Tastings in Bordeaux

The Bordeaux region is particularly popular. The eight-day tour to the famous wine region leaves nothing to be desired. Guests visit wine estates, known as châteaux, where world-famous wines are produced. These include Château Smith Haut Lafitte, one of the oldest wine estates in France, and Château Malartic-Lagravière. They are located in the Graves area, home of the sweet wines of Sauternes and Barsac. But stops are also made in the Médoc. In Pauillac, the centre of the peninsula, wine tastings of superior quality await guests. Nikolai Fritz: “In wine regions such as Bordeaux in particular, we often visit estates that are not open to the general public.” 

But the Bordelais has even more to offer participants than wines full of character. Visits to cultural sights are also part of the programme; in Bordeaux itself, for example, the Bassins des Lumières, the world’s largest centre for digital art, or the wine culture museum La Cité du Vin, designed by star architect Frank Gehry. In the small town of Arcachon, some sixty kilometres from Bordeaux, guests take a boat trip, visit an oyster farm and climb the Dune du Pilat, the largest and most impressive dune in Europe. 

To make the wine experience perfect, a maximum of two wineries are usually visited per day. Nikolai Fritz: “On all wine tours, extensive tours of the wine cellars, vines and tasting rooms are on the programme, and sometimes lunch at the estate too.” Often the winemaker in person even guides guests around the estate. What is more, every tour has a tour guide with the group. “Their knowledge of wines and everything that goes with them – such as grape varieties, soil conditions or climate – is very extensive,” says Nikolai Fritz. 

The product manager attaches particular importance to the wine experts acting as “hosts on board”. “They look after guests, serve coffee and drinks, and provide information about the country and its people, as well as the food and wine.” 

All Car Rouge travel offers are designed with great care, passion and destination knowledge. Before a tour goes into the brochure, it is usually tested by tour guides. Nikolai Fritz: “Especially with new destinations, they can familiarise themselves with local conditions.”

State-of-the-Art Coach Fleet

The programme of wine and circular tours is put together by Nicolai Fritz, that of the opera and concert tours by Armin Portner, head of music tours. Travelling with Car Rouge means travelling in Premium class. That includes Premium hotels. After an eventful day, guests enjoy the advantages of superior accommodation, staying in four- and five-star hotels. Nikolai Fritz: “In some cases we have been booking the same hotels for years. The hotelier therefore knows exactly what our guests expect.” 

But it is not only the hotels that are stylish and of the highest quality, the company’s own coach fleet is too. The five modern coaches each have thirty comfortable luxury fabric armchairs with a generous seat pitch of 91 centimetres. “The best seating comfort is guaranteed,” says Nikolai Fritz. In addition, the vehicles are equipped with the latest available safety systems, and every seat has its own power socket. There are also modern multichannel sound systems that ensure optimal listening on the road. And to stay in touch with loved ones at home, participants on a Car Rouge tour can use the on-board Wi-Fi free of charge.

Interview with Nikolai Fritz of Car Rouge

“Certain destinations can only be reached without hassle by coach”

Are coach tours still up to date today?

Absolutely. Certain destinations can only be reached without hassle – for instance without changing – by coach. I am thinking of our seaside holiday destinations in Tuscany. Hard to reach by plane, and by train you change three times. That is not exactly family-friendly. But environmental concerns play a part too. There are customers who no longer want to fly. On a coach tour, customers need to be at the boarding point ten minutes before departure. The tedious check-in procedure of a flight is eliminated.

One thinks mainly of senior travellers – who books a coach tour today?

That is partly true, for circular tours for example, but in the seaside holiday segment (Tuscany, Elba, Adriatic coast) Eurobus also serves young people and families. Then there is Europa-Park as an attraction for young and old.

“From road to rail” is the motto. How environmentally friendly are your coaches?

The coach is the most environmentally friendly means of transport. Eurobus and Car Rouge run coaches equipped with the most modern diesel engines. On downhill stretches, our vehicles automatically reduce engine output and use less diesel.

What about punctuality? Aren’t you constantly stuck in traffic by coach?

We try to avoid traffic jams through good planning wherever possible. Counter-cyclical driving, for example returning from a tour on Maundy Thursday through the Gotthard tunnel. We also always allow a little more travel time on tours to the south. But of course, traffic jams cannot always be avoided.

How safe is travelling by coach? Which drivers are used? Are there rest periods?

The coach is a very safe means of transport. Our experienced coach drivers receive ongoing training and further education. Very important on tours is the so-called ARV regulation, which governs drivers’ breaks and driving times. As a rule, breaks are scheduled after every two to two and a half hours of driving. Certain tours are also run with two drivers.

Can coach tours compete on price with rail, car or air travel?

Absolutely.

How do I recognise a reputable coach company?

For example through credibility. Take the environmental management standard ISO 14001. Eurobus’s corporate culture is based on sustainability. The ISO 14001 standard defines globally valid criteria for efficient environmental management systems. It examines the eco-balance, environmental communication and performance evaluation and places strong emphasis on improvement, so that measures are always up to date. The Eurobus Group undergoes an audit check, or recertification, every year. And not to forget customer money protection – our customers’ money is safe.

What does the future of coach travel look like?

In the coming years, too, coach tours will remain an important part of the tourism offering. The trend is even slightly upward.