Two Centre Independent Gourmet Touring Holiday In Dordogne & French Basque Country

Join with friends for a food & cultural tour in south west France...

• 3 nights B&B in Dordogne + 3 nights B&B in French Basque Country
• Canapés & bubbly reception
• 2 'regional cuisine' dinners & 2 picnics included
• Local host
• Travel independently
• Available May, September & October 
• £895 pp based on group of 8 people sharing the villas

Full details below or call us for advice on +44 (0)1395 576655.

WHAT IS THE TWO-CENTRE HOLIDAY?

We often talk about Aquitaine as a 'country in one region'. It combines vineyards & chateaux, mountains, lakes, forest and seaside - all in one corner of France!

The 2-centre holiday is an opportunity to discover a bit more of the region than you would on a traditional villa rental holiday where you stay in one place for 7 or 14 nights.

We've chosen two very distinctive and attractive areas of SW France for you to discover - Dordogne & French Basque Country.

WHO'S THE HOLIDAY FOR?

We have in mind people who love France - its food, its sights, its culture. 

And it's for people who want to tour independently rather than in an organised group.

The holidays are available in May, September and October so it's really aimed at 'foodie' adults - couples and friends - who want to make up their own small touring group.

WHERE WILL BE STAYING?

We've chosen a beautiful, character French villa in both areas, each sleeping 8 people in 4 en-suite bedrooms.

Clos de Chinon in Gensac, Dordogne

Domaine d'Orx near Bayonne in French Basque Country

Both villas enjoy a peaceful, countryside setting and feature a private swimming pool.

WHAT CAN WE DO WHILST WE'RE THERE?

Of course, you'll enjoy time relaxing at your villa, playing boules or table tennis in the garden or even taking a dip in the pool.

The holiday also offers the opportunity to tour independently and we've chosen a perfect base for you to discover two wonderful areas of SW France.

Of course, we and your hosts know the areas 'inside out' and we have plenty of recommendations for you for places to visit and where to eat such as a pop-up restaurant at a local chateau...

DORDOGNE

• Vineyard & chateaux tours
• HIstoric towns such as St Emilion, Bergerac, Ste-Foy-La-Grande
• A day discovering Bordeaux
• A visit to the villa for a wine-tasting evening can be arranged (supplement applies)
• Kayaking on the River Dordogne 

FRENCH BASQUE COUNTRY

• Bayonne and its famous cathedral (ham and chocolate too)
• Belle Epoque Biarritz and the charming fishing port of St Jean de Luz
• Hop across the border and discover Spanish Basque Country for Michelin star dining and pintxos in San Sebastian
• Charming Pays Basque villages such as Sare & Ainhoa
• Nature walks at the Marais d'Orx (5 minutes' drive from the villa)

IS THERE A LOCAL GUIDE TO HELP US?

As it's an independent tour you won't have a local guide accompanying you. But each villa is hosted by their on-site owners who will:

• Serve breakfast each morning
• Provide dinner for all guests on your first night (3 courses and 1/2 bottle of wine pp)
• Organise your visits and bookings (this can be done pre-arrival or during your stay) as well as organise taxis, etc

At Clos de Chinon, experienced chefs & restauranteurs Barbara & Jonathan are your hosts.

At Domaine d'Orx Julia and Vincent will look after you. Vincent is a pro-chef and he can accompany you to local markets (Capbreton fish market is one of his favourites) and guide you on buying fresh produce.

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

The total price is £895 pp for 6 nights B&B based on 8 people sharing the villas.

For groups of 6 the price is £1195 pp, and £1795 pp for groups of 4.

Extra nights can be added at either location for £150 pp B&B.

WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THE PRICE?

• 6 nights B&B (3 in each villa). Breakfast is continental & cereals
• Canapés & bubbly reception on your first night at each villa
• 1 x 3-course dinner at each villa, including 1/2 bottle of wine pp (pre-book which night at each villa)
• 1 x picnic hamper lunch at each location - sit by the river's edge in the Dordogne and on the banks of the Marais d'Orx! 
• Concierge services provided by your local host (but not the cost of the items themselves)

We've only included 2 x dinners in this holiday so that you have a chance to eat out for lunch and/or dinner. The hosts can give you recommendations on where to eat out and book a table for you.

A wine-tasting evening at Clos de Chion can be arranged (supplement applies).

Each villa has self-caterng facilities available to guests.

Your travel, transport & excursions are not included in the price.

WHEN CAN WE STAY?

The holidays are available during May, September and October.

You can choose which are to stay in first to best match your flights/ferry and remember you can add nights at either location if you wish.

The holidays are subject to us checking availability as we will need to co-ordinate calendars for both villas.

NB Villa swimming pools are open from mid-May to mid-October.

HOW DO WE GET THERE & TRAVEL AROUND?

You should book your travel independently.

Clos de Chinon is within 1 hour's drive of Bordeaux and Bergerac airports.

Domaine d'Orx is less than 1 hour's drive of Biarritz airport.

Easyjet, Flybe & Ryanair serve the region very well. Check flights to France with Skyscanner 

You might want to consider instead taking the long ferry crossing to Bilbao or Santander. It will cut down on your drive time and gives you the opportunity to add an extra leg to your tour in beautiful northern Spain.

Ferry and hire car for travelling to France

EVENTS, FESTIVALS & MARKET DAYS