Amazing France

Meals

Loire Valley is today's highlight. Gardens of Villandry. Dinner is provided. We'll begin the day

by traveling to the south of France, to the Loire Valley, with a stop at BLOIS, a charming town

where we recommend viewing the castle. After that, we'll travel to the Loire Valley, where we'll

stop in TOURS, the regional capital on the Loire River's banks, for a stroll and lunch. We'll go to

the CHATEAU DE VILLANDRY in the afternoon, which is known for its gardens and flowers

(entrance to the gardens are included). Then we'll travel to AMBOISE, which has a great

medieval section. Dinner is provided. Note: In some cases, accommodation may be available in

Tours.

Meals

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: Castles of Loire. A day dedicated to learning more about the Loire

Valley. First, an early morning stroll through Amboise to the Clos Lucé home, where Leonardo

da Vinci spent the final three years of his life. We visit CHENONCEAU CASTLE (tickets

included), which was built like a bridge across the River Cher, to learn more about the Loire

region. We travel to CHAMBORD, the Loire's largest castle (entrance to the park included).

We'll then journey to the heart of France, stopping for coffee at ARGENTON SUR CREUSE, a

little medieval town on the Creuse River's banks. We continue to LIMOGES, a city noted for its

porcelain, where a tour through the city center is recommended.

Meals

TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS: Unforgettable settlements in the Dordogne Valley. The cave museum

of Lascaux. The medieval castle of Beynac. Dinner is provided. Limoges will be our departure

point for the Dordogne. Few regions have as many charming villages and breathtaking scenery

as this one. When we arrive at LASCAUX, we will be given entry to the museum as well as a

copy of the caverns, where we will learn about the site's origins through the spectacular cave

paintings. After that, we'll visit SARLAT, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with an immaculately

maintained Renaissance historic center, where we'll have time to stroll and eat lunch. A historic

castle overlooks the river in BEYNAC (admission included). We recommend walking down the

route crucis and back up in ROCAMADOUR, a lovely medieval village with an important

sanctuary "hanging" over a ravine.

Meals

Padirac Caves, Midi Region, and Winemakers are among the highlights. We'll visit the stunning

PADIRAC caves, which offer a 75-meter subterranean river boat trip. On the Way of St James, a

stop at COLLONGE LA ROUGE, a very attractive village made with red stone. It's time to eat.

Following lunch, we proceed to ST. EMILION, which is located in the heart of the Bordeaux

wine region. It's time for a walk. Arrival in the late afternoon at BORDEAUX. NB: Due to

weather circumstances, the caves may be closed in November.

Meals

Cité du Vin in Bordeaux is today's highlight. - Paris by high-speed rail. Bordeaux's entire

downtown area has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The "water mirror" will

astound you, as will a trip through the old town with its pedestrian streets and 11th century

cathedral. We will include entry to the CITE DU VIN, an excellent interactive museum that

explains the history of wine and its production (free visit with audio information in Spanish,

French, or English); wine tasting will be included at the perspective above Bordeaux. Later,

you'll have free time to stroll and eat lunch along the banks of the Garonne River, which is lined

with tiny restaurants. We will transport you to the railway station after lunch for a train ride.

• Travel by bus with English speaking guide, basic travel insurance and breakfast buffet.
• Boat: Padirac caves
• Ticket admission: Villandry gardens, Chenonceau castle , castle park of Chambord ,
• Museum and replica of Lascaux caves, Beynac castle , Beynac castle , Padirac caves ,
• Cité du Vin in Bordeaux
• High speed train: Bordeaux to Paris
• 2 dinner included in: AMBOISE, ROCAMADOUR