SOUTHWESTERN FRANCE YOGA ADVENTURE

7 Days, 7 Nights

Fall 2020 (Dates TBA)

Trip Overview

Join Ananda Expeditions for a 7-day/7-night yoga adventure in the Dordogne region in Southwestern France. Enjoy twice daily Vinyasa yoga practices (all-levels) with Michael Hoyer, adventurous hiking and sightseeing excursions led by local guides, an array of culinary and cultural experiences, and ample time for relaxing or exploring the area on your own.

We have the privilege of lodging in an authentic chateau located in the "Périgord Pourpre," or Purple Périgord region, a bit north and east of Bordeaux in Southwestern France. The chateau offers luxurious en-suite rooms, comfortable common spaces, multiple outdoor lounging areas — including around an outdoor salt-water pool. The estate encompasses some 20+ acres of gorgeous land, which includes a lake surrounded by birch and chestnut wooded hills, and trails for wandering. A professional, local chef will prepare us three locally-sourced meals daily: self-service breakfasts, 2-course plated lunches, and 3-course plated dinners. We have access to a fully-equipped yoga room, although we can also practice in the open air (weather permitting). Beyond offering luxury accommodations and relaxing wilderness, the chateau provides the ideal base from which to explore the many wonders of the Dordogne region.

During the week, we'll practice daily, float the Dordogne in a canoe, hike to a prehistoric church built into a cliffside, learn about regional wines in a tasting with a professional sommelier, and take a day-trip to the medieval city of Saint-Émilion, whose vines and subterranean church and catacombs we'll tour with a local guide. You can also opt to schedule and enjoy massage treatments on site.

Sign up and get ready to experience an ideal sojourn in Southwestern France!

Prices, per person

Early Bird / Regular

Double (2 single beds)  $2295 / $2480
Partner Double (1 king bed)  $2420 / $2615
Single (double bed)*  $2835 / $3065
Deluxe Single (king bed)*  $3145 / $3395
* limited availability

Triple (1 king bed, 1 single bed)§  $1895 / $2045
§ Must sign up with roommates for triple option

Arrival: Fly from North America on Friday; Arrive in France and transfer to the chateau on Saturday

Departure: Anytime on Saturday
OR  Join the Add-On Itinerary (details below)

Variant 1:

  8:30 AM — Morning Yoga

  9 AM — Breakfast

  10 AM-4 PM — Day Trip

• Relaxed Canoeing + Visit to Beynac-et-Cazenac + Lunch Out + Gardens Visit

• Guided Hike + Picnic

• Saint-Émilion Tour + Lunch Out

  5-7 PM — All-Levels Yoga Practice (including pose demonstrations and long savasana)

  7:30 PM — Dinner

Variant 2:

  9 AM — Breakfast

  10 AM-12 PM — Village Market / Free Time

  12-1:30 PM — All-Levels Yoga Practice (including pose demonstrations and long savasana)

  1:30/2 PM — Lunch

  2:30-5 PM — Free Time / Massages

  5-7 PM — All-Levels Yoga Practice (including pose demonstrations and long savasana)

  7:30 PM — Dinner

EXPLORE PÉRIGORD & THE VÉZÈRE VALLEY

4-Day, 3-Night Add-On Itinerary

Fall 2020 (Dates TBA)  

Add-On Itinerary Overview

Day 7 — Saturday
We'll drive east, along the Dordogne, to picturesque Sarlat-le-Canéda to experience the weekly market. Tour the market and town with Michael, or explore on your own. In the late afternoon, we'll check in at our hotel — another chateau with gorgeous grounds located near Beynac-et-Cazenac. This evening, enjoy dinner on your own at the hotel's acclaimed restaurant, or walk a couple of kilometers to a handful of nearby options (recommendations provided).

Day 8 — Sunday
After a leisurely breakfast, we'll drive north to Lascaux, the renowned prehistoric cave and UNESCO World Heritage site. When we return to the chateau in the late afternoon, join in for a relaxed, outdoor yoga practice (weather permitting) — or enjoy free time in which you can explore the grounds and gardens, take a dip in the pool, or relax with a book on the lawn. Dinner on your own (recommendations provided).

Day 9 — Monday
We'll start the day's outing by heading further east along the Dordogne to a fortified 14th-century mill tucked away in an adjoining valley on a tributary. The mill's knowledgable caretaker will give us a tour. Then, we'll wind our way on the scenic approach to the cliff-perched town of Rocamadour and relax over lunch at a traditional restaurant. The final day's highlight will be an afternoon tour of a prehistoric cave… by boat, on its subterranean river. Enjoy a grounding evening yoga practice when we return to our chateau, followed by a final “Farewell Dinner”.

Day 10 — Tuesday
We'll depart after checking out and sightsee en route back to Bordeaux, where our time together ends.

Prices, per person

Early Bird / Regular

Double  $1195 / $1255
Premium Double   $1365 / $1435
Single*  $1480 / $1555
Premium Single*  $1775 / $1865
*limited availability

What’s Included:

Yoga Adventure:
  - 7 nights’ accommodation at chateau
  - 3 meals daily (except for 3 lunches)
  - Tea, coffee, fruit, and nuts available throughout the day
  - All group transportation, including 1 scheduled transfer from Bordeaux to chateau on arrival, and back to Bordeaux on departure day
  - Daily yoga practices (usually 30-min Morning Yoga & 2-hr afternoon practice with pose demonstrations and long savasana), use of mats, props
  - Use of outdoor salt-water pool, tennis court, 20-acre grounds, trails
  - Planned activities (including trip to market, canoe trip on the Dordogne, gardens visit, guided hike, tour of Saint-Émilion, and wine-tasting), entrance fees, local guides
  - Wi-fi
  - Gratuity for local guides, and house and kitchen staff

Add-On Itinerary:
  - 3 nights’ accommodation
  - 3 breakfasts, 1 dinner
  - All group transportation to accommodations and scheduled activities during add-on itinerary, including transfer to Bordeaux
  - Optional yoga practices on two days
  - Planned activities — including tours of the fortified mill and caves
  - Gratuity for local guides and hotel staff

What’s Not Included:

Yoga Adventure:
  - Airfare from/to your home city
  - Ground transportation to/from arrival airport to Bordeaux, and transfers from/to Bordeaux outside the 1 scheduled pick-up on arrival day and drop-off on departure day
  - 3 lunches out (2 at restaurants, 1 sandwich picnic), and any other additional meals not mentioned in "What's Included"
  - Local wine (available for purchase to have with meals)
  - Supplemental, personal activities (i.e. massages, shopping, etc.), including transportation
  - Short-term traveler's insurance
  - Other travel-related expenses

Add-On Itinerary:
  - Accommodation the final night before traveling
  - Meals not noted in “What’s Included”
  - Transportation to any departure city other than Bordeaux
  - Supplemental, personal activities (i.e. shopping, optional activities), including any transportation
  - Other travel-related expenses