Head to the Dordogne after your flight to France for beautiful 12th-century villages, ancient chateaux, lush, green forests babbling with streams and hidden ponds, comfortable accommodation and, of course, the wonderful food and wine. It's no wonder that it has been a favourite with UK holiday makers for generations.
This is the gastronomic heart of France, where some of its most heavenly foods come from - truffles, foie gras and the goose fat that turns roast potatoes into the last word in deliciousness. The wines of this region need to stand up to this traditional fare - and they do. On the wine list should be a strong, jammy red, while Monbazillac, a wine with the sweetness and colour of honey, is often served with foie gras.
To work it all off, head to the Dordogne river for a spot of rafting. The river is navigable between Correze and Bordeaux on France's Atlantic coast. Spending a night camping on the banks of the river, under the twinkling stars, is holiday gold.
