Prehistoric cave paintings in Lascaux

What makes a vacation memorable for you? Discovering picturesque hilltop villages overlooking fertile river valleys, imposing stone castles, fortresses and churches built on steep limestone cliffs? Exploring the past--the history of the earth traced in rock shelters carved out of the limestone as slow drops of water patiently worked out their shapes; or the early tracings of prehistoric humans who left paintings of their world alongside stalagmites and stalagmites? Or do you prefer to enjoy the present--Saturday market in a small town, country walks that refresh body and spirit, gourmet meals prepared with the freshest local products and complemented with wines from neighboring vineyards? If these are your fantasies, come with us to the Dordogne. You'll experience first-hand the rich natural beauty of south-central France, appreciate its wonderful cuisine, walk through its prehistoric sites, and learn about its complex history as you visit some of the hundreds of castles, fortresses and churches that mark its countryside.

HIGHLIGHTS:

	Prehistoric cave paintings, including Font-de-Gaume and Lascaux II, a reproduction of the original Lascaux.
	Enjoying the animation of colorful village markets in the Dordogne.
	Sarlat, a town with a wealth of vestiges of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, one of the rare sites in France to remain intact since the 17th century.
	Rocamadour, built into near vertical cliffs, and a medieval way station for pilgrims en route to Compostela.
	Beynac-et-Cazenac, a 12th century fortress-castle overlooking the valley of the Dordogne.
	Les Milandes, 15th century château once owned by the American singer-dancer of the 1920s and 30s, Josephine Baker.
	Gourmet meals featuring fresh local products: foie gras, poultry, truffles, chestnuts, wines of Cahors--and more.