Your Trip Leaders

Donna Morris has lived in Paris, France for the last twenty years. She founded her business, Best Friend in Paris, in 2009 with her signature tour, Follow Me, an experience for her clients that helps them see Paris with the same love and appreciation for the City of Light that she has. She has developed and organized Wild Blue Yonder trips for Politics & Prose with Sheila to Paris, Provence, Nice and the Loire Valley, as well as in Barcelona, Madrid, Venice and Siena. She speaks fluent French.

Sabrina Huffman spent some college summers in Avignon, France and fell in love: with the French language, the literature, history, culture, cuisine, shopping, the whole package! She’s honed her language skills through a decades long career at the World Bank, raised a couple of kids and finished a masters degree in Public Health. Sabrina now teaches ballet to children and tutors students in French, a language she has completely mastered.

Sheila Campbell, founder of Wild Blue Yonder, has been designing and running international trips for Politics & Prose bookstore for the past 15 years. She’ll be your contact for all things administrative on the trip, and she’s also always available for questions via email or phone. She won’t be on the trip with you in France, but will certainly help you plan for a great experience.

Please note that we may make changes to this itinerary in response to unexpected closings, road conditions, weather or
other unforeseen events.

Sunday, May 2

Depart from Bordeaux airport on your flight home.

What’s not included:

-Lunches (except for the day with Martin Walker) and dinners

-Tickets to museums, attractions or sites not listed in the itinerary

-Out-of-town train tickets

-Your flights to Bordeaux and back home or anything else not listed under “What’s included.”

Ready to Pack Your Bags?

The price for the trip is $5935. If you’re traveling alone, you’ll have your own room without paying an additional single supplement. To reserve your space, register here: https://wildblueyondertrips.com/trip-registration.

To secure your space, mail your deposit check, made out to Wild Blue Yonder in the amount of $650, to: Sheila Campbell, Wild Blue Yonder, 1001 Spring Street, Suite 623, Silver Spring, MD 20910. If you’d prefer to pay by credit card (there’s a 3% surcharge), email Sheila at scampbell@wildblueyonder.biz and she’ll send you a Paypal invoice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How many people will be on the trip?

The maximum number of people is 18, plus your trip leaders.

Q. How physically demanding is this trip?

While we have bus transportation for long distances and trams within Bordeaux, there is extensive walking throughout the week on uneven, cobblestone streets from medieval times and some hilly terrain. Proper footwear is a must.

Q. Why aren’t lunches and dinners included in the price?

Restaurants that accept tour groups are usually the last places we want to eat. We also prefer breaking into smaller group for meals. That way, typically French restaurants and cafés can more easily accommodate the clientele. Moreover, in both Bordeaux and Sarlat, there are lots of restaurants to choose from. You can choose where you eat, with whom, and how much you want to spend.

Q. What’s the best way to get to Bordeaux?

Airline schedules are always subject to change. Depending on your city of departure, Delta, United, or Air France may offer options via Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris or Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam (a smaller more manageable airport for connections). Do your research carefully. If you have questions, please contact Sheila Campbell: tel. 301-587-4555; email

scampbell@wildblueyonder.biz

Q. What about taking the train to Bordeaux from Paris?

You can take the train to Bordeaux from Paris. Non-stop trains leave from Gare Montparnasse throughout the day, and generally take about 2.5 hours. If you plan to stay in Paris beforehand, this can be a good way to go.

Q. Do I have to pay a single supplement?

No.

Q. I’m coming with a spouse or partner and we want to share a room. Do we both have to pay the full rate?

For people who share a room, we offer a discount of $150 each.

Q. Do you require us to buy travel insurance?

We strongly recommend travel insurance. You’ll want to have trip cancellation insurance in case something happens and you can’t come at the last minute, and also medical evacuation insurance which will fly you home if needed. Remember that Medicare is valid only in the U.S. If you’re on Medicare, you definitely want some basic medical insurance for your trip. The best time to purchase your travel insurance is when you pay your deposit for the trip.

Please read the trip Terms and Conditions carefully for our cancellation policy.

Q. What is the Hotel Plaza Madeline like? What about the hotel in Bordeaux?

In Bordeaux, we stay in two sister hotels located in the same block, both charming hotels in a historic building, perfectly located in the center of the city. The hotels are typically French, with small but nicely appointed rooms. The Plaza Madeleine in Sarlat is a quite sophisticated hotel, beautifully designed, with a spa and swimming pool. We particularly love sitting outside at the bar in the evenings.

