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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 SW 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 Manoire d'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 3 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 Rocmadour 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: |
June 9 to 24, 2006 |
| GRADE: |
Moderate |
| COST: |
$3506 CAD land only
$4356 CAD with airfare + $180 airport taxes
Send $300 deposit to reserve - balance is payable
April 10, 2006 |
| 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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OPTIONAL: Return airfare from Toronto, Canada |
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| HIKE LEADER: |
Robert Eschenasi & Ron Baylis |
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