The Riches of Southwestern France and The Spanish Basque Country
June 3 - 16, 2012

Let us introduce you to….
the Périgord region and its pre-historic caves, the high Pyrénées, The French and Spanish Basque Country and Bilbao, Spain: the vibrant people, and the rich cultural heritage of  the wine, cheese, art,  music, and the history of these regions.

The tour is to be accompanied by 2 directors from Educational Travel Service :
Tim Kahn, 35-year veteran of the French classroom and executive producer of the documentary film, The Last Link, about the French Basque and Béarnais shepherding culture of the Pyrénées, and Lee Hoehn, who has lived  in the south of France for extended periods of time and has developed trips for students and adults throughout France for 25 years.

DAY 1 – Sunday, June 3: Depart North America

Day 3 – Tuesday, June 5:

Full day visit of the Dordogne: The Grottes de Lascaux II, a facsimile of the most famous 17,000 year-old site for Pre Historic cave art in the world, located in the lime stone banks in the region of the Vézère River . Then walk around the historic, exceptionally preserved town of Sarlat, capital of the Black Périgord. Representing over 1,000 years of architecture, Sarlat has been the backdrop for numerous motion pictures. Explore the many charming streets and admire the roofs and stone walled buildings that bring the Renaissance to life. Lunch at a local restaurant.

Continue on to the fortified town of Domme and a “Gabares” cruise on the Dordogne from the picturesque village of La Roque-Gageac. Dinner will be in the area before returning to Périgueux for the evening.

B/D

Day 4 – Wednesday, June 6:

Morning visit of the colorful local market.  Pick up something for lunch, before departing Périgueux for a visit of Les Grottes de Rouffignac, “the cave of 100 mammoths.” Board an electric train that takes visitors down to subterranean galleries that contain over 270 drawings and etchings of extinct animals. Return to Périgueux for dinner and the evening.
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Day 5 – Thursday, June 7:

Depart Périgueux to immerse yourself in the cooking and wine of French Dordogne, with a demonstration/ interactive cooking class at the Chartreuse du Bignac in the Bergerac area. Overnight at the Chartreuse du Bignac in Saint Nexans.
	B/L/D

Day 6 – Friday, June 8:

Depart for Pau with a visit of: Le Boulevard des Pyrénées with its commanding view of the high peaks of the Pyrénées,  les Jardins de Beaumont and a tour of Le Château d’Henri IV.  Explore the local restaurants in Pau for lunch and dinner.  Overnight in Pau.
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Day 7 – Saturday, June 9:

This morning depart for La Vallée d’Ossau. Lunch in Laruns sampling some of the cuisine and wines of Le Béarn. Afternoon visit of the famous Col d’Aubisque, one of the most challenging mountain ascents in Le Tour de France. Explore small medieval villages such as  Béost and Castet. Meet a bee keeper and learn about the different types of honey produced in the mountain valleys of the Pyrénées. Return to Pau with a stop at a vineyard in Jurançon before dinner. Overnight in Pau.

B/L

Day 8 – Sunday, June 10:

Today will be spent in the High Pyrénées with shepherd, Stéphane Chétrit. Before leaving Pau, visit a local “boulangerie” to learn about the process used to make French bread.  Once arrived in the high mountains, we will take a gondola to the top of the Artouste ski area. We will  picnic with  Stéphane and learn about his family’s heritage in cheese making and how he produces of one of the finest “fromage des Pyrénées.” Hike or ride down into his mountain valley to visit his cheese cellar . In the late afternoon, take “le petit train” to the Lac D’Artouste with its panoramic views of mountain peaks. Dinner in Laruns with an evening of shepherds singing traditional music of “Le Béarn.” Overnight in Pau.

B/L/D

Day 9 – Monday, June 11:

Depart Pau for the spectacular “Vallée d’Aspe,” and the alpine village of Lescun. Picnic (weather dependant) under the towering peaks of the Lescun Glacier and then continue on along the “La Route de Fromage Ossau-Iraty”, which traces the high peaks of the Béarn and the Basquc Country. We will arrive at the Hotel Arcé, in the picturesque Basque village of St. Etienne de Baigorry. Dinner will be in the Hotel Arcé, sampling the wines of the Basque Country and the cuisine prepared by well known chef, Pascal Arcé, whose family has owned the hotel for generations. Overnight at the Hotel Arcé in St. Etienne de Baigorry.

B/D

Day 10 – Tuesday, June 12:

Full day touring the Basque Countrv. Visit the Irrouligy vineyards, followed by a guided walking tour of the town of St. Jean de Port including the Fortresse.  There will time for those who wish, to walk a small portion of the famous pilgrimage route “Le Chemin de St. Jacques de Compostelle,”.  We will visit the mountain village of Arnéguy, half of which is in Spain.  Evening of Basque music.  Dinner and overnight  at the Hotel Arcé. in St. Etienne de Baigorry.

B/D

Day 11 – Wednesday, June 13:

Depart St. Étienne de Baigorry for the Atlantic Coast. Visit, the French composer Ravel’s birth place, the picturesque fishing village of St. Jean de Luz. You may wish to sample seafood of the Atlantic at lunch, along with wines of the region. Afternoon will be spent in ‘the Nice of the Atlantic’, the elegant resort town of Biarritz. Walk the beach and explore the many shops. Dinner and the evening will be spent in Biarritz before returning to the Hotel Arcé for the evening.

B/D

Day 12 – Thursday, June 14:

Depart France for Spain and the city of Bilbao. Drive through the Pyrénées  Arrive Bilbao for dinner in a local taverna and overnight.
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Day 13 – Friday, June 15:

Guided tour of the world famous Guggenheim Museum.  The afternoon will be at your leisure to continue visiting the museum, doing any last minute shopping, or exploring the city. Dinner and overnight in Bilbao.
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Day 14 – Saturday, June 16: Depart Bilbao, Spain for North America.

TRIP COST INCLUDES

1. 12 Nights in superior class hotels with breakfast**
2.  7 dinners & 4 lunches, as indicated on the itinerary
3.  Escort during the tour
4.  Private coach for excursions including airport transfers
5.  Sites as mentioned on the itinerary
6.  Special events:

Wine tasting (St Emilion / Jurancon / Irouleguy / Bergerac /   Montbazillac

1. Traditional Music
2. Cheese making demonstration & tasting
3. Cooking demonstration/class

**Lodging

1. * Hotel Mercure - Périgueux (www.mercure.com  / Périgueux)
2. * La Chartreuse du Bignac – Saint Nexans   (www.abignac.com )
3. * Quality Hotel - Pau  (www.hotel-pau-centre.com )
4. * Hotel Arce - St. Etienne de Baigorry  (www.hotel-arce.com )
5. * Miro Hotel Bilbao ( www.mirohotelbilbao.com/)

Some hotels may change due to unforeseen circumstances and the travel organizer cannot be held responsible for any changes.

TRIP COST DOES NOT INCLUDE

1. Air to and from Europe
2. Tipping of local guides and bus driver
3. Alcoholic beverages with meals
4. Meals, other than those listed (B=breakfast, L=lunch,D=dinner)
5. Trip cancellation insurance