Schedule

Shuttle to Lunch at Local Vineyard

10:30 am

Bonjour, and welcome to western France! After meeting in Bordeaux, we take a 45-minute shuttle to the Sauternes region. We're greeted in the heart of France's wine country with a catered lunch at a local vineyard, featuring elegant hors d'oeuvres paired with wines, followed by a beautiful selection of small bites.

The First Ride of the Trip!

3:00 pm

Cycling Attire

Next, our Backroads Trip Leaders give us a brief talk on biking techniques and safety, and fit us to our bikes. Then we're off on a scenic route through the rolling vine-covered hills of Sauternes. Today's ride gives us a tour of Bordeaux's Left Bank, situated south of the Gironde estuary, which connects Bordeaux's two rivers to the ocean. The Left Bank is known for producing tannic Merlots, Cabernet Sauvignons and Cabernet Francs in its gravelly terroir. Our route follows quiet well-paved roads through two of the region's notable AOCs: Sauternes and Graves. You can choose to hop in the shuttle midway or pedal all the way to our first hotel, the breathtaking Sources de Caudalie. Biking Options: Sauternes Route: 12 Miles* (500' elevation gain) Sauternes to Caudalie Route: 25 Miles (1,000')

Arrival at Les Sources de Caudalie

6:00 pm

It's hard to choose just one thing to love about this opulent Small Luxury Hotels of the World member. Located on the estate of the world-famous Château Smith Haut Lafitte, its rustic wooden architecture, ivy-covered walls and warm-toned interiors create an enchanting countryside retreat. The property boasts a world-renowned vinotherapy spa, offering treatments that incorporate anti-aging grape seed derivatives. The spa's reputation speaks for itself, so be sure to reserve your treatment ahead of time (please note, spa treatments are purchased separately). https://www.sources-hotels.com/bordeaux/en/

Welcome Dinner

7:00 pm

Cocktail Attire Requested

For us, it's the two-starred Michelin restaurant that truly shines tonight. After settling into your room, join the group for a welcome toast and take a seat in the grand dining room, where our palates are pampered with a meal showcasing the abundant produce of Aquitaine, from caviar to Pyrenean lamb.

Spa Options!

9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Robes and Slippers

If you prefer, choose to skip either the morning or afternoon ride (or both) so that you can luxuriate in the hot spring-fed soaking pool and the decadent hammam. Or, treat yourself to one of the hotel's signature offerings, such as a Barrel Bath or Wine Massage. Caudalie, the renowned international skincare brand, was founded at Château Smith HautLafitte after discovering the powerful firming and lifting effects of grape seed antioxidants on the skin. Its spa treatments are wonderfully rejuvenating, and also in high demand! Please note that reservations must be made in advance. https://www.sources-hotels.com/bordeaux/en/vinotherapie-spa/

Day Two, The Afternoon

12:30 pm

This afternoon, continue cycling with one of two options that delve deeper into the Pessac-Léognan wine region and pass by its various estates. Our day is flexible, giving you ample time to indulge in our hotel's luxurious spa. If you wish to complement your day with another activity, explore the Forêt des Sens (Forest of the Senses) trail. This gentle nature path, carved through some of the hotel's undeveloped grounds, has phantasmagorical and occasionally interactive art installations along the way.

Cellar Tour, Wine Tasting and Dinner

6:00 pm

Resort Casual Attire

This evening, we enjoy a special tour of the château's cellars and winemaking operations. After seeing where the magic happens, kick back with a guided tasting featuring several of Château Smith Haut-Lafitte's full-bodied reds and lively whites. Then, we sit for dinner at the hotel's bistronomic restaurant.

Beach Activities

1:00 pm

Beach Attire

Arrive this afternoon at Les Hortensias du Lac, our genteel 20s-style surf lodge. Those who opt for one of the shorter routes will have time to visit the nearby beach and perhaps try out some water sports. The hotel offers equipment rentals, including stand-up paddleboards (please note that optional beach activities are not included in the trip price). https://www.lesdomainesdefontenille.com/en/leshortensiasdulac.html

Dinner

7:00 pm

Cocktail Attire Requested

This evening, we gather for dinner at the hotel restaurant and watch the sun set over Lake Hossegor as we enjoy another marvelous meal. Try the fish! Landais seafood is among the freshest in France! https://www.lesdomainesdefontenille.com/en/leshortensiasdulac-gastronomy.html

Morning On Your Own Option

9:30 am

Casual Attire

If you prefer a more relaxed morning, feel free to sleep in and enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the hotel. You can join us after yoga for a stroll that highlights some of Hossegor and Capbreton's significant landmarks, including the harbor, fish market and waterfront, where children play and fishermen cast their lines. Alternatively, those interested in exploring Capbreton can take an early shuttle into town to shop and unwind before joining the group for lunch.

Beach Time!

1:00 pm

Beach Attire

After lunch you have the opportunity to spend some quality time with the Atlantic, the raison d'être of this region. Surfing may be available depending on weather and wave conditions, but swimming and paddleboarding are also excellent ways to revel in the waves. Unless, of course, you'd prefer to stay on shore, in which case, you can sunbathe on the beach or join one of your Trip Leaders for an afternoon hike that takes you on to the area's famous sand dunes and into the woods.

Check In to Chateau Brindos; Visit/Dinner in Bayonne

6:00 pm

Resort Casual Attire

Our destination this evening is the rustic-elegant Hôtel Brindos, a lakeside retreat complete with an on-site chocolaterie and a series of floating terraces and houseboats. We've crossed over into Basque Country, a semi-autonomous and culturally distinct region shared between Spain and France, whose residents boast their own unique cuisine, traditions and language. After settling in, we get ready for town and shuttle into nearby Bayonne. The bustling streets are lined by charming half-timbered houses with colorful green and red trim. Enjoy dinner on your own in Bayonne tonight, your first taste of the renowned Basque cuisine. Our leaders are happy to point us toward some of their favorite spots.

Lunch and Afternoon Options

12:30 pm

Casual Attire

Enjoy a cornucopia of local specialties, like Bayonne ham and spicy Espelette peppers, on a hilltop with views of the entire Basque Coast. On a clear day, you can see as far as Capbreton and Hossegor, where we stayed only days before. Refueled, tackle the afternoon's scenic trail or shuttle straight back to the hotel. For those who don't hike, options for relaxation abound today. You may want to take a refreshing dip in the hotel's outdoor pool or head over to the spa for a marine-centric thalasso therapy treatment. You can also take a taxi into Biarritz to browse its quaint shops or bring a book to the floating deck overlooking the lily-covered lake. Hiking Options: Basque Foothills Route: 7.7 Miles (1,200') Basque Foothills Extended Route: 9.8 Miles (1,600')

Farewell Dinner

6:00 pm

Cocktail Attire Requested

Tonight, we gather for a farewell reception and toast to our journey through western France before celebrating our week with a fabulous dinner at the hotel bistro.