April 10-18, 2008 (9 days) From approx. $2,995 pp/do, plus airfare and taxes

Experience the joys of life in the heart of southwestern France’s Dordogne River Valley, one of France’s best-kept travel secrets. The delightful region is world-renowned for its stunning beauty, delectable cuisine, splendid castles, and charming villages. Your base is the historic town of Sarlat-la-Canéda — officially recognized as one of France’s best-preserved medieval villages. You’ll adore the region’s numerous historic, cultural, and natural attractions. Explore the prehistoric caves of Lascaux II and Rouffignac, and revel in the glory of Richard the Lionheart’s castle at Beynac. You’ll tour the medieval architecture in the fortified town of Domme, as well as the dramatic cliffside town of Rocamadour, one of Europe’s most important pilgrimage destinations during the Middle Ages. The tour also includes exclusive educational lectures and a village forum discussion with local residents. Enjoy accommodations in the charming Hôtel de la Madeleine where your host, Philippe Melot — a highly regarded chef and former town mayor — will introduce you to the region’s history, architecture, and the culinary wonders of the Périgord region’s traditional cuisine. In celebration of the area’s gastronomic bounty, you’ll savor traditional regional cuisine in daily meals prepared by Melot, as well as the Sarlat-la-Canéda’s colorful outdoor market — a village tradition dating back to the Middle Ages..

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