This trip provides the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the heart of the Dordogne -- a region renown for its story-book charm and diversity of experiences. Wander through ancient castles, explore pre-historic caves, paddle along the Dordogne River, hike or bike the woodland trails, sample the local gastronomy in Michelin-rated restaurants, and lose yourself in the markets full of local crafts and flavors. Create memories that last a lifetime in a land of timeless beauty. 

     ... And that's just what you'll see in the region. We haven't even talked about where we'll be staying while we are there! 

CASTLE #1

The first half of our trip we’ll be staying at the beautiful Castle Rouffillac. Originally built as an 11th century mansion overlooking the Dordogne valley, Rouffillac retains all its original classic features while providing luxurious living with extraordinary period charm. The castle has a long and storied history, from its role in the 14th century 100 year war where it was used to harbor soldiers and provide a strategic location for observation, to being the place where the United States French ambassador wrote important diplomatic letters to Thomas Jefferson from within its beautiful library.  Today, the castle retains all its original classic features while providing luxurious living with extraordinary period charm, including a cliff-top luxury pool, relaxing courtyards, historic ramparts, al fresco outdoor dining overlooking the Dordogne river, multi terraced gardens, a state-of-the-art private luxurious spa with a steam room, a zen waterfall, a yoga studio and a fully equipped gym.  (See first half of the pictures section at the very bottom of this brochure, photos 1-29)

CASTLE #2

Our second castle is situated at the foot of a towering limestone cliff along the banks of the Dordogne at La Roque-Gageac. La Roque-Gageac is listed as one the most beautiful villages in France, offering visitors a labyrinth of cobbled streets, an ancient feudal fort, and a Romanesque church that dominates the valley. It is also the perfect jumping off point for exploring even more local historic sites and landmarks.   

    The castle itself -- the one we will be staying in -- is one of the great landmarks of the town. From every window and terrace there are fabulous views down the winding banks of the Dordogne. There is also a large wooded park and garden behind the château, a panoramic terrace overlooking the river, a beautiful cliff-side swimming pool to luxuriate in, and refurbished rooms and living quarters that will take you back two centuries in history while providing all the comforts of modern living.  (See second half of the pictures section at the very bottom of this brochure, photos 30-51)

PLEASE NOTE:  

Due to the bed configurations in the first castle (mostly single king or queen beds in each room), this trip lends itself best to couples or to partners who don't mind sharing a bed together.  If this is not you, please still register in order to get on the waitlist.  We are currently working on bringing in single beds that we can use.

GETTING THERE:

• The trip will begin and end in Toulouse, France.
• Plan to fly into Toulouse and be ready to go on the morning of Sunday, April 20th (Exact pick-up details TBA).  From there we will will drive to the Dordogne Valley to begin our 10 night/11 day French Castle Dance Adventure.  
• To ensure you are in Toulouse by April 20th, I highly recommend you sign up for the pre-trip add-on to Carcassonne for April 18-20 (See Pre-Trip Add-On section below), or at least plan to arrive in Toulouse a day or two early.  With travel delays these days and numerous plane re-routes or cancellations, we find getting there a day or two early is extremely useful.
• We will return to Toulouse the afternoon of April 30th.  You are more than welcome to stay in Toulouse for the "Toulouse Fusion Festival" (May 1-5, 2024) where Ari will be teaching and DJ-ing (details on this TBA).  If you plan to depart from Toulouse on April 30, please book your flight after 3pm to ensure we have enough time to get you to the airport and checked in.

Price for 11 days:  $3,495 per person for double accommodation  $6,950 for private accommodation (*see below)

• A $600 downpayment is required to hold your spot
• A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights on your trip and is subject to availability.
• In order to keep balanced lead & follow numbers, and due to the fact that we typically have more follows register early-on, any single leads and lead-follow pairs will be able to get in right away.  Single follows will be automatically put on the waiting list until we can match you with a lead.  For this reason, we HIGHLY encourage single follows to recruit a lead with whom you can register!  (Follows:  to hold your place on the wait-list, a deposit is required. The deposit is fully refundable if we can't get you in. We will do our best to clear the waitlist as soon as we can). 
• Spaces are limited to 8 leads and 8 follows (all attempts will be made to maintain lead/follow balance throughout the trip)  

Pricing Includes:

• 10 nights lodging in 2 different castles (with spaces to dance!) - See photos of the castles at the very bottom of this brochure
• 10 group breakfasts,  2 group dinners
• Private air-conditioned vehicle transportation throughout
• Dordogne River canoe excursion
• Daily group dance classes (with opportunities for private coaching)
• Numerous evening social dance opportunities at the castle or in town
• Daily excursions to local villages, markets, chateaus, gardens, and other points of interest

Not included: 

• Airfare
• Travel Insurance 
• Tips for tours, guides, and drivers 
• Alcohol/specialty drinks not included with meals
• Any extra meals/drinks not included in the itinerary
• Any extra sundries/purchases 
• Any extra amenities/excursions beyond those already provided 

Come early and join us for a 3 day tour of Toulouse and Carcassonne April 18-20, 2025

We are still working out the final details and costs, so for now mark your calendar and we will add any further details here as they are finalized.

