Compare Lake Garda & the Wines of Italy by Just Go! Holidays vs Four days in Saint-Emilion, Margaux, Blaye & Cadillac by Memosine
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 10 days | 4 days |
| Price From | $ 882 | $ 1,655 |
| Price Per Day | $ 88 | $ 414 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Group tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Basic |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
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| Meals Included | N/A |
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| Description |
Italy is home of some of the oldest wine-producing regions in the world. We discover glorious Lake Garda, with its deep azure waters fringed by pastel-coloured villas and lakeside resorts, and explore this beautiful part of Italy’s wine country with the opportunity to taste and learn about the famous wines made from the grapes grown in the surrounding hillsides. |
At the wheel of your storytelling convertible buggy, equipped with a GPS tablet-guide, you will explore Margaux’s famous great growth Châteaux, the UNESCO-listed citadel of Blaye, the medieval city of Saint-Emilion, the Sauternes and the Château of La Bère in the Graves. Always at your own pace! Drive along charming small roads that follow the banks of the Gironde Estuary lined with numerous Charterhouses, former holiday homes. Take the legendary “Route des Châteaux” all the way to Margaux. Open the door of an 1855 “Grand Cru” Château and a family property, discover the secrets of wine-making and taste their wine. |
Day 1:
Ferry to Calais and overnight stay in France.
Day 2:
Continue to our hotel in the Lake Garda area.
Day 3: Scenic Lake Garda
We enjoy a scenic tour around Lake Garda, one of Italy’s most spectacular lakes, admiring the magnificent views and elegant period villas, beautiful towns and villages dotted along its shoreline.
Day 4: Verona & Soave
We head first to Verona, one of Italy’s oldest cities. Forever associated with Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet, Verona has much more to offer than the legendary balcony that lovers flock to from all over the world; the ancient Roman amphitheatre and majestic Piazza Brà are just some of the many must-see sights here. Next is Soave, a small town enclosed by its medieval walls and dominated by its castle. It is also famous for the wines that come from the surrounding vineyards and we enjoy a visit of one of the local wine cellars followed by a tasting of these lovely wines.
Day 5:
Day at leisure
Day 6: Optional excursion to Venice (51)
Join us for an optional excursion to explore the unique city of Venice. Lining the canals are grand palazzos, many of them dating back to the 14th century, while other attractions include St Mark’s Square, the Bridge of Sighs and of course the gondolas that ply their trade up and down the waterways.
Day 7: Valdobbiadene & Villa Sandi
We travel to Valdobbiadene, famous as the capital of the sparkling prosecco wine, set in lovely wine-producing countryside. We visit Villa Sandi, a beautiful Palladian-style villa where for generations the ancient tradition of winemaking has been handed down from father to son. After a visit of the villa and underground cellars, we are treated to a chilled glass of prosecco. Afterwards, there’s time at leisure in Valdobbiadene before heading back to our hotel.
Day 8: Bardolino
This afternoon we visit Bardolino, located on Lake Garda’s eastern shore. Once a fishing village, this popular resort is well known for the production of the famous Bardolino wine that comes from the surrounding vineyards and we are treated to a visit of the traditional cellars followed by a tasting of wines and local cheeses.
Day 9:
Travel to our overnight hotel in France, with a light evening meal included.
Day 10:
Continue to Calais for our return ferry home.
Day 1: Bordeaux, Margaux, Blaye, 50km
- 10:00 am: Departure from the Memosine agency in Bordeaux
- 10:30 am: Admire your first vines and drive along the Gironde estuary
- 11:30 am: Visit of an 1855 classified great growth Château followed by a wine-tasting*
- 3:00 pm: Lunch (not included)
- 2:30 pm: Legendary Castle Road to Margaux
- 3:00 pm: Wine-tasting visit in lovely Cru Bourgeois Château**
- 4:30 pm: Ferry crossing Lamarque-Blaye
- 6:00 pm: Settle in your charming guesthouse in Blaye***
Classified Château: Dauzac, Desmirail, Prieuré-Lichine **Cru Bourgeois Château: Lamothe-Bergeron, Haut-Breton Larigaudière ***Guesthouse: Clos Réaud, Villa Prémayac
Day 2: Blaye, Bourg sur Gironde, Saint-Emilion, 60km
- 08:30 am: Breakfast at the guesthouse (included)
- 10:00 am: Free visit of Blaye Citadel
- 11:30 am: Drive along the Dordogne river past charming Bourg-sur-Gironde
- 1:00 pm: Lunch (not included)
- 3:30 pm: Wine-tasting visit in a Fronsac appellation Château on the way to Saint-Emilion*
- 6:00:pm: Night amongst the Saint-Emilion vineyards**
Château: La Rivière **Guesthouse: Franc Grâce-Dieu, Haut-Sarpe
Day 3: Saint-Emilion, Pomerol, Sauternes, 90km
- 08:30 am: Breakfast (included)
- 10:00 am: Wine-tasting visit in the lovely family property*
- 11:00 am: Famous Châteaux loop to see Pomerol, Domaine de Petrus, Châteaux Cheval Blanc and Angelus
- 12:00 am: Lunch (not included)
- 2:30 pm: Guided visit of the Saint-Emilion underground monuments and monolithic church
- 3:30 pm: Free time around Saint-Emilion
- 4:30 pm: Leisurely drive to Sauternes past Saint-Macaire medieval city
- 6:30 pm: Night amongst the vineyards Sauternes**
Château: Franc Grâce-Dieu, Haut-Sarpe **Guesthouse: Relais du silence du Château d’Arche
Day 4: Sauternes, Graves, Bordeaux, 80km
- 08:30 am: Breakfast (included)
- 10:00 am: Wine-tasting visit in the property of Sauternes appellation*
- 11:00 am: Stop by Château Yquem and drive along the Landes forest
- 12:30 pm: Lunch in the Graves wine region (not included)
- 2:30 pm: Visit of the Château of La Brède, former home of world-famous philosopher De Montesquieu
- 4:00 pm: Stop at the Sources of Caudalie, famous for their grape-based cosmetics
- 5:00 pm: Drive across the Graves region and back to Bordeaux along its 18th-century quays
- 6:00 pm: Arrival at the agency in the Chartrons district of Bordeaux
