Dordogne Gastronomic Walk

• Wonderfully unspoilt scenery; well-marked tranquil paths
• Pinky-gold cliffs, forgotten river valleys, beautiful mediaeval villages
• Varied hotels, full of character, special gastronomic menus; swimming pools everywhere
• World-famous Stone Age art; unrivalled pre-historic treasures
• Baby deer, red squirrels, buzzards and kites; vibrant orchids, poppies, garlic and wild mushrooms

You explore the limestone cliffs, painted caves, wild wooded valleys and meandering rivers of Perigord, following marked paths linking some of France's finest fortified chateaux and hilltop fortresses. At the end of each day, you can look forward to an extravagant Perigord feast washed down with fine Cahors or Bergerac wines. Try the gourmet fare of foie gras, truffles, confits d'oie and the walnut liqueur eau de noix. You stay at a grand country manor, a rural family-run hotel with great views and a tiny family-run auberge on the banks of the Dordogne. All hotels have private swimming pools.

You visit the best sights in the region. The Valley of Pre-History shows how homosapiens lived around 20,000 years ago, and Sarlat's mediaeval magic will hold you spellbound. The towering strongholds of Beynac, Castelnaud, Domme and Montfort, built during the Hundred Years' War (1337-1453) have breathtaking views and your route also takes you to little-known chateaux hidden deep in the woods. You're never far from the Dordogne and Vezere rivers, so you often get the chance to swim and you can go fishing or canoeing too.