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"I was very apprehensive about my first hard-core hiking trip and you were all so reassuring, knowledgeable and patient with my inexperience. I learned a tremendous amount from all of you and enjoyed your company on the hikes as well as in the towns and during the lovely meals.... "
Carole R. (France, 2006) |
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| France
Photo Gallery |
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FRANCE
Everything ends this way in France - everything. Weddings, christenings, duels, burials, swindlings, diplomatic affairs - everything is a pretext for a good dinner. - Jean Anouilh (famous French playwright)
The River Dordogne gives its name to perhaps the most romantic region of southwest France: a richly varied landscape of prehistoric cave dwellings, feudal chateaux, fortified towns and rustic farmhouses set amid fields of vibrant wildflowers and neverending birdsong. In the heart of the area is Sarlat whose medieval "old town" has a truly remarkable architectural heritage. The honey-coloured stone of the 1000 year-old buildings, churches and squares, the gas lighting and complete lack of overhead wires make it a photographer's paradise. Dinner each evening will be in one of the fine restaurants in the old town. Included in our hikes in the surrounding countryside will be guided tours of 2 chateaux (one by the chateau owner), a visit to the magnificent sculptured gardens of the Manoir Eyrignac and Marqueyssac, a leisurely boat ride on the Dordogne and the spectacular Chateau de Montfort which has been razed and re-built 6 times. As this is Bordeaux wine country, one day will be spent sampling the products of some of the dozens of family wineries that encircle nearby Bergerac. On non-hiking days, you could visit the cave paintings of Lascaux II, the pilgrimage town of Rocamadour and the gorge and grotto of Padirac. Our hotel is the modern, air-conditioned HOTEL DE SELVES. Built around landscaped gardens with an indoor-outdoor pool and sauna, it is ideally situated just 5 minutes walk from the old town.
| DATES: |
May 31 to June 14, 2008 |
| GRADE: |
Moderate |
| WHAT'S INCLUDED: |
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14 nights' accommodation with private bath |
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Breakfast & dinner daily |
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10 guided hikes |
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Winery tours and tastings |
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Entry fees and guided tours of chateaux |
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Boat tour of the Dordogne River |
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Entry fees to the sculptured gardens |
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Ground transportation and transfers |
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| COST: |
$3593 CAD land
Send $300 deposit to reserve - balance is payable March 30, 2008 |
| OPTIONAL GROUP AIRFARE: |
$965 CAD + air taxes* of $362
Overnight flight departing May 30 from Toronto (Canada) and returning June 14. Add-ons from other cities may be possible; please call to enquire.
* Air taxes subject to change by the airlines
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