| If you love nothing more than sampling new foods, | | | | If you are staying in a gite - a traditional French holiday |
| tasting wines and seeking out the best local eating | | | | cottage - then you might want to have a go at |
| establishments then a trip to Dordogne in France | | | | creating your own culinary masterpiece. Many of the |
| should be high on your list of priorities. The region is | | | | gites in Dordogne are located in or near villages, most |
| well-known for its cuisine and fine wines, which makes | | | | of which will host weekly markets where you can pick |
| it the ideal choice for anyone who wants to kick back | | | | up a wide range of fresh, local ingredients to use in |
| and relax with a good glass of wine and some | | | | your cooking. |
| excellent food. | | | | So you can pick your favourite local specialities before |
| Located in the south-west of France, Dordogne is full | | | | heading back to your cottage and cooking up a storm |
| of small villages and towns, each offering new eating | | | | in the kitchen. While you are out seeking the perfect |
| experiences. Renowned for the distinctly French style | | | | ingredients for your meal, you will no doubt want to |
| of its food, the area is a great place to start if you | | | | purchase some wine to wash it all down - it is France |
| want a taste of rustic cuisine from the country. | | | | after all! |
| Chefs in the area use locally-sourced ingredients, which | | | | The region is home to a number of vineyards, including |
| means that whatever you get on your plate is bound | | | | Bergerac, which is the largest in the area and |
| to be fresh and of a high standard. Among the | | | | accounts for 75 per cent of the wine produced in |
| specialities grown in the region are truffles, cep and | | | | Dordogne. Alternatively, you can seek out the small |
| walnuts. It is also known for the production of foie gras, | | | | family-run establishments which offer wonderful wines |
| as well as meat such as duck and goose. | | | | as well as a rural charm that you can't beat. |
| During the course of a week-long stay in a cottage in | | | | Spend a happy afternoon wandering around the |
| Dordogne you can sample everything from haute | | | | vineyards before sampling the different wines and |
| cuisine to rustic dishes prepared in the local restaurants | | | | selecting the perfect accompaniment to your dinner. |
| that you'll find just off the usual tourist trail. | | | | |