* France - Perigord

Arrive in Souillac and free time to explore the town and its Roman Abbey. Visit the Roque Distillery and Museum, famous for its aperitifs and liqueurs, especially the plum brandy, and do some tasting. Dinner and overnight.

The village of Rocamadour seems to rise vertically up the cliff face towards the chapels and churches above. A mecca for pilgrims, its spectacular setting and beautiful buildings also attract many tourists.  Enjoy a guided tour before lunch back at the hotel. In the afternoon discover the absolutely charming ancient village of Collonges-la-Rouge, built entirely of red sandstone. Guided tour, then on to two of the region’s most picturesque villages: Turenne, tumbling down the hillside beneath its ruined castle, and Martel, one time capital of the Vicountcy, with its beautiful stone houses and seven large towers. Dinner and overnight.

At the Padirac Gulf, a lift takes you 103 metres down to the bottom of this natural chasm and from there to explore the fascinating underground cave network. Next visit a local duck farm to learn about controlled-feeding techniques used to make foie gras, followed by a tasting session. Lunch at the hotel before an afternoon trip to the neighbouring hamlet of Borie d’Imbert. Here, you can sample some of the rich and velvety Rocamadour goat’s cheese, produced at the farm which also doubles as a museum of 20th century life on the “Causses” or limestone plateaux of the region. Dinner and overnight.

Set off for Salignac and the fabulous French Gardens of Eyrignac. Laid out in formal style around the Manor House, they are some of the most beautiful in Perigord, if not in the whole of France.