Bordeaux isn't just the gold standard in wine.

It's the gold standard for French tourism.

Thirty years ago, the city of Bordeaux was at a crossroads. 

The region had lost its prominence as a key Atlantic port. Historic buildings were in decline, if not outright decay. But visionary mayor Alain Juppé saw a grime-encrusted treasure--and an opportunity. 

Bordeaux is home to some of the best wines in the world, yet guests pursuing gastronomic experiences in the vineyards were completely bypassing the city itself. That had to change.

By committing fully to the renaissance of the city to better serve its own citizens, local authorities knew that a beautifully restored, carefully cultivated, welcoming place might also become a destination for visitors.

Juppé is a well-connected and experienced French politician, so with him at the helm of the plans to recover this jewel of a city, projects were aggressively promoted and finances were secured.

The effort was massive, to say the least.

Eighteenth-century architectural masterpieces were painstakingly returned to their former splendor. Roads and highways were completely dug up, part of a traffic re-engineering process which brought pedestrian areas, bike lanes, and a smoother flow of vehicular traffic. An electric tram system was inaugurated. 

But the crowning glory of the project may be the seven million square feet of  the Garonne river promenade and park land that was created by reclaiming land occupied by unsightly and dilapidated warehouses and wharves. 

The difference is that now these piers are used by elegant river ships, bringing limited numbers of visitors to Bordeaux to discover what its French citizens already knew was a treasure. 

Bordeaux is not only for wine lovers.

Indeed, wine drinkers will find much to adore in this part of France. And one of the top sights in the city itself is the Cité du Vin, which is virtually a pilgrimage destination for longtime oenophiles and novices alike. Learn all about wine and winemaking--going back 6,000 years! It's no surprise that this is the top wine museum in France.

Naturally, a premier wine region like Bordeaux makes a fine gastronomic destination all around. The farm-to-table movement here is strong, as is the sea-to-table side of things. Oyster lovers in particular will find some peak experiences in this region. Cognac is also nearby, a mecca for brandy drinkers. 

Among the grand architectural sights of Bordeaux, the most often photographed is the elegant Place de la Bourse. Eleanor of Aquitaine was married to her first husband in 1137 (at the age of 13) in Saint-André Cathedral, which is a traditional pilgrim stop on the French portion of the Camino de Santiago. 

The Museé d'Aquitaine covers the history of the region, from prehistoric times to today. Recently, a special section has been curated and opened to educate visitors on Bordeaux's unfortunate role in the Atlantic trade of enslaved people.

The Bassin des Lumières, a German-built WWII submarine base, is one of the original digital art spaces in the world, and those managed by the French organization CultureSpaces are undisputedly the best. In early 2023, several new featured exhibitions will be announced and launched. 

Ultimately, one may find the elusive quality of "Frenchness" in Bordeaux.

One of the biggest pleasures of visiting Bordeaux is to stroll around and enjoy the beauty of the city itself after such a tremendous renewal project, from the grand and elegant Place de la Bourse to the inviting green spaces along the Garonne River. Its focus on care of its natural surroundings has made Bordeaux the top city in France for preserving biodiversity.

The official World Heritage Sites listing for Bordeaux is the poetic "Bordeaux, Port of the Moon." In fact, UNESCO has placed the whole historic center of the city on its World Heritage List. It's the most extensive urban area in the world with this prestigious designation and contains 347 registered historic buildings.

There are also many villages in the region that make for wonderful day trips and further adventures.

In short, Bordeaux is a perfect destination to discover the true French joie de vivre--the essence of which may be a little harder to spot in France's largest cities.

How about a sampling of Bordeaux, with a soupçon of the Loire?

Watch your inbox for upcoming details on an October 2023 Small Group Trip to Bordeaux. We will cruise the region on the elegant Uniworld S.S. Bon Voyage, and you may also choose an optional five-day pre-cruise tour of chateaus, wineries, and villages of the Loire Valley. Space will be limited on the pre-cruise package, so if you'd like to have first dibs on this trip before I release it to my full mailing list, reply to this email to let me know. My clients love traveling to France with me comme je parle français!

Currently available for booking:

Only one room left for Ireland, May 13-26, 2023

If you've been toying with the idea of joining us for the two-week Irish Country Idyll, time may be running out! We have one bedroom left in our fancy manor house in County Kerry, plus you'll enjoy stays in County Galway and Dublin. Please inquire as soon as possible to secure this last space, and note that the trip cannot be expanded beyond this one additional room. 

Celebration of Classical Music: The Danube (Click for more)

I'll be leading this trip twice in 2023. We still have availability for the November sailing, which will benefit the Dallas Opera Guild. Visit three cultural capitals of Central Europe (Budapest, Bratislava, and Vienna), along with additional destinations along the Danube. This special sailing includes a delightful assortment of music-related extras and surprises alongside a traditional Danube itinerary--so you don't need to be a music nerd to enjoy this trip. Three mix-and-match optional land extensions include Krakow, Vienna, and a Hungarian wine tour.

Returning to the Mighty Mekong, January 2024 (Click for more)

AmaWaterways has recently returned to Southeast Asia after a 30-month absence. In early 2024, we will sail the mythic Mekong River in Vietnam and Cambodia. This Charms of the Mekong itinerary is known to be one of the most memorable and moving of all river cruises, and the unforgettable interactions with the people of this region will stay with you forever. Optional extensions include Angkor Wat in Cambodia as well as several additional areas of Vietnam.

Independent/private travel planning for 2023

My planning calendar is already quite full with private client trips for the first half of 2023 and into the summer. If you're not on my Trello board already, time's a-wastin'!

And what about the rest of 2024?

Istanbul? Greece? Egypt? India? Antarctica? Argentina? Australia? Oregon? Madrid? San Miguel? Right after the holidays you will have the opportunity to add your votes and opinions regarding Small Group Trip destinations for the rest of 2024. If you'd like to suggest an idea to be included in the survey, use the link below before New Year's Eve. Intriguing ideas or repeat mentions by multiple clients will be added to the list.

I hope you will enjoy your holiday season and that 2024 will bring blessings and joy to you and your family.