France s Sublime Southwest

Transcription

1 France s Sublime Southwest Prehistory, Hanging Gardens, and Wine! September 30 October 9 The village of Castelnaud La Chapelle at dusk; the River Dordogne. Périgord a sun-splashed topography of limestone bluffs, pretty valleys, and favorable living. And a river runs through it. In fact, several rivers. The Dordogne and the Vézère are two of France s most famous: cradling a series of ancient early human dwelling and artistic sites, known the world over. A fertile landscape that allowed early humans to flourish, has worked its magic for subsequent generations: from powerful ruling families who controlled

2 agricultural production and river trade up through the Renaissance (and whose chateaux prove it), to the genteel, refined lifestyles we encounter today. Join our small group of explorers as we make our way up the Dordogne, from the wine estates of St. Emilion to the valley of man along the Vézère. We ll eat and drink the locally-produced, marvel at the architecture and history we encounter, and find adventure in the stunning landscapes themselves. Ho-hum. Should be a good time. Itinerary: Sunday, September 30 We depart from the US; overnight flight to Europe. Monday, October 1 We arrive at the Bordeaux Airport, transfer to our comfortable van / minibus, and drive to lovely St. Emilion. We ll check into our hotel, the Logis au Remparts de St. Emilion (see photos of this and all our hotels in the photo gallery that follows the trip itinerary). Rest, relax, and enjoy the lovely setting of St. Emilion a medieval pilgrimage town, set in the midst of some of the Bordeaux region s most famous vineyards. [Those who are up for it can enjoy a very European tourist custom: ride the tourist mini-train that drives around the city of St. Emilion, and into the surrounding vineyards, with commentary on the sights in English.] Have an early dinner tonight; overnight in the Logis au Remparts. Tuesday, October 2 This morning we ll enjoy a delicious breakfast, then set out to explore several of St. Emilion s charms. We ll visit underground St. Emilion, which includes an ancient chapel

3 and hermitage, cut into the rock, with medieval paintings and catacombs. And we ll also wind our way through the medieval city that surrounds a busy pedestrian plaza, lined with cafés. (photo: St. Emilion) Enjoy some time on your own to explore. In the late afternoon, we ll drive to a nearby wine estate for a dégustation and dinner. Overnight, Logis au Remparts. Wednesday, October 3 We ll enjoy another wonderful breakfast, then depart St. Emilion. Our drive will take us into Perigord an ancient region of limestone formations, fertile valleys, and famous French culinary stars like truffle and foie gras. We ll arrive in the pretty village of Bourdeilles (our home for the next two nights), then drive upstream (the River Dronne) to Brantôme. We ll explore the Venice of Périgord by boat, then enjoy a guided tour of the ancient church. In the mid-afternoon, we ll return to Bourdeilles to check into our hotel, the Hostellerie les Griffons, perched directly on the River Dronne. The village is supremely photogenic and excellent for a stroll.

4 Dinner nearby; overnight in Bourdeilles. Thursday, October 4 This morning we ll drive to Villars, famous for the Grotte de Villars (Villars Cave), which houses a very interesting Neolithic art image (... story on location). We ll tour the cave, then visit the nearby Chateau de Puyguilhem. In the afternoon, we ll enjoy lunch and a visit in the pretty village of St. Jean de Cole. We ll return to Bourdeilles for R & R. Dinner on your own this evening in our village. Overnight, Hostellerie les Griffons. (photo: the village of Bourdeilles) Friday, October 5 We ll say goodbye to our hosts at Les Griffons, then drive into a semi-mountainous landscape, as we move from Périgord Vert (green) to Périgord Noir (black). Our drive will take us through two of France s most beautiful villages. In the first of these, Ségur le Chateau, we ll enjoy a guided walking tour. In the mid-afternoon, we ll cross the famous Vézère River (known for its early human habitation sites), then arrive at our

5 manor-home the Manoir d Hautegente. We ll enjoy the enchanting setting a lovely house, framed by the River Coly and expansive grounds. Dinner and overnight, le Manoir d Hautegente. (photo: paintings inside Lascaux II) Saturday, October 6 After breakfast at the Manoir, we ll visit nearby Lascaux II the impressive recreation of the world s most famous Prehistoric cave. We ll follow this highlight with a visit to the gorgeous village of St. Leon sur Vézère; and an afternoon visit to the beautiful gardens of Eyrignac. We ll return to the hotel for down time. In the evening, we ll go to our neighboring village of St. Amand de Coly, where we ll enjoy strolling among the honeycolored buildings and enjoy dinner together. Sunday, October 7 This morning we ll drive south to the Dordogne River and its dramatic valley. We ll visit lovely high places on both banks of the river: the hanging Marqueyssac Gardens, and the fortified town of Castelnaud la Chapelle. We ll also enjoy an atmospheric boat adventure on the Dordogne, in a recreation of an historic Renaissance-era river boat.

6 This will be a day to remember. And while dinner is on your own, those who would like to join the trip leader can enjoy a meal of local wine, cheese, fruit, and other (local) provisions, in a casual setting where we recount some of our adventures. Overnight, le Manoir d Hautegente. Monday, October 8 We ll depart from our lovely manor this morning, and enjoy a pretty backroads drive, to several hidden gems in the area. After lunch, we ll drive to the bucolic outskirts of Bordeaux, where we ll find the Chateau La France home for our final night of the trip. Those who wish can enjoy a dégustation of the home vintage. Otherwise, enjoy the beautiful home and farm. Dinner and overnight, near Bordeaux. Tuesday, October 9 We ll shuttle to the Bordeaux Airport to catch our flight home to the US.

7 Pricing Information: $3669 / person (double occupancy; single supplement, $750). Price includes private van transportation, 8 nights accommodation with breakfast in 3- and 4-star hotels and inns, all touring (including wine tastings), 4 lunches and 4 dinners. Price does not include other meals, alcohol, trip insurance, optional activities. Brantôme s abbey; the River Dronne. Top, Marqueyssac.

8 Photo Gallery (followed by trip registration form) Details of villages of living spaces... in every direction. Below, St. Emilion.

9 Brantôme seems to flow out of the bluff behind it. Below, the hotel where we re not staying.

10 The village of Bourdeilles; our hotel (Les Griffons) wearing the blue shutters. A degustation in the cellar of a wine estate, near Bordeaux.

11 Fresh air, sun, stone, joie de vivre.

12 Hotel pics. The Chateau La France and its produce.

13 The Manoir d Hautegente, from near and far. (Another river running through Le Coly.)

14 Courtyard and comfortable bedroom, the Logis au Remparts, St. Emilion.

15 Indoor...

16 Outdoor...

17 Indoor... Outdoor.

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19 Trip Registration France s Sublime Southwest, Sept. 1 Oct. 9, 2018 Please print and mail this registration form, along with your $750 / person deposit (check, payable to Explore Up Close), to: Explore Up Close, LLC 613 Poplar St. Spartanburg, SC Your Name: Mailing Address: Telephone: Name of person(s) traveling with you (if applicable): ; Contact information (if different from yours): Telephone: Lodging specifics (requests will be honored to the degree possible): room with two (2) beds room with one (1) bed Enclosed is my check, payable to Explore Up Close, in the amount of. Final trip payment is due on July 27, Refunds can be granted prior to that date, minus a $100 service fee and any non-refundable vendor monies (hotel and guide bookings, etc.). (864) chumley@exploreupclose.com