A Bordeaux girls’ trip you can join solo

Dates: September 1–6, 2026

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Total Spots Available: 10

Our curated wine retreat takes you beyond the glass, blending vineyard tours, cultural discovery, and meaningful connections with like-minded women. 

Over six days, you’ll taste world-renowned wines at historic châteaux, wander through the UNESCO-listed town of Saint-Émilion, and immerse yourself in the vibrant city of Bordeaux. 

More than just a trip, this retreat is a chance to savour the best of French wine and culture, all while creating new friendships.

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Your Itinerary

Here’s a glimpse of what your six days in Bordeaux will look like.

Day 1: Welcome to Bordeaux

Arrive at our 4-star hotel and settle in before gathering for a welcome dinner and drinks in the city. A perfect evening to meet your fellow travellers, and toast to the adventures ahead.

Day 2: Left Bank Wine Tour

Spend the day discovering the legendary Left Bank of Bordeaux. We’ll visit three châteaux (aka wineries), enjoy private tastings, and pause for a leisurely lunch in between.

Day 3: Discover Bordeaux

Begin with a visit to La Cité du Vin, the world-famous wine museum. After lunch, enjoy a guided bike tour through the charming streets and riverside of Bordeaux.

Day 4: Saint-Émilion Wine Tour

Explore the Right Bank’s renowned wineries with tours and tastings at three châteaux. Midday, enjoy free time to explore the picturesque, UNESCO-listed village of Saint-Émilion.

Day 5: Wander & Celebrate

A free day to explore: shop, wine-bar hop, or wander through museums. In the evening, we'll come together for a special send-off: a golden hour river cruise, good wine, and a farewell dinner.

A white saucer with a white coffee cup filled with a frothy cappuccino, placed on a white tablecloth, with two croissants dusted with powdered sugar in the background on a white plate.

Day 6: Farewells

Share one last breakfast before saying goodbye (or rather, à bientôt) to Bordeaux and your new travel friends.

A woman with long blond hair wearing a white shirt and brown pants standing under an arched entrance made of stone, leading to a garden area with a building in the background. The building is made of stone, has large windows, and is covered in green ivy. The structure in the background is topped with a patterned shingle roof.

Discover the Bordeaux Wine Region

Bordeaux is one of the world’s most famous wine regions, celebrated for its elegant, complex wines and stunning vineyards.

Divided by the Gironde River into the Left and Right Banks, the region is home to centuries-old châteaux, charming villages, and some of the most prestigious wine estates in the world.

The region’s wines are primarily made from two signature grapes: Merlot, known for its soft, plush fruit flavours, and Cabernet Sauvignon, prized for its structure, depth, and aging potential. Together, they create the classic Bordeaux blends that have made this region legendary among wine lovers.

Taste, explore, and discover why this region has captured the hearts of wine lovers for centuries.

Pricing & Inclusions

£2,000 per person

Included in the price:

Renaissance Bordeaux Hotel (5 nights at a 4-star hotel)

Group Transfers (from Bordeaux airport or train station at designated times)

Private Drivers to Wineries (no shared coaches for château visits)

Two Dedicated Wine Days (Left & Right Bank appellations, multiple château visits and tastings)

6+ Winery Visits (cellar tours and guided tastings across the retreat)

All In-City Transport (7-day public transport pass)

Daily Breakfast

Welcome Dinner (wine included, of course!)

Aperitif Cruise on the Garonne (wine & snacks included)

Bike Tour of Bordeaux

Cité du Vin Museum Entrance (includes a glass of wine in their viewing lounge)

Farewell Dinner (with wine)

French Goodies Bag

Founder-Hosted (Samantha is there every day of the retreat)

Not included in the price:

Flights & Trains to Bordeaux

Group Transfers Outside of Retreat Dates

Travel Insurance (Required)

Meals Not Mentioned

Activities During Free Time

How to Secure Your Place

1.Book

By completing the online registration form.

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2. Deposit

You’ll receive an email with next steps and a secure Stripe payment link to lock in your place by submitting the £500 deposit.

3. Confirm

Once we reach the minimum of 6 guests, you’ll receive written confirmation that the trip is guaranteed to run and that you may proceed with booking your travel.

Payment Information

This Bordeaux retreat is £2,000 per person, based on double occupancy.

