Monday 31 August 2015

Starting in Gascony and finishing at the top of the Pyrenees in Spain. An ALL INCLUSIVE, attractively priced holiday for small groups of up to 6 walkers. Senior hikers welcome.


AN ALL INCLUSIVE, ATTRACTIVELY PRICED WEEK'S HOLIDAY FOR SMALL GROUPS OF UP TO 6 WALKERS. 
THE BEST BITS ON THE ST JACQUES ROUTE BETWEEN LA PETITE GALERIE AND THE TOP OF THE PYRENEES.
SENIOR WALKERS WELCOME.

Your hosts and guides are Ray & Lynne Johnstone. Here they are at an official signpost to Compostela. It's just outside their gite, La Petite Galerie, in the heart of Gascony.

You can contact them here: 
ray@johnstonesinfrance.com
Your first night is spent here: La Petite Galerie in Mézin
SUMMARY AND OUTLINE
This is a fully inclusive 7 day 
walking holiday 
for 4 to 6 guests.
WHAT'S INCLUDED: 
Airport pick up and drop off.
We collect you at Bordeaux or Toulouse airports (or Agen Station) and we drop you off at the same place at the end of your holiday with us.
All daily transport in a minibus.
We take you to the start of the walk - one of us accompanies you - and then we get you to your overnight accommodation at the end of the day.
All meals.
Day of arrival: a buffet dinner 
of local food and wine.
Daily: continental breakfast and picnic lunch.
Evening meal (pre ordered) at a local bistro, bar or restaurant, and consisting of a starter, a main course & a dessert.
All accommodation.






Accommodation on the first night is at 
La Petite Galerie in Mézin
On the subsequent 6 nights we stay 
in B&B's, pilgrim hostels, gites or small, country hotels 
that we've selected. 
NB We've personally checked all accommodation.

Everyone gets a passport - a great walking souvenir



PRICES FOR 2018

Question: What does an ALL IN group holiday like this cost?

Answer: The main benefit of a group holiday is that the individual cost is very attractive. 





The all in price for 6 people travelling together is only 1500 Euros per person. 
€9000 in total.

(This is also the maximum 
number of walkers per trip). 

5 people = 1800 Euros per person.

4 people = 2250 Euros per person.

Please ask for the price 
for a smaller group:

The first walking day's destination: 
Fources, a round bastide in the Gers


HERE'S HOW IT ALL WORKS
We pick you up at the airport or train station on your arrival and you are driven in a minibus to La Petite Galerie in Mézin for your 'welcome' evening meal of local dishes and wine.
You are accommodated for the first night at at La Petite Galerie. 3 couples (6 guests) share 3 bedrooms - each with its own bathroom.
A continental breakfast is provided every day.
Each morning you are taken to the start of the walk in the back up vehicle (mini bus) for that day's stage. 
Everyone has a detailed map of the route.
You are accompanied by an English/French speaking guide every day.  
A picnic lunch of local produce and wine is provided at midday every day.
The minibus picks you up at the end of the day’s walk and takes you to a small hotel, a gite or a B&B.
The minibus is only a phone call away if needed.
Dinner with wine is taken at a nearby restaurant, bar or bistro. 
On the final day we drive you back to the airport or railway station after breakfast at the end of your holiday.


DAY TO DAY ALONG THE WAY
We follow the GR 65 route which takes you on some of the prettiest and most interesting stages on the St Jacques Route in SW France. Several villages are officially designated 'One of the most beautiful villages in France'. Here are some of the villages we visit: 
Montreal, Fources, Eauze, Pimbo, Navarrenx, St-Jean-le-Vieux, St Jean Pied de Port. 



Please email us if you have any questions:
ray@johnstonesinfrance.com


On the last day of the walk we start near the pretty Basque town of St Jean Pied de Port and climb up the Route Napoleon over the Pyrenees, finishing at the famous monastery at Roncesvales in Spain.



A note on the daily distance walked
The support vehicle is only a phone call away. This means that the distances we walk can be tailored to suit the group and is by consensus. And, as you only carry a small day pack, the daily distance we choose to walk is between 10 and 20 kilometres - easily achievable by most walkers.


The Back Up or Support Vehicle
 All your excess gear will be in the back up vehicle and all you will need is a day pack with a rain jacket, 
some water and, perhaps, a snack.
The back up vehicle is exactly what it says it is:
In case of sore feet, knees, hips, blisters, or even hangovers, the minibus is only a phone call away if needed.
HOW TO GET THE BEST DEAL
Travelling with a group of 6 friends, workmates, or relatives will get you all the best price: an all inclusive, 7 days for only 1500 Euros per person.
Why not email this link to anyone you think might be interested in travelling with you?
http://pilgrimswayinfrance.blogspot.fr

PHOTO GALLERY

Breakfast at La Petite Galerie


Always time to smell the flowers

Plenty of time to think about life's problems

Picnic at Pimbo 


Wonderful villages along the way

On the road at Montreal
A picnic is provided every day en route.



Ray & Lynne in St Jean Pied de Port. They are both French speakers and they've walked all the stages described here several times.
They are your guides for the week.
Let's stop for a rest
Lynne on her way up the Pyrenees towards the Spanish border.



For more information on walking on the best bits of the St Jacques de Compostela route in France, 
please contact Ray at 

*****

WALK THE PILGRIMS ROUTE IN GASCONY
A WEEKS WALKING ON THE BEST BITS OF THE 
ST JACQUES ROUTE IN GASCONY
For groups of up to six walkers
http://pilgrimswayingascony.blogspot.fr

LEARN FRENCH IN FRANCE
BRUSH UP ON YOUR FRENCH 
OR START FROM SCRATCH
A group of six makes this a very attractively priced 
ALL IN HOLIDAY
http://frenchchat.blogspot.fr

SELF CATERING HOLIDAY GITE 
LARGE VILLAGE GITE WITH GARDEN
Ideal for families or groups of friends 
3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms:



*****