Q. What’s included in the breakfasts?

Both hotels offer a wide selection of croissants, rolls and pastries, cheeses, cold cuts, hard-boiled eggs, fruit, cereal, French yogurt and so on. At the Plaza Madeleine, breakfast is definitely a treat. Unlike many European hotels, they also have eggs and bacon or sausage every day.

Q. Is there internet access at the hotel?

Yes, free wifi comes with your room at both hotels.

Q. What will the weather be like?

Springtime should be sunny and cool. However, it’s always a good idea to come prepared for anything. It could be hot, or rainy, so do pack an umbrella, a light jacket and – most important of all – very comfortable walking shoes.

Q. What to wear?

Wear just what you would at home – casual jeans, slacks or skirts, even for eating out at night. Of course, for any place where you need a reservation, you’ll want to dress appropriately.

Q. I don’t speak French. Can you help me figure out what to eat?

Absolutely. We’ll provide a list of common menu terms, and let you know how to do things like ask for the check.

Q. Is it safe to walk around by myself at night in Sarlat and Bordeaux?

As in any city, it makes sense to be aware of your surroundings after dark. But these are small cities with lots of charm, and our hotels are located where there are lots of people about.

Q. When do I need to sign up by?

The sooner you put down your deposit, the better. This trip is likely to sell out very quickly.

Trip Prices

Trip prices include hotel accommodations on a single or double occupancy basis, breakfast at the hotels, daily transportation as mentioned in the itinerary, entrance fees to museums if with the group as listed in the itinerary, tasting events, evening socials to plan the next day’s activities, and the services of the trip leaders as outlined in the trip description.

Not included in the trip price are entrance fees to museums and other attractions not expressly included; taxis or other forms of city transportation; airfare and airline baggage fees; lunches and dinners; hotel, restaurant or airport tips; costs of passports and visas; personal expenses such as beverages, laundry or room service; internet wifi except as established in the trip description; airport transfers or any other services not specified in the trip description.

Please note that we cannot guarantee any special requests for hotel rooms.

Registration and Payment

The payment of your deposit confirms your reservation. Deposits may be paid by check made out to Wild Blue Yonder, Inc., or credit card via PayPal. There is a 3% surcharge for PayPal.

Your deposit is refundable for two weeks from the date it is received by Wild Blue Yonder, except for deposits made less than 60 days before a trip departs; those deposits are completely nonrefundable. Two weeks after the receipt of the deposit by Wild Blue Yonder, deposits are not refundable for any reason and will be forfeited if you cancel your trip reservation. Cancellations must be in writing by either letter to Wild Blue Yonder or email to scampbell@wildblueyonder.biz. Cancelations become effective on the date they are received by Wild Blue Yonder.

Please note that, should a covid or other pandemic occur after trip deposits have been paid, no refunds will be possible (the funds will now be in France), but we will reschedule the trip as soon as possible with no change in price.

Once your reservation deposit has been paid, you will receive a confirmation email and further information to help you plan your trip.

We reserve the right to cancel any reservations that are not paid in full at any time after the final payment is due. If you make your reservation after the final payment due date, payment in full will be required immediately.

Full final payment is due December 10, 2026.

Requests for Extra Nights

If you would like to arrive in Bordeaux a day or two early, or stay on later, you must notify us by December 10, 2026. We’ll let the hotel know when to expect you, and you’ll pay for the extra nights directly to the hotel when you arrive. You’ll be in the same room for your entire visit. Please note that we can’t make these arrangements after December 10, 2026. If you decide after that to arrive early or stay later, you’ll need to make those arrangements directly with the hotel.

Cancellations and Refunds

If you must cancel your trip, the effective date of cancellation will be upon our receipt of your notification, which must be made in writing either by email or letter. No refunds are possible after December 10, 2026.

We strongly recommend that you purchase trip cancellation insurance when you pay your deposit for this trip.

Travel Documents

You are responsible for securing your own passport. Note that for international travel your passport must he valid for at least six months after the completion of the trip.

Health and Medical Issues

We welcome all travelers, but you must be in good health to participate in our trips. Our trips require a generous amount of walking, possibly several hours a day, uphill or on uneven streets or streets without curb cuts. You must be able to climb stairs and board trains and buses on your own. We regret that we cannot provide individual assistance if you require the use of a wheelchair or have other personal needs; in such cases you must be accompanied by a companion who will assist you.

