Monday, February 4

Sightseeing and adventure: Discover the Chateaux of the Loire Valley and other Activity holidays in France and Morocco, Iceland and Senegal.




David Delbourg, from CHEVAL VOYAGES (Ferme équestre de Tourette,
47290 LOUGRATTE
Tel: 05 53 41 66 50 / 06 81 58 41 29) has just sent out his programme for the coming year -- and what an exciting programme it is!

Back in April 2006 and May 2006 I wrote about the chance discovery of this tremendous way of seeing the beautiful country side, sights and history of not only the Dordogne and Aquitaine, but also elsewhere. What better way than to sight see on horse back -- and in particular when the sightseeing is led by a knowledgeable guide who not only leads the group of riders, but also arranges delicious meals to wait for you when you arrive in select spots, and comfortable and fun lodgings for the nights.

Here is David's programme for the coming year:

A la découverte des grands vignobles

LES CHATEAUX BORDELAIS
(6 jours / 7 nuits)
De Saint Emilion aux plages de Lacanau,
découvrez à cheval les plus grands vigno-
bles (Pauillac, St Estèphe, Mouton Rots-
child…) et leur château.
LE PÉRIGORD POURPRE
(6 jours / 7 nuits)
Plaisir des yeux et du palais, cette région
révèle une grande richesse culturelle
avec ses bastides et ses châteaux somp-
tueux. Au coeur du Périgord Pourpre,
un acceuil chaleureux vous sera réservé.
Les vignobles de Bergerac et Monbazillac
vous ouvrent leur portes...
GERS, le Pays d’Albret
(6 jours / 7 nuits)
Au pays d’Henri IV, cette randonnée of-
fre aux cavaliers des paysages variés, une
délicieuse cuisine traditionnelle et de
nombreuses dégustations de vins et d’Ar-
magnac.


Nature et Paysages

CEVENNES
(6 jours / 7 nuits)
Des gorges du Tarn au Causse Noir, du
mont Aigoual au Larzac, une nature en-
core sauvage, terre de randonnées.
LOT
(6 jours / 7 nuits)
Comme une succession de petites ré-
gions uniques au relief marqué, décou-
vrez le Lot et ses multiples paysages.
LE PÉRIGORD VERT
(6 jours / 7 nuits)
Découvrez cette région méconnue et
profitez d’excellents chemins, de paysa-
ges variés et d’un accueil chaleureux. La
région de Brantôme, Venise du Périgord,
se prête merveilleusement à la randon-
née...
LOZÈRE
(6 jours / 7 nuits)
Au confins du Gévaudan, la Lozère est
un département d’altitude élevée os-
cillant entre Gorges et grands Causses. La
nature grandiose et la richesse historique
de cette région en font une invitation se-
reine pour les amateurs de randonnée et
de pleine nature.


Chateaux et Legendes....

LES CHATEAUX CATHARES
(6 jours / 7 nuits)
Des senteurs de la garrigue méditerranéenne
aux forêts de l’Ariège, découvrez dans ce haut
lieu Cathare les citadelles du vertige.
LES CHATEAUX DU PERIGORD
(6 jours / 7 nuits)
A travers bois et forêts, pénétrez à cheval au
cœur des villages fortifiés et des châteaux mé-
diévaux pour cette randonnée hors du temps.
LES CHATEAUX DE LA LOIRE
(6 jours / 7 nuits)
Une chevauchée dans l’histoire à la découver-
te des plus beaux châteaux de la renaissance :
Chenonceaux, Cheverny, Chambord.


Voyages sans Frontières


MAROC
(8 jours / 6 jours à cheval)
Nos chevaux Barbe Arabe nous mènent le long
de la féerique vallée du Drâa, un ruban mul-
ticolore de palmeraies, kasbahs et de villages
berbères animés.
CANADA
(15 jours / 9 jours à cheval)
Ce voyage dans la « belle province » vous em-
mène des collines Chic-Chocs en Gaspésie jus-
qu’au cœur du Québec. Au programme :
• Tri de bétail
• Séjour à Québec puis Montréal
• Rencontre avec les baleines sur le Saint
Laurent
SENEGAL
(8 jours / 6 jours à cheval)
Au cœur du Siné-Saloum, dans une nature
préservée du tourisme, profitez de l’accueil
légendaire des sénégalais et de la surprenante
variété des paysages.
ISLANDE
(8 jours / 6 jours à cheval)
Pays des extrêmes, entre volcans et glaciers,
chevauchez au rythme du tölt autour du volcan
Ekla, sur les champs de lave et autres paysages
insolites.




