I love to travel slowly. This book describes the adventures of a party of four (Terry and Monica Darlington and their two dogs) as they travel by narrow boat across the Channel and then through the waterways of France.
The books closes with a stanza from a most beautiful poem; Ithaka by C.V Cavafy. The poem describes how the journey and adventures on the way to Ithaka, are more important than any destination. A great motto for anyone who loves travel, and one that inspired my husband and I to choose it as a reading at our wedding.

www.narrowdog.com/
www.cavafy.com/poems/content.asp?id=74&cat=1,

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This is a place about 5km outside the Carcassonne - takes about 25 minutes on the number 1 bus from the Bastide among other places in the city and costs E1.20 eachway. It is a lake/reservoir with a beach and the opportunity to go swimming. There are walks around the lake (a circuit took us about one hour 15 minutes) and pathways leading off. We went late October and the weather was wonderfully warm and it would have been ideal for a picnic especially as there were no facilities available but nevertheless it was one of the highlights of our trip to Carcassonne. If using the bus check the times of the return journeys because they are irregular and be aware that the bus may not follow the same route once it is back in the city.

Carcassonne Plage - Le Lac de la Cavayere

Google map: tinyurl.com/yc5w2dj

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Quiet setting in the hills in a beautiful old house with pool in Moux. Karen is well qualified in Iyengar yoga. Art classes available too. Runs from July 26th to early September.

www.acy-holidays.com/?page_id=3

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An amazing B&B within walking distance of the old, medieval city, canal du midi and main town. Marlene and Michel are perfect hosts. Breakfast (with lots of coffee, croissants, bread, home-made conserves and yummy chocolate cake) was served in their delightful garden. Exquisite.

Maison Sans Frontiere
33 Rue Teisseyre
11000 Carcassone
Tel 06 21 53 69 30
(20 min walk or €6 taxi from Carcassone)

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Carcassonne is a beautiful medieval citadel surrounded by vines but it's also an airport in the foothills of the Pyrenees well served by Ryanair from a number of UK and Irish cities.

So it's cheap to get to and onward travel to the ski resorts of the east Pyrenees - Font Romeu, Ax, Les Angles and Andorra - is relatively simple - a 90 minute drive. Rather than fight with the crowds in the big ski airports of Geneva, Lyon or Grenoble here is a charming and cheap alternative.

We've been doing this for three years now and wouldn't go back to the Alps.

Carcassonne is in the Languedoc region of S France. Daily flights from Stansted, Dublin, Liverpool and E Midlands from www.ryanair.com and ski packages srating from Carcassonne airport from www.francealacarte.com

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This is an amazing collection of seven genuine original airstream caravans for hire. We have just returned from a week there and it was fantastic. The site is excellent and the area great for touring.

Bellrepayre is in Ariege,Midi-Pyrenees. Tel. 05 61 68 11 99

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A very quirky B&B. Rooms are colourfully decorated in individual North African styles, some with views over a delightful patio garden, complete with mature trees and hammocks!

Excellent breakfast with home-made preserves. Charming hostess.

Close to old city walls, convenient for sightseeing.

Would visit again any time.

33 Rue Tesseyre, Carcassonne.
www.maisonsansfrontiere.com/
tinyurl.com/3baqeq

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Cycle the Canal du Midi towpath and surrounding area between Carcassonne and Narbonne.

It's the best way to see the canal and you can detour onto routes through the vines and the foothills of the Black Mountains.

There are plenty of canalside restaurants and chambres d'hote.

Or stay in Paraza and hire bikes from Mellow Velos; Phil will provide routes.

Train to Narbonne via Paris.
www.mellowvelos.com/ for enquiries about bike hire and links to local accommodation.

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Re-visiting a hotel that you have previously enjoyed is nearly always a dissappointment when you compare it with your earlier visit. This is the gem that breaks that rule! In September 2005, we booked for two days and stayed for two weeks. We made three further visits in 2006! It just gets better and better. Le Domain aux Quat' Saisons is a jewel of a hotel which is delightful in every aspect. The early 19th century house has many interesting features and has been tastefully converted without destroying the original layout of the house. The bedrooms are large, well designed, very comfortable and spotlessly clean. There is a lovely garden which leads onto the vines. The pool is sheltered by a wall with more interesting plants around it.

The meals continue to delight and reach new heights on each visit. (If a meal is offered on the evenings when you stay - make sure that you take the offer. Usually four courses with aperitifs, quality local wines and coffee - excellent value and delicious food!) Evening meals here are a joy and the owners make sure that everything goes with a swing! There is much to see nearby and the owners will advise on some excellent local restaurants for the evenings when they are not cooking.

The owners clearly have high standards but still find ways of making everything even better. Without exception all the guests who visited, during our stays, praised this unique haven! Congratulations to Le Domain aux Quat'Saisons.

www.southoffrancehotel.com
tinyurl.com/393s87

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In the area around Carcassonne can be found a marvellous region of France, full of history, charm, and amazing landscapes. Much more interesting, authentic and unspoilt than the Cote d'Azur or even Paris. Basicaly the Languedoc and Roussillon areas, although Perpignan and its immediate surroundings are best avoided since industrialised. The whole area turns up surprises and it would be pointless to point out anything in particular.

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It is a quaint ancient village house which originally consisted of two houses, now merged into one, with outer walls 1,000 years old.

It is an ideal base for travelling to Toulouse, Carcassonne (an ancient city), Narbonne (close to the beach), and taking a day trip to Spain or Andorra.

There are many local places of interest, vineyards you can walk in, abbeys, churches, and sports like sailing at a nearby lake, boating, cycling. There are local restaurants and many adjoining villages. The mountains are 30 minutes' drive away, with wonderful views and picnic spots.

A car is essential, but can be easily hired from Toulouse (EasyJet flies there) or Carcassonne Airport (Ryanair flies there).

1 Rue de Notre Dame, Rieux Minervois, near Carcassonne, Aude, Languedoc, South France.
www.frenchvillage.co.uk
Tel: 01932 784316

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