Bordeaux

Day 9: Depart Mercués / Saint-Émilion / Bordeaux 
En route to Bordeaux, stop for lunch at a gourmet restaurant and winery in Saint-Émilion. Complementing the panoramic views of vineyards, the menu of La Terrasse Rouge brings "foodies" together with traditional dishes featuring the best seasonal produce. The wine cellar at La Terrasse Rouge seduces wine amateurs and aficionados alike with its 250 references pulling from Bordeaux and other French and foreign vineyards.

Admire the display of dark-red glass pebbles resembling grapes. It is one of several contemporary art installations on the wine-producing estate. 

Later, continue to Bordeaux and check in to the hotel. 
Overnight: InterContinental Bordeaux - Le Grand Hotel (L)

Day 10: Bordeaux 
After breakfast, set out on a locally guided walking tour. Did you know Bordeaux beat out 20 other destinations, including Rome and Lisbon, to win the "European Best Destination" competition? Or that Lonely Planet also once selected Bordeaux as the "world's best city to visit?"

Indeed, Bordeaux is a city adorned with graceful 18th-century architecture and a lovely riverfront. Discover firsthand why this city should be on the radar of guests to France by exploring today with tours of the city and a unique museum. 

The Place de la Bourse has symbolized Bordeaux around the world for centuries and played a major role in the city's development, trade, and reputation. Both the Bordelais and visitors alike adore this square. Take a closer look at the sculpted faces beneath the arches of the buildings and cross the road to the Water Mirror. This is the world's largest reflecting pool and was inspired by the flooded sight of Piazza San Marco in Venice. The water of Place de la Bourse goes through a programmed sequence of three minutes of fog, three minutes of mirror, and 10 minutes of pool. It's a contemporary UNESCO World Heritage Site and likely the most photographed place in Bordeaux. 

La Cité du Vin, the world's first wine museum of its kind, is an interactive experience with a mission to "protect, celebrate, and transmit the heritage of wine." This ultra-modern facility is a celebration of wine—a high-tech museum teaching visitors about the history of wine, and where and how it is made around the world. It's even designed to look like a wine decanter. 

With some 20 digital spaces, the permanent exhibition of the Cité du Vin invites you on a journey. While immersed in interactive universes, sit virtually with the great figures of history and test your senses. The tour concludes with a visit to the top floor, where you may pair a glass of wine with views of Bordeaux and the Garonne. 

The evening is free for you to enjoy at leisure. 
Overnight: InterContinental Bordeaux - Le Grand Hotel (B)

Day 11: Bordeaux / Arcachon / Dune du Pilat
This morning is at leisure. In the afternoon, travel to Arcachon, the main town on the Bassin d’Arcachon, a bay of the Atlantic Ocean that attracts many visitors from Bordeaux. This is one of the main osticulture (oyster farming) centers of France. Take in the views from a "pinasse," a local boat dedicated to sailing on the Bassin, and enjoy a champagne and oyster tasting onboard.

This region is also home to an amazing sand dune called Dune du Pilat. Towering more than 360 feet high, it is taller than the Statue of Liberty and Big Ben. The gigantic sand dune is one of the wonders of the area, with its 60 million metric cubes of sand. Those who climb to the top are rewarded with a stunning panoramic view. The Cap Ferret peninsula is on one side, a huge pine forest on the other, and the magnificent Banc d’Arguin nature reserve is straight ahead.
Overnight: InterContinental Bordeaux - Le Grand Hotel (B,L)

Day 12: Depart for U.S. 
In the morning, guests departing during the suggested times take the complimentary group transfer to the airport for flights home. (B)

B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

This post-tour is not escorted by an Orbridge Travel Director. Included sightseeing is accompanied by a local guide. Space is limited, so it's recommended to reserve early for best availability.

Activities are generally not very strenuous, however, we expect that guests can enjoy two hours or more of walking, are sure-footed on cobbled surfaces, and can walk up and down hillsides and stairs without assistance. Historic city centers are usually more accessible by foot than by vehicle. Due to the structure of some buildings, facilities for the disabled may be limited.

• Group transfer to Bordeaux
• 3 nights accommodations at InterContinental Bordeaux - Le Grand Hotel (or similar)
• 3 breakfasts and 2 lunches
• Guided sightseeing of Bordeaux and Arcachon, including entrance fees
• Luggage porterage
• Gratuities to local guide, driver, and porters
• Airport transfers for guests departing during the suggested times