Hear tales of crusaders, conquerors and kings as you explore the ramparts and battlements of the fortified French city of Carcassonne, restored in the 19th century
6. LIFE IN FRENCH BASQUE COUNTRY One of the few areas of France where a traditional language all its own is still spoken by many residents, the Pays Basque displays a distinctive culture characterized by its architecture featuring white, half-timbered houses with colorful trim; a hearty cuisine reflecting the catch of local fishermen and the bounty of a fertile land; and a fiercely independent people embracing a strong cultural heritage. Enjoy a taste of daily life in Basque country in the village of Ainhoa; sample a tasty lunch of local fare, watch a demonstration of the pelota – billed as the fastest ball game on Earth – and take a guided walking tour. Continue on to the fishing village of Saint-Jean-de-Luz, a former pirate haunt that now doubles as a popular summer resort, for a guided visit. Return to your Biarritz hotel for the evening. Meals BL
7. BORDEAUX BOUNTY & A GARONNE CRUISE Depart your waterfront resort in Biarritz this morning and travel north to Bordeaux, a major trading port since pre-Roman times. Synonymous with the distinctive wine produced in this region since the 8th century, the city is the capital of the world’s wine industry. Bordeaux is also a treasure-trove of historic architecture, some of it going back nearly a thousand years. Upon your arrival this afternoon, board a private boat for a guided cruise on the Garonne River, where you’re welcomed by a graceful waterfront of Classical façades from Bordeaux’s golden age in the 18th century, dining on a picnic lunch along the way. Explore as you please for the rest of the day. Meals BL
8. WINE & WONDERS IN SAINT-ÉMILION Among the over 44 million cases of fine wine produced in the Bordeaux region every year, Saint-Émilion is among its finest
106
appellations. Head into the vine-covered hills outside Bordeaux today to discover the source of these vintages, along with the cultural and historic riches of the communities that produce them. On a visit with your local guide to Saint-Émilion – whose first vineyards were planted by the Romans back in the 2nd century – you’ll see a wealth of Romanesque architecture and ruins that are now part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, including a 12th-century monolithic church hewn from a hillside. After a guided visit and lunch at a local château winery, return to Bordeaux to pursue what interests you most and seek out more culinary treats for dinner on your own tonight. Meals BL
9. A DORDOGNE CRUISE & PREHISTORIC ART The regions known as the Dordogne and the Perigord Noir lie between the Loire Valley and the Pyrenees, with a long history dating back to the days of the Gauls. Travel to the village of La Roque Gageac in the heart of the Perigord Noir, tucked under rocky cliffs towering above the Dordogne River; check out the town after exploring the river on a cruise this afternoon. Later, visit Grotte Lascaux II, a replica of the nearby Lascaux cave adorned with Paleolithic paintings. Your accommodations for the next two nights are at the 18th-century Château de Castel Novel in the village of Varetz, where a fun-filled folkloric dinner tonight showcases local traditions in this region of France. Meals BD
10. COUNTRYSIDE GEMS OF FRANCE From Varetz, set out to explore Rocamadour, a cliffside town in the Lot renowned for its dramatic natural setting, medieval monuments and a long tradition of cheese making; see the cluster of religious pilgrimage sites called the Cité Religieuse and the Chapelle de Notre Dame before lunch at a local restaurant.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148 |
Page 149 |
Page 150 |
Page 151 |
Page 152 |
Page 153 |
Page 154 |
Page 155 |
Page 156 |
Page 157 |
Page 158 |
Page 159 |
Page 160 |
Page 161 |
Page 162 |
Page 163 |
Page 164 |
Page 165 |
Page 166 |
Page 167 |
Page 168 |
Page 169 |
Page 170 |
Page 171 |
Page 172