Easy Exploring Across the South of France

Tour Type:

Easy Exploring

Comfort Rating:

Premier

Activity Level:

Really Easy

Duration:

8 Days

Join us on a remarkable journey across the south of France!

Along the way we’ll explore natural parks, discover beautiful historic cities and wander into picturesque villages full of culture and charm. Ideal for those who enjoy superb food, exquisite wine, amazing scenery, and immersing themselves in the local culture. This journey will make you fall in love with the ambiance of southern France.

Click the thumbnail to view larger image.

Day 1 - Bienvenue à Bordeaux

Your Go Get Lost adventure starts this afternoon at our meeting point, the lobby of our centrally-located hotel in Bordeaux. (You'll be provided with detailed arrival and departure instructions to help you coordinate your flights and travel. If you're arriving by train from our Paris & Normandy tour, you'll be met at the train station and transferred to the hotel.) You'll meet your private guide, your traveling companions, and start with a walk to an ancient merchants storehouse close to the river in the Chartrons district. Here we'll have a lovely introduction to the history of the wine trade in Bordeaux, a trade which has existed since Roman times and has been the principal industry ever since. We'll enjoy a tasting of the local vintages, then you'll have the rest of the evening free to wander, explore and get lost in the streets of this amazing city. With its ample supply of shops, bars and amazing restaurants, you'll have no trouble finding the perfect spot for dinner! Your guide will walk you to some of the best dining areas to show you some of their favorites.

Day 2 - The Medoc Region

After our delicious French breakfast we'll relax for a short, scenic drive into the countryside north of Bordeaux. This enchanting landscape is renown for its classic French wine estates, dotting the countryside in every direction. We'll pass chateau after chateau as we wind through one of France's most highly regarded wine regions, the Medoc. Covered with pine forests and blessed with a mild climate due to the nearby ocean, the Medoc's gravel soil allows for good drainage, heat retention and extensive root systems. The result is an abundance of wine estates producing some of the finest vintages in Europe. We'll visit two of them today, for tours and tastings, and have an excellent regional lunch at a local bistro.

Tonight we'll roll up our sleeves for a private cooking class to learn from some true experts in French cuisine. Of course afterwards we'll relax and enjoy the fruits of our labors, and have a very special dining experience! A perfect way to end the day in Bordeaux!

Day 3 - Saint Emilion and the Dordogne

Today's journey is a cross-country odyssey, winding our way through the stunning French landscape of the "Entre-deux-Mers" region, stopping regularly to visit the charming villages and towns we pass. Our first stop will be Saint Emilion, the mythical and quaint medieval village and center of some of the finest wines produced in the area. You'll have the option for a short walk into the village, where we'll have some time to wander and explore before we head to a nearby winery for a tour and tasting. Lunch will follow and then we're off again, enjoying the charming scenery as our private coach takes us through the Perigord region and along some of the prettiest villages on the Dordogne. This pastoral landscape might seem peaceful today, bit there are ample remnants of the medieval times when war was raging between the English and the French. The Périgord is said by locals to have “1001 fortified castles”, which still dot the countryside and contribute to the history and ambiance of the area.

Late afternoon will find us in the delightful town of Sarlat-la-Caneda, our home for the evening. The rest of the afternoon and evening is free. You'll want to stroll through the cobblestone streets of the historical center to shop, explore, and find a good place for dinner. You'll find plenty of options in this town...relax and enjoy!

Today's walk is rated EASY . Depending on the route chosen, you'll be on country roads and on dirt paths alongside the vineyards. Once again, depending on the route, the total distance will be around 1 mile, more or less, with very little ascent or descent in this fairly flat area.

Non-walking options: If you prefer not to walk, you can remain with the coach and ride into town.

Day 4 - Rocamadour, Peche Merle and Cahors

After another typical French breakfast we'll make our way to the stunning village of Rocamadour, a medieval pilgrims site spectacularly built into the rock of a mountain! We'll have time to explore the village before heading south to visit the cave of Peche Merle, famous for its prehistoric cave paintings and one of only a few such sites open to visitors. Extending for more than a kilometer from the entrance are caverns whose walls are painted with murals dating back to 25,000 B.C.! Since our morning will be spent partially underground, it's only fitting that our lunch be spent in the sunshine...our private coach will whisk us to a scenic spot where we can enjoy a picnic and a wine tasting of some other French varieties. To make up for our indulgence we'll have an easy walk through the rolling, green hills along the river Lot to the tiny village of Saint-Cirq-Lapopie - perched on a cliff three hundred feet above the river, the town is considered to be one of the prettiest medieval villages in France. After a stroll around here we drive to medieval Cahors, known for its deep red wine, elaborate municipal gardens and the Pont Valentré, a medieval bridge with 3 towers, considered the best preserved fortified, medieval bridge in France. Later this afternoon we'll arrive at our home for the night...and what a treat it is! A medieval fortified chateau renovated to luxury standards, featuring a Michelin starred restaurant and a renown chef! We'll indulge ourselves here with an exceptional meal, featuring wine pairings for each course, selected by the chef. An after-dinner apéritif on the patio under the stars might be an excellent way to end your day.

