The Charming Dordogne

From London St Pancras, take the Eurostar to Paris. Continue to Brive before transferring to Le Bugue by coach. An attractive market town on the Vézère River, amid the wooded hills and beautiful countryside of the Dordogne Valley, Le Bugue remains mostly untouched by tourism. Spending time here offers a wonderful insight into this part of France, and you'll find yourself enjoying the laid-back pace of local life during your stay.

• Dinner

Take to the water at La Roque-Gageac today for a traditional flat-bottomed Gabare boat cruise. Sailing along the Dordogne River, soak up the views of soaring limestone cliffs that rise above the elegant townhouses, framed by exotic-looking plants and flowers. Continue to Château des Milandes, the sumptuous former home of Josephine Baker, a star of Parisian cabaret in the roaring 20s. Built in 1489 with Gothic and Renaissance features, centuries later, Josephine famously restored the château in the style of the time, creating an Art Deco haven. Whilst exploring the castle, see displays commemorating her life and work, including her time in the French Resistance during WWII. After exploring the house, you could step out into the perfectly-manicured grounds for a bird of prey show.

• Breakfast, Dinner

You have time to get to know charming Le Bugue, a town that boasts a wealth of handsome 19th-century architecture and some appealing shops and restaurants. Admire the traditional houses and take a stroll along the river, or perhaps visit nearby Gouffre de Proumeyssac, the single largest developed cave system in the area. There's also a chance to join in an optional game of petanque. Similar to boules, the aim is to get the ball as close to the target (known as a piglet in France) as possible, adopting a traditional throwing motion taught to you by a local player.

• Breakfast

Today's excursion is to Sarlat, a picturesque town in the heart of the Dordogne. The medieval Old Town, with its labyrinth of alleyways and honey-coloured buildings, is virtually unchanged since the Middle Ages. Developed around a Benedictine monastery, Sarlat is a favourite location for film directors as perfectly depicts a 14th-century town. Your visit coincides with market day, giving you the chance to peruse the stalls. You could also take a walk around the historic attractions, perhaps visiting the Cathedrale Saint Sacerdos. Much of Sarlat's oldest architecture is located in the lanes at the back of the cathedral. Here, pretty courtyards - such as the Cour des Fontaines and Cour des Chanoines - can be found, as can some of the town's original fortifications.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Travel by coach to the clifftop village of Rocamadour perched high above the meandering river below. The town rises up in levels and is crowned by l'Hospitalet Abbey. You have free time here to explore. Take a stroll along pretty Rue de la Couronnerie, the village's main street, where you'll find a host of boutiques, cafés, and restaurants housed in historic buildings. In the afternoon, you visit the village of Martel for a ride on the restored Truffadou Steam Train, named as it was historically used to transport truffles from Martel's Market. Hugging the side of the hills as it travels around the valley, this is a fantastic way to soak up views across the beautiful local countryside.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Transfer to Bordeaux, catching the train to Paris. Here, join the Eurostar service to London St Pancras.

• Breakfast