Our tours are based in the country, giving you the rare opportunity to meet the locals, taste the regional produce, admire the beautiful landscapes, and experience the culture. This gourmet tour will is for the "bon vivant" without any strenuous activities. For your greatest comfort in the Béarn and Basque regions we will settle in at the one hotel for the nine days ensuring a stress-free stay where no packing and unpacking will be required.
Your Itinerary October 2007
Day 1: All participants will be met at Bayonne railway station at 14.55. This is the arrival time of the TGV 8515 from Paris, Montparnasse. Details will be confirmed a few months before the start of the tour. Participants will be met and taken to Les Tilleuls Hotel in Hasparren, approximately 30 minutes away. Those who are not using this pick-up service will make their own way to the hotel. The afternoon will be free to relax and explore the village. Dinner at the hotel will follow welcome drinks. (D).
Day 2: Bus trip to Banca to visit a trout farm and taste its produce follow ed by a visit to a local Charcuterie. Here we will see the unique breed of Basque pig and taste the produce, followed by a lunch in St Etienne de Baigorry. After lunch we will make our way to the Chateau d'Etchauz, the former holiday retreat of the famous Charlie Chaplin. Here we will have wine tasting with one of France's best Sommelier s as well as a guided tour of the castle. Dinner at the hotel. (B/L/D).
Day 3: Bus trip to wander the beautiful village of Ainhoa before making our way to Sare to visit the Gâteau Basque museum for a fun demonstration of the making of this traditional Basque cake. We will have lunch in the village of Sare with time to stroll around and explore the village. After lunch we will make our way to the home of Edmond Rostand, a famous French poet who wrote “Cyrano De Bergerac”, to explore the magnificent house and garden. Dinner in a nearby restaurant. (B/L/D).
Day 4: The morning will start with a little stop in La Bastide Clairence, voted one of France's most beautiful villages. Our next port of call will be Biarritz to wander around this famous seaside resort. W e will then make our way to Bayonne for a Tapas lunch followed by free time to explore the old historical town, or perhaps for the art buffs, the Musée Bonnat. Dinner in a nearby restaurant. (B/L/D).
Day 5: Free time in the morning to relax in Hasparren followed by lunch in Itxassou. After lunch we will relax or play some traditional French games. Dinner in a nearby restaurant. (B/L/D).
Day 6: Bus trip to a duck farm for a visit and tasting of the farm's produce. Next stop will be in the village of St Jean Pied de Port during market day for free time to roam the old fortified city followed by lunch. On our way back to the hotel we will stop to visit a cheese farm and taste its produce. Dinner at the hotel. (B/L/D).
Day 7: Bus trip to St Palais to visit the Basque museum for a better understanding of its intriguing culture. Lunch will be at Col d'Osquich for the traditional “Palombe”, follow ed by a stroll to the Chapel of St Antoine. Our last stop of the day will be in Gamarthe to see how the Jambon de Bayonne is made. Dinner at the hotel. (B/L/D).
Day 8: Bus trip to Espelette, the capital of the red chili peppers, to taste Basque chocolate and roam the colourful village. Our next stop will be Chez Jean Vier to see and purchase [optional!] some beautiful traditional Basque linen. We will then make our way to the Port of Socoa for Ttoro, the traditional Basque seafood soup followed by a stroll along the water's edge to St Jean de Luz where there will be free time to experience its history and charm. Dinner at the hotel. (B/L/D).
Day 9: The bus will take all the participants to Bayonne railway station in the morning to catch the 11.07 TGV 8534 for Paris, Montparnasse. 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. (B).
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Cost includes: all transport, accommodation , breakfasts, lunches, dinners, activities as stated in the brochure. Wine is included with all the sit down meal.
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