Click on Link:

  • Chateau Lalinde : The perfect venue for your event

  • Relocation Orientation in France



  • Friday, January 25

    No better area in France for wine tasting holidays than the Aquitaine




    According to the Aquitaine site, it is clear that one cannot do better than this area for the best wine tasting holidays and Wine Tourism than this province of France.

    In each of the fourteen winegrowing areas in Aquitaine,,wine,region,aquitaine,france.html tourism and wine professionals have undertaken a quality procedure. Each service provider who is a member of ‘Destination Vignobles’ acts as a tourism ambassador with the aim of showing holidaymakers the winegrowing territories of Aquitaine.


    The list of members and practical information are available from the information relay points presented below.

    Take advantage of the commitment of our tourism and wine professionals to enjoy a truly prodigious stay in Aquitaine.



    • To come and share the passion of the growers and taste their wines. « Destination Vignobles » has listed over 1,000 wineries and encompasses top quality brands present in the various areas.

    • To benefit from accommodation with the hallmark of charm.

    • To tour Aquitaine from village to vines, on foot, on a bicycle, on horseback.…

    • To enjoy the friendliness of the population and to take part in the very colourful local festivities.

    Their commitments:

    The members of « Destination Vignobles » have signed a charter of commitments. You will always be welcomed as a very special guest and each and every member will be your special ambassador to guide you in your exploration of the wine-growing areas of Aquitaine.

    Each and every member has chosen to meet a certain number of criteria which form the basis of the quality of service and reception:
    • Observance of opening hours and periods,
    • Information on the languages spoken,
    • Outstanding conditions for visits, wine-tasting, accommodation and food,
    • Availability of tourist information, whereby each member is your key to exploring the area concerned, and also,
    • Easy access, and parking facilities,
    • Spotless condition of all the premises,
    • Price display,
    • Respect for the environment,
    • Inspection by an independent agency,
    • All the commitments already included in their respective professional charters.

    For you, « Destination Vignobles » is a guarantee of quality and confidence. You will easily recognise a listed place by its logo.

    Our networks partners : Vignobles et Chais en Bordelais, the Bergerac Wines Route, the Jurançon Wines Route, Gîtes de France, Clévacances, Logis de France.


    The fourteen areas:

    The numbers mentionned before the territories are there to help you locate them on the map below...



    BORDEAUX
    The gateway to the prestigious wine region, Bordeaux is a city included on the UNESCO World Heritage list since june 2007, to be "tasted" on foot, along its 18th-century quaysides or in the pedestrian streets of the centre. Museums, opera house, welcoming café terraces... and the starting point for a wide variety of excursions to the famous Bordeaux châteaux.
    >> contact: Office de Tourisme de Bordeaux
    12 Cours du XXX juillet
    33000 Bordeaux
    Tel.: +33 (0)5 56 00 66 00
    otb@bordeaux-tourisme.com
    www.bordeaux-tourisme.com
    Guided tours around the vineyards all year long.

    1. BERGERAC The Récollets cloister, set amidst the magnificent half-timbered houses and home to the Bergerac House of Wines, is a superb example of 17th century architecture.
    >> contact: Office de Tourisme de Bergerac Pourpre
    97 rue Neuve d’Argenson
    24100 Bergerac
    Tel.: +33 (0)5 53 57 03 11
    tourisme-bergerac@aquinet.tm.fr
    www.bergerac-tourisme.com

    2. BUZET EN ALBRET This region of châteaux on the border between the Landes and the Gers, much appreciated by the French King Henry IV, is best discovered from the unspoilt and navigable Baïse river.
    >> contact: Office de Tourisme du Pays d’Albret
    7 avenue de Mondenard
    47600 Nérac
    Tel.: +33 (0)5 53 65 27 75
    accueil@albret-tourisme.com
    www.albret-tourisme.com

