Living and Learning in Bordeaux: Independent Stay and Study

45 days
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Small Group Tour
Make Bordeaux your home for six weeks and immerse yourself in French culture, history and cuisine as you explore the city on your own and join experts on educational field trips.
From$7,449
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate

Highlights

    • Walking is the best way to get to know a new place
    • I’m energetic and enjoy a good physical challenge, so I’m always ready to spend the day on the move
    • Whether it’s public transit, city streets or village cobblestones, I’m game

What's this trip about?

    Make Bordeaux your home for six weeks and immerse yourself in French culture, history and cuisine as you explore the city on your own and join experts on educational field trips.

Compare to similar trips

Details

Itinerary focusOperator does not provide
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 24 people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transport
Start CityBordeaux
End CityBordeaux

Travel Themes

  • Nature & Wildlife
  • Culinary & Wine
  • Photography
  • National Parks
  • Yoga, Meditation & Wellness
  • Relaxing Retreats
  • Holy Land

Destinations

Activities

  • Nature
  • Photography
  • Relaxing Retreat
  • Wildlife Viewing
  • Yoga & Meditation

Min Group Size

  • Min Group Size: 10

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 24

View Similar Trips

Itinerary

Day 1 In Transit To Program In Flight

Day 2 Arrive Bordeaux, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner Bordeaux

Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m.

Orientation: The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. ...

Day 3 Getting Acquainted With Bordeaux, Local Customs & Culture Bordeaux

Getting on/off public transportation (bus, tram); possibility standing on public transportation. Walking up to 3 miles throughout the day while exploring the city; some steps at historic building entrances are unavoidable. Standing for 30 minutes at a time at various ...

Day 4 Aquitaine, Historic Bordeaux Bordeaux

Getting on/off public transportation (bus, tram); possibility standing on public transportation. Walking up to 3 miles in the morning on cobblestone streets and uneven ground. Getting on/off boat. Walking up/down stairs with handrails on board.

We will head out ...

Day 5 Living in Bordeaux: Week 1, Language Track Class Bordeaux

The differentiated itinerary for the core, wine/culinary, and language tracks of the program will begin. Please see your track-specific itinerary. When no track is specified, all participants will be participating in the activity.

For the first day of class, the...

Day 6 Language & Wine/Culinary Track Activities, Café Get-Together Bordeaux

Independent navigation of the city according to personal preference and class schedule.

The language track will go to class at the language school to study the French language. Free time for the core and wine/culinary tracks.

The wine/culinary track Road S...

Day 7 Language Track Class Bordeaux

Independent navigation of the city according to personal preference and class schedule.

The language track will have class at the language school, during which we will continue our study of the French language. Free time for the core and wine/culinary tracks.

Free time.

At leisure.

On your own.

On your own.

On your own.

Day 8 Language Track Class, Wine/Culinary Track Activity Bordeaux

Independent navigation of the city according to personal preference and class schedule. Wine/Culinary track: Getting on/off motorcoach; driving approximately 32 miles (82 km); about 2 hours roundtrip from Bordeaux to St Emilion. Walking up to 2 miles in Saint Emilion ...

Day 9 Language Track Class, Cultural Friday Bordeaux

Walking up to 3 miles in the afternoon; periods of standing for up to 2 hours at a time at the Cité du Vin.

At the language school, the language track will engage in French class focusing on verbal, grammar, and writing skills. As this takes place, the core and ...

Day 10 Independent Weekend, Free Day Bordeaux

Activity level and travel methods dependent on personal interest.

Free time. These free weekends offer an opportunity to see and do more of what interests you most. You might like to venture farther afield by train to iconic places such as Toulouse, Tours, or Ro...

Day 11 Independent Weekend, Free Day Bordeaux

Activity level and travel methods dependent on personal interest.

Free time. More time exploring Bordeaux or beyond.

Free time.

At leisure.

On your own.

On your own.

On your own.

Day 12 Living in Bordeaux: Week 2, Language & Wine/Culinary Track Bordeaux

Independent navigation of the city according to personal preference and class schedule. Wine/culinary track participants should be prepared to stand for up to 1 hour at a time during the afternoon visit.

The language track will have class at the language school ...

Day 13 Language Track Class, Café Get-Together Bordeaux

Independent navigation of the city according to personal preference and class schedule.

Continuing study of the French language, the language track will meet at the language school for class. Free time for the core track and wine/culinary track.

Free time....

Day 14 Language & Wine/Culinary Track Classes Bordeaux

Independent navigation of the city according to personal preference and class schedule.

