Day 7 ...a day at leisure in Montpellier

Today is a designated day off for the coach driver so the group had time to explore this beautiful place. With lots of options available such as art galleries, shopping, the cathedral, and catching the local tram, the day was a very pleasant one. Or for those who just wanted to catch up on sleep and some personal time out the day was most welcome.

Day 6 Wednesday 21 September. ..the back country of Montpellier

Day 6 Wednesday 21 September. ..the back country of  Montpellier
Food.....food...wine....not too much wrong with that combination. Today we experienced some wonderful food and wine moments. Our first stop was the market at Clarmont-Herault which is one of the best in the region noted for its very varied selection of local produce. Each person purchased their choice of delicacies for a shared 'Happy hour' at the end of the day. We had some amazing charcuterie,  breads, regional cheeses, olives, fresh radishes, salads and many superb fruits. This market has operated  almost continuously since the  12th century interrupted only by war and the Black death. Vibrant and wonderfully French.

Our next stop was the Canet at Domaine de la Dourbie winery for yet another taste sensation. Here we were treated to a tour of this organic winery with a guided tasting. Superb!  But then the best was yet to come...a picnic in a forest. A small feast in individual picnic bags were prepared by our hosts complete with the gingham table cloths! With perfect weather and good company he whole experience was very memorable. Our perfect day ended with the spoils of our market shopping with happy hour in our hotel breakfast room per kind favour of our host Nathalie. I love this place.

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Sunday 18 September Day 3...The Cevennes

Sauve ...a living village museum... 

Today we had our first day of touring the region and after the crazy onging fight with Montpellier's narrow roads and a recalcitrant sat nav, we eventually left for the preserved medieval village of Sauve where time stands still. The Conservatoire de la Fourche was fascinating with Medieval production and craft techniques on show and kept alive. Pitchforks grown from trees...quite unique. From there we enjoyed the beauty of this place wandering its many back streets with typical French provincial architecture abounding.  Lunch was divine and the love affair with this region's food and wine beginning. Goodbye diet!!!!

The final visit for the day was the silk museum at Saint -Hyppolite du Fort.  Our techno and enginerring experts in the group were in seventh heaven while the shoppers in the group were spoilt for choice.  Back to Montpellier and the battle with its roads and lack of coach parking.  Our patient driver Paul was being seriously tested. Jetlag began its intrusion......zzzzz.....

Montpellier here we come!

With only ten days to go before our inaugural TKJ  Travel Montpellier tour takes off, we would like to acknowledge all those wonderful individuals and organisations that have supported our new venture. The locals of Montpellier who have worked with us in creating a unique and very special itinerary, have been our eyes and ears on the ground and  their help, support and  advice has been greatly appreciated.  Our blog will feature these beautiful people as we travel with them. A huge thank you to our coach supplier Hardings International Coaches and in particular our go to person,  Amanda. Your patience and professionalism  has been superb and despite the tyranny of distance, all tour planning has been smooth and trouble free. Locally we have had massive support from many people and organisations including Anna Byrne at Adelaide Travel, Don Venn, Gordon Kay of Adelaide Hills Business Centre (AHBC), to all associated with Open Gardens SA and finally our patient and long suffering spouses. We hope you will share our journey via the blog and maybe even join us in one of our future tours.