    3. CHALOSSE TURSAN This historical region of Gascony, nestled between the Adour river and the mountain streams, is home to many picturesque walled towns and the 1st « slim-line » village of Eugénie-les-Bains!
    >> contact: Office de Tourisme d’Aire-sur-l’Adour
    Place du Général de Gaulle - BP 155
    40800 Aire-sur-l’Adour
    Tel.: +33 (0)5 58 71 64 70
    otsi.aire@wanadoo.fr
    www.aire-sur-adour.org

    4. DURAS A region of gently rolling hills and charming villages, dominated by the fortress town of Duras and its magnificent castle.
    >> contact: Maison du Vin de Duras
    BP 13 – Fonratière
    47120 Duras
    Tel.: +33 (0)5 53 94 13 48
    contact@cotesdeduras.com
    www.cotesdeduras.com

    >> Office de Tourisme du Pays de Duras
    Tel.: +33 (0)5 53 93 71 18
    contact@paysdeduras.com
    www.paysdeduras.com

    5. ENTRE-DEUX-MERS The Entre-Deux-Mers, famous for its wines, is also well known for its very rich architectural heritage, with abbeys, walled towns, mediaeval cities, not forgetting the « bicycle resort » of Créon!
    >> contact: Office de Tourisme de l’Entre-deux-Mers
    4 rue Issartier 33580 Monségur
    Tel.: +33 (0)5 56 61 82 73
    info@entredeuxmers.com
    www.entredeuxmers.com

    6. GRAVES SAUTERNES This area immediately brings to mind wines now famous throughout the world and must-see historic châteaux such as the Château of La Brède where Montesquieu was born.
    >> contact: Office de Tourisme du Sauternais, Graves et Pays de Langon
    11 allées Jean Jaurès
    33210 Langon
    Tel.: +33 (0)5 56 63 68 00
    langon@sauternais-graves-langon.com
    www.sauternais-graves-langon.com
    Tourist Map of the Sauternes, Graves and Pays de Langon areas.

    >> Office de Tourisme de Montesquieu
    3 place Marcel Veyssière
    33650 Martillac
    Tel.: +33 (0)5 56 78 47 72
    info@otmontesquieu.com
    www.otmontesquieu.com

    7. HAUTE GIRONDE This area, stretching along the Gironde estuary, is overlooked by two remarkable citadels at Blaye and Bourg-sur-Gironde.
    >> contact: Office de Tourisme de Bourg-sur-Gironde
    Tel.: +33 (0)5 57 68 31 76
    tourismebourg@wanadoo.fr
    www.pays-hautegironde.fr

    >> Office de Tourisme du canton de Blaye
    Tel.: +33 (0)5 57 42 12 09
    officedetourisme.blaye@wanadoo.fr
    www.tourisme-blaye.com

    >> Syndicat Mixte du pays de la Haute Gironde
    32 rue des Maçons - BP 14
    33391 Blaye Cedex
    Tel.: +33 (0)5 57 42 68 90
    tourisme-payshautegironde@wanadoo.fr

    >> Office de Tourisme de Saint-André-de-Cubzac
    Tel.: +33 (0)5 57 43 64 80
    ot.cubzaguais@wanadoo.fr
    www.saint-andre-de-cubzac.com

    8. IROULEGUY The region of Irouléguy, between Saint-Etiennede Baïgorry and Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port along the route to Santiago de Compostela, is home to a variety of typical Basque villages.
    >> contact: Office de Tourisme de Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port
    14 place du Général De Gaulle
    64220 Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port
    Tel.: +33 (0)5 59 37 03 57
    saint.jean.pied.de.port@wanadoo.fr
    www.terre-basque.com