The language track will practice their speaking and writing skills during class at the language school. Meanwhile, the core and wine/culinary tracks will have free time.

<...
Day 15 Language Track Class, Free Time Bordeaux

Independent navigation of the city according to personal preference and class schedule.

Continuing to hone our skills through study and immersion, the language track will have class at the language school. The core and wine/culinary tracks will have free time.

Free time.

At leisure.

On your own.

On your own.

On your own.

Day 16 Language Class, Cultural Friday Bordeaux

Walking up to 2 miles in the afternoon; periods of standing up to 1 hour at a time at the museum.

At the language school, the language track Road Scholars will engage in another informative class. Free time for the core and wine/culinary tracks.

Together, ...

Day 17 Independent Weekend, Free Day Bordeaux

Activity level and travel methods dependent on personal interest.

Free time. You may way want to visit the nearby destinations of Angoulême, Pau, or Poitiers.

Free time continues.

At leisure.

On your own.

On your own.

On your own.

Day 18 Independent Weekend, Free Day Bordeaux

Activity level and travel methods dependent on personal interest.

Free time.

Free time continues.

At leisure.

On your own.

On your own.

On your own.

Day 19 Living in Bordeaux: Week 3, Language & Wine/Culinary Track Bordeaux

Independent navigation of the city according to personal preference and class schedule.

At the language school, the language track group will settle in for a French class. The core and wine/culinary tracks will meanwhile enjoy free time.

With the Group Lea...

Day 20 Language Class, Café Get-Together Bordeaux

Independent navigation of the city according to personal preference and class schedule.

Joining again for a lesson at the school, the language track will continue to sharpen French writing and speaking skills. Free time for the core and wine/culinary tracks.

...
Day 21 Language Track Class, Wine/Culinary Track Activity Bordeaux

Independent navigation of the city according to personal preference and class schedule. Wine/Culinary participants: Getting on/off motorcoach. Walking up to 2 miles on even and uneven terrain. Standing for up to 2 hours.

Gathering back at the school, the languag...

Day 22 Language Track Class Bordeaux

Independent navigation of the city according to personal preference and class schedule.

Picking up where we left off yesterday, the language track will resume class at the school. The wine/culinary and core tracks will have free time during this block.

Fre...

Day 23 Weekend Group Field Trip, Arcachon Exploration Bayonne

For our extended field trip, we will keep our rooms in Bordeaux. Packing a small bag for 2 nights and keeping most luggage in Bordeaux is advised. Getting on/off motorcoach; driving approximately 230 miles (370 km); about 4 hours, with a stop in Arcahon. Walking up to...

Day 24 St Jean de Luz, Espellette Bayonne

Getting on/off motorcoach; driving approximately 47 miles (76 km) roundtrip; 1.5 hours throughout the day, with stops for field trips. Walking up to 3 miles throughout the day; even and uneven terrain, certain steps unavoidable in old towns and buildings; periods of s...

Day 25 Discover Bayonne, Biarritz, Free Time Bordeaux

Getting on/off motorcoach; driving approximately 115 miles (184 km) total; about 2 hours, with stops for field trips. Walking up to 3 miles throughout the day; uneven and even ground; periods of standing for up to 2 hours at a time.

After checking out of our hot...

Day 26 Living in Bordeaux: Week 4, Language Track Class Bordeaux

Independent navigation of the city according to personal preference and class schedule.

Back in our routine, the language track will meet for French class at the language school. The core and wine/culinary tracks will have free time, and may wish to have a nice ...

Day 27 Language & Wine/Culinary Track Activities, Café Get-Together Bordeaux

Independent navigation of the city according to personal preference and class schedule.

Resuming studies at the school, the language track will have class to continue practicing French speaking and writing skills. Meanwhile, the core and wine/culinary tracks wil...

Day 28 Language Track Class Bordeaux

Independent navigation of the city according to personal preference and class schedule.

The language track will resume practicing French skills in class at the school. The core and wine/culinary tracks will enjoy free time for the morning.

Free time.

At leisure.

On your own.

On your own.

On your own.

Day 29 Language & Wine/Culinary Track Classes, Dinner with Locals Bordeaux

Independent navigation of the city according to personal preference and class schedule. Wine/Culinary track participants: walking up to 2 miles during field trip; periods of standing up to 1 hour at a time; some uneven terrain and unavoidable steps.

Gathering in...

