BUBBLES & BORDEAUX, WITH A SPLASH OF COGNAC

August 18, 2022:  Welcome to France!
Meet & greet upon arrival at Paris CDG Airport – private transfer to your hotel in the heart of Champagne: Royal Champagne.

Champagne is the name of the famous sparkling wine but also the name of the region where this wine is produced. Only sparkling wine produced in this very specific area located north east of Paris can be labeled ‘Champagne’.

Afternoon at leisure to relax.

Private dinner at Champagne Ruinart

Start your program in Champagne with a short drive to the Ruinart Champagne House – the oldest Champagne house in Reims founded in 1729.  You will start with a visit of the cellars located in the mid-18th century chalk quarries hollowed under the city of Reims.  Classified in 1931, this imposing site extends over 3 levels (38m deep) & 8kms of galleries creating the perfect location for the fermentation & maturation of Ruinart wines.

After an aperitif in a private salon, you will enjoy a 4 course dinner paired with different Ruinart champagnes

Champagne Ruinart

Notre Dame de Reims

Visit & tasting at Veuve Cliquot

One of the established legends of Champagne, Veuve Clicquot has played a central role since the 19th century. The house remained in family control until 1987 when it was acquired into the LVMH group of luxury brands.

Thankfully, corporate ownership has not damaged the quality of the wines, especially the famous cuvee prestige, La Grande Dame. One of Champagne’s greatest wines, it astonishes all who taste it with incredible complexity, depth and power. Veuve Clicquot is a spectacular house to visit, with its grand architecture and legacy in Champagne; a truly unforgettable foray into the area.

Then lunch at Maison Penet at Verzy which is a beautiful small producer where they make excellent Champagne.

After lunch, drive through the ocean of vineyard to your hotel: The Royal Champagne.

Manoir de Verzy

The Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa

Walk in the village of Hautvillers

The charming village of Hautvillers is your next stop (UNESCO-listed village). There, trace the origin of Champagne and visit the church where the famous monk Dom Pierre Pérignon is buried. This monk – who gave his name to a famous brand long after his death – is also known as the inventor of the Champagne blending process.

Lunch at Au 36
Stop at this charming wine boutique in the heart of the village for lunch.  Every day they offer a selection of ‘tapas’ that they call ‘Champardises’ that will allow you to discover & explore culinary specialties based on regional products from local producers. This will be served with 3 very interesting champagnes paired perfectly with the food.

Private visit & tasting at Champagne Moet & Chandon
In the afternoon stop in Epernay at the world-famous Moet & Chandon Champagne house, located on the Avenue de Champagne.  The Moet & Chandon cellars are an exceptional heritage of the House, the unique testimony of several centuries of winemaking. Guardians of a real treasure, they represent the talent and the work of several generations of men and women. The cellar walk through, led by an inhouse ambassador, will invite you to discover the Moet & Chandon expertise of our oenologists and the legacy of a know-how developed over time and passed through several generations of cellar masters.

Private visit at Champagne Le Gallais
End the day with a short drive to Champagne Le Gallais. This domain is in the village of Boursault, few kilometers from Epernay, in the heart of the Marne valley.
The property was built in 1843 by Madame Veuve Cliquot, and her great-grand-daughter, Uzès Duchess, sold the domain in 1913 In 1927, Hachod Fringhian, Charlotte Morgain Le Gallais’ predecessor, bought the Domain of Boursault. After 5 generations, Charlotte still runs a part of the domain: 7 plots with their own particularities, in the familial clos, overlooking the Marne Valley.

At the end of the short visit, learn how to saber a bottle of Champagne & enjoy a glass with one of the most fabulous views of the region.

Back to your hotel early evening.

Champagne Le Gallais

August 21, 2022:  Travel to Cognac

This morning you will take the highspeed train from Champagne to the region of Cognac.

Upon arrival, private transfer to your hotel in the heart of the town of Cognac itself: Chais Monnet.

Hotel Chais Monnet

Evening at Chateau de Cognac
The Royal Château of Cognac overlooking the Charente river was initially a 10th-century fortress designed to stop Norman invasions, and then in the 15th century became a stately home which was the birthplace of one of France’s most illustrious kings, Francis I.

Baron Otard, who had founded its Cognac House in 1795, quickly understands that the thick walls provide exceptional aging conditions for his eaux-de-vie. He purchased the Château, saving it from total destruction.

You will start your experience with a visit of the historic property including the State Room where kind Francis Premier used to receive guests. Continue with the Chateau Cellars where the cognac ages quietly in excellent conditions.

At the end of the visit, enjoy a signature cocktail before sitting down to dinner in the heart of the chateau in the room where the King François I was born.

Chateau de Cognac

August 22, 2022: Cognac
Today you will continue exploring the fascinating region of Cognac.

Private experience at Remy Martin including lunch
Since 1724, Rémy Martin has produced cognacs to the highest requirements of excellence.

Rémy Martin has always been a family business, run by two families who share the same values: the Rémy Martin and the Hériard Dubreuil families. It is one of the very rare houses in the region created by a family born & raised in Cognac.

Over the course of 3 centuries, a handful of extraordinary people have shaped the history of this brand – from an astronomer to the first female cellar master.