Today's walk is rated EASY . The hike meanders alongside the river on a wide, flat trail almost all the way to Saint-Cirq. At the very end there is an uphill portion on a smaller, steeper trail for about 20 minutes to reach the town. The total distance will be around 2.3 miles, with 750 feet of ascent.

Non-hiking options: If you decide to opt out of the hike today, you can remain with the coach and ride into town, meeting your group when they arrive.

Day 5 - Carcassonne

After breakfast this morning we drive toward Carcassonne, stopping en route at a couple of lovely medieval villages for wandering and exploring. First we come to picturesque Cordes-sur-Ciel, a Cathar stronghold in the middle ages. Cordes is perched on a mountaintop, surrounded by mountains and vineyards, with the scent of pine shrubs, spicy herbs, and sweet flowers carried on cool winds through the village. Known as the garrigue, it is the signature scent of the south of France. After leaving Cordes we'll make a stop to visit a small vineyard that's been In the same family for 14 generations! Here you'll get a chance to taste some typical country vintages that have been produced in this area for centuries. Later you can relax and enjoy the drive through the scenic countryside as we make our way to Carcassonne. The medieval walled city sits in the picturesque valley of the Aude river—the gap between the Pyrenees and the Massif Central. With its extensive ramparts and myriad turrets, the citadel of Carcassonne dominates the surrounding countryside. It's a UNESCO- listed World Heritage Site and embodiment of a fairy-tale castle. After checking into the hotel we enjoy a stroll through the town center of this magical fortified city.

Tonight we'll have an excellent group dinner at one of our favorite local restaurants. As always, regional specialties will dominate the menu, with plenty of the incredible wines from the surrounding vineyards to complement the delicious cuisine.

Day 6 - Chateau de Lastours and the Canal du Midi

Today is packed with adventure and activity! After breakfast we'll head north into the mountainous Cabardes hills region known for its Cathar castles. Here we'll have a chance to hike to the ruins of the Chateaux de Lastour, or the Lastour Castles, an 11th century cluster of four defensive strongholds built at the peak of the Cathar period on rocky ridges as part of an overall castle complex. This famous fortress formed the center of resistance for the Lords of Cabaret and the Cathar religion. Continually assailed early in the 13th century by the forces of Catholicism during the Albigensian Crusade, this site was pivotal in the war and resistance.

Afterwards we'll have time for a stroll in the lovely medieval village of Caunes-Minervois, then back to Carcassone for an excellent lunch. The afternoon will be filled with floating and sipping wine as we embark on a private boat tour of the historic Canal du Midi. Started in 1666, the canal was considered one of the greatest engineering feats of the 17th century, linking the Mediterranean with the Atlantic at Bordeaux. Over 150 miles long, with 86 locks, it was an impressive construction, especially considering the times.

Tonight we'll have the evening free in Carcassone to explore and find our own bistro or boulangerie for dinner.

Today's walk is rated EASY . The walk has a short uphill at the start, then the trail meanders across the ridge between all the ruins. Depending on how much wandering you do, the total distance will be around 1.5 miles with 548 feet of ascent and the same for the descent. Trail surfaces are generally single-track rocky trails.

Non-hiking options: If you decide to opt out of the hike today, you can remain with the coach in the parking area, with some pleasant countryside views. You can always walk a short distance on the path before turning around and returning to the coach. Alternatively you can take it easy today and remain in Carcassone for a rest day.

Day 7 - Toulouse

Only an hour from Carcassone is the exciting French city of Toulouse. Ochre rooftops and blushing brick churches earned Toulouse the nickname ‘La Ville Rose’ (The Pink City). Its enchanting Vieux Quartier (Old Quarter) is a dreamy jumble of coral-colored shopfronts and churches. Beyond the old town, Toulouse sprawls into France’s fourth-largest city, home to the largest university outside of Paris, and the quintessential French company Airbus. It’s an animated, hectic place, but Toulouse – nestled between a bend in the Garonne River and the mighty Canal du Midi – is invigorated and defined by its waterways. Toulouse also knows how to have a good time, whether in teeming food markets, plentiful bistros or in the thick of its smouldering jazz and rock music scenes.

