The Charming Dordogne

Meeting the Tour Manager and travelling group at London St Pancras this morning, your holiday begins as you board the Eurostar service to Paris.

In the French capital, we transfer to Gare d'Austerlitz for a journey through the centre of France to Brive-la-Gaillarde. From Brive, a coach transfer follows the Vézère river through this picturesque region. The Dordogne is known as the jewel of French gastronomy and, with truffles and walnut trees dotting this verdant land of thick forests we pass, it's little wonder.

Set in parkland and with a large outdoor pool, our hotel is in the centre of Les Eyzies, a village at the heart of a UNESCO-listed site of caves containing prehistoric rock paintings and significant palaeolithic discoveries. On arrival, we enjoy our first dinner together, a three-course meal with wine.

• Dinner

Two holiday highlights await after breakfast as we firstly travel by coach to beautiful La Roque-Gageac.

With a huddle of elegant stone buildings appearing hewn out of the limestone cliff, this small riverside settlement is one of the 'Most Beautiful Villages in France and formerly a thriving trading port. We hop into one of the traditional flat-bottomed boats - a gabare - that would have been used to transport goods. Sailing along the scenic Dordogne, relax while admiring beautiful châteaux peering out from densely forested hills. Afterwards, there's free time to explore La Roque-Gageac at leisure.

Our next destination is the 15th-century Château des Milandes. Enjoying wonderful panoramic views and displaying fairytale features, it has a surprising history. In 1947, it was bought by Josephine Baker, a star of the Parisian cabaret scene in the 1920s. The American-born singer and dancer, who performed at the Folies Bergère, created a sumptuous Art Deco haven. You can explore the château, its manicured grounds or a bird of prey demonstration at your leisure.

Returning to Les Eyzies this evening, we gather for a three-course dinner.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today is at leisure for you to explore Les Eyzies and surrounding areas as you wish.

Our picturesque base in the heart of the Dordogne is rich in prehistory and it was here that Cro-Magnon man was discovered in 1868. This picturesque village and the Vézère Valley boast a number of attractions for those interested in this era of formative human history, including a Cro-Magnon shelter dating from 40,000 BC. You don't have to go far to feel like you're at the centre of this jaw-dropping archaeology. Behind our hotel there is the Prehistory Interpretation Centre, while the National Museum of Prehistory is also nearby. Both bring to life nearly 400,000 years of humanity.

While its incredible history is Les Eyzies' main attraction, the scenery is stunning. After exploring, relax by the river and, as you dine independently today, seek out an appealing restaurant for dinner. Look out for local cuisine including confit duck, cepes mushrooms and walnut bread, best enjoyed with a glass of local wine.

• Breakfast

One of the region's most important and historic towns, Sarlat, is our destination today. The picturesque Old Town is full of honey-coloured medieval buildings lining a labyrinth of alleyways and is virtually unchanged since the Middle Ages.

Our visit coincides with market day, giving you the chance to peruse the stalls and enjoy the aromas drifting throughout the square. The market is famed throughout the region, and local producers flock to sell products such as duck, goose, walnuts, cheese and excellent fresh fruit and veg, including various varieties of melon and tomato. You could also take a walk around the historic attractions, perhaps visiting the Cathedrale Saint Sacerdos. Much of Sarlat's oldest architecture is in the lanes at the back of the cathedral. Here, pretty courtyards - such as the Cour des Fontaines and Cour des Chanoines - can be found, as can some of the town's original fortifications.

We return to Les Eyzies in late afternoon, with time to relax before dinner this evening.

• Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, we travel by coach to the beautiful village of Rocamadour, stopping enroute to admire the Château de Belcastel perched on a rocky promontory.

Cascading down a huge cliff, the UNESCO-listed village of Rocamadour is an important site of pilgrimage. A mix of rustic medieval stone houses and impressive religious structures, there's free time to explore one of France's most popular tourist destinations. One of the main attractions is the Sanctuary of Rocamadour, a cluster of seven chapels and churches halfway up the cliff, where a Black Madonna statue was discovered in the Middle Ages. Pilgrims used to climb the 216 steps on their knees - but thankfully you can now pay to use the lift.

From Rocamadour, we continue to Martel for a journey on the restored Truffadou Steam Train, named as it was historically used to transport truffles. We enjoy a round trip to Saint Denis in open carriages hauled by a steam engine, soaking up excellent views across the beautiful local countryside. A three-course dinner awaits us on our return to Les Eyzies this evening.

• Breakfast, Dinner

With a train station in Les Eyzies, a full free day gives you the perfect opportunity to discover more delights of the Dordogne at your own pace.

A regular service connects Les Eyzies with Périgueux, the historic capital of the Périgord region, in about 30 minutes. This rich tapestry of this 2,000-year-old city can be uncovered in its many appealing sights. To explore the Roman origins, head to the Vesunna Gallo-Roman Museum, where you can view the remains of a first-century villa. Périgueux's most spectacular attraction is its UNESCO-listed 12th-century cathedral with a towering turret and five circular domes. Périgueux is renowned as a gastronomic city and there are many good restaurants showcasing the region's famed produce.

Another option would be to travel along the Dordogne River to Bergerac, where you can find a pretty Old Town of half-timbered buildings and picture-perfect squares. The town is renowned for its wines and, as you dine independently today, relax a while with a sweet white Monbazillac or a full-bodied Pécharmant.

• Breakfast

Exuding laid-back charm, the Dordogne has showed us a slice of quintessential France on this memorable holiday. Our base in the heart of the 'cradle of humankind' showcased a dazzling array of history, while time at Sarlat's popular market allowed us to experience the sights and aromas of the produce for which the region is famed. There was time to explore the impressive pilgrimage site of Rocamadour and a relaxing cruise in a traditional gabare revealed stunning views of La Roque-Gageac, one of France's most beautiful villages.

Leaving Les Eyzies by coach after breakfast, we board a train in Brive-la-Gaillarde and say farewell to the Dordogne. Travelling through the heart of France, we make our way to Paris where we change to the Eurostar service, arriving back at London St Pancras this evening,

• Breakfast