September 24-October 4, 2010

Call For Pricing

Blessed with an endless Atlantic coastline, abundant rivers, excellent ports and the finest wine and brandy in the world, the Aquitaine, with its capital, Bordeaux, is ideal for relaxation and exploration. Beautiful sandy beaches, lush countryside, fine medieval architecture and chateaux of all shapes, sizes and eras typify the region. This is the land of Eleanor and her son Richard the Lionheart…little wonder why England was their second home. Bordeaux is noted for its elegant 18th century architecture and rich cultural life and has given its name to the world’s finest red wines produced on the gravelly soils of the Garonne river valley. In addition to producing many very good affordable wines, the Bergerac region is one of France’s loveliest. The countryside is scattered with graceful houses built of warm golden stone, spectacular prehistoric cave paintings, medieval chateaux, churches and picturesque fortified villages. We will begin in Languedoc in the largest medieval fortified village in Europe with the Mediterranean neaby

Package includes:

11 days / 9 nights accommodations in 3 star hotels in Carcassonne (3 nights), Sarlat (3 nights) and Bordeaux (3 nights)
All breakfasts, 4 dinners, 4 lunches
Transportation by private deluxe motor coach
1 cooking lesson with lunch
Professional tour escort throughout
Bi-lingual guide as needed
Sight seeing and visits as follows:
- Carcassonne, the largest medieval fortified village in Europe
- the "route des vins" of the "Bas-Languedoc" and wine-tastings of local vintages in Narbonne and Saint-Jean-de-Minervois.
- river cruise on the Canal du Midi
- the famous grottos of "Pech Merle", with its prehistoric paintings
- Sarlat, a bustling, beautiful market town, with some of the best preserved medieval buildings in France
- wine-tasting of Cahors vintages
- the open-air market of Sarlat and choose with your "chef"teacher the ingredients to prepare typical recipes with local flavours
- Rocamadour, one of the most beautiful villages of France
- the Dordogne valley and its beautiful panoramas
- the beautiful gardens of the Castle of Eyrignac
- Bergerac and wine-tasting in the famous Castle of Monbazillac
- Guided tour of Bordeaux
- Visit to some of the famous Bordeaux vineyards with a wine specialist

ITINERARY

Day 1 - Friday: Depart USA

Day 2– Saturday - Arrival in Toulouse or Montpellier airport or train station
After arrival, you will be taken to Carcassonne where you will spend the next 3 nights. Carcassonne, the largest medieval fortified village in Europe is one of the most magical places in France. You will relax after your inbound trip, enjoy a welcome aperitif and dinner at the hotel.

Day 3– Sunday - The Vineyards of Languedoc
After breakfast you will follow the "route des vins" of the "Bas-Languedoc" where you will taste the local vintages in Narbonne and Saint-Jean-de-Minervois. After lunch on your own, you will be taken back to Carcassonne where you will have the afternoon to discover the City, the Ramparts and the Castle. Dinner on your own with recommendations. Hotel in Carcassonne.

Day 4– Monday - The Montagne Noire and "Canal du Midi"
During the morning you will discover the beautiful landscapes above Carcassonne, between dark forests and vineyards. After lunch in Castelnaudary (the capital of the famous "Cassoulet") you will be returned to Carcassonne by a cruise on the Canal du Midi. Recommendations will be provided for dinner on your own in Carcassonne. Hotel in Carcassonne.

Day 5– Tuesday - From Languedoc to Périgord
Today you will cross the "Lot Valley", and its beautiful landscapes. You will enjoy a gastronomic lunch in the splendid village Saint-Cirq-Lapopie situated above the Lot River. After time for shopping and sightseeing, you will visit the famous grottos of "Pech Merle", caverns filled with magnificent prehistoric painting for an unforgettable trip back in time. You will spend the next 3 nights in Sarlat. Dinner at the hotel.

Day 6– Wednesday - The gastronomy of "Périgord"
Today you will be initiated in the famous cuisine "périgourdine". First of all you will discover the open-air market of Sarlat and choose with your "chef" the ingredients for preparing several dishes with typical recipes for "foie gras", truffles, and mushrooms. After lunch, you will have plenty of time to visit Sarlat. This bustling, beautiful market town is capital of the Perigord-Noir so called because of the areas dense forests. The old quarter has some of the best preserved medieval buildings in France. Don’t miss the Cathedrale St-Sacerdos, a gothic and romanesque style church. Wine tasting of Cahors vintages. Dinner on your own. Hotel in Sarlat.

Day 7– Thursday - Rocamadour and the local gastronomy
Today you will visit one of the most beautiful villages of France : "Rocamadour". Perched on a sheer cliff 500 feet above the Alzou Canyon, the town was a major pilgrimage destination. You will enjoy lunch on you own. In the afternoon you will follow the Dordogne valley and its beautiful panoramas stopping at a farm where they raise geese for "foie gras" in route to the beautiful gardens of the Castle of Eyrignac. Your tour guide will made recommendations for your dinner tonight in Sarlat. Hotel in Sarlat.

Day 8– Friday - From Périgord to Bordelais
Transfer from Sarlat to Bergerac, where you will spend the next 3 nights in Bordeaux. Visit the famous Castle of Monbazillac. In addition to producing many very good, affordable wines, this region is one of France’s loveliest, a land of steep green hills and magnificent rivers. The countryside is scattered with spectacular prehistoric cave painting, medieval chateaux and churches, and picturesque fortified villages. The Monbazillac, perched on a cliff overlooking the Dorgogne Valley, looks like a fair-tale vision, with its moat, immense round towers, crenellated battlements, and steeply angled tile roof. Lunch will be at a farm house noted for its fine cuisine, and dinner at your hotel in Bordeaux.

Day 9– Saturday - Bordeaux
After breakfast, a guide will take you on a tour of Bordeaux, home to some of the greatest wines in the world, its’ monuments, and old town. Lunch will be on your own. Your afternoon will be free, giving you plenty of time to shop, visit one of the villages finest wine bars, or to tour some of the regions better known vineyards. Your tour guide will make a recommendation for dinner, or select a restaurant on your own.

Day 10– Sunday - Education in the secrets of Bordeaux vintages
Today, a specialist in Bordeaux wines will first provide an orientation to the many wine cellars in Bordeaux and how to taste wine before taking you to visit and taste wine at some of the world’s famous vineyards. Lunch will be together at a restaurant of the groups choosing. You will have time to relax in your hotel before enjoying the evenings grand farewell dinner.

Day 11– Monday - Breakfast and departure
Transfer to Bordeaux airport or train station for your journey home.