Booking Deadline - 12 June 2008
Reserve a Space on this Tour

Space Still Available

$3558
(non-member: $3658)
Single Room - Add $465

Activity Level:
 90% Easy;
   10% Moderate
 

- Airport transfers and transportation throughout the trip.

- WTT tour leader, and local guides throughout the trip.

- 2 Days in Paris with a guided city tour and time to explore

- Train service from Paris through the Loire Valley to Libourne and return trip

- Daily excursions to the stunning towns of the Dordogne Valley

- Lodging:

Paris: Plaza Elysess or similar
Sarlat: Le Renior Hotel

Depart: At your convenience on Sunday, September 21.

Early Arrival Cost:  For those who wish to arrive a day early, WTT can make early arrival reservations. We will stay in Paris
      $120 dbl; $240 sgl

· Any personal expenses, and any guide/driver gratuities.

· You will be responsible for your own airport transfer(s) if you arrive or depart at times or dates other than specified above when transfers are provided.

· Transfers are not provided for early arrival or late departure.

Note: A good web site to learn more about the region and the towns we will be visiting is: Come to France

Friday, September 12: Arrive Paris, dinner together

Arrive at Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris where you will be met by your tour leader. We will depart the airport together to travel into central Paris and check into our hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. We will meet this evening for dinner. (D)

Saturday, September 13: Guided tour of Paris and free time to explore

After breakfast we will take a guided tour of Paris, regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, taking in such sights as the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, Palace de la Concorde, Champs Elysees, the Arc de Triomphe and much more. This afternoon is free for you to explore the city, or you may join your tour leader at 4:30pm for a visit the Basilica of Sacre Coeur. The remainder of the evening is yours to enjoy dinner and explore some more. (B)

Sunday, September 14: Morning in Paris; Afternoon train trip to Sarlat. Dinner together

This morning we depart the hotel and catch the 10:45 am TVG (fast train) from Paris. Our journey will take two and a half hours and take us through the Loire Valley to Libourne. From here we have an two ride through the countryside to our hotel in Sarlat. Relax and unpack. The Hotel Renoir will be our home for the next several nights. Dinner is as a group this evening. (B, D)

Monday, September 15:  Morning free in Sarlat; Afternoon trip to Collonges-la-Rouge

This morning is yours to explore at will, enjoying this amazing "living" relic of ancient history. Sarlat, one of the largest medieval towns in the world was described by Henry Miller as "the nearest thing to heaven." Sarlat and its amazingly beautiful ancient roofs will capture your heart at first glance. Strolling along the paved lanes of the old town revives 1000 years of authentic architecture where, from cobblestones to lauze-roofs (flat-stones), golden tones dominate the scene. 

After lunch we visit the unusual town of Collonges-la-Rouge. The first thing you will notice is the color of the place - more or less all the houses have been constructed from the local stone, which is very red! Dating from the 8th century, Collonges la Rouge is a lovely place to explore, as each winding pathway and alley leads to another turreted house or pretty patch of garden. Aside from the individual properties, the main building of interest in the village is the particularly striking 11th century Saint-Pierre church. (B)

Tuesday, September 16: Chateau of Castelnaud; Cooking Class

Our day begins with a cooking class where you will get a brief, but tasty introduction to French cuisine. After enjoying the cuisine we head off to Chateau of Castelnaud, a perfect example of a medieval fortress that also has spectacular views.  After a day of beautiful sights we finish back in Sarlat where the remainder of the day is yours to enjoy. (B, Cooking Class)

Wednesday, September 17: Chateau d'Hautefort and the caves at Lascaux

Chateau d'Hautefort is perched high above the surrounding countryside and offers commanding views from every angle. The Chateau is still inhabited and has magnificent formal gardens. The present owners often host operas and concerts here on this superb site.

After lunch we go back into pre-history to see the caves at Lascaux II. On the 12th of September 1940, the Caves at Lascaux were discovered by four young boys.  The paintings inside are estimated to be 17,000 years old. A copy has been made to protect the original paintings and is acclaimed by scholars as a masterpiece. We return this evening to Sarlet and have dinner together. (B, D)

Thursday, September 18: Monpazier, Le Roc Gageac and Domme

A special feature of the Dordogne Valley is its history in the "Bastide" or fortified towns, which were built during the Hundred Year War between France and England. Monpazier, our destination today, was created in 1284 under the reign of Edward I, King of England, and still has today its original size and aspect. Eight centuries after its creation, the bastide of Monpazier is still a jewel of medieval architecture, undisputedly one of the most beautiful bastides in Europe.

In the late morning we head to La Roc Gageac, an important fortified place in medieval times and a village adorned with rich manors from the Renaissance period. Stroll through the village streets as they blossom with tropical and mediterranean plants and see for yourself why this village was named "the most beautiful village in France." There will be time to get lunch in town.

This afternoon we visit Domme, one of the loveliest walled towns you could ever visit. On the edge of a cliff, Domme offers a vast panorama over the Dordogne valley. At the conclusion of the day we return to Sarlat. (B)

Friday, September 19: Rocamadour

This will be a day to remember as we visit Rocamadour. This is a spectacularly situated and fortified town built into and beneath a giant rock face overlooking the Alzou river. The town was founded at the grave site of hermit Saint Amadour who was believed to have mystical powers. Reformed heretics and penitents came to this place of pilgrimage and negotiated the 216 steps of the Via Sancta on their knees and with heavy chains around them (Modern pilgrims take the elevator!). After an exciting day we return to Sarlat. (B, D)

Saturday, September 20: Return to Paris

We leave the Dordogne Valley today and retrace our steps back to Libourne and then by train to Paris, ending this day at our hotel conveniently located near the airport. (B)

Sunday, September 21: Return Home

Make your return flight at your convenience. Airport transfers will be provided. (B)

  Important Note:
Due to the instability of the US Dollar and the rising cost of oil and fuel, Women Traveling Together reserves the right to apply a surcharge to the price of this tour.

Should a surcharge be necessary, Women Traveling Together will notify those travelers already signed up for the tour.  In the event that the surcharge is greater than 5% the traveler will have the option to pay the surcharge or to cancel their booking with a full refund.

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