SAINT
CHINIAN HOLIDAYS
Activity Breaks
in the South of France
(including French home cooking & wine-tasting)
Saturday
to Wednesday;
3rd
June, 2006 to 20th September, 2006.
£199.99
(279 Euros)
OPTION 1:
PHOTOGRAPHY,
SKETCHING, WALKING, CYCLING:
Saint Chinian is situated in a wide valley, surrounded by hills and mountains and has many places of photographic and artistic interest, from spectacular views to flora and natural forms. It is a superb place for walking and sight-seeing, and the “Tour de France” always passes locally.
David, your artist tutor (rambler and cyclist) has 30 years’ experience of teaching adults. We will settle you into the area in the first two days and give you basic art tuition, if desired. The tuition will be directed towards composition and atmosphere.
Your first afternoon will be spent sightseeing around the town of Roman origins, a Benedictine Abbey, outdoor swimming pool and river rock pools. We will have aperitifs at the street café, a wine-tasting at the local wine “Cave” and go to a BBQ in the evening. On Sunday mornings there is a lively market and after lunch, we will go on a guided walk overlooking the valley. Cyclists are free at any time to go for a ride and will be supplied with maps/routes.
We are situated in the foothills of the Black Mountains (Montagne Noir), adjacent to the Parc Naturel Regional du Haut Languedoc in the Midi/Herault/Languedoc-Rousillon area of Southern France. St-Chinian is 27 kms west of Beziers. We are only 5 miles from the Midi Canal.
Walks/Cycle rides into the countryside where you can explore by yourself are planned for Monday and Tuesday. A critique will be offered in the evening if using a digital camera/laptop or sketching. The locations are within walking distance. The walks/cycle rides are not strenuous (between 3 and 8 miles) and the wide paths/roads are well-kept. Most of the hillsides are not steep. Planned routes will be supplied. There may also be an option of a guided walk, ending with a wine-tasting and sometimes a lunch at a domaine. Both film and digital cameras can be used if participating in photography.
Prices include walking maps/guides/cycle routes, B&B accommodation, continental breakfast, wine-tastings, picnic/lunches, and BBQ. We have arranged two evening meals with authentic French home cooking (16 Euro each, wine included) in the beautiful garden of the Maison du Parc. A restaurant visit is also arranged (11 Euro – 19 Euro). Local bike hire is not expensive and will be arranged to suit your requirements (racing, mountain bikes)/height etc.
The
accommodation is situated in 18thC stone town houses which have been newly
renovated. The houses are five minutes walk from the
main street, shops, restaurants, bars, cafes and market. Each
double bedroom is either en-suite or shares a bathroom with one other
couple. All have access to a fridge and refreshments.
Towels are provided, but not for swimming. English
is spoken in all the accommodations.
Option 2. Wine Tasting
& Gastronomic Delights
Option 3. Fishing Holidays
HOW TO GET TO US
Please book your flights with Ryan Air (www.ryanair.com) from London Stansted to Carcassone for Saturday morning: 5 Day Breaks, returning Wednesday.
Going
out:
Flight to Carcassone;
Departing 11.10am, Arriving 14.05 pm.
Returning:
Flight to Stansted, London;
Departing 14.30pm, Arriving 15.30 pm.
You
can book a cheaper early flight out of Stansted.
There is airport transfer from Carcassone to St-Chinian available. Details
upon booking.
Other
flight options: Liverpool or London Stansted to Nimes.
Also flights from Brussels to Carcassone.
Other flight companies service airports closeby: Perpignan, Toulouse,
Beziers (from Paris), Montpellier.
Car hire is available at all the airports. See Hertz offers with Ryan Air. Europcar also operate.
[About Us][St. Chinian][Place
of Interest]
[How To Find Us] [Tariffs][Booking
Form][Useful Links]
