Day 1
You should arrive at the airport to take your flights to Toulouse or Carcassonne. On arrival you will be taken to one of our carefully selected hotels for four nights with dinner in delightful Sarlat, probably the most picturesque town in the Dordogne.

Firstly we have the four-star Hotel De Selves. The rooms themselves are larger than you would expect and the hotel is air conditioned. The lounge is extremely welcoming and very airy with views onto the landscaped gardens. It is very well situated just a few hundred metres from the historic centre of Sarlat in a peaceful and green environment. Dinner is taken at a nearby restaurant serving regional specialities. Our second hotel in Sarlat is the three-star superior Relais de Moussidiere beautifully situated in 15 acres of rolling countryside with two lakes teeming with birdlife and deer - the ideal spot to take a predinner stroll. The hotel dates from a 17th century abbey and has been converted to an extremely tasteful hotel in complete harmony with its rural surroundings. Constructed from local honeycoloured stone, exposed beams, antique furniture and terracotta tiles are evident throughout and there is even a wine press outside giving a wonderful rural French ambience. All have outdoor swimming pools open from from June to September, dependent on weather conditions.

Day 2
The timeless market town of Sarlat dates from Charlemagne’s time. Today it’s an architectural jewel constructed from the local luminous golden stone with 13th century buildings lining its narrow twisting alleys. Such is its striking state of preservation, Sarlat has been the setting for a host of films, including Les Misérables and Joan of Arc. The street life is just wonderful - watch the locals tasting the produce on offer: pungent cheeses, probably the world’s finest charcuterie and the market stalls positively groan under the weight of colourful ripe vegetables. Watch friends meet in the street, kiss on both cheeks then immediately proceed to catch up on the local gossip! This is quintessential provincial France in its purest form. Unusually for this part of France, Sarlat was only under English rule for around ten years and during our morning guided tour, as we amble through the atmospheric cobbled streets, we learn how the area has stood the test of time after a long and troubled thousand year history.

This afternoon we travel through the mists of time at the famous caves of nearby Lascaux. Here, 17,000 years ago, at the very dawn of European human habitation, our pre-historic ancestors established the continent’s earliest known sacred human site and we have a staggering glimpse back into their thoughts as we discover their amazing cave art. The original cave, was closed in the 1960s because of damage caused by CO2 exhalation from visitors, so what you are viewing is actually a copy. However, do not think the visit is any less fascinating for this as the entire site has been perfectly reproduced using original techniques, which is a stunning achievement in itself. This meticulous replication took six years, and has been achieved to a tolerance of just 3mm!

If rock has fallen from the roof revealing a cavity and different colours – the resulting changes have been reproduced! The staggering 2,000 figures, of galloping herds of horses, groups of grazing deer and even a 5 metre long bull, make use of ‘perspective’ and illusionary ‘3D’ techniques to create a scene of remarkable beauty. If created today the works would not be out of place in the world’s great galleries, but more than that, recent research suggests that the positioning of the various animals reflects the celestial location of various constellations at the winter solstice. The secrets of Lascaux are still being unravelled but this incredible sophistication proves these prehistoric artists were far from primitive!

Day 3
Today we follow the extraordinarily picturesque river Dordogne to one of France’s most instantly recognisable sights - the remarkable village and monastery of Rocamadour. As we round the twisting everascending lanes, the view of this eclectic, almost vertical village assaults you. Hewn from the rock itself, dominating the turbulent river below, its contours and overall beauty are highlighted by the bright sunlight. Following the discovery of St Amadour’s perfectly preserved body, Rocamadour became a pilgrimage site during the Middle Ages, the ‘Lourdes of its time’, famed for its healing powers and visited by numerous monarchs. The monument is the village itself so there’s time to explore under your own steam. In complete contrast, this afternoon, we take a delightful trip on a restored 19th century train though the heart of the scenic valley, twisting around cliffs affording yet more stunning views. (NB runs until 2nd October, after this date we return by coach)

Day 4
Within a couple of lazy meanders of the graceful River Dordogne, is a remarkable collection of places embodying the fascinating melange of dramatic natural features, centuries of history and varied cultural delights which make the Dordogne one of the most special parts of France. Firstly we see the great fortress of Beynac, captured by Richard the Lionheart towering above the river.

The views are amazing and the maze of narrow alleys and cobbled squares in the village below are recognised as one of the ‘Most Beautiful Villages in France’. Next we visit the unusual ‘Overhanging Gardens’ of Marqueyssac. This beautiful formal display took 30 years to create and the superbly relaxing path through clipped box hedges and indigenous trees, plus one of the best panoramic views in the Dordogne, puts these gardens in a class apart.

Nestling next to the river with its creamycoloured stone houses, Roque-Gageac is almost too perfect and is often winner of France’s ‘Prettiest Village’ contest. Here we board a traditional ‘gabare’- boats once used for transporting wine amongst other things, for a sense of the way of life that once dominated the region. This afternoon we visit Domme, a magnificent walled town with several fortified gates, yet more stunning views, an array of fine medieval dwellings plus goldsmiths’ houses and a delightful covered market. You could also explore the caves beneath the town, where once the Knights Templar were imprisoned.

