Travel Agent - October 29, 2007 - (Page 21)

with wrought iron railings are an architectural marvel as are the Musée des Beaux-Arts, the Musée des Arts Decoratifs and the Esplanade des Quinconces. The grand plaza, with its bronze statues and waterfalls, leads to the new five-kilometer promenade along the Gironde River. Visitors join locals on the city’s modern tramway, stroll pedestrian streets and amble along the riverfront promenade as children jump through a myriad of water jets in an interactive delight: the Miroir d’eau des Quais. Cruise lines also stop here, including Regent Seven Seas, Crystal Cruises and Holland America. Where to Stay The Radisson SAS Grand Hotel, Bordeaux (www.bordeaux.radissonsas.com) will debut later this year in a restored 18th-century building, which faces the column and statuelined façade of the Opéra National de Bordeaux (www.opera-bordeaux.com) on the Place Comédie. This four-star deluxe property is perfectly located within the Golden Triangle shopping area and offers 150 rooms with such high-tech conveniences as flat-screen TVs and free Internet access. Other lux amenities include a wine cellar, cigar bar, spa and a gastronomic restaurant: l’Ocean. Agents can contact Lena Lalanne, director of sales and marketing (lena.lalanne@radissonsas.com), for more information. For a less-costly threestar lodging, contact reception at the Hotel Majestic (mail-majestic@hotel-majestic.com). Some clients delight in one-of-a kind accommodations such as the two suites at Le Petit Hotel Labottière, an art-and-antiques-filled, 18th-century classified historic monument, which is a seven-minute walk from the Place Comédie. Owners Liliane and Michel Korber, who rescued the mansion from demolition, have refurbished it with museum-quality treasures. They can only be reached by phone: +33-05-5648-44-10 or fax: +33-05-56-48-44-33-05-56-4844 and cater elegant dinners for small groups. Maison Bord’eaux (www.lamaisonbor deaux.com), a few doors away, is a joyful and completely modern B&B. Contact directors Thierry and Franoise Bonnet, who will even cook dinner upon request or arrange for a tour and dinner at the owner’s chateau winery. Les Sources de Caudalie (www.sourcescaudalie.com) is 10 miles from the city center. Set among the vineyards of the Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte winery, it’s a day trip destination or a relaxing retreat where you can book your clients for the minimum three spa treatments, lunch at either the gastronomic or bistro restaurants and tour the winery with a tasting of its famous Crus Classes de Graves. There are 49 chic hotel rooms scattered within charming two-story buildings amidst the vineyard. Contact Irène Arrouch (irene. arrouch@sources-caudalie.com) for specifics, taxis and Saturday morning cooking classes with Chef Franck Salein. St. Emilion St. Emilion, just 25 miles from Bordeaux, is a bacchanalian UNESCO World Heritage Site with more than 30 wine stores selling the Grands Crus St. Emilion wine appellation. This tiny medieval bastide (fortified village) has as its centerpiece an underground monolithic church built into the limestone. One caveat: Your clients need healthy hearts and strong legs to cope with the “tertres” (narrow and super-steep cobblestone streets). The loveliest lodging, Hostellerie de Plaisance, (hostellerie.plaisance@wanadoo.fr), reopened after a complete renovation in April 2007. The newest of its 21 rooms are reached via a glass-enclosed elevator, hand-carved through the limestone rocks. Its classically CONTINUED ON PAGE 22 RIGHT: A visit to the vineyards at Chateau Smith Haut offers a welcome respite from a city excursion BELOW: Guest rooms at Hostellerie de Plaisance are adorned with comfortable amenities AGENTADVICE Janet Irwin, president of France Encore LLC, completed a study program offered by Maison de la France (a.k.a. the French Government Tourist Office) to become a France Certified Agent. She notes, “Early 19th-century rail expansion brought Parisians seeking the fresh Atlantic Ocean air to the Bay of Biscay coastline. With the TGV, Bordeaux is just three hours from Paris and the place to rent a car. Visit a vineyard or two, then, drive south a couple of hours, stopping at Arcachon for oysters and heading towards Biarritz (with its still-beautiful Hotel du Palais) and St. Jean de Luz (my favorite because it’s casual). Go even a bit farther afield to explore the Basque country—with its unique language and cultural traditions—which extends into Spain.” October 29, 2007 TravelAgent | 21 http://www.lamaisonbordeaux.com http://www.lamaisonbordeaux.com http://www.bordeaux.radissonsas.com http://www.opera-bordeaux.com http://www.sourcescaudalie.com http://www.sourcescaudalie.com

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Travel Agent - October 29, 2007

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