Languedoc & Catalunya
Discover the French Pyrenees' hidden valleys and hit the Spanish Costa Brava.
Day 1
The best cuisine in the world, Monsieur!
Day 1 – Your today’s highlights
Get ready this morning for a full-day adventure in Cathar Country, a true hidden gem between Carcassonne and the Mediterranean sea. Our host this morning is our friend Hugo who will guide us on our e-mountain bikes to discover the impressive landscapes of the Corbières wine region.
FEATURED THEME : Moving makes things happen
We will stop over in the gorgeous town of Ribaute where Sylvie & Laurent, a young couple of organic wine growers, will open their cellar for an unforgettable wine and beer tasting.
FEATURED THEME : Wine is a bottled poem
Lunch will be in Le Bastion in the town of Lagrasse (known to be one of the most beautiful medieval villages in France), a restaurant where Auguste Escoffier’s gourmet cuisine blends creative and traditional plates.
FEATURED THEME : Carpe Diem, the quintessential gourmet
This afternoon, your guide will drive you to visit the Fontfroide Abbey, one of the best-preserved Cistercian monuments in France. After resting at your hotel, the spectacular Château Le Bouïs, a 300-year-old vineyard located between the Mediterranean and the foothills of La Clape.
FEATURED THEME : Folklore and heritage
We will head to what’s considered nowadays as THE best restaurant in the world: the famous 3-star Michelin Restaurant l’Auberge du Vieux Puits in the village of Fontjoncouse in the Corbières. There, Gilles Goujon will share with you his passion for gastronomy and his love of the region.
FEATURED THEME : Carpe Diem, the quintessential gourmet
Hotel
Le 1921 - un amour d'hôtel
Day 1
À la bonne franquette
Day 2 – Your today’s highlights
Meet at your hotel with your driver guide & transfer to the salt fields of Salin de l’Ile Saint Martin. An impressive site leaning against the Clape massif. The salt field spreads over 400 hectares (988 acres) outside the old and unspoiled village of Gruissan overlooking the sea.
FEATURED THEME : Into the wild
Next, we’re off to Narbonne to stroll in the beautiful covered food market, Les Halles de Narbonne, where each morning the locals buy their fresh produce from their local producers. We’ll take the opportunity to have a “Á la bonne franquette” lunch in the market with fresh seasonal products from the area.
FEATURED THEME : Carpe Diem, the quintessential gourmet
We will then enjoy discovering the city of Narbonne, which the Romans called Narbo and was their first colony in what they called Gaul. This pleasant city has survived for more than two millennia & offers a remarkable Roman and medieval heritage.
FEATURED THEME : Folklore and heritage
The day continues with a gentle cycling tour around Bages and its lagoon. This very easy bike tour will fill your eyes with the rich colors and natural perfumes of this picturesque village and coastline.
FEATURED THEME : Moving makes things happen
Our 4-star Amour d’Hôtel, is located in the heart of the coastal village of Leucate. An architectural challenge where raw materials, elegance, design and natural light converge.
It’s time to board the Limnoreia, an authentic old sailing boat from 1929 and one of the oldest in Europe for a trip around the bay. Le Grand Cap restaurant will enchant you with its finest cuisine and its fantastic view of the sea.
FEATURED THEME : Moving makes things happen
Hotel
Le 1921 - un amour d'hôtel
Day 1
Smiths & Millers
Day 3 – Your today’s highlights
This morning we will enjoy a tour on horseback on the sandy coast of Leucate.
FEATURED THEME : Moving makes things happen
Then we’ll head for a lunch of oysters at the colorful oyster’s producers village in Leucate. The producers’ village is in fact a row of typical cabins where we will plunge into a warm atmosphere and taste the seafood without moderation, washed down, of course, with the chilled local white wine.
FEATURED THEME : Carpe Diem, the quintessential gourmet
After lunch, we will head towards the foothills of the Pyrenees to visit the famous castle of Quéribus, the last stronghold of the Cathar heresy of the 13th century, built on an impressive rock promontory.
FEATURED THEME : Folklore and heritage
Just a few minutes’ drive will take us to Moulin d’ which dominates the village of Cucugnan. On-site, Roland, the miller, will explain to us the work involved in an active windmill and how he has dedicated himself to bringing back old local varieties of organic wheat, then visit the bakery adjoining the mill and taste the bread and other brioches.
FEATURED THEME : Folklore and heritage
After a lovely ride into the hilly countryside, we will arrive in Belesta in the heart of the Pyrénées- Orientales and settle in the 4-star Hotel Domaine de Riberach. Between vineyards and the garigue, the open shrubby vegetation of dry Mediterranean regions, this restored wine cellar is the ideal stopover for lovers of slow life. Trendy, zen, refined, eco-friendly, gastronomic.
During our dinner at the restaurant of Domaine de Riberach, we can watch the sunset over the valley.
