Jewels of Southwest France 2024
Jewels of Southwest France 2024
$3629
Jewels of Southwest France 2024
10 Days Starting and ending in Bordeaux
Visiting: France
Tour operator:
Tour code:
BTBBB4
Age range:
18-90
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTour Overview
Delicious oysters. Exquisite wines. Rich Bayonne ham. Take time to savour the finer things in life on this journey of discovery through Southwest France. Starting in Bordeaux (just a two-hour train journey from Paris), we’ll seek out the region’s gastronomic gems and treasured vineyards – travelling over soaring mountains, along the Atlantic coast, and into enchanting castles and prehistoric caves as we go.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Bordeaux (France)
Accommodation: Hôtel de Sèze (or similar)
Meals Included: Dinner
Where better to begin our journey of Southwest France than beautiful Bordeaux? After meeting the group, we´ll clink glasses over a delicious welcome meal. Bon appétit!
Day 2: Bordeaux – Arcachon Bay – Biarritz
Accommodation: Hôtel Georges VI (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning 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. This afternoon, we’ll round off our day in the glamorous seaside town of Biarritz – where we’ll have the evening free to wander the waterfront promenade and sample more local delicacies at our leisure.
Day 3: Biarritz – Bayonne – Biarritz
Accommodation: Hôtel Georges VI (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we’ve a full day 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. 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.
Day 4: Biarritz – Lourdes – Midi-Pyrénées
Accommodation: Hotel du Barry (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today we´ll turn to the east - and 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. Whilst here, we´ll have the opportunity to see the Sanctuaires Notre-Dame de Lourdes and the Massabielle Grotto - a significantly holy site within the Christian faith. In keeping with the spirit of our surroundings, we´ll check into our atmospheric accommodation before enjoying this evening´s included dinner.
Day 5: Midi-Pyrénées – Carcassonne
Accommodation: Hôtel Le Donjon (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Following the trail of knights, we’ll continue our own crusade through the Midi-Pyrénées and past picture-perfect bastides. Along the way, 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 have the evening to spend at our leisure.
Day 6: Carcassonne
Accommodation: Hôtel Le Donjon (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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. Later this evening, we’ll come together for an included dinner at a local restaurant – swapping stories and photographs of the day’s discoveries.
Day 7: Carcassonne – Albi – Sarlat-La-Canéda
Accommodation: Hôtel Saint-Albert (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we'll leave the stronghold of Carcassonne behind and make tracks to the 'red city' of Albi. Here, we'll enjoy a leisurely stroll around the town - taking in the magnificent Cathédrale Sainte-Cécile as we go. Later, we'll move on to Sarlat-la-Canéda - one of the most beautiful towns in the Dordogne.
Day 8: Sarlat-La-Canéda – Vézère Valley – Sarlat-La-Canéda
Accommodation: Hôtel Saint-Albert (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today our travels through the Dordogne will lead us to 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. We’ll admire the replica Lascaux Cave II before making a stop at the pretty village of Les Eyzies. Then, 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. Afterwards, we’ll return to Sarlat-la-Canéda for an evening spent at our leisure – perhaps exploring the picturesque alleyways or dining at one of the charming local restaurants in town.
Day 9: Sarlat-La-Canéda – Beynac-Et-Cazenac – Sarlat-La-Canéda
Accommodation: Hôtel Saint-Albert (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
On the itinerary today: a stroll through stunning Sarlat-la-Canéda, followed by a delightful visit to the riverside town of Beynac-et-Cazenac. We’ll enjoy some free time to explore the town’s magnificently well-preserved medieval château – which has kept watch over the Dordogne from its hilltop position for nine centuries. Tonight, we’ll come together and savour a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 10: Sarlat-La-Canéda – Saint-Émilion –– Bordeaux
Meals Included: Breakfast
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 we’ll say our goodbyes.
What's Included
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Meals
9 breakfasts, 4 dinner -
Transport
Premium mini-coach transportation
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Guide
Experienced Tour Leader and Driver
Check out our Q&As
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Will we avoid large groups of people?
We’re very eager to explore with you in the future, however avoiding large crowds at popular attractions and locations will be challenging. Our Blue-Roads tours deliver unique travel experiences that naturally visit lesser-known destinations – providing our guests with exclusive access to local experiences and charming, hand-picked accommodation. This means we are able to provide an unforgettable travel experience for our guests whilst avoiding larger crowds whenever possible.
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Will I have to wear a mask whilst on my tour?
Some personal protective equipment (such as a mask or gloves) may be required for particular destinations and attractions. However, we will provide details before your tour departure so you are prepared according to your destination of travel. To ensure the safety and comfort of all our guests, failure to comply with Blue-Roads policies and government regulations could result in your removal from your tour.
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How many people will be on my tour?
At Blue-Roads Touring, we specialize in small group tours with a maximum capacity of 18 people (average group size of 14 people). This small group element is one of the key reasons people choose to travel with us. Traveling in smaller groups means our Blue-Roads Tour Leaders can provide a more personalized traveling experience to every one of our guests.
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What if I start to feel unwell on my tour?
Let your Tour Leader know as soon as possible. Feeling unwell on a tour can happen and our Tour Leaders are already trained on appropriate actions to take if this occurs. Before we return to the road, all Blue-Roads Tour Leaders will receive additional training specific to coronavirus safety – ensuring they're prepared as possible to focus on your wellbeing.
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Up to 61 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
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