Day 8: Carcassonne
We left Sarlat on a very rainy morning, but after a few hours on the road, the skies cleared and we had wonderful sunny weather for the rest of the tour. Along the way, we stopped and had a picnic lunch for those who wanted to join. Several of us had procured items from the Sarlat market, and our guide Julie also shopped for picnic supplies. I had been to Carcassonne as a high school student, so it was nice to see the town again, though our time there was brief. Our hotel was extremely quirky and decorated in shades of purple, though our room was spacious and comfortable.
Picnic lunch, a fascinating vending machine with items like foie gras and beans, and Carcassonne off on the distance
After checking in, we met for our walking tour of Carcassonne. Unfortunately, I had to leave in the middle of the tour when I received a phone call from back home. One of my family members had contracted covid. The rest of my family was supposed to be leaving in 4 days to meet me after my tour, so that we could travel together through Ireland. I was worried about my family, but my husband assured me all was fine and insisted that I finish the tour. Since our plans had changed, I had to cancel my flight to Ireland, cancel my flight home from Dublin, and book a new flight home. One thing I have learned about traveling now versus "before" times is that you have to be ready to pivot. Thankfully I was able to cancel my mileage flight home from Dublin, and book a new flight home from Nice, where the tour ended.
When I met up with our tour group to walk to dinner, many tour members were concerned after seeing my hasty exit from the tour. Everyone was so kind to check on me and and make sure my family was okay. Our group dinner was absolutely lovely, and I really enjoyed my cassoulet and the dessert, which was cheesecake with fruit topping. We also had an absinthe demonstration, which was entertaining. Finally, we topped off our time in Carcassonne with one more walk to see the city walls all illuminated, and we toasted with cups of champagne. Magical! I could not help but feel intense gratitude for sharing these travel experiences with my mom, as well as a group of strangers who quickly felt like friends.
When I met up with our tour group to walk to dinner, many tour members were concerned after seeing my hasty exit from the tour. Everyone was so kind to check on me and and make sure my family was okay. Our group dinner was absolutely lovely, and I really enjoyed my cassoulet and the dessert, which was cheesecake with fruit topping. We also had an absinthe demonstration, which was entertaining. Finally, we topped off our time in Carcassonne with one more walk to see the city walls all illuminated, and we toasted with cups of champagne. Magical! I could not help but feel intense gratitude for sharing these travel experiences with my mom, as well as a group of strangers who quickly felt like friends.
Trying a local Carcassonne beer, delicious cassoulet dinner, dessert, and a fascinated absinthe demonstration.