Bordeaux Biking
Whether you’re a collector of wines or new to the pleasures of the vine, it’s easy to be seduced by Bordeaux’s charms. Here, the simplicity of fertile vineyards, bucolic medieval villages and Romanesque churches are juxtaposed with the elegant façades and lavish interiors of the region’s finest hotels. Gastronomic pleasures are elevated to high art. And luxurious spas are as noteworthy as the appellation itself. Join Backroads to taste the wine, pedal leisurely from one domain to the next or just sit back and savor the good life as they do in Bordeaux.
Days 1-2 monestier
Meet in Bordeaux 
Arrive at Château des Vigiers Embark on a ride through the vineyards of Saussignac During a welcome reception, our host shares the history of the château and introduces us to its wines Indulge in a glass of Monbazillac’s distinctive sweet white wine during a private tour and dégustation at a 16th-century château Feast on regional specialties at a deluxe picnic.
Days 3-4 st-emilion
Follow the languid Dordogne River along quiet country roads Explore Gallo-Roman ruins in Montcaret Pedal to the fortified medieval village of St-Émilion, a World Heritage site Praise the region’s clay terroir over a glass of St-Émilion’s justly coveted reds At the local wine school, Vignobles & Châteaux, enjoy a private introduction to the fundamentals of wine making and tasting Ride to 19th-century Château de Pitray for a tour of the winery and a formal dégustation Enjoy a night on the town with an evening walking tour along the cobblestone streets of historic St-Émilion.
Days 5-6 martillac
Meander across the Dordogne Valley and up to the beautiful Entre Deux Mers Plateau, following a scenic bike path that was once a railroad Spoil yourself with innovative and restorative vinotherapy spa treatments at our luxurious resort Explore the wine caves and partake in a private tasting and tour at Château Smith Haut-Lafitte.
PURE PAMPERING : Premiere Inns
Château des Vigiers (2 nights): Known locally as “little Versailles,” this Small Luxury Hotels of the World member is decorated with antiques and has its own vineyard and 18-hole golf course.
Hostellerie de Plaisance (2 nights): Set in the heart of St-Émilion, this charming Relais & Châteaux property, with Michelin-starred dining, overlooks the Dordogne Valley and some of the area's best-known vineyards.
Les Sources de Caudalie (1 night): This enchanting property combines a relaxed feel with top-of-the-line amenities, including a pool and first-class spa featuring grape seed–based beauty products and wine-based spa treatments.
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Day 1
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- 15 miles
- 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 1 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- 15, 31, 45 miles
- 500 - 1500 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 1 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- 20, 33, 44 miles
- 1000 - 1500 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Levels 1 to 3 3 Route Options Available
- 14, 24, 37 miles
- 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 5
- Levels 1 to 3 3 Route Options Available
- 16, 26, 39 miles
- 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- 11 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Trips For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Activity Level | Average Time | Average Distance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biking | Walking & Hiking | ||
| Level 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 mile | 2-5 miles |
| Level 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| Level 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| Level 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| Level 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
2008 DATES
CLASSIC TRIPS
- 6/8-13Price: $4898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1570 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/13-18Price: $4898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1570 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/7-12Price: $4798 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1570 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/21-26Price: $4798 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1570 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/28-10/3Price: $4798 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1570 for sgl. occ.)
- 10/5-10Price: $4798 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1570 for sgl. occ.)
Reserve early for the best available price. Prices may change during the course of the year--if they do change, the best prices are available earlier. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.
Trip praise
Andrea and I have become Backroads' No. 1 fans! We're just in Paris, having spent a week with your remarkable leaders, and the most memorable visit to the Bordeaux region. Everything was perfect, from the food, to the mix of participants, to the lodging, to the educational component, to the biking, to the biking directions, to the proportion of time on vs. time off the designated itinerary: everything. A special word of thanks to our remarkable Trip Leaders. Really, the three of them were as positive, can-do spirited, knowledgeable, helpful, resourceful and positively "spunky" as anyone could have hoped for. (Where do you find such lovely people?) We will definitely be back, and we will definitely tell all of our friends and colleagues about Backroads. Congratulations on having assembled the perfect blend of people, places and program.- Palo Alto, CA
This was my best vacation ever. The combination of exercise, education, and fun was perfect for me. It was great to be able to go on vacation and not worry about any of the planning and logistics. I returned home more energized and knowledgeable about the Bordeaux region. I can't wait to go on another Backroads trip in the future!- New York, NY
This was the most amazing trip! I loved everything about it: the hotels, the biking, the scenery, the food and the wine. Every detail was meticulously planned and was perfect. Our two leaders made everything run so smoothly and were so much fun to be around. I loved it so much I am already thinking about my next Backroads trip next summer!- Greenwich, CT
Truly a trip of a lifetime for a wine and food lover. I was looking for a trip that all my decisions were made for me and I could just relax and enjoy the region for what it offers. I found all that and more on this trip!!- Needham Heights, MA
This is my first trip with Backroads and you can bet I will be back. I am grateful to the leaders and to your staff for a wonderful trip and I look forward to many more future trips. I will undoubtedly be recommending your company to others. Thank you.- Hialeah, FL
What made this trip special for me is that I did not have to think about a thing. Usually on trips I have to worry about 1,001 logistical things. Here, I was 110% confident, from very early on, that Backroads and our leaders had everything nailed down. All I had to do was wake up, get to breakfast, eat, enjoy, pedal through gorgeous countryside, enjoy a wine tour at a wonderful chateaux, pedal to our destination for the day, and shower and relax before a Michelin-starred meal. Not bad and it repeated often. It was just very special. The chateaux tours and wine school in St-Emilion were very cool. Leaders really matter and you had two good ones here.You had guests of varying degress of cycling ability and all were well cared for. I don't know how else to say it, but we had a very special, unique time.- Scarsdale, NY
The Backroads leaders were outstanding. Their positive and fun approach to the ride each day they never seemed to lose the patience or enthusiasm. I loved the special tours and classes, which complemented the trip greatly. I always felt at ease with the daily ride, knowing that I could count on the Backroads team if I miss read the directions and found myself lost in Bordeaux. Of all my trips they were the best. Can't wait to book my next Backroads adventure!- Newport Beach, CA
Absolutely fantastic experience and eager to do it again! Would consider Family and Multisport trips. Never realized how much I'd enjoy road biking.- Oakland, CA