b'YOUR ITINERARY 7 DAY HOLIDAYFROM FRANCEDay 1London to Carcassonneis an ideal place to appreciate this1,795 PPWe meet at London St Pancras tospecial viewing spot. We then visit board the Eurostar to Paris, continuea traditional auberge in the scenic by First Class rail to Toulouse for aMinervois wine region, where we2024 Departures in: coach transfer to Carcassonne. Weenjoy a delicious four-course lunchMAY, JUN, JUL, AUG, SEP, OCTstay in an elegant 5-Star hotel on thewith locally produced wine. banks of the River Aude, in deluxe1 2 3 4rooms with private terraces and viewsDay 5Market day in MirepoixComfortable Explorer ratedof the medieval walled city. We enjoyWe visit medieval Mirepoix for the dinner in our hotel restaurant.towns celebrated weekly market inYOUR HOLIDAY INCLUDES:TOUR MANAGERS HIGHLIGHT: the wonderfully preserved market square, Place des Couverts, borderedExpertise of a UK Tour Manager Staying in a fabulous 5-Star riversideby half-timbered houses. The aromas,from start to finishhotel with excellent facilities lively trading and local performers evoke a sense of medieval times andFirst Class rail and all transfers, Day 2Exploring the walledyoure free to explore and sampleEurostar Standard Premiermedieval city of Carcassonnefresh, regional produce or purchaseAll rail and coach travel Today we have a guided tour ofhomemade crafts and local wine.throughout your tourCarcassonnes fabulous walled city.Other sights in the town include the6 nights 5-Star hotel With its beautifully restored slateGothic Cathedral of Saint Maurice, theaccommodation in deluxe rooms roofs, pointed towers and fortifiedformer Bishops Palace, and the Portewith private terraces in Carcassonnewalls, this medieval citadel is listeddAvalthe only remains of Mirepoixs as a World Heritage site. Entering theoriginal 14th-century fortifications.Breakfast each day plus 2 lunches ancient bridge feels like stepping backand 2 dinnersin time to romantic medieval France.Day 6A private wine tasting and Our tour includes entrance to Chteaudinner at Chteau de PennautierAll tour excursionsComtal, the hilltop castle which houses a fascinating museum. YourAfter a leisurely morning we enjoy a afternoon is free to explore, maybewine tasting and farewell meal in the walk along the ramparts for views ofgrounds of Chteau de Pennautier. the surrounding countryside, strollBuilt in the 17th century, this golden-along the river, or enjoy lunch in ahued stately home is set within shady square within the citadel walls. beautiful French-style gardens with vineyards that have been cultivated by ten generations of the Lorgeril family. Day 3Excursion to NarbonneAfter a guided tour of the castle, ourTO/FROMThis morning we visit Narbonne. Onthree-course lunch is served in a rusticPARISa guided walking tour of the Robinerestaurant, accompanied by winesToulouseCanal, we see an exposed section ofproduced in the chteaus vineyards. the Via Domitia Roman Road and theAfter lunch we visit the wine cellar for Archbishops Palace before visiting Lesa wine tasting and guided tour. We Halles market for a private tasting ofreturn to our hotel with an eveningVilleneuve-Minervoisthe regions cured meats and cheeses,at leisure to enjoy the sights ofChteau de Pennautierolives, tapenade and delicious MuscatCarcassonne or perhaps to revisit aFRANCE 6 Narbonnewine. After our tour you could visit thefavourite restaurant. Carcassonnefascinating cathedral, or relax in itsMirepoixpeaceful and shady cloister. We enjoyTOUR MANAGERS HIGHLIGHT: Chteau de Lastoursa traditional cassoulet dinner tonight.Enjoying a delicious lunch and wine tasting at Chteau de Pennautier Tour Code: CAB |per person based on 2 sharing. Deposit from 300 per person. Day 4The Chteaux de LastoursSupplement for solo travellers from 600 Today we explore the historicDay 7Homeward bound Chteaux de Lastours area, in theAfter our last breakfast in lovely heart of Cathar country. Our firstCarcassonne, we transfer to ToulouseTo book and for stop is the Belvedere viewpoint whichby coach, and continue by First Classinformation go togives us a panoramic view of fourrail to Paris. As the changing scenery Cathar fortresses, set among ruggedrolls past our windows, theres time togreatrail.com/CAB24 hills. We can either walk up to thereflect on our holiday experiences inor call 01904 527168ruined castles or enjoy a slide showmedieval France. In Paris, we join the in English on the history of the CatharEurostar service to London St Pancras& speak to ourCastles. Theres a caf at the site whichInternational where our journey ends. expert team.87'