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COAST to COAST: from the vineyards of Bordeaux our itinerary takes us through the Dordogne - and a stop at the famed Lascaux Caves - before heading through little-known territory to Toulouse and the fortified citadel of Carcassonne before reaching the Mediterranean. Then Nîmes, provence and the Riviera before arriving in Nice. .

Day 1 Arrive in Bordeaux. Settle into your hotel and get used to the surroundings and the town. Dinner and overnight in your hotel in Bordeaux

Day 2 Visit of Bordeaux / Castles and vineyards of Bordeaux.
Start with a sight-seeing tour to admire the main monuments of the city of Bordeaux. Afternoon dedicated to the visit of the most famous vineyards of the Bordeaux region. Wine tasting in some of the most prestigious Châteaux.
Overnight in Bordeaux.

Day 3 St Emilion / Monbazillac / Montignac Lascaux.
Saint Emilion is of course known for its wines but it's also a magnificent village to visit. Then en route to Monbazillac to discover and taste of one of France’s best sweet white wines. After lunch, the Lascaux II Cave (a faithfull reproduction of the orignal Lascaux caves) and the prehistoric site of Laroque Saint Christophe will plunge you back 50 000 years. Night in Montignac.

Day 4: Montignac / Vallée de la Dordogne / Saint Cirq Lapopie / Lalbenque.
The Dordogne valley and the Most Beautiful Villages of France: Beynac and La Roque Gageac. Descend the river on an authentic “Gabarre”, the boats that brought goods to the city of Bordeaux after a perilous trip on the Dordogne and Garonne rivers. Arrive in Rocamadour, a pilgrimage city during the middle ages. Visit the beautiful village of Saint Cirq Lapopie clinging to its rocky hillside in the Lot valley before moving on to Lalbenque, world capital of the black truffle. Night in Lalbenque.

Day 5 Lalbenque / Toulouse.
We cross the Aveyron gorge to reach Cordes-sur-Ciel, a magnificent bastide village perched on a rocky outcrop and then head towards the city of Albi to admire the Cathedral and the neighbouring Toulouse Lautrec museum. Afternoon arrival in Toulouse for a visit of the main monuments. Overnight in Toulouse.

Day 6 Toulouse / Carcassonne / Aigues Mortes / Nîmes.
Visit in the morning of the Space Centre, an interactive museum dedicated to spece exploration and understanding. We then leave Toulouse for a 50 minute drive to the walled City of Carcassonne, classified a UNESCO world heritage site since 1997. Lunch in Carcassonne. From Carcassonne we head towards the Camargue region and visit Aigues Mortes. Drive to the city of Nîmes. Night in Nîmes.

Day 7 Nîmes / Marseille / Cassis / Saint Tropez / Nice.
From Nîmes, head towards the beautiful Provence region and the city of Marseille. Panoramic tour and then drive towards the little port village of Cassis. Enjoy a boat ride to discover the magnificent Calanques cliffs before going on to Saint Tropez - home to the Riviera's beautiful people. Arrive in Nice and night in Nice.

Day 8 Nice.
Free day in Nice to stroll the Promenade des Anglais, visit the flower market, have a dip in the blue Med, play the casino, dine on local cuisine.
Possibility of optional excursion.
Overnight in Nice

Day 9 Nice
after breakfast we say goodbye.
- end of tour -

HOTELS and GUESTHOUSES

Bordeaux : Our 3* hotel is located right in the centre of Bordeaux in the heart of Europe's largest pedestrian zone.
The 82 rooms are comfortable and spacious and are equipped with private bathroom, hair dryer, air-conditioning, direct-dial telephone, radio-alarm, satellite TV, safe, mini bar.

Montignac : The charming guest house is situated in the heart of Perigord Noir in the Dordogne. Dominique and Jean François will welcome you to their large and authentic country house.
The house has been modernised to a very high standard and all the rooms have a wonderful view over the peaceful Valley.

Cahors : You will stay in an old farm, renovated and comfortable, in its own estate of 'truffle' oaks.
Each of the 5 rooms have a particular charm and a shower balneo.

Toulouse : Our 3* hotel, situated in the centre of Toulouse, has recently joined the Holiday Inn family. This 130 rooms hotel includes American-style amenities, a restaurant and a bar.
Each room has a TV, a phone and air conditioning.

Nîmes : Located in Nîmes, this bijou hotel offers all the charm of Provencal village life..
The 19 rooms nicely decorated with flowers and red fruits colours combine fun and intimacy in a contempory mind, not forgetting the facilities required by the discerning modern travellers : TV, internet, door code.

Nice : Our hotel is marvelously located in the centre of Nice, only 150 m from the famous « Promenade des anglais ».
It comprises 64 rooms with air - conditioning, phone, TV satellite, wifi, hair dryer. The decoration of the rooms is in a provençal style, refined and warm in the pure spirit of the south of France.

PRICE: from €3050 per person (base 2 sharing room) for 3* accommodation with superior rooms

from €3500 per person (base 2 sharing room) for 4* accommodation

(NB: there are no 5 star hotels in france: 4 star is the highest rating)

Price includes :

- Accommodation in authentic guest house or bijou hotels. Dinners from day 1 to day 6 (drinks only included in the guest house).
- Visits and wine tasting of the Bordeaux vineyards, entrance of theCave of Lascaux II, Castelnaud castle, A380 assembly line, unique boat rides in the Dorodogne valley and the Calanques of Cassis.
- The services of a professional driver guide throughout the tour with commentaries in English or auf deutsch. The tolls, fuel and parking are also included.
- In the fully equipped VW shuttle van you will have the possibility to stop just about anywhere at any time for your convenience.
- Accommodation and restauration included for the chauffeur-guide.

Price does not include:
- Any other options
- Tips or personal expenses.
- single supplement : 255 euros
- insurance

DATES in 2008: give us your dates and we will try to accommodate your group.