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Known as one the world’s premier wine regions, Bordeaux welcomes oenophiles and romantics alike. We take you as close to the true Bordeaux as you can be. Steeped in history, the Dordogne area of this region is where the French themselves choose to vacation. Glorious vineyards burst in the deep reds of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc just a short distance from your classic French villa in the Libourne subregion on the right bank of the Dordogne. The temptation of a day trip will weave its way into your thoughts like the green hills of the countryside and endless rows of vineyards that seem to shimmer into the horizon. Bordeaux is a place to enjoy white linen table service, to sip wine beside a private garden, to spend a night at the classic theater. THINGS YOU’LL Wine Tasting The techniques
trace hundreds of years into the past, and with a climate suited for the Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes in particular, Bordeaux wines have specific style and refinement. Make a day trip to countless nearby wineries, and enjoy expert pairings during dinner. Your Location Far from a tourist hotbed, the Dordogne area of Bordeaux is sought by discriminating French vacationers for their country getaways. In addition to intimate wineries, you’ll discover decadent tastes like foie gras and the beauty of ancient hillside towns. Chateau Verdot is a short walk from the perfect fortified village of Saint-Émilion, a registered UNESCO world heritage site.
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Saint-Emilion
The History Saint-Émilion, your nearest town, is home to some of the region’s earliest cave drawings, but there are even grander sites to see, including 15th-century basilicas or an opera performance in the 18thcentury theater.
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Chateau Verdot 4 Bed / 4 Bath
HIGHLIGHTS The View The glories of Bordeaux open from all sides of your villa in sun-drenched green hills, vines shimmering in the breeze, and world-class wineries. Your private garden overlooks lovely vineyards and St. Emilion’s Roman wall. Sommelier School For a cultural experience that’s authentic Bordeaux, enroll in an intensive three-day wine tasting class at l’Ecole du Vin and explore the nuances of French varietals and blends.
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Les Sources de Caudalie Spa
Situated amid the rolling hills of Château Smith Haut Lafitte, just 20 minutes outside of central Bordeaux, the five-star Les Sources de Caudalie opened in 1999 as the world’s first—and
now foremost—Vinothérapie Spa. The spa philosophy combines the natural antioxidant properties of grapes with the healing waters of nearby hot springs.
Chateau Verdot
SUMMER 2012 S INSPIR ATO.COM