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LIVE LIKE A LOCAL IN BORDEAUX, FRANCE!!!

SEPTEMBER 16 - 23, 2017

Come experience the beautiful Bordeaux countryside through the eyes of a local!

Volunteer on an organic farm, work a wine harvest, enjoy tastings from local producers, stay in a traditional french countryside home, wander through the markets, cook with me, and learn all about organic, sustainable food & wine!

work wine harvest

work wine harvest

stroll through the vineyards

stroll through the vineyards

shop at the farmers market

shop at the farmers market

jam on tuesday nights

jam on tuesday nights

harvest produce from the garden

harvest produce from the garden

stay in an old school chateau

stay in an old school chateau

eat seasonally and locally!

eat seasonally and locally!

a different kind of retreat

I am so so excited to bring a small group of lucky ducks with me on a week long culinary journey through the Bordeaux countryside!  I'll take care of the translating, the cooking, and the itinerary - All you need to do is show up!

 

I wanted to create a different kind of travel experience that focuses on full immersion into the local food & culture and connecting with like minded others at the same time. I found this tiny town of Castillon last year long during my world travels and ended up staying for a month volunteering on Manu's organic farm & vineyard.  Manu (short for Emmanuel) made me feel like I was a part of his family, inviting me out to dinner with friends, taking me to the local markets, organizing wine tastings, helping me find running groups to run through the vineyards, the works!  This place is so special to me and I'm really excited to share it now with you! 

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We will be going local & rustic, enjoying all the simple pleasures of "la vie quotidienne" or the daily life in the French countryside.  We will stay at Manu's beautiful guest chateau, wake up at sunrise, work a few mornings during harvest (if the timing is right!), visit other organic farms & vineyards in the area, shop at the local markets, enjoy wine tastings, cook farm to table meals together, and play with his two beautiful dogs Iggy & Choco in our down time. 

 

I want to keep the group small to make the experience as authentic as possible, so please contact me asap to snag your spot! See below for more details on itinerary, pricing, and accommodations! Hope you can make it

 

xo

Kim 

getting here

Manu's farm and vineyard is located in the tiny town of Castillon, just a few miles outside of Saint Emilion and about a 45 minute train ride from the main town of Bordeaux! The best (most cost effective) way to get here is fly into Paris and take a high speed train from Paris to Bordeaux, but there is also an airport in Bordeaux if you prefer to come directly here.  We will pick you up from the town of Bordeaux to take you to the property. For any questions regarding travel, please contact me here!

sample trip plan

(this is just an idea, so definitely subject to change)

Saturday, September 16th

Afternoon arrival

Evening welcoming dinner

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Sunday, September 17th

7am Coffee & fresh bread with jam

9am Farmers market trip to Libourne

1pm Brunch

4pm Explore Saint Emilion & Wine Tasting!

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Monday, September 18th

6:30am Coffee & fresh bread with jam

7:00am Work harvest or on the farm

12:00pm Lunch & Wine

2pm free time

5:30pm Cooking with Kim!

7pm Dinner

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Tuesday, September 19th

6:30am Coffee & fresh bread with jam

7:00am Work harvest & on the farm

12:00pm Lunch & Wine

3pm free time & play with dogs

6pm Cooking with Kim

8pm Dinner & Music night at Manu's salle de musique!

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Wednesday, September 20th

6:30am Coffee & fresh bread with jam

7:00am Work harvest & on the farm

12:00pm Lunch & Wine

2pm afternoon trip to neighboring towns

7pm Dinner & degustation with friends

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Thursday, September 21st

6:30am Coffee & fresh bread with jam

7:00am Work harvest & on the farm

12:00pm Lunch & Wine

4:00pm Day trip to Bordeaux

8:00pm Dinner in Bordeaux

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Friday, September 22nd

6:30am Coffee & fresh bread with jam

8am Day trip to l'Ile D'Oléron

8pm Dinner

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Saturday, September 23rd

Coffee and farewells

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pricing & accommodations

The retreat cost is $995 per person, which includes lodging, home cooked meals, & most transportation costs once you arrive here in Bordeaux.  Lodging will be at Manu's beautiful second home just a few minutes from his vineyard in the beautiful town of Saint-Magne-de-Castillon. Everyone will have their own bed with shared bathroom & kitchen. Please contact me if you have questions or to RESERVE your spot!

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