ADD-ON COST:  $375 pp based on double occupancy, $695 pp based on single occupancy

INCLUDES:

     => 2 Nights/3 days in 4-Star Hotel in Toulouse City Center 

     => 2 Breakfasts

     => Private Walking Tour of Toulouse 

     => Possible Dance night in Toulouse (working on details now)

     => Transportation to/from Carcassonne 

     => Private Walking Tour of Carcassonne

Carcassonne has been described as a breathtaking city of stone with the spectacle of a 10th century medieval fortress.

Since the pre-Roman period, a fortified settlement has existed on the hill where Carcassonne now stands.  Today, this historic fortified city and UNESCO Heritage Site is an outstanding example of a medieval fortified town, with its massive defenses encircling the castle and the surrounding buildings, its streets and its fine Gothic cathedral.  It also has the distinction of being the largest fortified medieval city in all of Europe, with 3km of ramparts and 52 towers and gateways.  

FUN FACT: Carcassonne has been used in many films including the famous "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves" starring Kevin Costner with the fortress being used to depict Nottingham Castle.

FUN FACT: "Carcassonne" is also a board game, similar to Monopoly, that features this city and is very popular in Europe

The focus of our classes will be on the Swing family of dance (East Coast Swing, Lindy, Balboa, Blues) with a healthy sprinkle of other dance styles upon request (Foxtrot, Waltz, Ballroom, Latin, etc). Daily classes will include a mix of morning and/or afternoon sessions, with a strong emphasis on both partnering & connection, as well as introducing fun new step patterns and stylings.  

Other group activities will include afternoon & evening dances, plenty of socializing, and many other fun "non-dancing" activities.  So many options, so little time!

CLASS LEVEL:  Our classes are exciting, informative, relatively fast-paced, and as such are tailored much more to the intermediate and above-level social dancer.  Unless we are introducing a brand new dance, we do not gear any of our classes towards beginning dancers. Participants should have a solid, broad-based dance background.

If you have any questions about your level of dance, please let us know.

PASSPORT:  Starting in early 2025, citizens of visa waiver countries, including the United States, will need to apply for an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) visa waiver to visit France: 

• What is ETIAS? ETIAS is an electronic security system that performs a security check before travelers can enter participating European countries. 
• When to apply: You must apply for ETIAS at least 96 hours before your trip. 
• How to apply: You must pay a €7 fee and be approved for travel. 
• Which countries are included? ETIAS will be required to enter all Schengen Area members, including Poland, as well as some non-Schengen participants. 
• Which countries are exempt? You won't need an ETIAS for EU countries that aren't taking part in the program. 

You can learn more about the Visa Waiver Program on the official ETIAS website HERE

For travel in general, you’ll need a valid passport to travel internationally and most countries require your passport to have a minimum of 6 months validity, so remember to check the expiry date. We'll need your passport information to get everything ready for your trip so it’s important that the information on your booking matches your passport exactly. Please take care to provide the correct details. We recommend carrying a copy of the photo page of your passport while traveling and leaving a copy at home with family or friends. 

VISAS & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:  Many countries require a visa and obtaining the correct visa for your trip and any countries you may transit through is your responsibility. We recommend you check your visa requirements as soon as you have booked your trip. This will ensure you have time to prepare your documents and for your visa application to be processed. You can check the entry requirements for your nationality on your government's foreign travel advisories, consular websites or on our page here:  http://www.intrepidtravel.com/visa-entry-requirements 

Proof of COVID Vaccination is NOT currently required for this trip.

No other special vaccinations are required for this trip either.

Travel insurance is required for all of our trips and will help protect both your investment and our vendors should you need to cancel. There are many companies that offer travel insurance options. You can sign up with one such policy during the payment checkout portion of this registration.  If you are a AAA member, you may want to check with them.  I have also found that Faye insurance is very easy to purchase online (www.withFaye.com).  This WeTravel site also has a travel insurance policy you may purchase at checkout.

Once you have purchased your travel insurance, please let us know the company name and policy number you have with them.

If you don't have a policy already and don’t want to use the one offered at check-out here, feel free to CLICK HERE to purchase insurance through our affiliate company, World Nomads*.

