April 7–15, 2027 · 9 Days / 8 Nights
A deeper France awaits. From the vineyards of Bordeaux to the prehistoric caves of the Dordogne Valley, this journey reaches beyond wine country into the soul of southwest France. Intimate group. Personal pace. Desta leads every step.
This is not a repeat — it's a revelation. Year two takes us deeper. We keep the vineyards that define Bordeaux but venture into the Dordogne Valley, where cave paintings are 17,000 years old and the cuisine rivals anything on the Left Bank.
Smaller group. Longer conversations. The kind of trip where you argue about Merlot versus Cabernet over a three-hour lunch and nobody checks their phone. Desta curates every moment, and the itinerary breathes — there's always room for the unexpected.
Each day brings new discoveries. Click to expand and explore what awaits.
Welcome back to France — or welcome for the first time. Arrive at Charles de Gaulle and transfer to our Left Bank hotel. Afternoon at leisure to wander, nap, or get lost in the neighborhood. Evening welcome dinner at a hidden bistro that doesn't take reservations — unless you know someone.
Morning TGV to Bordeaux in first class. Spring countryside racing past the window — rapeseed fields in yellow, stone villages catching the light. Arrive and settle into the boutique hotel. Evening exploring the Chartrons district — wine merchants, antiques, a glass of something cold on the quay.
The village that started it all. Cobblestone lanes, the underground monolithic church, and private tastings at two family estates where the welcome is genuine and the wine is extraordinary. Lunch overlooking the valley — no rush, nowhere to be.
Today we leave the vineyards behind and drive into the Dordogne. Visit Lascaux IV — the breathtaking replica of the 17,000-year-old cave paintings. Lunch in Sarlat-la-Canéda, one of France's most beautiful medieval towns. Afternoon wandering the bastide villages along the river.
A day in the Périgord Noir — the Black Périgord, named for its dark oak forests. Morning at a truffle farm (seasonal demonstration). Visit a traditional foie gras producer. Canoe down the Dordogne River past clifftop castles. Dinner at a ferme-auberge — farm-to-table before it was a trend.
Back to wine country for the grande dame appellations. Drive the Route des Châteaux through Margaux, Pauillac, and Saint-Julien. Private visit to a classified growth estate. Lunch at a winemaker's table. This is where Bordeaux earns its reputation — and it's earned.
A day trip east into Cognac country. Tour a legendary distillery and learn how wine becomes eau-de-vie. Stroll the riverside town of Cognac — quieter, smaller, and deeply charming. Lunch at a local restaurant, then back to Bordeaux with a new appreciation for what the French do with grapes.
Your day. The Marché des Capucins for oysters and white wine at 10am (this is France, after all). The Cité du Vin if you haven't been. A long walk along the Garonne. Optional wine blending workshop. Farewell dinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant — the long table, the full pour, the stories.
Transfer to Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport or Saint-Jean station. Option to extend in Bordeaux or take the train back to Paris. Until next time.
Single occupancy with private room. Desta-led throughout. 6 solo travelers maximum per departure.
Each traveler is selected for the journey. Submit your application and we'll be in touch.
Apply for Spring 2027