We would like to share with you our passion for this beautiful part of France. 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. The gourmet tours are 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 May 2007
Day 1: All participants will be met at Pau railway station at 15.15. This is the arrival time of the TGV 8514 from Paris, Montparnasse. Details will be confirmed a few months before the start of the tour. Participants will be taken to the hotel approximately 20 minutes away. Those who are not using this pick-up service will make their own way to the hotel. Welcoming drinks will be served before dinner with folk singers performing local traditional songs, followed by dinner in the hotel. (D).
Day 2: 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. We will then have lunch at a local duck farm where we will taste its delicious produce all prepared with “Salies” salt. Dinner at the hotel. (B/L/D).
Day 3: Journey by 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 visit to a goat farm with degustation of its cheese. Dinner at Au Bord de l’Eau restaurant. (B/L/D).
Day 4: Journey by bus to Oloron to visit the twelfth century Cathedral of St Marie and discover its treasures. Lunch will be in the little Basque village of Larrau followed by a stroll around the countryside and a demonstration of a Basque game. Before we make our way back to the hotel we will go to the top of La Madeleine to admire the magnificent 360-degree views of the surrounding mountain peaks and valleys. Dinner at the hotel. (B/L/D).
Day 5: Ten minute journey to my village, Abos, for a game of quille de neuf and quille de six, a walk around the village, including a drink at the local cafe and an official welcome by the mayor. Lunch will be a buffet of regional specialities followed by a game of petanque. Bus will take us to an old rustic vineyard with the option of a 3 kilometre walk back (all down hill!) to the hotel after a wine tasting. Dinner at the hotel. (B/L/D).
Day 6: Journey by bus to the village of Gavarnie for a three-hour return walk to see Le Cirque de Gavarnie, with the option 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.(B/L/D).
Day 7: Journey by bus to St Jean Pied de Port in the Basque country to see 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. (B/L/D).
Day 8: Morning trip by bus to Pau to a giant supermarket to see its enormous food selection. Degustation lunch will be in one of Pau's finest traditional restaurants followed by free time to shop and explore the old city. Dinner at the hotel. (B/L/D).
Day 9: The bus will take all the participants to Pau railway station to catch the 11.45 TGV 8541 for 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. (B/L/D).
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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