Albi, Carcassonne & the Dordogne by Air - 8 days from £849

Accommodation

Albi - Grand Hotel D’Orleans (3-star)
5 nights: 3 nights' half board, 2 nights' bed and breakfast. This family-run hotel is just a short distance from the old quarter. Make the most of the outdoor pool and gym and relax in the comfortable lounge and bar. The restaurant serves local cuisine and dinner is included on three evenings. Guest rooms have satellite TV, telephone and hairdryer.

Rocamadour - Hotel Du Chateau (3-star)
2 nights' half board.Conveniently located near the medieval city of Rocamadour, this hotel is situated close to the ’Rocher des Aigles’ wildlife centre and the lifts up and down the cliff face. The hotel facilities include a restaurant offering a selection of local specialities, swimming pool, tennis court and gardens. All guest rooms have TV and telephone.

Please note: Outdoor swimming pools are typically open between May and September, but this is dependent on weather conditions.

Itinerary

Day 1: UK/Toulouse

You have the choice of flying to Toulouse to meet your Tour Manager for your journey to Albi, where you will spend the first five nights, or travelling by train. Rail passengers will take the Eurostar service to Paris from London St Pancras or Ebbsfleet, then connect with the TGV train to Cahors and transfer to Albi.

Meals: Dinner

Days 2 - 5: Albi

Meals: breakfast / dinner two days, breakfast two days

Albi is a historic red-brick town steeped in the history of the religious wars between the Cathars and Crusaders. You can soak up the atmosphere on a guided walk through the medieval streets of the old quarter to see the impressive 13th-century Gothic Cathedral of Ste Cecile. Albi is also famous as the birthplace of Toulouse Lautrec.

You will have plenty of time to explore Albi and the surrounding areas at your own pace. Perhaps visit the 13th century palace which houses many works of art by Toulouse Lautrec, or browse in the impressive Toulouse Lautrec museum. Included with your holiday are four excursions which allow you to get under the skin of the area and experience life in the region. Furthermore you can see as much, or as little, of the region as you wish by joining some, or all, of the enticing optional excursions we have carefully put together.

Carcassonne & Castres

Get further under the skin of this stunning region as you spend a full day exploring Carcassonne and Castres. Your scenic journey leads you to Carcassonne, where a breathtaking double walled turreted fortress crowns the hill above the River Aude. This amazing building is the largest fortress in Europe with walls that stretch over two miles, enclosing a maze of medieval streets and museums. Wander through these narrow streets, admire the panoramic views over the countryside from the battlemented walls and explore the beautiful Church of St. Nazaire. En route to Carcassonne there will be a stop at the pretty town of Castres, where you can take a stroll through the charming riverside quarter to see the old tanners’ and weavers’ houses overhanging the River Agout.

Gaillac & Gorges de l’Aveyron

Wine buffs, or even those who enjoy the odd tipple, will not want to miss the chance to taste some of the region’s fine wines at a local vineyard. Gaillac is an area of magnificent historic towns and villages, and produces delicious wine from locally grown grapes – immerse yourself in French culture by drinking in the heady aromas and learning about the fantastic flavours of local produce. Afterwards explore the soaring limestone cliffs of the magnificent Gorges de l’Aveyron.

Ville-Bastides

Perhaps step back in time to the 13th and 14th centuries, when England and France fought for control of south-western France in the Hundred Years War. Many ville-bastides were built around the Dordogne at this time and you cannot fail to get a sense of history when you see their ancient stone walls. An equally romantic vision of the past prevails in Najac, with its photogenic hill-top castle and houses that seem to tumble down to the valley below. Your journey of discovery continues in the amazing town of Cordes, a Cathars stronghold and one of the oldest and bestpreserved bastides. You may like to wander through the steep cobbled lanes or relax in one of the cafés alongside the locals.

Day 6: St Cirq-Lapopie, Cahors & Rocamadour

Leave Albi today and take a scenic drive into the Dordogne. Stop at St Cirq-Lapopie, perched dramatically on a cliff high above the River Lot, where you can join your Tour Manager on a stroll through the cobbled lanes of half-timbered houses, learning about their history as you go. Your exploration of this delightful region continues with a visit to Cahors, famous for its Pont Valentre, one of the few remaining fortified bridges in Europe, as well as its red wine - the only French red wine to use the Malbec grape. Later you reach Rocamadour, built almost vertically into the rocky backdrop of the Alzou Valley. The town gives its name to a small goat’s milk cheese that you may like to try during your two-night stay here.

Meals: Breakfast / dinner

Day 7: The Dordogne Valley

Pass honey-coloured riverside cliffs and be awed by exquisitely photogenic villages such as La Roque Gageac, where many of the ochre stone houses are cut from the rock face itself. You’ll also appreciate the bustling market town of Sarlat, one of the prettiest towns in France. Be sure to look up at the unusual roofs when you pass through the medieval quarter, where they are often made from ‘lauze’ - carefully cut stone. You also have the opportunity to indulge in a boat trip on the river, watching as the lovely scenery passes by.

Meals: Breakfast / dinner

Day 8: Toulouse/UK

Those who will be flying home transfer to Toulouse airport, while rail passengers take a coach to Limoges station for the TGV service to Paris and onward Eurostar to London St. Pancras and Ebbsfleet.

Meals: Breakfast