South-West France

10 Days /9 Nights
1 night Transatlantic Flight,

4 nights Albi, 2 nights Dordogne, 2 nights Bordeaux
9 Breakfasts, 9 Dinners

Day 1: DEPARTURE CITY - TOULOUSE

Overnight flight to Toulouse.
 

Day 2: TOULOUSE - ALBI

Arrival in Toulouse and transfer to the Albi region, located on the Tarn River. Albi was once home to painter Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec.  Dinner and Overnight at the Hotel.
 

Day 3: ALBI

After breakfast enjoy a stroll around Albi’s Old Town with your local guide today, where you will see Sainte Cécile Cathedral. The cathedral took nearly two centuries to build, from 1282 to1480, and is allegedly the largest brick building in the world. Then we visit the Toulouse-Lautrec Museum to view the thousands of paintings and lithographs. Free time. Dinner and Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 4: ALBI - CASTRES - CARCASSONNE - ALBI

After breakfast we drive to Castres, which gained notoriety as a pilgrimage town in the 11th century after acquiring the remains of St. Vincent. Today Castres is best known for its Musée Goya, which boasts the largest collection of Spanish art in France outside of the Louvre. The town is also home to the Musée Jean-Jaurès, a museum dedicated to one of France’s most beloved political writer and activist. We then continue to Carcassonne for Guided sightseeing Tour. Here you can  relive medieval times as you walk past the city’s age-old ramparts (which slowly turned to ruin after falling to the Crusaders in the 13th century). Carcassonne is also home to Europe’s largest and most complete medieval fortress. Late afternoon return to Albi.  Dinner and Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 5: ALBI - GAILLAC - ALBI

Breakfast. Full-day excursion to Gaillac. We spend the day among rolling hills, river gorges, charming medieval villages and the vineyards of the Gaillac region. Vines have been cultivated here since approximately 125 B.C. We visit to a local winery where will have the opportunity to see firsthand how some of the country’s finest wines are made. Late afternoon return to Albi. Dinner and Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 6: ALBI - DORDOGNE

After breakfast we live Albi and on route to the Dordogne, we pass through Cahors, a picturesque town nestled between forested cliffs and the Lot River, which produces a dark red wine from vine-yards that are said to rival Bordeaux’s. Next, we pass through Rocamadour, town built into limestone cliffs overlooking the gorge of the River Alzou. We then continue through Payrac, another charming village in the this region. Late afternoon we reach Dordogne. Dinner and Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 7: DORDOGNE - SARLAT - DORDOGNE

After breakfast we take a day excursion to Sarlat. This well-preserved medieval town lies along the Dordogne River and is comprised of historic lanes lined with 15th- and 16th-cen-tury houses. We visit the large market at the place dela Liberté, where fresh flowers, truffles, walnuts and other regional specialties are sold. This afternoon, we check out southern France from a different perspective—aboard a river cruise! Late afternoon return to Dordogne. Dinner and Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 8: DORDOGNE - BORDEAUX

After breakfast leaving the Dordogne, we head east towards Bordeaux. Along the way we stop at the bastide (new town) of Monpazier, founded in the 1200s. We continue with a visit to one of the top sights of the Dordogne: The Château of Monbazillac, a castle and winery. Late afternoon arrival in Bordeaux. Dinner and Overnight at the Hotel.
 

Day 9: BORDEAUX

After breakfast we travel to Bordeaux, UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here we visit the Esplanade des Quinconces overlooking the Garonne River. We continue to Chartrons Quarter where we find the superb wine merchants' residences which have been converted into  trendy shops and museums, including the Musée d'Art Contemporain. South along the Garonne we will find the beautiful Grand Théâtre, the elegant Palais de la Bourse and the Hôtel des Douanes (Custom House). Then on and around the rue des Trois Conils are the 11th-century Cathédrale St-André, the majestic Hôtel de Ville and the Musée des Beaux Arts.  Dinner and Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 10: DEPARTURE

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.