*PLEASE NOTE:  We do not represent World Nomads.  As an affiliate, we receive a small commission when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link.  This is information only and not a requirement to buy travel insurance through this company.

• Generally speaking, we recommend you pack as lightly as possible and make sure that you are able to carry and lift your own luggage and walk with it for short distances or up or down a flight of stairs. Our travellers usually find the smaller their luggage is, the more they enjoy the trip not having to worry about carrying heavy bags! Aim to keep your main luggage under 15kg.
• Many travellers carry their luggage in a compact smaller suitcase or backpack with wheels. We recommend your bag has carry straps or handles so it is easy to lift and carry for the times you are unable to wheel it (ie. on rough surfaces or up steps).
• You'll also need a day pack/bag to carry water, camera, swimming suit, waterproof pouch/bag for phone, hiking shoes and jacket etc. when you’re exploring during the day.
• Please refer to our Worldwide Dance Adventure TRAVEL TIPS page for valuable suggestions on such things as how & what to pack, how & when to book flights, power cord adapters, international phone coverage, what to include in your traveler's first aid kit, etc.
• Here is Intrepid's packing list for trips in general (scroll down the page to see the full list): https://www.intrepidtravel.com/packing-list

• Should you cancel less than 14 days of booking and greater than 180 days before the trip, you get a 100% refund of total cost minus a $150 admin fee.
• Should you cancel after 14 days of booking and up to 180 days before the trip you will get a 50% refund of total cost minus the $150 admin fee.
• Once we are within 180 days of the trip starting there are no refunds.
• Note:  should you find someone to fill your spot, we can transfer your balance to them minus the $150 fee. Should you become sick or have other health or family-related issues, it’s highly likely the required travel insurance would kick in and reimburse you so be sure and check with your provider. 
• It is the responsibility of the trip attendee to reach out in the event of a cancellation and make their payments on time. We reserve the right to hold payments according to the cancellation policy above to pay our vendors to make this trip happen. 
• By making a deposit you agree to above terms of service and cancellation policy.

Liability:

We exercise care in the selection of reputable travel service providers but we are not ourselves a provider of travel services and have no control over, or liability for, the services provided by third parties.  

In no event do we accept any liability in contract, tort or otherwise, for any injury, damage, loss, delay, additional expense or inconvenience caused directly or indirectly by the acts, omissions or default, whether negligent or otherwise, of third party providers over whom we have no direct control, force majeure or any other event which is beyond our control or which is not preventable by reasonable diligence on our part. We also do not accept any liability in contract, tort or otherwise, for consequential loss (meaning indirect loss, loss of revenue, loss of reputation, loss of profits, loss of actual or anticipated savings, lost opportunities, including opportunities to enter into arrangements with third parties or loss or damage in connection with claims against you by third parties) howsoever caused in connection with your booking.

Risks of Travel and Release: 

We assume no responsibility for and shall not be liable for the acts or omissions on the part of any other party not under our control or any acts of God, unsafe conditions, terrorism, health hazards including pandemics, illness, weather hazards, or the suitability for a disabled person of any portion of any trip. We have no special knowledge of dangers during travel or at destinations. For information related to such dangers, we recommend going to the State Department travel website at travel.state.gov, click on "Find International travel Information" then click on "Country Information", and fill in the name of the destination country. 

For medical and health information, we recommend going to the Centers for Disease Control website at cdc.gov/travel, then click on "Destinations" and scroll to the name of the destination country. It is your personal decision to travel, and you are doing so with full knowledge of current travel recommendations and travel restrictions with regards to the risks of COVID-19. YOU HEREBY EXPRESSLY ASSUME ALL OF THESE RISKS AND DANGERS, AND YOU HEREBY EXPRESSLY AGREE TO FOREVER RELEASE, DISCHARGE AND HOLD US, AND OUR AGENTS, EMPLOYEES, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, ASSOCIATES, AFFILIATED COMPANIES, GUIDES, GROUP LEADERS, AND SUBCONTRACTORS HARMLESS AGAINST ANY AND ALL LIABILITY, ACTIONS, CAUSES OF ACTIONS, SUITS, CLAIMS, AND DEMANDS OF ANY AND EVERY KIND AND NATURE WHATSOEVER WHICH YOU NOW HAVE OR WHICH MAY HEREAFTER ARISE OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THESE RISKS AND Dangers.

If you have any questions, please contact us at danceadventures@comcast.net

Using Toulouse as a home base, we will plan the following schedule:

=> FRI, APRIL 18, 2024:  Arrive in Toulouse on your own.  Meet in hotel for orientation.  Dinner and dancing in town (if available)

=> SAT, APRIL 19, 2024:  Day trip to Carcassonne (1 hr from Toulouse)

=> SUN, APRIL 20, 2024:  After breakfast, meet rest of group for travel to the Dordogne

----- ABOUT CARCASSONNE ------

Carcassonne has been described as a breathtaking city of stone with a spectacle of a 10th century medieval fortress.

