ESCORTED TOURS 2009

in FRANCE

for small groups

Short description of each tour. You may link to the details or download the tour in pdf format.

Trade professionals (Tour operators and Travel agents) should ask for our SALES MANUAL

HERITAGE & HI-TECH - an innovative look at the pointy end of French technology married with a more contemplative appreciation of centuries-old cultural heritage. Airbus A380 visit, Norman Foster's viaduct and Albi's 13th century cathedral. details

BIARRITZ and the BASQUE COUNTRY - the beauty of the Basque landscape sculpted by ocean and time as backdrop to an exploration of this vibrant coastal region from Belle Epoque Biarritz to the Guggenheim museum in Bilbao. Details

DORDOGNE DISCOVERY - Based in the beautiful town of Sarlat this tour explores the hidden facets of the Dordogne and Lot valleys: the villages, chateaux, rupestrian caves, vineyards and 'bonnes tables' Details

A TALE of PINK CITIES - The unique 'pink' brick used for building in the upper Garonne valley has long inspired poets and artists. Our escorted tour lets you discover the magic of these ancient villages and cities as the southern French sun touches off the soft glow of the brique rose... The Tour is based in la ville rose itself, Toulouse. Details

TREASURES of the SOUTH-WEST - This is an escorted tour for those visitors who have already seen the tourist spots - Paris, Provence and the Riviera. This tour cuts a swathe through the South-West, exploring an unknown France rich in topography, architecture and history and brimming with unexpected delights: ancient castles, unspoilt villages, vineyards and prehistoric cave paintings. Details

Most BEAUTIFUL VILLAGES of FRANCE Based in a château in the Quercy this seven day escorted tour allows guests to discover some of the unspoilt jewels that comprise les plus beaux villages de France.. details

Wine and french cuisine - This escorted tour concentrates on what the French do best: food and drink. Starting in the relatively unknown wine regions of Corbières and Limoux the tour visits two UNESCO world heritage sites before heading into deepest Quercy and Perigord for some real french cuisine experiences. It finishes in style among the prestigious vineyards of Bordeaux Details

Truffles & Foie Gras - a short 3 night escorted tour based in a Quercy chateau. This is a winter program concentrating on the famous truffle market of Lalbenque in the Quercy. Not only can you buy the famous tubers but you can also learn how to find them (with pig or dog), cook them and eat them. A hand-on session with the chateau's chef will also initiate you into the art of cooking and preserving foie gras. Details

Wine Tour - Languedoc-Roussillon -This wine tour program (6 days) helps introduce you to the wine, food and culture of the Languedoc-Roussillon region, as a tempting mix of French, Catalan and Spanish culture, in Southwest France. For groups of 10 to 15 guests.
Details

COAST to COAST BORDEAUX - NICE via Sarlat - 9 days / 8 nights cutting a great swathe across southern France by way of Sarlat, the Lascaux caves, the Dordogne and Lot valleys, Toulouse and Carcassonne and into the Languedoc. Visiting Nîmes and Arles before entering Provence and the Riviera. Details

COAST to COAST BORDEAUX - NICE via Lourdes: From the Atlantic coast at Bordeaux this escorted tour wriggles across southern France all the way to Nice on the Mediterranean coast. Highlights include visits to Biarritz ("Reine des plages pour les Rois de l'Europe"), the holy city of Lourdes, the mighty mountain range of the Pyrenees, the Roman city of Arles and magic Luberon in Provence. Details

Our escorted tours are for small groups of 4 to 6 guests, travelling in comfort aboard an air-conditioned minvan. The driver is also your guide: an english-speaking expert on the villages, vineyards and sights you will see. Accommodation is top class bijou hotels, chateaux and guesthouses.

Nearly all the tours are available for larger groups of 8 to 20 visitors. Please ask for a quote giving your numbers and dates.