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2011 Guided Tours
This year, South of France Hotel is teaming up
with local guide, Catriona Cameron, to offer a choice of half day and full day
tours of the region.
Tours of no more than six people will be driven in a 7 seater, people-carrier,
with regular stops at sites of interest and several short walks over gentle
terrain, unless indicated in the itinerary.
Included in the price is:
Lunch - either a restaurant lunch or provided as a picnic, (Full Day Tours only)
Entrance to sights where payment is required.
Tours are for a minimum of two people.
Your Guide
Catriona Cameron is both an experienced and qualified gardener, and has worked
as a professional chef in London. She has worked in both capacities at South of
France Hotel. She also has a Fine Art degree, and one of her main passions is
photographing plants in the wild; she has plant-hunted all over the world.
Catriona lived in South Africa for three years where she started a jewellery
business that soon catered to over 100 shops across the country. It was here
that her passion for plants and roaming wild regions came to the fore. One of
the main reasons behind her move to Languedoc several years ago was to explore
this plant-rich area with its diverse landscape. She came also to write a book
(like many others before her!) This is still work in progress... Meanwhile, she
began working for wine-producers Les Clos Perdus. Lauded by Jancis Robinson, the
wine writer, this winery has its cave at Peyriac de Mer. Having gained
experience in most aspects of viticulture, Catriona can offer a valuable
perspective on local wines and wine production, tempered by inside knowledge.
Realising relatively quickly that organic winemaking is more hard work than is
good for you, Catriona is now drawing on her experiences as a gardener, chef,
viticulturalist and photographer to offer guided tours where the knowledge is
broad, and the enthusiasm for this stunning region, is infectious.
HALF-DAY TOURS are a simple option and serve as an ideal introduction to
the area:
Wines of the Minervois
An introduction to some of the wines of this region, encompassing
different 'terroirs' and wine styles. We will taste wines in both the
atmospheric surroundings of historic chateaux and at smaller domaines in idyllic
countryside. We will try to arrange the tour according to your budget and
preference in wine style. This is a perfect opportunity to buy few bottles to
enjoy on holiday.
4 hour tour, 1-30pm - 5-30pm €45-00
Caunes Minervois
A tour of this picturesque village with its 8th Century abbey,
gorges and marble quarries, including a visit to historic chateau for a tasting
of their renowned wines.
4 hour tour, 1-30pm - 5-30pm €45-00
Chateaux de Lastours
A tour to the iconic Chateaux de Lastours - standing in their
proud, defensive positions in impressive mountain scenery - and a wine-tasting
at a distinguished wine estate.
4 hour tour, 1-30pm - 5-30pm €45-00
Secret Minervois
The Minervois' secret delights including the church of Notre Dame
de Cros and the spectacular gorges and marble quarries of Caunes. The Canal du
Midi's most eccentric lock-keeper and a Bronze Age dolmen bring colour and
hidden history, offering you an authentic flavour of the region.
4 hour tour, 9-00am - 1-00pm or 2-00pm - 6-00pm €45-00
Minerve and the Canyon de la Cesse
A visit to Minerve - one of the most beautiful and historic
villages in the region - and its incredible surrounding countryside of enormous
gorges and caverns.
4 hour tour, 9-00am - 1-00pm or 2-00pm - 6-00pm €45-00
Wildflowers of the Minervois and Montagne Noire
An introduction to the beautiful orchids and wildflowers in the
Mediterranean 'garrigue' of the Minervois, the high valleys of the Montagne
Noire and the spectacular Canyon de la Cesse.
4 hour tour, 9-00am - 1-00pm or 2-00pm - 6-00pm €50-00
FULL-DAY TOURS offer an in-depth view this fascinating and
beautiful region, and the opportunity to explore this large area more
extensively, without getting lost!
Included in the price is:
Lunch - either a restaurant lunch or provided as a picnic, (Full Day Tours only)
Entrance to sights where payment is required.
Caunes Minervois - A Historical and Cultural Tour
A tour of this picturesque village with its 8th Century abbey,
gorges and marble quarries, with a visit to some of its excellent producers of
wine and food.
8 hour tour, 10-00am - 6-00pm €85-00
Plant Hunting Tour of the Montagne Noire and Minervois
Plant hunting for stunning orchids and wildflowers in both the
Mediterranean 'garrigue' of the Minervois and the high valleys of the Montagne
Noire, with a visit to the spectacular Canyon de la Cesse and a Bronze Age
dolmen.
8 hour tour, 10-00am - 6-00pm €85-00
Minerve - A Cultural and Gastronomic Tour of the Minervois
A visit to Minerve, one of the most beautiful and historic
villages in the region, followed by a tour of some of the best food and wine
producers in the stunning Minervois.
8 hour tour, 10-00am - 6-00pm €95-00
Tour of Two Villages - Minerve and Caunes Minervois
The Minervois' most beautiful and historic villages in splendidly
rugged scenery: Minerve, rich in Cathar history, and Caunes with its gracious
8th Century Abbey and marble quarries. Bronze Age settlements and dramatic
gorges are among the many other charms of this fascinating region.
8 hour tour, 10-00am - 6-00pm €95-00
Lagrasse and the Corbieres
A tour of the lovely medieval town of Lagrasse and its abbey in
the sumptuous Corbieres hills with its gorges and rivers. The ruins of Chateau
Miramont with its panoramic vistas, and a wine tasting at one of the region's
most exclusive domaines offer further delights...
8 hour tour, 10-00am - 6-00pm €100-00
Gouffre de Cabrespine and Chateaux de Lastours
A tour of the breathtaking Gouffre de Cabrespine - one of the
biggest chasms in the world - and the four castles of Lastours, one of the most
iconic Cathar sights set in impressive mountain scenery. Bronze Age settlements
and a visit to a renowned wine estate complete this fantastic day out.
8 hour tour, 10-00am - 6-00pm €100-00
Chateau D'Arques and The Mystery of Rennes Le Chateau
A tour of Rennes Le Chateau - inspiration for the 'Da Vinci Code'
and 'The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail' - and the formidable Chateau D'Arques,
in a mysterious landscape where legends of the Knights Templer and Visigoth
treasure abound. Explore this stunning and atmospheric region for yourself, and
sample the delicious local fizz: Blanquette de Limoux.
9 hour tour, 9-30am - 6-30pm €135-00
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