    9. JURANÇON The Jurançon area, with its steep, sun-kissed hillsides, is the ideal place for hiking, riding and cycling … or even for a leisurely drive along the Jurançon wines route.
    >> contact: Route des Vins de Jurançon
    La Commanderie du Jurançon
    64360 Lacommande
    Tel.: +33 (0)5 59 82 70 30
    contact@vins-jurancon.fr
    www.vins-jurancon.fr
    Guidebook: "La route des vins du Jurançon"

    >> Office de Tourisme du Pays de Lacq – Cœur de Béarn
    58 rue du Commerce
    64360 Monein
    Tél. : +33 (0)5 59 12 30 40
    contact@coeurdebearn.com
    www.coeurdebearn.com

    10. MADIRAN This history of this region bears the hallmark of the many mediaeval châteaux and fortresses. Do not forget to visit the castle of Montaner, defended by the famous Gaston Fébus.
    >> contact: Office de Tourisme de Vic-Bilh Montanérès
    38, place du Marché
    64350 Lembeye
    Tel.: +33 (0)5 59 68 28 78
    infovicbilh@free.fr
    www.tourisme-vicbilh.fr
    Guidebook: " Route des chais et Châteaux du Madiran et du Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh"

    11. MARMANDAIS The area around Marmande, made up of hillsides and market gardens, is a paradise en earth for strawberries, asparagus and tomatoes.
    >> contact: Office de Tourisme du Val de Garonne
    Maison du Développement
    Place du Marché BP 305
    47200 Marmande
    Tel.: +33 (0)5 53 64 24 21
    marmande@valdegaronne.com
    www.valdegaronne.com

    12. MÉDOC A drive along its famous châteaux route will enable you to discover the mythical great growths and famous châteaux of this flagship of Aquitaine’s wine-growing regions.
    >> contact: Maison du Tourisme et du Vin de Pauillac
    La Verrerie
    33250 Pauillac
    Tel.: +33 (0)5 56 59 03 08
    mtvp@wanadoo.fr
    www.pauillac-medoc.com
    See also their blog: http://destination-vignobles-en-medoc.blogspot.com
    Guidebook: "Pauillac, l’Escale au Pays des Grands crus" (F/GB/D) et "Destination Vignobles en Médoc" (FR/GB).

    13. PAYS DU LIBOURNAIS
    It is impossible to visit the Libourne area with visiting the wine-growing landscapes of the jurisdiction of Saint-Emilion, a site now listed as part of UNESCO’s world heritage for humanity.
    >> contact: Office de Tourisme de Saint-Emilion
    Place des Créneaux, Le Doyenné
    33330 Saint-Emilion
    Tél. : +33 (0)5 57 55 28 28
    st-emilion.tourisme@wanadoo.fr
    www.saint-emilion-tourisme.com
    Saint Emilion practical guide : list of wine cellars open to the public (FR/GB/D/SP/I/Jap).
    Organization of guided tour in the wine estate

    >> Office de Tourisme de Libourne
    Tel.: +33 (0)5 57 51 15 04
    officedetourismelibourne@wanadoo.fr
    www.libourne-tourisme.com


    Looking for accommodation in the Aquitaine? Look no further:
  • An idyllic stay in a French chateau on the banks of the Dordogne River

  • A beautiful apartment in an historic stone building centrally located in Bordeaux


  • Click on Link:

  • Chateau Lalinde : The perfect venue for your event

  • Relocation Orientation in France



  • Looking for sunshine? Then the Aquitaine - and the Dordogne should be your destination!



    Bordered along the whole of its west coast by the Atlantic Ocean, Aquitaine is bathed in a mild oceanic climate with the influence of the Gulf Stream.

    As you can see in the table below showing average temperatures, the whole year is mild in Aquitaine…

    The 2,200 sunshine hours per year make the Bordeaux region similar to the Mediterranean. Along with rainfall that is well distributed over the year, this sunshine is one of the elements which favour vine-growing in Aquitaine.

    January 10 °
    February 12 °
    March 13,6 °
    April 15,8 °
    May 19 °
    June 22,4 °
    July 24,7 °
    August 25,2 °
    September 22,7 °
    October 18,5 °
    November 13 °
    December 10,5 °


    With temperatures like those, could there be a better tourist destination in Europe? I don't think so!

