Daily Itinerary for May 2011 Tour to Southwest France
Monday, May 9
From the airport closest to your home, this is the day to take your overnight flight to Bordeaux.
Tuesday, May 10 - Day 1
It is very important that we each arrive at the airport in Bordeaux at approximately the same time. I will arrange a coach transfer for the group from the Bordeaux airport to our hotel in Sarlat. When the minimum number of participants has been reached, I will let you know at what time you need to be in Bordeaux to be included in the 3-hour drive from the airport to Sarlat. You can then make plane reservations accordingly. Based on the current Air France schedule, those flying from SFO or LAX land in Paris and continue on an Air France flight to Bordeaux, arriving in Bordeaux at 2:15 pm. In spite of the long day, we should be able to check into our hotel, with time to stretch our legs, check out the "neighborhood" and get a bite to eat before falling into bed.
Wednesday, May 11 - Day 2
We start the morning with a walking tour of Sarlat, or more correctly, Sarlat-la-Caneda, the most famous and most visited town in the region. It is a beautifully restored town, situated a few kilometers north of the Dordogne River. Our guide will introduce us to this charming town, with its old renovated buildings and narrow streets. This afternoon our coach will take us to see several villages and castles bordering the Dordogne River, among them La Roque Gageac, Beynac and Domme.
Thursday, May 12 - Day 3
Caves and prehistoric paintings abound in this region. Today we visit Lascaux II, a precise reproduction of a portion of the grotto of Lascaux, eleven years in the making by twenty artists and sculptors, using the same methods and materials as the original cave painters. Of course, this reconstruction can't compare to the real cave, but this glimpse of what was found in the original Lascaux in 1940 is worthy of a visit. We will also visit the huge cave, one of the largest in the region, at Rouffignac. Here, 140 centuries ago, prehistoric man left more than 250 animal figures in this underground maze. What fun, the visit is done aboard electric trains!
Friday, May 13 - Day 4
Today we've scheduled two places I've been reading about. One is the chateau of Les Milandes, the former home of Josephine Baker. We can wander through 14 rooms and feel her presence. We'll learn about the important periods in the life of this American ex-pat and see some of the costumes she wore in her shows at the Folies Bergere and elsewhere. In the afternoon we visit the Garden of Marqueyssac, the most visited garden in the Perigord. The gardens, set on a spur overlooking the entire Dordogne Valley and listed as a National Historical Monument, are designed for walking. The site has a spectacular view of the Dordogne Valley. Over 150,000 pruned boxwoods arranged with great imagination constitute the main theme of the garden.
Saturday, May 14 - Day 5
To market, to market! It's market day in Sarlat. You'll be on your own today to enjoy the market, take photos, visit the sights of the town, sit in a café and people watch, and catch up on your reading or writing in your journal.
Sunday, May 15 - Day 6
We're on the road today, leaving Sarlat and heading to Saint-Jean-de-Luz in French Basque Country. Saint-Jean-de-Luz is situated on the Atlantic coast, 20 kilometers south of Biarritz and about 10 kilometers north of the Spanish border. Saint-Jean-de-Luz, a fishing port on the coast, is now a famous resort known for its architecture, sandy bay, the quality of the light, and its cuisine. The port lies on the estuary, just before the river joins the ocean.
Monday, May 16 - Day 7
This morning we will drive east into the French Pyrenees and visit several Basque villages. Basque buildings are generally whitewashed, the timbers are exposed and painted, as are the shutters, red or green, the traditional Basque colors. Each village has its church and its pelote court, a game, somewhat like squash, played with a ball hit against a wall, using one's hand, a racket, a wooden bat or a basket. In the afternoon we'll ride a cogwheel train, le Petit Train de La Rhune for a panoramic view of the mountainous peaks of the Pyrenees.
Tuesday, May 17 - Day 8
We are crossing the border and heading to Spain today to visit the Guggenheim museum in Bilbao. This incredible building houses an important collection of 20th century art. On the return trip we stop in San Sebastian, which sits on the Bay of Biscay. It's a popular beach resort, a blend of cosmopolitan style and old-world ambience with a picturesque coastline and is surrounded by verdant mountains. As a university town, it is the cultural capital of the Spanish Basque country.
Wednesday, May 18 - Day 9
Today is a day to relax in Saint-Jean-de-Luz. You can enjoy the town, the shops and the beaches at your leisure.
Thursday, May 19 - Day 10
It's quilt show day! Though not a huge international quilt exhibit, it will be fun to take in this small show, the 8th biennial Quilt-en-Sud, which is held in Saint-Jean-de-Luz. Already scheduled are 19 expositions, both traditional and contemporary textiles, the work of artists from France, Spain, India and the U.S. The exhibits and vendors will be in 8 locations in town with a free shuttle bus transporting visitors from place to place. Classes, demonstrations and lectures are also offered.
Friday, May 20 - Day 11
Pack your bags, we are taking the TGV, the "fast" train to Paris today. We will get to our hotel late in the afternoon. It's located a short walk from the Champs de Mars, where we can enjoy the Eiffel Tower's sparkling lights this evening. This is the last evening of the tour, unless you would like to stay on in Paris for a few more unguided days on your own.
Saturday, May 21 - Day 12
If you are not staying extra days in Paris, it's time to pack your bags, and gather up your memories and souvenirs to head back home.
3-day Extension - May 21, 22, 23
Saturday, Sunday, Monday, May 21, 22, 23
Whether you've never been to Paris or whether, like some of us, you have left your heart in Paris and want to spend a few days in the city, you can sign up to remain in the hotel for three more nights. I already know I will be staying along with others in the group. The days will not be planned or organized, but left for you to visit a museum or exhibit, browse, take photos, enjoy a boat ride on the Seine and in general, imbibe the Parisian ambience.
Tuesday, May 24 - Day 12
And now it really is time to say "au revoir" to Paris and France and head for the airport and home.