Itinerary
- Day 1
Bordeaux
You'll arrive in Bordeaux and meet up with your tour group for a welcome dinner to kick things off. This is your introduction to Southwest France, so grab a bite and get to know the people you'll be traveling with over the next week or so.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome meal)
- Day 2
Bordeaux to Arcachon Bay to Biarritz
You'll head to Arcachon Bay this morning and get to taste fresh oysters along with local wine at a traditional cabin. From there, the Great Dune of Pilat gives you those wide views across the bay and the surrounding area. After that you'll travel to Biarritz for the evening, leaving the waterfront free for you to explore on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Oyster tasting with a glass of wine at Arcachon Bay
- Visit Great Dune of Pilat
Optional Activities
- Explore Biarritz waterfront promenade
- Sample local delicacies at leisure in Biarritz
Landmarks Arcachon Bay Great Dune of Pilat Biarritz 
- Day 3
Biarritz to Bayonne to Biarritz
Start your day checking out Bayonne, which centers around art and history. The Bayonne Ham Museum is your next stop, where you'll learn how a local family has been running their ham business for three generations. You get to taste their ham before heading back to your hotel, then you have the afternoon to relax at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ham tasting at Bayonne Ham Museum with local guide
Optional Activities
- Explore Bayonne art and history attractions during free time
Landmarks Bayonne Ham Museum - Day 4
Biarritz to Lourdes to Midi-Pyrénées
You'll travel east through the Midi-Pyrénées region and stop in Lourdes, a spiritual town that draws visitors from around the world. There you'll see the Sanctuaire Notre-Dame de Lourdes and the Massabielle Grotto. After checking in at your accommodation, dinner is included, so you can settle in for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Lourdes with Tour Leader
- See Sanctuaire Notre-Dame de Lourdes
- Visit Massabielle Grotto
Landmarks Sanctuaire Notre-Dame de Lourdes Massabielle Grotto - Day 5
Midi-Pyrénées to Carcassonne
Continuing through Midi-Pyrénées, you'll pass through several charming bastides along the way. You'll stop at a local winery to taste some sparkling Blanquette wine, then head to Carcassonne. Since this medieval city has so much character, you'll have the evening free to walk around and see what catches your eye.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Wine tasting with local winery visit in Midi-Pyrénées
Optional Activities
- Explore medieval Carcassonne in the evening
Landmarks Carcassonne 
- Day 6
Carcassonne
Spend the day wandering through Carcassonne's UNESCO-listed medieval citadel at your own pace. Walk through the alleys and passageways, see the 52 towers and centuries of history, and visit Château Comtal and its ramparts. Later the group gathers for an included dinner at a local restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Visit UNESCO-listed medieval citadel of Carcassonne
Landmarks Carcassonne Medieval Citadel Château Comtal - Day 7
Carcassonne to Albi Region
After leaving Carcassonne, you're heading to Albi, known as the 'red city' because of its distinctive buildings. A walking tour takes you through town to see the Cathédrale Sainte-Cécile, which is quite impressive. Later you'll have free time to grab lunch, then continue to your medieval village hotel. Dinner is included, so you can relax after your travels.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Albi with Tour Leader
- See Cathédrale Sainte-Cécile
Optional Activities
- Lunch at leisure in Albi
Landmarks Cathédrale Sainte-Cécile - Day 8
Albi - Sarlat-la-Canéda
After breakfast you have free time to wander the village's streets. Then you travel to Sarlat-la-Canéda, one of the Dordogne's most beautiful towns, with stops along the way in several charming French villages so you can stretch and take in the scenery.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 9
Sarlat-la-Canéda to Beynac-et-Cazenac to Sarlat-la-Canéda
Begin with a morning walk through Sarlat-la-Canéda and check out its traditional market. Then you'll head to Beynac-et-Cazenac, a riverside town where the medieval château is well-preserved and worth seeing. Back in Sarlat-la-Canéda, your evening is yours to either wander around the old alleyways or find somewhere local to eat.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Sarlat-la-Canéda with Tour Leader including traditional market
- Entrance to Château de Beynac
Optional Activities
- Explore medieval château of Beynac-et-Cazenac
- Dine at charming local restaurants in Sarlat-la-Canéda
Landmarks Sarlat-la-Canéda Château de Beynac Beynac-et-Cazenac 
- Day 10
Sarlat-la-Canéda to Vézère Valley to Sarlat-la-Canéda
This morning you'll visit Lascaux Cave II to see those prehistoric paintings up close. After that, you'll stop in Les Eyzies, a small village with lots of character. Next is a local truffle farm where you get an exclusive lesson in truffle hunting and then taste what they've found. You'll return to Sarlat-la-Canéda for a farewell dinner to wrap up your time here.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell dinner at a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Visit Lascaux Cave II
- Truffle-hunting in Vézère Valley with tasting
Optional Activities
- Explore Les Eyzies village
Landmarks Lascaux Cave II Les Eyzies Vézère Valley - Day 11
Sarlat-la-Canéda to Saint-Émilion to Bordeaux
Your final day takes you to Saint-Émilion, a village that sits above rolling countryside and vineyards. You'll sample the region's heavy reds and raise a glass in a final toast. After that it's back to Bordeaux so you can head home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Wine tasting with vineyard visit in Saint-Émilion
Optional Activities
- Explore Saint-Émilion village
Landmarks Saint-Émilion 
