Vineyards of Bordeaux Ride The Gironde region, and its major port – Bordeaux, have a rich and varied cultural heritage, most famously known for its prestigious wine-producing chateaux and some of the world’s best Romanesque and Gothic architecture. We will start our ride from the 12th century medieval village of St. Emilion, with an architectural legacy almost without equal, crossing the Gironde estuary by boat, and continuing on through the Médoc vineyards and its most famous chateaux – Pichon-Longueville, Latour and Lafite Rothschild among others. Canter through miles of pine forests before ending on the sandy beaches of the Atlantic. Come and join us for a week of riding, wine tasting and gastronomic meals at 3 and 4 star chateaux/hotels.

ITINERARY Day 1: You will be met upon arrival at the Bordeaux airport or train station and taken to your hotel in St. Emilion for the afternoon/evening. The medieval town of St. Emilion has one of the most important architectural heritages in Europe and its jurisdiction is listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO. Standing proudly on the top of a hill overlooking the Dordogne valley, the village, with its sun baked, Roman tiled roofs, was built in the shape of an amphitheater. Visit a monolithic cellar in the village before enjoying your first wine tasting - a Grand Cru - before diner at your hotel. Day 2: After breakfast and allocation of the horses, ride through the vineyards of the St- Emilion Appellation, discovering beautiful chateaux like St Georges, Chateau des Tours and Laroque. The landscape is primarily vineyards, interspersed with mixed farming and occasional woodlands along gentle rolling hills. By mid-day arrive at the village of Monbadon, with its XIV century medieval castle, for a delicious picnic lunch in the village. In the afternoon ride back to St-Emilion where you will have one more opportunity to walk around the village or just relax at the pool before dinner and overnight. Day 3: In the morning we transfer you to the Citadelle de Bourg on the Gironde River, where you begin the days ride traveling north to the Citadelle de Blaye, built by Vauban in 1689 and set with star-shaped bastions. While riding along the river, you can often spot the local fisherman at work before reaching the Citadelle, where we will enjoy another lovely lunch within its walls. In the afternoon you will take the horses on a boat to cross the Gironde estuary (approx 30 minutes). Arriving at Port Lamarque, you set off to the day’s destination, a 4* Chateau/hotel in the village of Moulis en Médoc. Dinner will be at a gastronomic restaurant nearby. Day 4: Today we continue through the Médoc region, riding past many of the most prestigious and beautiful chateaux of the area – Chateau Lanessan, Beaucaillou, Pichon-Longueville, Latour and Lafitte Rothschild to name a few. Stopping at Chateau Lanessan for a picnic lunch on the grounds, e will take a moment to visit their horse museum before enjoying a taste of their wine during the lunch. In the afternoon, we will have a stop and a visit at the famous Chateau Pichon-Longueville. The day’s ride will end at the Hotel Chateau Pomys, which is also a classified Cru Bourgeois appellation St. Estèphe. Enjoy their wines during diner at their restaurant. Day 5: The morning’s ride will take us to Chateau Loudenne, a charming pink manor house from the 17th century with its 18th century Victorian cellar and a remarkable view upon the Gironde estuary. Enjoy a picnic in the garden while enjoying the chateau’s wine. In the afternoon we leave behind the last of the vineyards, continuing on across miles of marshland used primarily as pasture for horses and cattle, before arriving at our 4* hotel for the next two nights. Enjoy the evening’s meal, where you will have the opportunity again to try some of the area’s specialties. Day 6: Today you ride primarily through the pine forests of the region, with opportunities for some nice canters, before stopping for a last, delicious picnic lunch. In the afternoon, you arrive at the sandy beaches and dunes along this portion of the Atlantic Ocean and enjoy a long canter along the sea before returning back through the forest. Return to your charming hotel of the previous evening for your farewell dinner with wines of the region, and the final night of the ride. Day 7: After breakfast, transfer back to Bordeaux Airport or Railway Station. TOUR DETAILS Departures: September 12 - 18, September 19-25 Length of Ride: 7 Days, 6 nights, 5 full days riding Accommodations: 3 and 4 star Price: 1990 € (The price does not include castle entrance fees and wine tasting) Single Supplement: 385 € Amount of riding each day: 5 - 6 hours Weight limit: 190 lbs. (86kg) Group Size: Minimum 2 riders, Maximum 6 riders Pace: Moderate/Fast Riding Ability: Intermediate Meeting Point: Bordeaux train station 4:00 PM 60 € charge for transfer at time different than specified Or Bordeaux airport Departure point: Bordeaux train station or Bordeaux airport