Rob Kenny's guide to a glam solo trip in Bordeaux

Influencer Rob Kenny divulges his top tips to enjoy a glam solo trip in the French city of Bordeaux.

As I write this travel article, I am sitting outside of a café on my last day of a three-day solo travel trip in Bordeaux, a city famed for its wine, and located in the beautiful southwest of France.

Just four days ago I was in my local gym when I took the spontaneous notion to book a European weekend away.

Madrid, Berlin, and Vienna jumped to mind but, as a self-confessed Francophile, I tried my luck with a French destination. With return flights to Bordeaux coming in at a reasonable €190 with Aer Lingus (always a plus) I booked my three nights stay while still walking on the treadmill.

The following morning, I was in a taxi exploring a new city with that irresistible feeling of butterflies in my stomach. As I looked out of the window at the quintessentially French buildings passing by - buildings that I believe no country in the world can compare to - I was just dying for this weekend of solo travel adventures to begin.

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Going solo

As an avid Instagrammer, I was documenting the details of my French travels to my online audience, and one of the most frequent questions I was asked is 'do you not get embarrassed or bored while traveling alone?' The answer is a categorical no.

I'm an experienced solo traveler now, so the embarrassment element is long since gone, and when exploring and experiencing a gorgeous new European city, how could anyone possibly be bored? That's my idea of pure bliss.

If you want to start booking some solo trips, here are my simple top tips:

A laptop on the table when dining alone gives the impression you are working, which helps to get rid of any (unnecessary) embarrassment.
A diary, book, or notebook has a similar effect.
Talking to strangers is not as hard as you think. Locals are usually eager to chat with tourists about and be proud of their hometown.
Sitting at the bar instead of at a table is a great way to make pals - this can often start with the bar team and lead to fellow guests.
If you're feeling particularly awkward, tell the wait staff you're there for work - they won't care, but it might make you feel a bit more comfortable.
If you're feeling lonely, listen to a podcast - an Irish one will give you a little bit of comfort from home.

La Grosse Cloche, bell tower on the medieval gate in Bordeaux. Getty Images.

The city

'Beautiful, captivating, superior' - these are the three words I think of when trying to describe the city. 'Superior ' might seem like an odd choice, but the locals have an incredibly high standard of living that is immediately apparent to any tourist.

In between typing and taking sips of coffee at this café, I am admiring the Grosse Cloche, a large 18th-century bell tower that stands over an old jail, and is still rung on special occasions and on the first Sunday of every month.

Although the city is famous for its wine, believe me when I say that anyone with an architectural interest will adore the multifaceted beauty of the area. 150 hectares of the city's buildings are UNESCO-protected, and approximately 5,000 buildings here date back to the 18th century.

The hotel

Admittedly I am a bit of a hotel snob. I did the budget Airbnb and hostels in my late teens and early 20s, but now the accommodation element of a trip is something I won't scrimp on. For me, it really makes or breaks a holiday.

I did a good bit of research on where to stay (albeit at 10pm the night before flying), and I landed on Hotel Le Palais Gallien. I booked it based on the location, reviews, and general aesthetics of the hotel. Plus, compared to Irish five-star hotels, the price for such luxury was a very pleasant surprise.

Immediately upon check-in, I knew I had made a brilliant decision; the hotel building boasted that stunning 18th-century French architecture style, immediately adding an element of elegance and refinement yet decorated internally with a contemporary flair.

My room was incredible. So much so, I had to Facetime both my Mum and boyfriend upon check-in. I stayed in the Montaigne Suite, which has the most breathtaking views over central Bordeaux. The surprise of a rooftop jacuzzi was an incredible bougie extra.

Yes, I absolutely did have a glass of champagne in the jacuzzi while enjoying that view.

I took a note to visit this hotel again during the summer months, as the beautiful building encloses a modern pool within their central gardens, which is no doubt an absolute gem during the hot French summer.

The service provided by the hotel staff was completely flawless - always so polite and attentive. I'm hard to impress when it comes to hotels, and this was an easy 10 out of 10 for me.

Place la Bourse in Bordeaux, the water mirror by night. Getty Images.

