Exploring Wine Regions-Bordeaux France is the second book in its series that brings a unique approach in educating and inspiring readers about the wine regions of the world. Bordeaux takes you on a journey exploring the long and fascinating history of wine, gastronomy, castles and joie de vivre, the French way of living life. The perfect companion for any wine lover or travel enthusiast. With a passion for wine and travel, author and photographer Michael C. Higgins delves deep into the history of Bordeaux, which he refers to as the "center of the universe for wine." Combining wine education, insiders travel guide and his spectacular photography, Higgins continues to dazzle his audience with another informative and beautiful book. Higgins helps readers understand the complexities of Bordeaux wine by presenting each region separately and explaining their nuances. He helps them navigate their own way through this historic wine region by highlighting the chateaux, including the ones where you can stay in their castles, restaurants and experiences with detailed maps and insider tips. With breathtaking photography and personal commentary, readers are mesmerized by the Bordeaux world of wine, food and travel. Extensive resources are provided for wine lovers who want to know where to go, what to look for, what questions to ask, and how to understand complex answers. Everyone can learn how to develop a palate to appreciate the finest wine and food the French has to offer. Both connoisseurs and novices turn to this book series for insider information and inspiration. A must-have book for expanding your knowledge of Bordeaux and its wines.

Discover a dozen exceptional Bordeaux wine estates, complete with tasting notes from a renowned wine critic. From Lafite Rothschild to Angélus to Cheval Blanc, Bordeaux produces the world’s finest wines. In this gift volume with silver gilded pages, the histories of the wineries is completed with detailed tasting notes. JFK’s beloved Petrus—the world’s most expensive wine—emanates a balance of "dark fruits, black olives, dark chocolate, and earth." Château Margaux—Thomas Jefferson’s favorite—still seduces with its "valentine of dark chocolate and roses melded with the aromatics of licorice, blackberry, and cocoa." Esteemed architects reflect the elegant wines in the graceful lines of a dozen estates and cellars: Lord Norman Foster’s renovation preserves the neo-Palladian spirit of Château Margaux, Jacques Garcia softens Château Cos d’Estournel’s steel-and-glass winery with India-inspired decorative elements, and Jean Nouvel tucks a high-tech new winery inside La Dominique’s listed UNESCO World Heritage site.

A thoroughly detailed guide to this region of France, with full information on where to stay, how to get around, the history & culture, sights to see, and what to do. Following are a few excerpts from the guide. Some of Europe''s most beautiful cities, stunning beaches and serene, vineyard-dotted countryside are in the Aquitaine region, yet it remains underrated and undiscovered by most tourists. Bordeaux, an epicenter for wonderful wine, is an amazingly vast and entertaining city that is constantly abuzz. To the south lies the enchanting Basque Country, a region crossing into Spain whose borders are not official, but whose people are vehemently (and sometimes violently) proud and independent. Much of the Aquitaine region is a national park. Along the Pyrenees and the Spanish border are several quaint mountain and seaside villages, such as St-Jean-Pied-au-Port and Oloron-Sainte-Marie. Saint-Jean-de-Luz, practically kissing the Spanish border, is one of the prettiest small cities in all of France. The Aquitaine is a place to indulge, be it in wine, fabulous food, relaxing spa therapies, ocean breezes or incredible shopping. The outdoor adventures here are one of the main attractions. The Basque Country attracts visitors from around the globe for its year-round surfing. The national park, spanning a massive stretch of Atlantic coast, beckons those interested in watersports. The Pyrenees to the south of the region offer splendid hiking and skiing opportunities. Tip: To see Aquitaine arts and crafts in the creation stage, and to buy great locally-made wares, make stops along the Route des M(r)tiers d''Arts (contact the Association pour la Promotion des M(r)tiers d''Art d''Aquitaine, tel. 33-05-57-22-57-36, 353 Boulevard du Pr(r)sident Wilson in Bordeaux, www.route- metiers-d-art-aquitaine.com). They have maps and a book on various artists in the region. Popular in France since the 1960s, thalassotherapy means sea-water cure. It was discovered by a Tour de France cyclist healed from his injuries by seawater in his Brittany home. Today, there are numerous thalassotherapy treatment centers in the Aquitaine. Treatments are catered to each visitor, and can be used to address any number of ailments. Or just go for the sake of relaxation, a noble cause indeed. A new trend has been combining spa treatments with vinotherapy, or wine treatments. What could possibly be more indulgent, or uniquely French? Additionally, many of these treatment centers have their own upscale accommodations and gourmet restaurants (although most allow for booking of just therapies without overnight stays). Bordeaux is an absolute paradise for shopaholics and wine aficionados. Easily one of France''s most beautiful and interesting cities, Bordeaux''s pedestrian shopping zone is constantly filled with tourists and locals alike. As a hub of the Bordeaux wine-producing region, there are numerous shops selling high-quality wines at low prices. There are many tours to the area''s grandiose wine choteaux for tastings in stunning settings. The city''s shopping options are vast, ranging from small malls to tiny locally-owned boutiques.

Written by locals, Fodor's travel guides have been offering expert advice for all tastes and budgets for more than 80 years. Unforgettable artwork, heavenly villages, and dream cities--there are so many reasons to visit France that deciding where to go and what to do can be a bit overwhelming. Fodor's Essential France takes the guesswork out of choosing the perfect French experiences by compiling the top choices chosen by Fodor's army of France-based writers. This travel guide includes: · Dozens of full-color maps · Hundreds of hotel and restaurant recommendations, with Fodor's Choice designating our top picks · Multiple itineraries to explore the top attractions and what’s off the beaten path · Side trips from Paris including Chartres, Versailles, and Monet's Garden · Coverage of Paris Neighbourhoods, Western Ile-de-France, Eastern Ile-de-France, Loire Valley, and Grenoble Planning to focus on just part of France? Check out Fodor's travel guides to Paris and Provence & the French Riviera.