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Day 1 - 27th May 2008
After 40 hours in transit, we finally reached our first destination - Bordeaux!

We arrived at our Bordeaux apartment the night before. We searched online for a long time before we found this great two bedroom apartment with private ensuites, right on the waterfront and very close to the Office of Tourism for two couples at e$64 per couple, per night. It was a great location. Within walking distance from everything.

We spend the morning wandering around the pedestrian only streets, which had some great shopping and beautiful architecture. The city of Bordeaux had a lot to offer in terms of restaurants and wine bars. With many a plaza filled to the brim with sidewalks cafes/restaurants.

We had booked a Tourist Office wine tour of Medoc the following day over the internet, but our friends were already in transit at the time, and were to decide once they arrived - unfortunately when we went to the Tourist Office to book them onto the tour, it was full! It definately pays to book in advance. We struggled with booking a English speaking private tour guide 4 weeks from department as we found only two guides advertised on the internet and had to shuffle around our itinerary to fit ourselves into their busy and booked up schedule.

After the Tourist Office, we walked across the road to the conveniently located 'Ecole du Vin' (Wine School). Although their 2 hour tasting classes didn't start until June, we were still able to buy tastings in their Wine Bar and with the help of their very knowledgeable staff who went into detail on the region and terroir of each wine, we were able to begin our learning of Bordeaux wines.

We tried 4 wines in total, and as the 'tastings' were really a glass of wine rather than the usual 100ml taste I'm used too, we decided instead of buying four glasses each, we would buy 4 in total and share. We started at the top end - e$8 per tasting.

I decided I preferred the wine from Medoc. Dominant Cabernet blend. Tasty!

I was all set for my Medoc 1855 wine tour in the morning.