    Looking for accommodation in the Aquitaine? Look no further:
  • An idyllic stay in a French chateau on the banks of the Dordogne River

  • A beautiful apartment in an historic stone building centrally located in Bordeaux


  • Click on Link:

  • Chateau Lalinde : The perfect venue for your event

  • Relocation Orientation in France



  • Protected nature : Eco Tourism in the Aquitaine : A hundred reasons why this is the best place in Europe to come spend your Summer Holiday in 2008!


    On a wonderful site, Aquitaine - The South at its best which is about this region, there is an excellent article on Eco-Tourism in France. France has always been at the forefront of eco-tourism and managing the fine balance between being one of the most visited and popular tourist destinations of Europe, and preserving the exquisite nature and unique sites that make it so. Aquitaine, France’s third-biggest region, has a multitude of protected natural zones and offers a great variety of sites dedicated to green tourism.


    Starting with… the ocean blue! The Atlantic runs for 250 km along the western side of Aquitaine, with endless beaches of fine sand.

    Surfers, cyclists, enthusiasts of thalassotherapy and ornithology can all enjoy the sea air in all seasons. The MIACA (an inter-ministerial commission for the development of the Atlantic coastline) has protected this area since 1967.

    Heading east from the ocean, you cross the immense pine forest running from the Medoc down to the Landes and the Basque Country, covering a triangle of land 150 km wide and 200 km long.

    It is in this area that lies the Landes de Gascogne Regional Nature Park, and in it, the Maison de la Nature of the Bay of Arcachon (including Le Teich Ornithological Park), the three sites of the Ecomuseum in Marquèze, Moustey and Luxey, and a large number of nature reserves.

    Educational workshops, rides along the cycling tracks or sailing on the natural lakes are all good ways of discovering this area’s many riches.

    Another big “green” area is the Dordogne forestland. In the north of this département, Green Périgord is home to the Aquitaine section of the Périgord-Limousin Regional Nature Park.
    Here you will find a multitude of tree species, including oak, the preferred home of the famous Périgord truffles. Prehistoric Man probably enjoyed this delicacy 400,000 years ago…

    Much further south, don your snowshoes and climb the peaks of the Pyrenees. This is the realm of hiking, fishing and winter sports. Certain plant and animal species often find their last refuge in the Pyrenees National Park.

    Mountains are of course the place where water starts to flow… Torrents - ideal for fishing and white-water sports – which then become rivers and canals. A whole network of inland waterways provide an invitation for barge trips.

    In both the Pyrenees and the Périgord area, natural caves display the underground riches of Aquitaine.

    Lastly, we should not forget the presence all over Aquitaine of parks and gardens, both contemporary and traditional.

    So many sites to discover; so many ways of visiting the beautiful region of Aquitaine.




    Looking for accommodation in the Aquitaine? Look no further:
  • An idyllic stay in a French chateau on the banks of the Dordogne River

  • A beautiful apartment in an historic stone building centrally located in Bordeaux

  • Click on Link:

  • Chateau Lalinde : The perfect venue for your event

  • Relocation Orientation in France



  • Tuesday, January 22

    A glimpse of what to expect?




    I spent my usual two hours today studying more websites and books written about the Camino and specifically planning the day to day stages that I will do. This way I can get a better idea of how long I will be away and also get a better picture of the refuges available to me on the way.

    There is so much written about the refuges -- and yet almost all the information is about lice in the beds, the lack of heating -- and the snoring of other pilgrims!

    And then -- I came across an excellent detailed account of a pilgrim who had made the pilgrimage in winter..........

    All of a sudden I am starting to shiver in my boots!
    Instead of these idyllic pictures of pathways and refuges, dusty roads and warm sunshine..........





    I realised that I am much more likely to see these scenes!




    Stories of walkers getting lost in the mist, literally getting blown off course on the highest peaks, being warned against walking alone, freezing to death (the last case as recent as April 2007!) or slipping on the snow and breaking ankles and having to be rescued by search parties, had me feeling a little nervous..............



    Click on Link:

  • Chateau Lalinde : The perfect venue for your event

  • Relocation Orientation in France



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