Relaxing trip
France
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Jun 25 - Jul 8, 2023
In general, the trip was very pleasant and navigating to each location was fairly easy. I do think the day to day activities in Bordeaux could have been better, and I don't think I'd go to Sarlat again without a car. The hotel in Sarlat was pretty basic...I wish we would have stayed somewhere nicer and in town (but we were trying to budget). Bordeaux hotel experience was exceptional.
Hotel Reviews
Wonderful hotel! Ahmed is the owner and he keeps his place clean, comfortable, and chic, with the most welcome personal touches. His communication is excellent and strives to be helpful in any way possible – from making restaurant reservations and booking taxis on our behalf. The hotel is also in a superb location. When we visit Bordeaux again, we'll choose this hotel 100%.
Clean rooms/common area and very kind staff. But a bit too out the way from the town (12 minute downhill/uphill walk on dirt paths full of bugs) and the A/C isn't strong at all. We got so many bug bites!
Blah - fine hotel if you have to spend the night before a flight...but the FOOD IS TERRIBLE. Honestly, if you have to spend the night before a flight, go to the Hilton.
Activity Reviews
Our guide, Isabelle, was terrible. She spent no effort educating us on the wine/experience. She biked meters ahead of everyone, no effort to interact with the others. We also only spent 45 minutes in Saint-Emillion...I would have preferred to spend a whole day there, with a lunch at a restaurant. And then at the end of the trip the guide had the audacity to mention giving a good tip (FOR NOTHING!). I was infuriated. Oh, and the lunch we were given at a tiny chateaux was sandwich meat with a small salad and bread. Not what I was expecting given the location where we were...should have been more chic and we should have been able to have more wine to drink! We were only given scant pours for 'tasting'. I've been to better experiences in Burgundy.
Our guide, Khloe, was wonderful. She was knowledgeable and actually cared to engage with the group. I do think the Sand Dune experience itself was very nice and unique, but it's a bit out of the way and could have been broken out as it's own experience vs. combined with the afternoon of wine tours. This would have given my husband and I time to explore Bordeaux city more.
Sandra and her husband, Francis, were wonderful. So knowledgeable, very kind, and engaging. We saw a lot and learned a lot.
Incredibly fun! Good group, engaging instructor, yummy food. Would absolutely recommend.