You will start the day with a short drive to the town of Juillac Le Coq for an Introduction to the Grande Champagne terroir – this is the name of the region where the grapes used for these exceptional Cognacs are grown. Visit the distillery & learn all about the process.

Then, drive back into the town of Cognac to visit the historic vat room along with the cellars where the barrels of ‘eaux de vie’ have been resting for decades.

The visit will end with a tasting before you sit down to a gourmet lunch in the private club house.

Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at the hotel.

Evening at leisure.

August 23, 2022 – Travel to Bordeaux – explore Saint Emilion en route

Saint Emilion

Exclusive Experience at Chateau de Ferrand, Grand Cru Classé Saint Emilion
Château de Ferrand was founded in the 17th century by Elie de Bétoulaud and remained in the possession of descendants of this family for over two centuries. The château dates from 1702 and was bought by the Bich family (owners of the Bic brand) in 1978. Since they purchased the estate, they worked hard on renovating the vineyards, cellar and winemaking facilities. In 2012, the winery was classified as “Grand Cru Classé” for the unanimously acclaimed quality of its wines. This ranking also rewards châteaux that have been able to develop their architectural heritage.

Chateau de Ferrand

Transfer to your hotel in Bordeaux at the end of the visit.

August 24, 2022: – Bordeaux

Spend the day exploring the fascinating city of Bordeaux.

Walking Tour of Bordeaux
Previously named “the sleeping beauty”, the city is coming out of a 20 year renovation program that has brought it back to its former glory. Part of the world heritage since 2007, Bordeaux is a jewel of 18th century architecture with a rich past starting in the Gallo roman period. Bordeaux is known to have the second largest patrimony of the 18th century after St Petersburg. This tour is the occasion to discover most of these treasures along the waterfront: Palais de la Bourse, the Triangle d’Or the Grand Theatre and some private mansions. Discover the unique cityscape where the traditional buildings contrast with the modern, more recent constructions.

Private visit & tasting at Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte

The history of Château Smith Haut Lafitte started in the 14th century when Verrier du Bosq bought some vines. After, Georges Smith bought the estate in the mid 18th century; Florence and Daniel Cathiard bought it in 1990.

The couple followed the tradition with the philosophy of making each year a wine reflecting the excellency of the terroir. For that, he combined the most modern winemaking techniques and age-old methods: organic compost, small wooden vats, ageing on the lees in barrel, etc.

Evening at leisure in Bordeaux.

August 25, 2022:  Medoc
Meet with your guide & driver in the lobby of your hotel & depart for a full day tour in the iconic Medoc Wine Region.

There is nothing than wine lovers enjoy more than driving along France’s D2 highway, the route des châteaux just north of Bordeaux on the Médoc peninsula, hemmed in on both sides by row upon row of vineyards as far as the eye can see. The names on road signs tick off a fabulous list: Latour, Lafite and Mouton Rothschild, Palmer, Léoville Barton, Pichon Longueville, Cos d’Estournel.

VIPLane Surprise Experience this afternoon / Details to follow!

Visit & lunch at Chateau Phelan Segur, Grand Cru Classé, Saint Estephe

With its unique architecture and its stunning view over the Gironde, the nobility of its terroir, Château Phélan Ségur is a great classic benchmark. From the vineyard to the cellar, the visit allows you to discover the spirit of a family, the terroir of Saint-Estèphe and the secrets of the vinification of Phélan Ségur. The tasting, led by a member of staff, includes a vertical of 3 vintages.

After the tasting, we will take you for a lunch in the Chateau or, if weather permits, in the pristine park. The chef revisits the great classics of French gastronomy – champagne aperitif, 3 course lunch paired with the perfect vintage.

Back to your hotel at the end of lunch.

August 26, 2022: Departure
Meet with your driver at your hotel.  Private transfer to Bordeaux Airport

Cost: $11,950 per person, based on double occupancy

Please call Isabelle Finly to reserve your space on this unique departure. 941-951-1801 ext. 105 or email Isabelle@AdmiralTravel.com

A $50 per person Admiral Travel Booking Fee will apply

A Minimum of 10 guests is required for this departure.

Payment Schedule:

• 25% non-refundable deposit due to secure your space
• Second 25% deposit due November 18, 2021
• Final payment due February 18, 2022

Cancellation Schedule:
• All payments non-refundable. We highly recommend a trip cancellation and interruption protection plan. Please ask your advisor for information.

PLEASE NOTE:

• All payments made to or on behalf of Admiral Travel are non-refundable unless stated otherwise
• If minimum numbers are not met for a hosted departure, prices are subject to change / increase to confirm same program on a private basis
• Founder’s Journey will always be priced at or below published rates, but never higher.
• Travel with like-minded individuals on these exclusive departures.
• Enjoy a welcome cocktail party to meet your fellow travelers.
• A hosted dinner will be offered during one night of the trip with the Hiltons.
• On many occasions, optional shore events are offered as an option that only our group is invited to join.
• Special global relationships that the Hiltons have formed over the years will allow you privileged access opportunities.
• Trips are offered well in advance to give ample time for your future planning.
• Minimum numbers must be met in order for the Hiltons to host the journey.
• The Hiltons reserve the right to adjust the duration of their participation should any schedule conflicts arise.