A Taste of Southern France - Bordeaux to Carcassonne

Our foodie tour starts in Bordeaux, a vibrant and historic city in southwestern France, known for its rich wine culture, beautiful architecture, and picturesque surroundings. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Bordeaux-Merignac Airport (BOD) which is around 45 minutes from the hotel depending on traffic. For those arriving on time, our tour leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 5pm for a guided walk of the highlights of Bordeaux including the St Andre Cathedral, the UNESCO-protected old town and the Place de la Bourse. Our tour will start with an aperitif and a welcome meeting in a local bar with the opportunity to go for dinner afterwards. If your flight arrives earlier in the day, you might like to take a stroll along the quays of the Garonne River, admire the city's neoclassical buildings, charming squares, and grand monuments or visit the Contemporary Art Museum.

Our day begins with a visit to the bustling Capucins Market, one of Bordeaux's most vibrant and authentic food markets and also one of the oldest in France. As we wander through the stalls, our tour leader will introduce us to the the seasonal produce that makes this region so special. We'll have the opportunity to sample the famous Arcachon oysters, freshly delivered from the nearby Atlantic coast - a true taste of the sea that this area is renowned for. After exploring the market, we'll settle in for lunch at a local restaurant in the market area, where we can savour the flavours of southwestern France paired with, of course, some excellent local wine. In the afternoon, we plan to stop at a local patisserie to indulge in the famous mouth-watering Cannele pastry, a classic French set custard known for its distinctive small, fluted shape and caramelized crust, originating from the Bordeaux region. We'll then have some free time to explore more of Bordeaux at our own pace. Please note, you'll be given a 48-hour public transport pass to get around during your time in Bordeaux.

Leaving the city behind we journey into the French countryside, heading to one of the most beautiful areas of France - the Dordogne. This stunning region is a paradise for food lovers, where gastronomy takes absolute priority. From succulent duck and rich pates to the sweet golden Monbazillac wine, walnut products, and of course, the prized truffle, the Dordogne offers an abundance of culinary treasures waiting to be discovered. En route, we'll break up our train journey with a stop at the enchanting medieval village of Saint-Emilion, nestled in the heart of Bordeaux's wine country. This iconic wine village, classified officially as one of the most beautiful in France, is famous for its picturesque vineyards and rolling hills. We'll visit a local wine estate to discover the secrets of winemaking and sample some of the world-class vintage. After exploring Saint-Emilion's cobbled streets, steeped in centuries of winemaking tradition, we'll continue our train journey to Sarlat, arriving in the late afternoon. This evening, we'll enjoy a traditional duck-based dinner, giving us our first taste of the Dordogne's celebrated cuisine.

We head to a local black truffle producer where we'll learn more about why they are so prized and, with specially trained dogs, we'll head outside to have a go at locating some. Summer truffles are typically available from late spring to the end of August, while black truffles - also known as winter truffles - are found from December to March. If your trip falls outside of these periods, the likelihood of finding truffles may be lower, but the experience is still incredibly valuable. You'll have the opportunity to learn about the truffle-producing process, including how they're grown and harvested. It's a fascinating journey into the world of culinary treasures and agricultural practices, regardless of the season. The afternoon is dedicated to sightseeing and appreciated the beauty of the region. The Dordogne River valley is simply spectacular - this dramatic landscape once served as the frontier between English-held Aquitaine and the French kingdom during the Hundred Years' War. We'll visit Beynac Castle, one of the most impressive fortresses in the region, dramatically perched on a clifftop overlooking the winding river below. The views from the castle are breathtaking, offering a glimpse into the area's rich medieval history.

This morning, we'll head out on foot to the famous Sarlat market. Exploring the markets is not only a great way to sample the produce and flavours of the region but also to immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of this charming French town. As we walk through the market, our tour leader will explain the produce and offer samples to try - these might include regional cheeses, duck sausage, and walnut cakes. France is the world's largest producer and consumer of the controversial delicacy, foie gras, and the product will be on sale throughout the market. After our tasting tour of the market, there is free time to explore more of the food stalls or the local handicrafts section. We'll then enjoy our favourite finds from the market in a lovely outdoor setting for lunch, savouring the best of what the Dordogne has to offer. The afternoon is free for personal discovery in Sarlat, where our tour leader can help with suggestions for exploring this beautifully preserved medieval town.

Today is a travelling day as we make our way from the Dordogne to our final destination. We'll start with a transfer to the town of Cahors, where we'll rejoin the rail network and take a train to Toulouse, connecting there for a local train to the last of our overnight stops - the fabled city of Carcassonne. We dare to guarantee that the views from the train will keep you entertained all day long, as we wind through the stunning landscapes of southwestern France, watching the scenery transform as we journey south.

One of the reasons for coming to Carcassonne is surely the gorgeous medieval citadel, which has not kept one medieval set of walls, but two complete concentric rings of fortifications - a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most impressive fortified cities in Europe. A second reason is, of course, the local cuisine, and no dish is more famous here than the cassoulet. This hearty bean and meat stew is the ultimate comfort food of the region. This morning, we'll take part in a cooking class, creating our own cassoulets for the evening - a good cassoulet needs a good few hours in the oven . We'll learn about the traditional ingredients and techniques that make this dish so special. After our hands-on culinary experience, there will be a walking tour with our tour leader through the atmospheric streets of the citadel, followed by free time to discover Carcassonne at your own pace. This evening, we'll gather to enjoy the fruits of our earlier labour - our homemade cassoulet dinner.

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Carcassonne. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to depart from Toulouse-Blagnac Airport (TLS) which is approximately a 1 hour 30 minute drive.