Touring holidays
• Auberge de la Source
La Briqueterie •
Château de Noirieux
• • Château de Marçay
Chateau des Vigiers
•
Hotel de la Cite • Relais des Chartreuses •
La Reserve
•
Château de
Marcay •
Château de Gilly •
Grand Hotel du Lion d ' Or
•
OVERLAND TO THE DORDOGNE The Dordogne region is a truly rewarding and enjoyable holiday destination . It is also perfectly situated for you to be able to drive through France , experiencing the fun of the open country roads , sleepy villages and the changing landscape and architecture as you head further south . This holiday allows you a leisurely sojourn in the Dordogne and a taster of France en route as you stop at different hotels in Normandy and the Loire Valley . Travel to Normandy and stay for the night in the Calvados region near Honfleur before continuing your journey south through the hill country of la Suisse Normande , where lofty crags tower above undulating pastures and wooded valleys . As you descend into the regal garden of France , the landscapes level to offer mile-upon-mile of glorious pastoral views , bissected by the Loire , France ’ s longest river . After a brief stay outside historic Angers , continue through the Loire Valley , rightfully declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site to the environs of Chinon , in readiness for your journey south to the Dordogne . Here , spend five nights at the Chateau des Vigiers near Bergerac , where a veritable treasure trove of delights , both natural and man-made , are all just a stone ’ s throw away . On your return journey stop over near Chinon before heading back to Calais .
Driving times : Calais to Honfleur Honfleur to Angers Angers to Bergerac Bergerac to Chinon Chinon to Calais
3 hours 3 hours 4 hours 15 minutes 4 hours 45 minutes 6 hours
We include :
• One night ’ s bed and breakfast at the Auberge de la Source in Normandy
• One night ’ s bed and breakfast at the Château de Noirieux in the Loire Valley
• Five nights ’ bed and breakfast at the Chateau des Vigiers in the Dordogne
• One night ’ s bed and breakfast at the Château de Marçay in the Loire Valley
• Eurotunnel crossing for car and passengers Folkestone to Calais return
Prices : on our website or ask us for details
VALLEYS , FORTRESSES AND MOUNTAINS OF THE SOUTHWEST From the rose-hued city of Toulouse , travel to Albi in the Tarn to explore the vineyards of Gaillac , the village of Cordes and the Gothic and Romanesque architectural sites of the area . A UNESCO World Heritage Site , Albi is a mediaeval gem , where narrow streets and half-timbered houses juxtapose the imposing Sainte- Cécile cathedral and Berbie Palace , home to over 1,000 works by the city ’ s most famous inhabitant , Toulouse-Lautrec . Next , head south over the rising landscapes of the Montagne Noire to Carcassonne , where your tranquil hotel sits , just a few kilometres outside the citadel walls , and offers the perfect base for independent exploration of the surrounding area . From here , your journey continues south through Cathar country before reaching the neat vines of the Corbières and Côtes du Roussillon vineyards and our final hotel in the foothills of the Pyrenees , overlooking the Vallespir Valley . From here , you ’ re just a stone ’ s throw from the artist havens of Céret and Collioure , beloved by Picasso and Matisse respectively , not to mention an easy distance from Figueres , just over the border in northern Catalonia , dominated by its imposing Dalí Museum . And of course , the Mediterranean coastal villages along the Côte Vermeille and the Costa Brava just the other side of the French-Spanish frontier are but a short drive away .
Driving times : Toulouse to Albi Albi to Carcassonne Carcassonne to Le Boulou Le Boulou to Toulouse
1 hour 1 hour 50 minutes 1 hour 15 minutes 2 hours 15 minutes
We include :
• Three nights ’ bed and breakfast at La Reserve in Albi
• Three nights ’ bed and breakfast Hotel de la Cite in Carcassonne
• Four nights ’ bed and breakfast at the Relais des Chartreuses in Le Boulou , near Perpignan
• Scheduled return flights with British Airways London to Toulouse and hire of a group A car
Prices : on our website or ask us for details
GARDENS AND VINEYARDS AT THE HEART OF FRANCE An enchanting tour which combines some of the bestloved vineyards and wine producing regions of France with some of its most beautiful gardens , both wellknown and elusive . You start in the Champagne region before visiting Burgundy , allowing time to stop and visit the wine merchants and their vines as you go . Then you cross into the very heart of France to Romoranthin- Lanthenay , set between Tours and Bourges . From the magical Grand Hotel du Lion d ' Or , with its enchanting classical style and quirky courtyard , it is only a short drive to the Sancerre vineyards and the city of Bourges . Then you head north to the Loire with its renowned chateaux and undulating vineyards , producing rare light reds and popular whites . Stay at the Château de Marçay , dating back to the 12th-century , which is the perfect setting from which to visit mediaeval Chinon and numerous gardens including Villandry and the chateaux of Amboise , Cheverny , Blois , Chenonceau among others . If time permits extend your stay to include a few days in Normandy giving you time to visit Monet ' s garden before returning home .
Driving times : Calais to Épernay Epernay to Gilly Gilly to Romoranthin Romoranthin to Chinon Chinon to Calais
3 hours 3 hours 5 hours 3 hours 6 hours
We include :
• Two nights ’ bed and breakfast at the La Briqueterie near Epernay .
• Two nights ’ bed and breakfast at the Chateau de Gilly in Burgundy .
• One night ' s dinner , bed and breakfast at the Grand Hotel du Lion d ' Or in Romoranthin-Lanthenay .
• Two nights ’ bed and breakfast at the Chateau de Marçay near Chinon
• Eurotunnel crossing for car and passengers Folkestone to Calais return
Prices : on our website or ask us for details
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