mountain weather permitting or guided visit of prehistoric caves .
- Dinner on your own.
- A mini van can be available on call during the evening at extra cost to be payable locally if going into town ( a very short cab ride)
Thursday October 23, Day 9: Golf & visit of Bayonne
- 9.30 AM Golf Arcangues
- After golf head to nearby Bayonne around 2.30PM ( mini van transfers)
- 3.30 PM, 3 Optional guided visit happening of lively and attractive town of Bayonne, with its medieval roots; fun and affordable place to shop used by locals
- 6.30PM return by mini van from Bayonne back to the homes
- Traditional & convivial Basque lamb roast at one of the mansion for the full group
- Mini van transfer for half of the group between the 2 homes in the evening
Friday October 21, Day 10: A day in Spain: Guggenheim museum in Bilbao & San Sebastian
- Full day outing by bus in nearby Spain.
- 9AM departure for a visit of Ghery designed Guggenheim museum in Bilbao
- PM return along the coast with a stop in the quaint fishing village of Guetaria for a late Spanish lunch on your own. Then proceed to lively San Sebastian for 4PM, for a walk, shopping and an evening of tapas
- Return scheduled for 8PM leaving San Sebastian
Saturday October 22, Day 11: Golf, St Jean Pied de Port, Sare
- AM Golf Chantaco in St Jean de Luz
- PM Bus trip with guide to ST Jean Pied de Port, the last stop on the ST James pilgrimage path before the Pyrénées crossing; options of activities: guided visit of the town, easy hike, stops at farms/wineries
- Group Dinner in private Basque mansion turned into a fine restaurant in Sare
Return by bus after dinner to the 2 St Jean-de-Luz homes
Sunday October 23rd, DAY 12: A day in Biarritz & farewell dinner to the Basque coast: golf in AM, visit, shopping, cooking party in the evening
- 9.30 AM golf at Biarritz le Phare, 2nd oldest golf course on Continental Europe
- PM Visit of Biarritz, first via little train with pick up at golf course and drop off downtown, then on your own with lots to do under walking distance. Biarritz was made famous by Napoleon III’s wife, it became the hang out of European monarchs and rich bourgeois in the 19 & 20th century
- Free time to walk around the town and shop throughout the PM
- Evening cooking party at international chef Alain’s private house in the heart of town
- Mini van transfers back to the homes after Dinner
Monday October 24, Day 13: Depart from Basque coast, visit of the medieval town of Oloron in the heart of the Béarn region for PM arrival in PAU,
- AM depart by bus for 1h15min long trip to medieval Oloron
- Guided visit of Oloron
- Lunch on your own in town
- PM bus travels 20 minutes more to Pau with drop off at hotel Beaumont
- Check-in for one night at 4 star hotel centrally located Hotel Parc Beaumont but
- (www.hotel-parc-beaumont.com ) Free time in the center of Pau to explore on your own the town, its Henri IV castle or for some last minute shopping.
- Closing dinner at hotel
Tuesday October 25, Day 14: Early Transfer to Pau airport for same day connection in Paris to return to Toronto
- No breakfast is included in the trip as most travelers will probably leave early
- Bus transfer for the group from hotel to Pau Airport based on the most popular flight selected by travelers to fly back to Paris and catch a same day connection back to Canada
- For those not having to head back to Canada right away, Pau offers the possibility to golf on the 1st golf course ever built on Continental Europe plus some great sightseeing opportunities into the Pyrénées mountains as a day trip.