Take a moment to picture yourself at the mountain lake surrounded by majestic peaks of French Alps. What would you feel? Is it joy filling your chest with every breath of crispy and fresh air? Or a touch of eternity from the mountains that have been here before you and will remain when you are gone? Join them in France to immerse into nature, experience high mountain yoga and unforgettable guided hikes, nourish your body and soul through spa time and massages, enjoy delicious food, mindfully prepared by their own private chef and, of course, deepen your yoga practice.
Day 1: Arrive at Toulouse
Arrive at any time in the morning or afternoon at the Toulouse-Blagnac Airport (TLS). Transportation is provided from the airport to the centrally located boutique hotel. Once everyone has arrived and settled in, you'll take a walk around the charming city of Toulouse. Known as La Ville Rose “the pink city”, Toulouse dates back to the height of the Roman Empire's expansion.
You will wander the streets and unveil its secretly epic past relating to world war II, the French aristocracy, and most importantly the Cathars, a religious sect from the medieval ages that greatly influenced the cultural landscape of the region. You'll celebrate the beginning of your French countryside retreat with a seasonal meal in true French style served up with fresh, local ingredients.
Meals: dinner
Day 2: The art of pastel in Toulouse
This morning, wake up to French serenity as you begin your day with a post-travel yoga flow. After breakfast a la Frances, you'll get out to learn about one of the hidden gems of southwestern France: pastel. Isatis tinctoria is an unassuming, yellow-flowered plant that has a long and impactful history as the “blue gold” of southwest France. Used as a dye dating back to the 15th century, pastel gained much notoriety in its use by many famous artists including Quentin de la Tour and Da Vinci. The plant contains the same chemical that produces the “true indigo” from the Indigofera tinctoria plant from India that eventually overtook pastel by the 19th century due to trade with the East.
In the workshop, you'll get to see how the brilliant blue dye is used for textiles and how the industry is thriving today in and around Toulouse. After the workshop you can enjoy a leisurely French lunch on the town. Take the afternoon to explore on your own and settle into the relaxed French art of being!
Meals: Breakfast
Days 3-7: Holiday in the French countryside
This morning you'll turn inward for an intention-setting flow before venturing out into the French countryside. You'll drive about 1.5 hours from Toulouse to the French countryside château nestled in the lush forest of this region. Springtime heralds beautiful wildflowers and also brings the scent of fresh elderflower, which locals use to adorn fruit desserts or make an evening aperitif called sambual.
Each Traverse Journeys trip has a non-profit community partner to which a portion of your trip price is donated.
Today, Traverse Journeys will wrap up the holiday with a pre-departure flow and a final farewell over a delicious breakfast. You'll take a van to the Toulouse airport together, arriving by 12:00 noon. Please plan your departure no earlier than 12:30 pm.
Each day you'll get to move your body through nourishing yoga flows and immersive walks in nature. You'll also visit historical sites and medieval ruins unique to the mid-Pyrenees region. Invoke your inner chef through a French cooking class, learn about ancient French healing traditions through herbs, and participate in a workshop about the historically famous medieval art of dying fabrics with the local pastel plant.
The whole week is steeped in little-known French history and culture - including the art of leisure at your historic château - and fueled with fresh, local and seasonal French cuisine. You'll also have numerous optional activity add-ons such as a wine tour, chocolate and pastry tour, and a long day hike.
Traverse Journeys would love for you to take part in all the planned activities, but the holiday is also designed so that you get a break from "all the things." So if that means you want to sleep in rather than do yoga one morning, they're in full support.
If you'd like to extend your French experience a bit longer, opt to take the optional chocolate and pastry walking tour. French pastries are much more than just butter and flour. Each variety such as the Toulousian fenetra or bite-sized demi-gateaux have their own unique story, steeped in history and tradition and often hyper local. What you'll find in Toulouse, you won't find in Paris. Chocolatiers in Toulouse also take their craft seriously, and you'll find rare combinations like violet-infused or one of the local favorites, a chocolate studded with pine nuts and honey.
If you're up for more indulgence in the evening you can also add on a wine bar excursion to take you to the most happening spots in the city. If you need an extra night in Toulouse, Traverse Journeys is happy to help make arrangements.
The package includes healthy and delicious brunch, a 3-course dinner, and snacks daily prepared by their own private chef. There will be one free evening to enjoy local restaurants. There will also be healthy and fresh juices/smoothies daily.
The following meals are included:
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and catered for:
A reservation requires a deposit of 25% of the total price. The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled. The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.
