Tour Jewels Of South West France

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Taste fresh oysters, Bayonne ham, Blanquette de Limoux wine and world-famous Bordeaux reds Sleep beneath turrets and towers with two nights in the romantic walled city of Carcassonne - and travel the scenic roads made famous by the Tour de France Join the hunt for black truffles at a traditional truffle farm

Guide

Experienced Back-Roads Tour Leader and Driver

Meals

9 breakfasts 1 lunches 4 dinners

Transport

Premium mini-coach transportation

Accommodation

9 nights in boutique accommodation

Not included:

Optional

Other activities and services are not included.

Insurance

Insurance is not included.

Flights

International flights are not included.

Others

Other activities and services are not included.

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Day 1 Day 1: Bordeaux - Arcachon Bay - Biarritz
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Bordeaux - Arcachon Bay - Biarritz

Where better to begin our journey than Bordeaux? After meeting the group, we’ll move on to Atlantic Ocean-fringed Arcachon Bay, where we’ll get our first taste of coastal cuisine with fresh oysters and a glass of local wine from one of the port’s traditional cabins. We’ll then stop to see the Great Dune of Pilat – Europe’s highest sand dune, with panoramic views over the bay. Then: to round off our first day, we’ll gather together in Biarritz for a welcome dinner. Accommodation: Hôtel Georges VI (or similar)

Meals:
- Dinner
Day 2 Day 2: Biarritz - Bayonne - Biarritz
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Biarritz - Bayonne - Biarritz

Today we’ve a full day to spend taking in the beauty of the French Basque Country. First, we’ll indulge our cultural sides in Bayonne – an art and history hub just a short drive away from Biarritz. While we’re here, we’ll discover a local family business going back three generations at the Bayonne Ham Museum – where we’ll indulge in a ham tasting before returning to the hotel for an afternoon of leisure time. Accommodation: Hôtel Georges VI (or similar)

Meals:
- Breakfast
Day 3 Day 3: Biarritz - Lourdes - Midi-Pyrenees
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Biarritz - Lourdes - Midi-Pyrenees

Today we’ll turn to the east - and (briefly) on to beautiful Pau. We’ll then travel through the Midi-Pyrénées region (along roads made famous by the Tour de France), pausing en route at the spiritual town of Lourdes - where we’ll see the likes of the Sanctuaires Notre-Dame de Lourdes and the Massabielle Grotto. In keeping with the spirit of our surroundings, we’ll check into comfortable rustic accommodation before tucking into this evening’s dinner. Accommodation: Hostellerie des Cèdres (or similar)

Meals:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Day 4 Day 4: Midi-Pyrenees - Cathare Country - Carcassonne
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Midi-Pyrenees - Cathare Country - Carcassonne

Following the trail of knights, we’ll continue our own crusade through the Midi-Pyrénées and past picture-perfect bastides. In Cathar country, we’ll visit a local winery and enjoy a glass of the region’s speciality – a sparkling Blanquette. Our final stop of the day will be medieval Carcassonne, where we’ll enjoy an included dinner together before resting our heads in our hotel – one of only two that lie within the old city walls. Accommodation: Hôtel Le Donjon (or similar)

Meals:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Day 5 Day 5: Carcassonne
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Carcassonne

Today you’ll be free to discover Carcassonne’s chivalric secrets at your own pace. From the alleys, passageways and 52 towers of the UNESCO-listed medieval citadel (which dates back two millennia) to the Château Comtal and its ramparts, there’s plenty to keep you occupied. Accommodation: Hôtel Le Donjon (or similar)

Meals:
- Breakfast
Day 6 Day 6: Carcassonne - Albi
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Carcassonne - Albi

Today we’ll leave the stronghold of Carcassonne behind and make tracks to the ‘red city’ of Albi. Here, we’ll get our bearings on a walking tour – stopping off at the Toulouse-Lautrec Museum on the way. Set within the Palais de la Berbie, this fascinating museum houses the largest public collection in the world devoted to the Albi painter. Accommodation: Hostellerie Saint-Antoine (or similar)

Meals:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Day 7 Day 7: Albi - Sarlat
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Albi - Sarlat

This morning we’ll take to the water for a cruise on the River Lot in a traditional wooden gabare boat – enjoying unrivalled views of the clifftop village of Saint-Cirq-Lapopie (recently voted ‘France’s favourite village’) as we go. Later, we’ll move on to Sarlat – one of the most beautiful towns in the Dordogne. Accommodation: Grand Hôtel de Sarlat (or similar)

Meals:
- Breakfast
Day 8 Day 8: Sarlat - Beynac-Et-Cazenac - Sarlat
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Sarlat - Beynac-Et-Cazenac - Sarlat

On the itinerary today: a stroll through stunning Sarlat, followed by a delightful visit to the riverside town of Beynac-et-Cazenac and its magnificently well-preserved medieval château – which has kept watch over the Dordogne from its clipptop position for nine centuries. Afterwards, we’ll return to Sarlat for dinner. Accommodation: Grand Hôtel de Sarlat (or similar)

Meals:
- Breakfast
Day 9 Day 9: Sarlat - Vezere Valley - Sarlat
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Sarlat - Vezere Valley - Sarlat

Today our travels through the Dordogne will take in the prehistoric paintings of the UNESCO-protected Lascaux Cave – which was discovered when it was happened upon by a group of teenagers back in 1940. After a stop at pretty Les Eyzies village, we’ll follow the ‘Royal Road’, winding between craggy rocks and flowing rivers until we get to a local truffle farm – where local guides will give us an exclusive lesson in seeking out the rare delicacies. Tonight, we’ll come together for one last farewell dinner. Accommodation: Grand Hôtel de Sarlat (or similar)

Meals:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Day 10 Day 10: Sarlat - Saint-Emilion - Bordeaux
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Sarlat - Saint-Emilion - Bordeaux

We’ll spend the final day of our tour in historic Saint-Émilion, a village perched above beautiful rolling countryside and countless vineyards. Here, we’ll have the chance to sample some of the region’s ‘heavy reds’ and say a final santé. We’ll then return to Bordeaux, where our tour will end.

Meals:
- Breakfast

10 days tour

Jewels Of South West France

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Jewels Of South West France

Day 1: Bordeaux - Arcachon Bay - Biarritz

Day 2: Biarritz - Bayonne - Biarritz

Day 3: Biarritz - Lourdes - Midi-Pyrenees

Day 4: Midi-Pyrenees - Cathare Country - Carcassonne

Day 5: Carcassonne

Day 6: Carcassonne - Albi

Day 7: Albi - Sarlat

Day 8: Sarlat - Beynac-Et-Cazenac - Sarlat

Day 9: Sarlat - Vezere Valley - Sarlat

Day 10: Sarlat - Saint-Emilion - Bordeaux

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