This morning we'll enjoy a walking tour of Toulouse, then have the rest of the day free to explore and get lost. Tonight we'll have an amazing farewell dinner in a superb local restaurant. Expect lots of toasts. laughing, eating, and of course, wine.

Day 8 - Au Revoir

Your Go Get Lost tour ends today after breakfast. Your tour leader can help you arrange a taxi to the airport for your flight home.

HOTELS

Due to availability at the time of booking, hotels listed may change to similar hotels

Bordeaux - 4 Star Aparthotel Adagio Gambetta: This modern apartment-style hotel has a superb location in the city center of Bordeaux. Spacious kitchenette rooms are perfect for relaxing with a bottle of wine after a long day exploring.

Sarlat-la-Caneda - 4 Star La Madeleine Hotel and Spa: Located in the center of the old town. La Madeleine is ideally located at the entrance to the medieval city of Sarlat la Canéda with its listed monuments, markets and shops, numerous restaurants, street entertainment and shows. The hotel boasts a heated pool with terrace and solarium, a wellness area with sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, and a theme shower ... for an extraordinary experience.

Cahors - Domaine de Labarthe Guesthouse: About 8 km from Cahors, on the road through the Malbec vineyards, an exquisite 18th century manor house hides among the walnut groves just waiting to show you the welcoming hospitality only found in the finest French guesthouses. The elegant country house built of Quercy stone has been patiently restored and now offers a cozy setting for quiet holiday breaks. Their seven guest rooms have been renovated and tastefully decorated. In summer, delicious breakfasts are served on the terrace facing the ancient olive trees. Wooded gardens, a heated swimming pool and a lovely view of the countryside are a perfect setting for a calm, peaceful holiday.

OR

Cahors - Le Mas Azemar Guesthouse The ambiance of this quiet 250 year old manor house is divine. With an abundance of antiques, paintings, and period furnishings, complemented by modern amenities and even a pool, the family-run guesthouse is a true oasis of comfort in the French countryside.

OR

Cahors - 4 Star Château de Mercuès: Be transported by the unique feel at the four-star Château de Mercuès, a wine-estate hotel in the Relais & Châteaux group. This beautiful medieval castle perched on a rocky outcrop overlooks the picturesque Lot valley and Cahors vineyards, giving exceptional views from every vantage point. Stroll along the castle’s wide halls to find a small chapel hidden away inside one tower, or down the immense staircases to the underground cellar where our wine is aged. A perfect combination of elegance, gastronomy, fine wines and the beauty of nature.

Carcassonne - 4- Star Hotel Le Donjon: Location, location, location. Perfectly situated inside the walls of the medieval city, this old-world property combines the feel of stepping back in time with the amenities and comforts of a modern room. Comfort and elegance combine to make your stay in the medieval city a pleasant experience.

Toulouse - 4 Star Hotel Mercure Wilson Capitole: In the heart of the city center, the Mercure Wilson Capitole is an example of characteristic Toulouse architecture, with classic red-brick construciton. Enjoy fully equipped rooms, some with balconies. In the evening, relax in the lounge bar of the hotel or take advantage of being close to the city center. The hotel is close to Place du Capitole, Place Wilson and the Basilica of Saint-Sernin. Find an abundance of shops, bistros, and brasseries within walking distance.

• 7 Nights, Double Occupancy at listed hotels (or similar)
• 7 Breakfasts
• 4 Lunches
• 4 Dinners
• 5 Wine tastings
• Cooking class in Bordeaux
• Entrance fees to Museum of Wine and Trade, Peche Merle cave
• All transportation once the tour starts,
• All listed activities, tours, visits, as per itinerary
• All tips except for your primary local tour leader
• Local Go Get Lost tour leader

• Meals not specified in itinerary
• Beverages at meals unless specified in itinerary (all group meals include water and local wine)
• Trip Cancellation/Interruption and Medical Insurance (strongly recommended), call for details
• Single supplement charge
• Items of a personal nature; phone calls, laundry, etc.
• Arrival and departure transfers
• International airfare, tour begins in the afternoon in Bordeaux, France on Day 1, and ends after breakfast at the hotel in Toulouse, France on the morning of Day 8
• Tip for the primary local guide
• Any costs associated with options or free time