Since the pre-Roman period, a fortified settlement has existed on the hill where Carcassonne now stands.  Today, this historic fortified city and UNESCO Heritage Site is an outstanding example of a medieval fortified town, with its massive defenses encircling the castle and the surrounding buildings, its streets and its fine Gothic cathedral.  It also has the distinction of being the largest fortified medieval city in all of Europe, with 3km of ramparts and 52 towers and gateways.  

FUN FACT: Carcassonne has been used in many films including the famous "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves" starring Kevin Costner with the fortress being used to depict Nottingham Castle.

This will be our home base for exploring the region during the first 5 days.  

Tentative Schedule:

Day 1: Sunday, April 20

• 1:00pm: Meet at hotel in Toulouse (for folks on the pre-trip add-on to ) or at airport TBD. Drive to Chateau de Rouffillac (2 hrs)
• 4:00pm: Check-in, tour of chateau and group informational meeting with Martina (our concierge) 
• 7:00pm: Group Dinner in town. Return to chateau for dancing & socializing

Day 2: Monday, April 21

• 9:00am: Group Breakfast 
• 10:00am: Guided tour of local region and neighboring castles. 
• Lunch at Marquessac Gardens (https://www.marqueyssac.com/?lang=en)
• 3:00pm: Return to Rouffillac
• 3:30-5:30pm: Afternoon dance class
• 7:00pm: Dinner at Rouffillac, dancing & socializing afterwards

Day 3: Tuesday, April 22

• 9:00am: Group Breakfast
• 10:00am: Guided tour of Rocamadour
• 1:00pm: Lunch & ice cream in Rocamadour, more exploring afterwards. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqbahT8voP4 
• 3:30pm: Drive to Martel for exploration and dinner
• Return to Rouffillac for dancing & socializing

Day 4: Wednesday, April 23

• 9:00am: Group Breakfast
• 10:00am Guided tour of Sarlot for Market day 
• Return to castle for dance class & rest
• 4:30pm: Tour & Dinner at Domme (perfect for specialty restaurants) — dance in the square.

Day 5: Thursday,  April 24

• 8:30am: Group Breakfast
• 9:00am: Drive to St. Cyprien for special cooking class at French Cooking school (can also choose horseback riding if you do not want to attend the cooking session)
• Lunch at the cooking school.  
• Afternoon is free.  
• Dinner in Souillac at Restaurant LaTilia, explore the town 
• Return to Rouffillac for dancing & socializing

Day 6: Friday, April 25  (CHANGE CASTLES)

• 9:00am: Group Breakfast
• 11:00am Check out of Chateau Rouffillac, drive to La Roque-Gageac for check in
• Walk into town and explore La Roque-Gageac on your own
• Socialize and dance at the castle in the PM

This will be our home base for exploring the region during the second 5 days of the trip. 

Tentative Schedule:

Day 6: Friday, April 25  (CHANGE CASTLES)

• 9:00am: Group Breakfast
• 11:00am Check out of Chateau Rouffillac, drive to La Roque-Gageac for check in
• Walk into town and explore La Roque-Gageac on your own
• Socialize and dance at the castle in the PM

Day 7: Saturday, April 26 

• 9:00am: Group Breakfast
• 10:00: Dance class at the castle
• Tour local villages & castles (TBD)
• Dinner in town
• Return to castle for dancing & socializing

Day 8: Sunday, April 27 

• 9:00am: Group Breakfast
• Canoe the Dordogne [OPTIONAL]: There are many routes so we can decide the details later
• Lunch in Vitrac at a small restaurant on the river
• Dinner in town
• Return to castle for dancing & socializing

Day 9: Monday, April 28 

• 9:00am: Group Breakfast
• Half day Villages and Cave tour: We’ll start at the Valley of the Vezere where we’ll visit the prehistoric caves at Roque Saint-Christophe, then continue our way to the charming little village of Saint-Léon sur Vézère for dinner
• Return to castle for dancing & socializing

Day 10: Tuesday, April 29 

• 9:00am: Group Breakfast
• 10:00am: Dance class at the castle
• Free Day

Day 11: Wednesday, April 30 

• 9:00am: Group Breakfast
• 11:00am: Check out of the castle and drive to Toulouse  

Feel free to spend a few extra days in Toulouse for the Toulouse Fusion Festival where Ari will be teaching and DJ-ing.  More details to come after they post the event online.