This slow food holiday in France is more for the "bon vivant" without any strenuous activities. The French hotels have been chosen for their comfort, charm and good table. All the rooms offer private ensuite facilities. Shops and banks are all within walking distance of the hotels. During the tour, participants have the choice of joining daily activities or relaxing in the village for the day. A coach will ensure a comfortable journey along the French country roads.
The numbers for this slow food holiday in France are limited to a maximum of 20 and a minimum of 10 participants.
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive Pau, France (D)
Participants will be met at Pau railway station at 15.15 from TGV 8514 from Paris, Montparnasse. Details confirmed a few months before the start of the tour. Participants will be taken to the hotel approximately 20 minutes away. Welcome drinks before dinner.
Day 2: Salies de Béarn (B, L, D)
Journey by bus to Salies de Béarn, a village rich in salt, with a guided tour of its charming old streets and ancient salt collecting methods and free time to browse. Lunch at a local duck farm where we will taste its delicious produce all prepared with “Salies” salt. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 3: Bedous, Aydius (B, L, D)
Bus to Bedous to wander around the local market. Lunch will be in the little mountain village of Aydius, where we will taste the traditional Garbure soup, followed by a walk to a goat farm with a degustation of its cheese. Dinner at one of Pau’s finest restaurants.
Day 4: Oloron, Larrau (B, L, D)
Journey by bus to Oloron to visit the twelfth century Cathedral of St Marie and learn of its treasures. Lunch will be in the little Basque village of Larrau followed by a stroll around the countryside. Then you go to the top of La Madeleine to admire the magnificent 360-degree views of the surrounding mountain peaks and valleys.
Day 5: Abos (B, L, D)
Travel to Abos, for a game of quille de neuf and a stroll around the village, including an official welcome by the village mayor. Lunch will be a buffet of regional specialties followed by a game of pétanque. Bus will take you to a rustic vineyard with the option of a 3 kilometre walk back to the hotel after a wine tasting.
Day 6: Gavarnie, Le Cirque de Gavarnie, Luz Sat Saveur (B.L D)
Journey by bus to the village of Gavarnie for a three-hour return walk to Le Cirque de Gavarnie, with anoption to ride by horse or donkey. Picnic lunch. On the way back, quick stop to see the twelfth century church in the village of Luz St Sauveur. Dinner in a nearby restaurant.
Day 7: St Jean de Pied de Port, Socoa, St Jean de Luz (B, L, D)
Journey by bus to St Jean Pied de Port in the Basque country to explore the local market and then to the Port of Socoa for Ttoro, the traditional Basque seafood soup. After lunch free time in St Jean de Luz. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 8: Pau (B, L, D)
Morning trip by bus to Pau to a giant supermarket to see its enormous food selection. Lunch will bein one of Pau's great traditional restaurants next to the castle followed by free time to shop and explore the old city.
Day 9: Depart Pau (B)
The bus will take all the participants to Pau railway station to catch the 11.45 TGV 8541 to Paris. This will be the only transport organised that day. [The TGV ticket is not included in package] Details will be confirmed a few months before the start of the tour.
Typically included in this holiday in France:
- Accommodation for 8 nights in France
- Arrival and departure transfers for set trains from and to Paris
- All meals
- Wine with lunches and dinners
- All activities and services noted in itinerary.