Things to do

This is a city for walking. Stick on your runners, keep your standout attractions in mind, and just go for it.

I kept telling people upon my return that Bordeaux is like a mini Paris. As well as boasting beautiful architecture and unique world heritage sites, the people-watching is next level with locals looking as stylish and chic as you would hope.

Wandering aimlessly along the central streets is a definite must-do, but be sure to use the National Opera Hall, Place de la Bourse, and the Bordeaux Cathedral as your guides.

Art lovers will enjoy some of the city's impressive museums, while others may enjoy taking a stroll through the gorgeous Jardin Public before dropping by the hipster-friendly Darwin Eco-système for a coffee.

I would highly recommend booking one of the many city bike tours on offer. Bordeaux is the sixth most bike-friendly city in the world, so this is a great way to learn the city's fascinating history from a local.

The vineyard tour

You're in the wine capital of the world so, naturally, a wine-tasting vineyard tour is a must*.

If you have the time, a day trip to Saint-Émilion appears to be the most praised. The gorgeous medieval village and surrounding lands are comprised of just six percent of Bordeaux's vineyards yet are among the best-known Bordeaux wines worldwide.

If you don't want to give an entire day to a vineyard tour, Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion is the closest to the city centre. In fact, you can get a tram directly there.

This vineyard tour includes a stunning ancient chateau, a tour around the winery, and views of the beautiful estate. The team there won gold in the Great Wine Capitals Awards of Excellence in 2019.

A solo private visit-tasting costs €50 per person, with the experience lasting approximately an hour and a half.

Eat and drink

Only having a few days in a city makes it difficult to experience the best food and drink it has to offer. However, after a lot of Google-heavy research, plus some handy tips from locals, these are my top recommendations:

Fine dining

Le Chapin Fin. Photo: Matthieu de Corta.

With three Michelin stars, Le Chapon Fin was top of my list and was the only one I had booked in advance. When you walk in, you are immediately amazed by the standout design, with the restaurant offering the juxtaposition of eating both in a cave (even though you're in the middle of the city centre) and a prestigiously designed fine dining restaurant.

Each table has lots of space between them, so groups feel like they have a bit of privacy and the service is exceptional. I had the foie gras to start followed by a beautiful fillet of beef. My top tip would be to let their expert sommelier pick the wine for you - you are in Bordeaux, after all.

Hot spot

With only a weekend in a city, I like to experience both the glam and the trendy when it comes to dining and drinks. After doing an Insta shout-out for a 'cool restaurant' in Bordeaux with a buzzy atmosphere, the most common response was Frida.

Both a restaurant and a cocktail bar, this spot is full of trendy locals enjoying a night on the town. The delicious tapas are to be enjoyed alongside top-notch cocktails.

As a solo traveler sitting at the bar, I ended up becoming best mates with the super friendly bar manager, Gabriel, and had a super evening.

Rooftop Bar

Rooftop cocktails are a must-do for me when exploring a new city, so I tried as many as I could while in Bordeaux. The standout option was the rooftop bar of the Intercontinental Hotel.

Situated in the heart of the city centre, it offers panoramic views of some of the most beautiful buildings in Bordeaux including the National Opera House.

In the colder months, they have a glazed winter terrace so you can enjoy a night on the town with your head in the stars.

Brunch

Not often will I agree to the Melbourne-esque norm of queuing for popular brunch spots. However, I found myself breaking my own rule for Contrast.

The hipster-vibe brunch spot has an (almost) compulsory rule of ordering from their formulaic menu that offers one savory dish, one sweet dish, a sweet bowl, a hot drink, and a cold drink at the price of €25. I went for the favoured choice of avocado eggs, granola, and French toast. It was worth the queue.

Another brilliant brunch option is the gorgeous Irish café, Eriu, which offers up delicious dishes with an Irish twist. Unlike most Irish venues found overseas, this trendy café has a Nordic-style design and a warm atmosphere. A great place to sit, enjoy a coffee, and people-watch in one of the more high-end parts of town.

You can follow Rob Kenny here.

*Always drink responsibly.

Rob Kenny's guide to a glam solo trip in Bordeaux

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