Tuesday, 6 March 2012

A little bastide of a trip can fit into any French visit

Before you get the wrong, idea, a bastide is a fortified town commonly found in the Bordeaux region in the south west of France - a perfect location to explore when you are next in the country. It's about this time of year that I start to feel like I need to look forward to something nice - like a quick conference trip or business meeting in Europe to take in some warmth and culture and recharge my batteries. (oui even I, Hubert, have business to attend to - and it is mostly eating)  July August can be too hot and crowded with holiday makers, but Septembre and Octobre are is sublime.

Gail's escorted tour to The Gironde, (Bordeaux region), from 11-21 September is real winner and you will visit many bastides. If the finer details of booking quality accommodation, hunting out the best eating and drinking establishments and foraging for exotic experiences escape you - rest assured none of it escapes the active gourmet travel ! We have a Gironde daily schedule to peruse to give you an idea of what lies in store for you.

This area is dominated by the huge Dordogne and Garonne rivers and its widely varying, mellow golden scenery is unforgettable. You travel through unspoiled countryside, past noble chateaux and medieval villages. The Gironde is a mecca for sybarites and connoisseurs of the vivid, intensely-flavoured wines of Bordeaux, Graves and Saint-Emilion, and the famed white wines of Sauternes and Montbazillac.

You’ll pique-nique beside the Dordogne and Garonne, explore the forests of the Landes, wonder at the underground cellars in Saint Emilion, visit a 14th century abbey and a fortified windmill. You'll enjoy some of our favourite country cafes, discover the historic secrets of tobacco growing and visit the best market in the region. Food - superb. Wine – sensational. The tour ends with our famed au revoir banquet.

And, remember, if the dates above don't suit you, Gail can tailor a holiday to your tastes and timetable.

Au revoir mes amis !
Posted by Hubert at 2:42 pm No comments: Auckland, New Zealand
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