Day 1

Ferry to Calais and overnight stay in Poitiers on a bed and breakfast basis. This medieval town is the perfect introduction to France, with its half-timbered houses, bustling squares, storied university, ancient churches and pretty riverside scenery.

Day 2 - Bordeaux & Saint-Émilion

After checking out of our overnight hotel we take a panoramic coach journey through scenic Bordeaux, a world capital of wine and scattered with pretty vineyards. We stop in the enchanting medieval village of Saint-Émilion, with its fairytale-like feel, Romanesque churches and renowned wines, thanks to its complex geology and microclimate. There’s time to enjoy a gentle stroll and one of the many bistros here, or perhaps you’d like to visit one of the tempting wine tasting houses.

Later, we continue to the Auberge de la Petite Reine Hotel in Siorac-en-Périgord, arriving in time for dinner.

Day 3 - Optional guided excursion to Domme & Sarlat-la-Canéda with a Gabarre Boat Trip on the Dordogne (£26pp)

The striking village of Domme awaits on our optional excursion, perched on a rocky outcrop high above the snaking Dordogne and surrounded by rolling countryside. Founded in 1283, it is a typical French bastide town and instantly transports us to the Middle Ages due to its fortified medieval layout, ancient city walls, imposing honey-coloured gateways and underground grottoes, once used to hide the townspeople during the Hundred Year’s War. Included is a 20-minute journey on the Petit Train de Domme, a delightful way to see this small town and to learn a little more about its rich history.

Our next stop today is stunning Sarlat-la-Canéda, one of the most famous towns of the region, which regularly stars as a wonderfully atmospheric filming location and boasts a history dating back to the 9th century (plus the world’s highest concentration of historic monuments per square metre)! The pedestrianised Rue de la Republique in the Old Town is the perfect place for a leisurely wander, with beautiful architecture on display dating from the medieval and Renaissance periods. The cathedral is well worth a look, transformed over the centuries with a glorious mix of different styles, and for a lovely taste of Sarlat, head to the quaint nougat shops and the indoor gastronomic market.

We then enjoy a relaxing trip on the Dordogne aboard a gabarre, a traditional flat-bottomed boat used for the transportation of goods along the pretty river. It’s a wonderful way to soak up the scenery from a different perspective, with little villages and châteaus dotting the surrounding landscape.

Day 4 - Rocamadour & Truffadou Train

Our first visit today takes us to Rocamadour, a picture-perfect village with terracotta-roofed buildings that cling to a dramatic cliffside. The panoramic vista of the town and the vast Alzou canyon below is spectacular, best viewed from the ramparts along the 14th-century fort, which were once used to protect the sanctuaries and holy sites nestled underneath. Past kings and pilgrims alike have long been drawn to the Black Madonna statue in the Chapel Notre-Dame, an important spot on the route to Santiago de Compostela, with many miracles believed to have transpired here. With the fort on the highest point of the settlement and the 12th-century sanctuary and Museum of Sacred Art on the middle level, the lowest slopes are home to a fantastic collection of shops and eateries.

In the afternoon, we head to charming Martel, known as the ‘city of seven towers’ and filled with ancient archways and half-timbered houses with painted wooden shutters. After some time to explore, we board the magical Truffadou Train, once used to transport Martel market’s famous truffles. Sit back and relax as we journey through the beautiful Dordogne Valley, journeying through tunnels, alongside cliffsides and over bridges, marvelling at the impressive views at every turn.

Day 5 - Day at Leisure

Today we enjoy a day at leisure; you may like to relax and enjoy the hotel facilities, take a stroll through the local countryside or if you so wish, the hotel can organise private transport to nearby Siorac-en-Périgord, a peaceful village with lovely riverside walks, a historic castle and more on offer.

Day 6 - Bergerac & Wine Tasting at Domaine du Siorac Estate

After breakfast we head to the picturesque town of Bergerac, made famous by the fictional Cyrano de Bergerac. Visiting his statue here is a must, and the town is also popular for its maze of atmospheric streets lined with boutiques and pâtisseries, medieval centre and bustling main square, home to the pretty Saint Jacques Church and a little fountain where locals once did their washing. Encircled by quaint houses with different coloured shutters and little cafés, it’s a lovely place to take a seat and watch the world go by!

A real treat is in store for us later at the organic Domaine du Siorac Estate, where the family have been producing Bergerac and Verjus du Périgord wines for generations, with the vine roots plunging into the all-important clay-limestone soil of the Burgundy region. We are shown around the wine cellars by the owners and have the chance to walk amongst the vines (weather permitting) to discover how they harvest and make the wine. For a true flavour of France, we enjoy a delicious wine tasting and picnic lunch amid the pretty surroundings of the vineyard, featuring French staples such as fresh bread, cheese and charcuterie.

Back at the hotel, more delicious food awaits at tonight’s gastronomic dinner.

Day 7 – Château de Beynac & Lascaux II

For our last excursion we make our way to Château de Beynac, one of Dordogne’s most well-preserved castles, and follow in the footsteps of Richard the Lionheart, Eleanor of Aquitane and Simon de Montfort. Standing proud on a high limestone cliff, the fortress was built in the 1200s by the barons of Beynac and has watched over the river for centuries, bearing witness to the struggle for power during the Hundred Year’s War, with the château on the opposite side of the river controlled by the English. Look out for the Renaissance staircase, the impressive defensive keep, the 13th-century kitchen and the intricate tapestries on display, which provide a fascinating window to the past.

We continue to Lascaux II, the first replica of the significant Lascaux Cave and a must-see while in this region. Stumbled upon in 1940 by a group of teenagers, the original cave was a truly remarkable discovery, with over 600 wall paintings of large animals and fauna believed to be 17,000 years old. It was open to the public to admire the prehistoric art for about 20 years before it had to be closed, yet Lascaux II is nevertheless a fascinating experience.

This evening, we enjoy a farewell drink and a BBQ in the grounds of our hotel (weather permitting).

Day 8

Travel to our overnight hotel in France, where there is time to find somewhere for an early dinner (not included).

Day 9

Continue to Calais for our return ferry home.

Important note: For operational reasons, we may occasionally need to use feeder vehicles to fulfil our tours. Similarly for operational reasons, it may be necessary to change your pickup point from your selected pickup point, but we will always notify you of these changes before you depart. Terms & Conditions apply.

Just Go brochure price in RED

Travel 55 discount price in BLACK

Tel Just Go reservations on 0333 234 2010 quote Travel 55 code PTR557