ITINERARY

Day 1 After an early taxi pick-up, we make our way to Portsmouth for the morning crossing to Caen. On arrival in France early afternoon, we head south past the town of Alençon to our overnight hotel in the Loire Region.

Day 2 Leaving Angers after breakfast, we drive via Poitiers, and Angoulême, and soon cross into the beautiful Dordogne department. We continue our journey southward, passing the small town of Brantôme, and the main regional centre of Périgueux to Le Bugue and our hotel where we will stay for the next five nights.

Day 3 A day to relax and unwind in Le Bugue, sunbathe on the terrace of the hotel or swim in the rooftop pool. You could also explore the charming village with its winding streets and traditional architecture.

Day 4 A full day excursion, first to Sarlat-la-Canéda, with its narrow streets, Renaissance-style Bishop’s Palace and elegant old burghers’ houses of honey coloured sandstone. We then proceed to Rocamadour, a town built on narrow ledges above an almost sheer cliff, its main street between two medieval gateways. We return via the picture postcard villages of La Roque-Gageac and Beynac, with views of one of the finest chateaux of the Perigord region.

Day 5 A full day excursion visiting the beautiful old Roman city of Périgueux, capital of the region. This beautiful town offers wonderful architecture, a wealth of historic sites, pavement cafes and great restaurants. We have included a guided walking tour taking in the ancient Gallo-Roman district of Vesunna and the renaissance quarter built of dazzling white limestone and surrounding St Front Cathedral. The afternoon is free in Périgueux. Take time to enjoy one of its parks or gardens, or stroll along the banks of the river L’Isle (there are 15kms of towpaths!). We return to the hotel in time for dinner.

Day 6 Today we travel along the beautifully scenic Dordogne Valley to Bergerac, where the old town slopes down to the river. The whole region is famous for its viticulture, and this afternoon we visit the village of Monbazillac and enjoy a tasting of its famous desert wine, before returning to our hotel.

Day 7 Departing Le Bugue after breakfast, we travel north via Poitiers to our overnight hotel in Tours.

Day 8 We make our way to Caen, take the late afternoon crossing to Portsmouth, and return to our local area.