Day 30 Language Class, Cultural Friday Bordeaux

Independent navigation of the city according to personal preference and class schedule. Walking up to 2 miles on cobblestone streets during afternoon group field trip. Standing for up to 2 hours during museum visit.

The language track will start the day with cla...

Day 31 Independent Weekend, Free Day Bordeaux

Activity level and travel methods dependent on personal interest.

Free time. You may wish to venture out of town to see some of the more distant regions accessible from here by train or car, such as Sarlat, Narbonne, or Nantes.

Free time continues.

At leisure.

On your own.

On your own.

On your own.

Day 32 Independent Weekend, Free Day Bordeaux

Activity level and travel methods dependent on personal interest.

Free time to spend seeing and doing what interests you most.

Free time continues.

At leisure.

On your own.

On your own.

On your own.

Day 33 Living in Bordeaux: Week 5, Language & Wine/Culinary Tracks Bordeaux

Independent navigation of the city according to personal preference and class schedule. Wine/Culinary Track participants: Getting on/off motorcoach. Walking up to 2 miles throughout the afternoon; uneven ground.

The language track will have class at the language...

Day 34 Language Track Class, Cafe Get-Together Bordeaux

Independent navigation of the city according to personal preference and class schedule.

At the language school, the language track will have class while the core track and wine/culinary tracks have free time.

This afternoon, enjoy some free time. Afterward...

Day 35 Language & Wine/Culinary Track Classes Bordeaux

Independent navigation of the city according to personal preference and class schedule.

The language track will have class at the language school while the core and wine/culinary tracks enjoy free time.

Accompanied by the Group Leader, the wine/culinary tr...

Day 36 Language Track Class Bordeaux

Independent navigation of the city according to personal preference and class schedule.

Gathering at the school, the language track Road Scholars will have class to practice our every-developing French skills. Free time will be enjoyed by the core track and the wine/culinary track.

Free time.

At leisure.

On your own.

On your own.

On your own.

Day 37 Language Track Class, Cultural Friday Bordeaux

Independent navigation of the city according to personal preference and class schedule. Walking up to 2 miles on cobblestone streets during afternoon group field trip. Standing for up to 2 hours during museum visit.

Keeping up with our practice, the language tra...

Day 38 Independent Weekend, Free Day Bordeaux

Activity level and travel methods dependent on personal interest.

Free time to set out and do whatever your heart desires.

Free time continues.

At leisure.

On your own.

On your own.

On your own.

Day 39 Independent Weekend, Free Day Bordeaux

Activity level and travel methods dependent on personal interest.

Free time to explore the natural and cultural landscape of beautiful France.

Free time continues.

At leisure.

On your own.

On your own.

On your own.

Day 40 Living in Bordeaux: Week 6, Language Track Class Bordeaux

Independent navigation of the city according to personal preference and class schedule.

At the language school, the language track Road Scholars will engage in a French class to continue practicing. The core and wine/culinary tracks will have free time during this block.

Free time.

At leisure.

On your own.

On your own.

On your own.

Day 41 Language & Wine/Culinary Track Activities, Cafe Get-Together Bordeaux

Wine/Culinary track participants: walking up to 2 miles during afternoon field trip; periods of standing up to 2 hours; some uneven ground.

Always improving, the language track will keep working on French skills in class at the school. Meanwhile, the core and wi...

Day 42 Language Track Class Bordeaux

Independent navigation of the city according to personal preference and class schedule.

At the language school, the language track will have class while the core and wine/culinary tracks enjoy free time.

Free time.

At leisure.

On your own.

On your own.

On your own.

Day 43 Language Track Class, Wine/Culinary Track Lecture Bordeaux

Independent navigation of the city according to personal preference and class schedule. Wine/Culinary Track participants: walking up to 2 miles during the afternoon "promenade gourmande"; some uneven terrain.

The language track will keep practicing our French sk...

Day 44 Language Track Class, Cultural Friday Bordeaux

Walking up to 2 miles in the afternoon; periods of standing up to 1 hour at a time in the museum; some uneven terrain; places to sit in the museum.

Finishing our course, the language track will have a final class at the language school. We’ll ask any final quest...

Day 45 Program Concludes In Flight

Hotel check-out by 12:00 Noon. See your program’s travel details regarding transfers.

If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructi...

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Dates & Availability

Price From $7,449
Price per day$166
Last Updated: 2/23/2024

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Road Scholar.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Meals Included
  • Number of Breakfast: 5
  • Number of Lunch: 9
  • Number of Dinner: 4
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
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Trip ID
roadscholar-6610882

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