Day 5
This morning we bid farewell to the Dordogne travelling south to delightful Cahors, with its splendid 14th century fortified Valentré bridge majestically spanning the river Tarn. Continuing, the countryside gradually changes from rolling wooded slopes of lush green to the more pale yellows, ochres and endless fields of the instantly recognisable sunflowers so typical of southern France.

For your convenience, should you have flown into Toulouse, you stay the next three nights, with dinner in Albi, or if into Carcassonne, the next three nights, with dinner will be in Carcassonne itself. All hotels are good quality but vary according to departure date, please see ‘Dates and Prices’ booklet for details. Depending on where you stay, the subsequent order of visits will vary, but the overall content is identical.

Albi: The four-star hotel Saint-Antoine has been owned by the same family for five generations and their passion really shows. This extremely comfortable hotel is centrally located just a few minutes’ walk from the sights and has an excellent restaurant. The rooms are very well appointed as you would expect, with many furnished with tasteful antiques. Ideal to relax in after some sightseeing are the peaceful, flower adorned gardens at the rear.

Carcassonne: We use two hotels here, both owned by the same family who are third-generation hoteliers and very professional in their approach. The four-star Mercure is set at the medieval gates of the old-city thus making exploration very easy with contemporary rooms in pastel colours and of very good quality. The restaurant looks out onto the tasteful terrace from where you can enjoy views of the old city over a refreshing drink. Actually within the old city itself is the three-star superior hotel Le Donjon which consists of three separate medieval houses. This has been a superb restoration programme with each room being different thus reflecting the 15th century features of each wonderful building. The quality is extremely good with traditional terracotta tiles, exposed wood beams and stonework all combined with the features of a modern hotel - you will love it.

Day 6
Albi came to prominence as a centre of Catharism, an unusual Christian sect but with some rather ‘strange’ views including the worship of two gods with the Pope being the representative of neither; all men being equal – as wealth itself should be and all should have a vote - including women. Obviously this was pretty radical stuff for the 12th century! The Pope declared them heretics and initiated a crusade against them. Today as you approach Albi, you cross the deepriver valley and see the stunning brick built city, dominated by one of the finest gothic cathedrals you will ever see crowning the opposite bank highlighted against the sky.

The overall ambience here is different from the Dordogne, more Mediterranean in character and during our guided tour we will learn all about this once independent state featuring a visit to the cathedral, arguably the largest brick building in the world. Its sumptuous interior is breathtaking in its detail and boasts one of Europe’s most important medieval works, an enormous mural of the Last Judgement. This afternoon you are free to explore as you wish. The renowned artist Toulouse- Lautrec was born here and a museum houses a rich collection of his most famous works. It is just lovely though to amble around Albi’s old town, one of France’s largest conservation areas.

Day 7
There are many historic ‘old towns’ in France but none is quite like the magnificent medieval citadel and fairytale-like quality of the cone topped turrets and serrated cream-coloured battlements of Carcassonne. You will have a guided tour during which you will experience a wonderful sense of timelessness, wandering ancient cobbled lanes founded by Romans and trodden over the centuries by Visigoths, Saracens and rich medieval merchants. The citadel remains a living village and this afternoon you will have time to discover its more peaceful corners, absorbing the unique atmosphere of this truly special place. We return for a final evening meal at your hotel.

Day 8
You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home at the appropriate time.

Hotel De Selves - four star

The rooms themselves are larger than you would expect and the hotel is air conditioned. The lounge is extremely welcoming and very airy with views onto the landscaped gardens. It is very well situated just a few hundred metres from the historic centre of Sarlat in a peaceful and green environment

Relais de Moussidiere - three-star superior

Beautifully situated in 15 acres of rolling countryside with two lakes teeming with birdlife and deer - the ideal spot to take a predinner stroll. The hotel dates from a 17th century abbey and has been converted to an extremely tasteful hotel in complete harmony with its rural surroundings. Constructed from local honeycoloured stone, exposed beams, antique furniture and terracotta tiles are evident throughout and there is even a wine press outside giving a wonderful rural French ambience.

Saint-Antoine Albi - four-star

This hotel has been owned by the same family for five generations and their passion really shows. This extremely comfortable hotel is centrally located just a few minutes’ walk from the sights and has an excellent restaurant. The rooms are very well appointed as you would expect, with many furnished with tasteful antiques. Ideal to relax in after some sightseeing are the peaceful, flower adorned gardens at the rear.

Mercure - four-star

Set at the medieval gates of the old-city thus making exploration very easy with contemporary rooms in pastel colours and of very good quality. The restaurant looks out onto the tasteful terrace from where you can enjoy views of the old city over a refreshing drink.

Le Donjon - three-star superior

Actually within the old city itself is the three-star superior hotel Le Donjon which consists of three separate medieval houses. This has been a superb restoration programme with each room being different thus reflecting the 15th century features of each wonderful building. The quality is extremely good with traditional terracotta tiles, exposed wood beams and stonework all combined with the features of a modern hotel - you will love it.