A minimum of 6 confirmed guests is required for the retreat to proceed.

Deposit

A £500 deposit is required to secure your place.

Deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable unless the retreat is cancelled by Amica Vina due to minimum numbers not being met.

Remaining Balance

The remaining balance of £1,500 will be due by July 3rd (60 days before the retreat start date).

You may choose to pay the remaining balance:

  • In full, or

  • In two instalments of £750

You will receive reminder emails ahead of payment due dates.

Bookings made within 60 days of the retreat start date require payment in full at the time of booking.

Important Travel Note

Please do not book flights or non-refundable travel arrangements until:

  • You have received confirmation that your spot is secured, and

  • You have received written confirmation that the retreat is guaranteed to run.

You can review the Amica Vina’s Booking Terms & Conditions here.

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Who is this trip for?

This retreat is designed for women who want more than just a vacation; they want an experience that blends discovery, connection, and a touch of indulgence.


You’ll love this trip if you are:

  • A woman in your 20s - 40s looking for meaningful, social, & unforgettable travel experiences.

  • A solo traveler looking for a safe, welcoming, and fun group to explore with.

  • A wine lover, whether you’re a casual sipper or a budding connoisseur (no need to be an expert)!

  • Excited to meet new people and share laughter, stories, and adventures.

  • A curious explorer eager to see Bordeaux beyond the tourist highlights.

  • Ready to treat yourself to a getaway that’s as much about connection as it is about travel.

Why Join Amica Vina?

Here’s what makes Amica Vina retreats special:

  • Our retreat itineraries are tested first-hand by the research trips we take - making sure the wineries and activities are as wonderful as imagined.

    Blending delicious wine, aesthetic atmospheres, and great hospitality so that everyone enjoys themselves (newbies to wine aficionados all welcome!).

  • Designed with solo female travellers in mind, so you can feel safe and supported - surrounded by like-minded women. Friend duos also welcome!

  • Built-in friend group for a dream girls’ trip. You may arrive solo, but you’ll never feel alone.

  • Taste, learn, and enjoy Bordeaux wines with local experts, from world-famous châteaux to hidden gems.

  • We handle the details (accommodation, activities, and transportation) so you can simply relax and enjoy.

  • We keep our retreats intimate so everyone feels included, supported, and part of the group.

  • Expect more Amica Vina retreats in destinations like Provence, Champagne, Alsace, and beyond.

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Meet Your Host

In my 20s, I lived in Canada, France, the UK, and Australia; always eager to meet new people and discover new places. I built a career in advertising and dedicated my free time to chasing experiences and collecting stories, including visiting beautiful vineyards around the world.

Over time, my curiosity about wine grew. So much so that I recently completed WSET Level 2 with distinction and am currently awaiting my Level 3 results.

Though I’m grateful to have lived in different countries, moving around highlighted how challenging it can be to make new friends as an adult (and how many women feel the same).

These things together inspired me to create Amica Vina: curated wine retreats where women can travel together, explore beautiful wine regions, and build genuine connections that go beyond a single trip.

When you join an Amica Vina retreat, the hard work is already done; you just get to soak up the scenery, enjoy sharing wine, and meet inspiring women who may become lifelong friends.

I can’t wait to welcome you to Amica Vina in Bordeaux this September.

Cheers,
Samantha

What Guests Say

These quotes are from women who travelled with Samantha on Amica Vina research trips. First official retreat: Bordeaux, September 2026.

  • “Travelling through Bordeaux with Sam felt completely effortless. The city has such a cool yet elegant vibe, and the wineries (aka chateaux) were so glamorous. Every winery we visited was clearly chosen with care. The wineries were welcoming and never felt overly ‘wine-technical,’ but I still learned a lot and had fun doing it. I loved how everything flowed so smoothly (no pun intended!), without needing to think or plan at all. The trip felt like the perfect balance of structure and freedom to explore Bordeaux, and I already want to do another trip like it!”

    — Mairead D. (Travelled with Amica Vina to Bordeaux)

  • “Samantha puts so much thought into selecting the best wineries. It was cool seeing her process during the research trip, making sure each winery had the right balance of quality wine, great hospitality, and also felt unique from the others. You can tell she’s in her element, and her love of learning about wine is infectious.”

