The document summarizes the author's trip to the Dordogne region of France. Some key details include: - The author was introduced to the region by her parents who took a similar trip 22 years ago and shared stories of their adventures. - The author embarked on a 5 week road trip through France, Italy, and Switzerland, and found the Dordogne to be her favorite due to its natural landscapes, historic sites, and food. - Popular activities in the region include hiking, biking, canoeing, and kayaking down the scenic rivers while taking in the castles and villages along the way. - The local cuisine focuses heavily on duck but also includes cheeses

3. The actual text:
Drifting Away In The Dordogne
If a Frenchman's heart lives in Paris, his stomach most definitely resides in the Dordogne.
From duck confit and foie gras to tarte tatin and truffles, it’s safe to say - you won’t starve
here!
I was first introduced to the Dordogne by my parents, who embarked on a similar trip twenty
two years ago. Tales of their adventures - of my mum canoeing down the river six months
pregnant, of the wolves baying at night, the resident tame vulture in their hotel and duck
confit coming out of their ears - always fascinated us as children (and entertained us as
adults). So, this summer I decided to see what all the fuss was about. With tent, mosquito
spray, sun-cream, the latest Dan Brown and boyfriend in tow, I embarked on a five week
road-trip through France, Italy and Switzerland.
After being completely blown away by some places (Rome) and underwhelmed with others
(Milan), the Dordogne will always stand out as a favourite. Of course, fab wine and naughty
food are guaranteed to make anyone a happy bunny, but there’s more to it than that. For me,
the Dordogne’s je ne sais quoi lies in its captivatingly natural landscape. Dramatically
beautiful countryside is set against golden cliffs and ancient caves, while old chateaux rest
quite comfortably beside a crystal clear river that hugs the looping green banks and pebbled
shores. Endless forests and beautiful villages appear around each corner. Honestly – it’s a
magical place.
And it’s not (just) about sitting on the terrace with a glass of wine. The Dordogne offers good
fun for those with more active pursuits in mind. Many come to enjoy the rivers, but other
possibilities abound. With plenty of pretty villages to stop at for refreshments, it’s an ideal
area for hiking and biking. There's a dense network of grandes randones (long-distance
footpaths) for walkers and new bike routes are continually being added. For a hiking holiday
with a modern twist, seek out the Voie Verte near Brantôme in the northern Dordogne. This
former rail route has been converted into a 17km walking and biking trail that passes some
beautiful natural areas, along with a cave or ‘grotte’, a chateau and the medieval village of St-
Jean-de-Cole. The area may be short of mountains and really deep gorges to challenge the
real adventurers, but those who insist on exerting themselves can try hang-gliding at Douelle
in the Lot, adventure sports around St-Cirq-Lapopie, or a new French fad climbing, swinging
and gliding through the trees Tarzan-style at what is called a ‘parc aventure’ – just call me
Jane! Or if you like your outdoor fun slow and serene, see the countryside in the company of
a patient and agreeable donkey (see hikingwithdonkey.com )
However, activities centred around the river still prove to be the most popular. Indeed,
messing about in boats was our preferred Dordogne pastime, and they come in all shapes and
sizes. You can take the tourist cruise past the Dordogne castles from Beynac or La Roque-
Gageac on a traditional gabarre, little barges that used to carry wine barrels down to

4. Bordeaux. Mostly, though, it's about canoes and kayaks. You'll never be far from someone
who will rent you one, and then take you up the river so you can drift leisurely back down.
We opted for a company which allowed us to choose from a range of start and pick up points
(see http://www.canoes-loisirs.com). On learning that our chosen route was to be 16km, I
momentarily thought of heading back to the campsite to sip a cosmo by the pool. Thankfully
however, I bit the bullet and donned the very sexy lifejacket. The route was stunning and not at all
arduous due to the downstream current. Serious boaters would probably think it a poor show
to place the paddle on one's lap and lean backwards, eyes closed, letting the current take you.
Yet I can state that such fecklessness is one of the best ways to approach the sport (?). Sit
back and go with the flow!
So what kind of food will you be eating in the Dordogne? Duck! That oversimplifies matters
perhaps, but the fatted duck with its foie gras, maigrets and confits is the unquestioned meat
‘du jour’ of the region. It's all pretty fantastic. But there are plenty of other culinary tit-bits to
delight, from the famous black truffles to a delicate little disc of goat’s cheese called cabcou.
The cooking here matches the land itself: hearty, solid and traditional. The region's smooth
and heady wines sit alongside the rich cuisine perfectly. However, while it’s great to eat and
drink out - to sample the unlimited ways to serve duck, we found low-key picnics to be a
cheaper - lighter on the digestive system – and often prettier alternative. Most days we would
head to the local shop or markets and pick up wine, french bread, pate, figs and saucisson
before heading to a secluded spot in a forest or along the river. Bliss!
There are so many villages worth seeing in the Dordogne area. Domme, voted one of
France’s prettiest, is a picturesque little town along the river and was particularly charming.
Head to the stunning look out point at the far edge of the town where you will get
unparalleled views of the surrounding countryside. We spent a day strolling through the
warm, honeystone labyrinths of medieval streets, passages and stairways leading to
unexpected squares, each one lovelier than the last. La Roque Gargeac is another stunner.
Golden yellow houses with their traditional Perigord roofs line the river and spread up the hill
behind. Our campsite, ‘La Butte’, was a short five minute drive away.
Getting to the Dordogne from Guernsey is easy. I would recommend taking the car as this
will give you the freedom to go where and when you please. The drive is approximately six
hours from St.Malo. Alternatively you can fly to Bergerac with Flybe and rent a car from
there.
For halcyon days spent drifting along a river - passing medieval chateaux, clifftop hamlets
and the ever present Lombardy poplar trees – head to the Dordogne. You may come away
feeling as though you have turned, literally, into a ‘canard’. But you will feel refreshed, as
though you have gone back to nature, to what’s ‘real’ – and in the fast paced world in which
we live who wouldn’t want a bit of escapism.
A la prochaine!