If you are unable to navigate this amount of walking, you will not be able to participate fully in the trip, and we suggest you choose another type of trip. We cannot provide individual alternatives to the planned group activities. If your fitness level does not allow you to keep up with the group and/or travel on public transportation, you will be responsible for planning your own activities and for any additional costs incurred (including, but not limited to, personal taxis, train tickets, and entrance fees).

Trip Insurance

We strongly recommend that you purchase both trip cancellation insurance and traveler’s medical and evacuation insurance for your trip. Should you have to cancel your trip after you have paid in full, we cannot offer refunds other than specified above, because we will have already paid the costs of your trip to our vendors.

Arrival and Departure Dates

It is your responsibility to make sure you arrive on the specified trip start date. We cannot refund part of your trip if you arrive late or leave early, unless you have notified us of your different start or end date 90 days before the trip start date.

Responsibility

The liability of Wild Blue Yonder and Politics & Prose, individually or jointly (referred to hereafter as Trip Planners), is strictly limited. In no event will the Trip Planners be liable for amounts in excess of the amounts payable to the Trip Planners in accordance with the terms hereunder, nor will Trip Planners be liable for any consequential indirect or incidental damages arising from this agreement. Trip Planners purchase accommodations, transportation and other services from independent suppliers not under our control. We serve only as agents for these suppliers in securing trip arrangements, and therefore will not accept responsibility and liability for wrongful, negligent or arbitrary acts or omissions of these independent contractors, their employees, agents or representatives.

Trip Planners are not liable for injury, damage, loss, accident, or delay that may be caused by events not within our control, including but not limited to, without limitation, acts of terrorism, war, strikes, defects of any vehicle, adverse weather conditions, natural disasters or the negligence or default of any third party.

Trip Planners reserve the right to correct errors in advertised prices. We reserve the right to cancel an advertised trip, decline to accept a reservation or remove a person from a trip if it is determined by us to be in the best interests of the health, safety or general well-being of other trip participants. We will make every effort to conduct our trip as planned, but we reserve the right to make itinerary and other changes as necessary. If unforeseen circumstances require us to change a hotel, we will make every effort to select alternative accommodations of the same quality. The forgoing terms and conditions and all aspects of the relationship between Trip Planners and you shall be governed by the laws of the State of Maryland.

If you’re not caught up on all of Martin Walker’s Bruno series of mysteries, you’ll want to have read several by the time you get here. Here’s a list of the books in order:

Bruno, Chief of Police

The Dark Vineyard

Black Diamond

The Crowded Grave

The Devil’s Cave

The Resistance Man

The Children Return

The Patriarch

Fatal Pursuit

The Templars Last Secret

A Taste for Vengeance

The Body in the Castle Well

The Shooting at Chateau Rock

The Coldest Case

To Kill a Troubadour

A Chateau under Siege

A Grave in the Woods

An Enemy in the Village

A Murder in Springtime

You might also want to read Martin’s novel, The Caves of Perigord. It’s not a Bruno book, but is quite full of insights into the Perigord region.

Otherbooks you might enjoy are:

Other books you might enjoy are:

The Complete Essays by Michel de Montaigne. Renaissance writer Montaigne retired to his tower and wrote numerous essays about life and his personal philosophies. If you’ve never read Montaigne, now is a good time to meet him.

How to Live: Or A Life of Montaigne in One Question and Twenty Attempts at an Answer by Sarah Bakewell. This highly readable biography of Montaigne and his ideas won the 2010 National Book Critics Circle Award for Biography.

Josephine Baker: The Hungry Heart by Jean-Claude Baker. This biography of Baker is told by one of the many children she adopted and raised in les Millandes, her chateau in the Perigord. Not the best writing, but a great story.

Agent Josephine: American Beauty, French Hero, British Spy by Damien Lewis. While not the best-written book we’ve ever read, you do get a clear sense of why the French awarded the Legion d’Honneur for her work in WWII.

A Castle in the Backyard: The Dream of a House in France by Betsy Draine. Yes, this memoir is certainly in the vein of all those other books written about buying a house in another country. But here the region is the Dordogne, and the book gives you a real feeling for the countryside.

Eleanor of Aquitaine: A Life by Alison Weir. Eleanor of Aquitaine was the wife of two kings and the mother of three. This book gives you plenty of historic detail about this most politically influential woman.

Death in Bordeaux by Allan Massie. This detective novel, the first in a series of four, is set in Bordeaux in WWII, during the Nazi occupation, at a time when the Vichy government was cooperating enthusiastically with the Nazis.

Fearless and Free: A Memoir by Josephine Baker. Recently published memoir, written by herself.