    — Chantel D. (Travelled with Amica Vina to Alsace)

  • “Sam is always the one planning our girls’ trips, so it makes complete sense that she’s turned it into a business. We joke about her colour-coded spreadsheets that somehow appear the moment someone mentions a destination and include everything we could think of. When I travel with Sam, I hardly have to think about logistics or what’s next; it’s all just handled, and things run so smoothly. I have no doubt the women joining Amica Vina retreats will feel completely taken care of and able to just relax and enjoy the experience.”

    — Taylor G. (Travelled with Amica Vina founder)

  • “Travelling through Paris and Champagne was so fun, I couldn’t think of a better city combo for a girls' trip. As a Champagne lover, I found the tastings were elegant yet approachable. The whole experience felt social and celebratory, yet I learned more than I could imagine about the craft of wine. I loved that we could enjoy multiple wine tours without any stress or decision-making. While in Paris, you could tell Sam was so comfortable in the city, guiding us from sight to sight with fun wine and food pit-stops along the way. She curates the trip so it never feels overly touristy either. The care and detail she brings to Amica Vina, even on the research trip, makes you feel completely taken care of.”

    — Mairead D. (Travelled with Amica Vina to Paris & Champagne)

  • “Alsace in December is like something out of a fairytale, and the way Amica Vina curates the experience makes it even more special. Everything felt thoughtfully paced. Pairing wine tastings with Christmas markets was such a fun mix. Many people say it’s the Christmas capital, and I can see why. The wine tastings were informative and still easy to digest. You get to try so many wine styles specific to the Alsace region (lots of them new to me, including my new favourite, Gewürztraminer!). I wouldn’t have thought to do a wine tour in the winter, but this trip made me realise how magical a winter wine retreat can be!”

    — Chantel D. (Travelled with Amica Vina to Alsace)

Bordeaux Retreat FAQs

  • You can fly into Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport (BOD) or take the train to Gare Saint-Jean in Bordeaux.

  • Each retreat hosts 6-10 guests; small enough to stay intimate, but big enough to build a vibrant group dynamic.

  • Our retreats are designed for women in their 20s to 40s, creating a group of like-minded travellers at similar life stages.

  • Rooms are typically shared, but pending availability, private rooms may be available for an additional cost.

  • Before the retreat, we’ll send a short survey to help match guests with the most compatible roommates.

  • Absolutely! While we encourage solo travel, so everyone arrives with an open mindset and ready to meet new people, traveling with a friend is also possible.

    Keep in mind that sometimes friend duos naturally stick together, so the best experience comes when both friends are also excited to make new connections with the group.

  • Yes! We’ll set up a WhatsApp group before the trip so everyone can connect ahead of time.

  • All payments are handled through Stripe, a secure payment platform.

    The first payment is a £500 deposit to secure your place on the retreat. The remaining balance can be paid in 1 or 2 instalments.

  • Yes, travel insurance is required for all guests and must be arranged before the trip.

  • Yes, we include some free time in the itinerary for you to wander Bordeaux solo or with your new travel friends.

  • Not at all! The only requirement is getting yourself to and from Bordeaux (airport or train station). Once you arrive, we take care of all the details so you can fully enjoy the retreat.

  • Let us know your requirements when booking. We’ll do our best to accommodate, though some restrictions may be more challenging in France.

  • Some areas of France can be challenging for travellers with accessibility needs. Please contact us with your requirements, and we’ll work with you to explore what’s possible.

  • While our retreats don’t include extensions, we’re happy to share recommendations for exploring more of France. And of course, we’d love to welcome you on another Amica Vina retreat. Provence perhaps?

  • Yes! We can customise this retreat for your own group of friends (without an Amica Vina host). Reach out to samantha@amicavina.com to discuss private bookings.

  • If minimum numbers are not met, and a retreat can’t proceed, all deposits will be refunded in full (or may be transferred for another retreat if preferred).

    We kindly ask that you wait to book flights or non-refundable travel arrangements until you receive written confirmation that the retreat is guaranteed to run.

Questions before you commit?

Girls’ trips don’t have to stay in the group chat; let’s make them real!

Let’s raise a glass to new friends, good wine, and unforgettable memories!

Not ready for Bordeaux this September? Join the waitlist for future retreats.

Ready to Join Us in Bordeaux?

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