FEATURED THEME : Carpe Diem, the quintessential gourmet
Hotel
Domaine de Riberach
Day 1
Wine Safari
Day 4 – Your today’s highlights
After a glorious breakfast at your hotel, we will jump into the hotel’s land-rovers and enjoy an amazing Wine Safari. We will climb to the highest peak of their estate and discover one of the most beautiful vineyards in the Roussillon region, with exceptional panoramas and breathtaking landscapes before taking part in a bucolic barbecue in the vineyard.
FEATURED THEME : Wine is a bottled poem
This afternoon we will have a small hike into the Têt Valley and its cliffs of sand and clay patiently carved by the rains. Erosion here has worked like an artist, slashing, incising, sculpting the material with scars or streaks to give the rock that scratched, almost lunar appearance locals call the ”fairy chimneys”. A walk of about an hour will take you right into this masterpiece of nature.
FEATURED THEME : Moving makes things happen
Back to Domaine de Riberach where we will have plenty of time to relax and some well-deserved downtime.
Hotel
Domaine de Riberach
Day 1
Crossing the line
Day 5 – Your today’s highlights
Collioure, the jewel of the ‘Côte Vermeille’, where the rocky coastline of the Pyrenees meets the Mediterranean. Collioure remains a favorite site for budding artists looking to recapture the magic of Matisse, Derain, and other ‘fauvists’ who were so enthralled by the play of light and the coastline here. Today we will embark on a 5-hour private cruise on a sailboat with our crew, Eric & Alexandra. We will cast off from the harbor in Collioure, and discover the Côte Vermeille. Eric, an experienced captain and sailing instructor & Alexandra, a professional sailor and passionate pastry cook, will suggest an itinerary depending on weather conditions and your wishes. For lunch, they will prepare healthy products of local and seasonal produce. Onboard Paddle-Windsurfing, Wings, sunbathing, and all those sea-faring activities.
FEATURED THEME : Moving makes things happen
In the afternoon we will cross the border into Spain on a very scenic road to Cadaques, the pearl of the Catalan coast which nestles in a natural harbor sheltered from the last peaks of the Pyrenees. This pretty harbor leads to Cap Creus, one of the most picturesque places on the Costa Brava.
FEATURED THEME :
We will arrive at our lodging for tonight: the Sa Perafita Guesthouse, a charming 14th-century slate building surrounded by vineyards, mountains, and the Mediterranean Sea.
Our first Dinner in Spain will be at the restaurant Can Rafa on the seafront. Local cuisine with a multitude of fish and seafood that come directly from the fishing boats of Cadaqués. Overnight at Sa Perafita Guesthouse in Cadaques.
FEATURED THEME : Carpe Diem, the quintessential gourmet
Hotel
Cadaquès Sol & Playa
Day 1
Dali's inspiration & Hasta la vista baby...
Day 6 – Your today’s highlights
This morning, we will discover the cradle of inspiration of one of the most famous painters of all time: Salvador Dali. A native of Cadaqués, Dalí spent much of his time in Cap Creus national park, being inspired by the turquoise colours of the sea, the rugged shapes of the rocks and by the special energy to be found here. This sublime place explains why the Costa Brava means the “rough coast”.
FEATURED THEME : Curating your stay
For lunch, we’re going to the beautiful city of Girona, a medieval jewel of a town that will take your breath away. Situated in the center of the city is our bistro “Pocavergonya” (which literally translates as “little shame”). The name fits it like a glove given the bold and audacious approach taken by the chefs here, who work directly in front of customers, enabling the latter to feel part of the creative process. After a gentle stroll in Girona and a delicious ice cream on the main square, we will transfer you to your hotel in the thrilling city of Barcelona.
FEATURED THEME : Folklore and heritage
Hotels
1921 Hotel : Leucate
In the heart of the village of Leucate, 19-21 brings together a mansion and its former wine cellar in a haven of peace with a contemporary feel. Katy, Alex and Dominique have reinvented the codes of classic hotels to create a resolutely original, open and warm place. There reigns a serene atmosphere, where sobriety becomes an elegance, the refusal of standardization a conviviality. Everywhere present, southern light floods the space through day wells, secret skylights, bay windows …
Hotel Domaine de Riberach : Belesta
Ecolodge and Spa, this singular building displays its silhouette at the foot of the medieval castle of “Bélesta de la Frontier” Le Domaine Riberach! Between vineyards and scrubland, in an old rehabilitated cooperative cellar, this place is the ideal stopover for lovers of slow life. Trendy, zen, refined, ecological, gastronomic… the list of adjectives is too long to describe this surprising estate which hides a stunning hotel, an Eco-lodge, a gourmet restaurant and a dining and drinking cellar. Welcome home.
Cadaquès Sol & Playa : Cadaqués
This hotel is located in a privileged place. The village of Cadaqués itself is in the middle of the Cap Creus natural park of costa Brava is a magical place that has been the main source of inspiration for Dai throughout his life. This hotel combines the local charm of a fishing village with the elegant comfort of a luxury establishment. There’s no better place to stay if you want to experience the Costa Brava.
