DOOLIN'S HOMETOWN TOUR

From the peaks of the Pyrenees to the Mediterranean beaches - taking in the wild gorges of the Tarn and the vast vineyards of Languedoc along the way - Occitania offers some of the most diverse landscapes in France. A land of character and tradition, the region blends Occitan, Catalan and Mediterranean influences, with colorful markets, southern festivals, melodic accents and generous regional cuisine.

The journey takes in three of the region's emblematic cities: Toulouse, the 'Pink City', with its terracotta facades and lively squares; Carcassonne, home to its breathtaking UNESCO-listed medieval fortress; and Albi, with Sainte-Cecile Cathedral, elegant streets along the Tarn River and the Toulouse-Lautrec Museum. Food and wine are part of the experience too, from traditional cassoulet to the vineyards and wines of Gaillac.
Description -booklet :

This touring itinerary includes six nights in four 4-star hotels, selected for their location at the heart of the different stages of the journey or for their convenient access to the places visited.

Toulouse - Hotel Le Grand Balcon 4*

Located on the legendary Place du Capitole, Le Grand Balcon is one of Toulouse's most iconic hotels. Once home to the pioneers of Aeropostale, it combines Art Deco elegance with modern comfort, just steps away from cafes, restaurants and the city's most beautiful landmarks.

• Historic hotel
• City center
• Walking distance from the main sights

Carcassonne - Mercure La Cite 4*

Facing the medieval fortress of Carcassonne, Mercure La Cite offers an exceptional setting just a few minutes' walk from the UNESCO World Heritage site. Its quiet garden and swimming pool provide a relaxing setting after a day exploring one of Europe's most spectacular medieval cities.

• Medieval city view
• Quiet garden
• Swimming pool
• Walking distance from the medieval city

Albi - Mercure Rives du Tarn 4*

Overlooking the Tarn River, Mercure Rives du Tarn combines historic charm with contemporary comfort. A peaceful base in the heart of Albi, it offers a striking view towards the cathedral and easy access to the city on foot.

• View towards Albi's UNESCO-listed cathedral
• City center
• Walking distance from the main sights
• Tarn River setting

Toulouse - Hotel Palladia 4*

A contemporary 4-star hotel ideally located between Toulouse city center and the airport, Hotel Palladia offers spacious rooms, a relaxing spa, an outdoor swimming pool and premium amenities for a comfortable final night before departure.

• Contemporary 4-star hotel
• Between the city center and the airport
• Spa
• Outdoor swimming pool

Accommodation and breakfasts are provided for 6 nights, based on a double room. The overnight stays follow the itinerary below:

• 2 nights in Toulouse - Hotel Le Grand Balcon 4*: nights of May 22 and 23.
• 1 night in Carcassonne - Mercure La Cite 4*: night of May 24.
• 2 nights in Albi - Mercure Rives du Tarn 4*: nights of May 25 and 26.
• 1 night in Toulouse - Hotel Palladia 4*: night of May 27.

The source booklet does not specify the exact room category allocated or the detailed in-room facilities, so no additional room features have been added.

Breakfast is included throughout the 6-night stay. The itinerary combines organized meals - several shared with members of Doolin' - with meals at leisure. Meals with drinks are included when specified in the itinerary.

• May 22 - Toulouse: welcome dinner at restaurant Bibent with Doolin'.
• May 23 - Toulouse: lunch at leisure; evening and tapas at The Dubliners. Drinks during the evening are not included.
• May 24 - Castelnaudary: lunch at Marty with members of Doolin', featuring traditional cassoulet. The booklet presents the restaurant as having been voted best cassoulet in the world in 2024 and notes that cassoulet is Nico's favorite dish.
• May 24 - Carcassonne: dinner at leisure.
• May 25 - Carcassonne: lunch at leisure.
• May 25 - Puylaurens: dinner with Doolin', presented as a family cookout with food, wine and music.
• May 26 - Gaillac: lunch at Chateau de Salettes, accompanied by a wine tasting in a setting surrounded by vineyards.
• May 26 - Albi: dinner at leisure.
• May 27 - Albi: lunch at Les Tables d'Eric et Helene; dinner at leisure.

Dietary requirements: please inform us of any special dietary requirements, as well as any food allergies or intolerances.

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The source booklet does not mention any services, activities or facilities specifically dedicated to children. No dedicated children's program is therefore advertised.

Day 1 - Saturday, May 22, 2027: Arrival in Toulouse

• Arrival and welcome of participants at Toulouse-Blagnac Airport.
• Transfer to Hotel Le Grand Balcon, located in the heart of Toulouse's historic center.
• Free time.
• Welcome dinner at restaurant Bibent with Doolin'.
• Return to Hotel Le Grand Balcon and overnight stay in Toulouse.

Day 2 - Sunday, May 23, 2027: Toulouse - Where it all started

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Guided tour of the historic center of Toulouse, nicknamed the 'Pink City' thanks to its terracotta bricks. The route includes Place du Capitole, the historic narrow streets, the banks of the Garonne and the Basilica of Saint-Sernin.
• Lunch at leisure.
• The program then provides one of two discoveries: the magnificent Renaissance-era mansions built by wealthy merchants, with their inner courtyards and refined architecture, OR the Aeroscopia Museum, dedicated to the history of aviation in Toulouse, where iconic aircraft such as Concorde and the Airbus A380 can be seen alongside interactive and immersive exhibits.
• Return to the hotel in the late afternoon.
• Special Doolin' night at The Dubliners, one of Toulouse's liveliest Irish pubs, appreciated for its warm atmosphere, live music and wide selection of beers and whiskies. It is also the pub where Doolin' first began.
• Evening and tapas at The Dubliners, excluding drinks.
• Overnight stay at Hotel Le Grand Balcon.

Day 3 - Monday, May 24, 2027: Toulouse - Castelnaudary - Saint-Papoul - Carcassonne

• Breakfast at the hotel, then departure for Castelnaudary.
• On arrival, cruise on the Canal du Midi aboard the riverboat Saint Roch. The Canal du Midi has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1996.
• Departing from the Quai du Port in Castelnaudary, the cruise visits the Grand Bassin, the largest stretch of water between Toulouse and Sete, where the monuments of the old town are reflected in the water.
• The boat glides beneath the plane trees lining the towpath and passes through an electric lock. Commentary is provided on the history of the canal, as well as its flora and fauna.
• Lunch at Marty with members of Doolin', a Castelnaudary address famous for traditional cassoulet and presented in the booklet as having been voted best cassoulet in the world in 2024.
• After lunch, departure for Saint-Papoul to visit its cathedral and former Benedictine abbey.
• Discover this charming village in the Lauragais region, known for its Romanesque heritage, cloister and remarkable religious architecture, offering an immersion into the region's medieval history.
• Late-afternoon departure for Carcassonne.
• Dinner at leisure in Carcassonne and overnight stay at Mercure La Cite.

Day 4 - Tuesday, May 25, 2027: Carcassonne - Puylaurens - Albi

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Guided tour of the famous medieval city of Carcassonne, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Explore the cobblestone streets, fortified ramparts and the Chateau Comtal, a major symbol of medieval architecture and Cathar history.
• Lunch at leisure in Carcassonne.
• Free afternoon in Carcassonne for independent exploration.
• In the late afternoon, departure for Puylaurens to visit the family home of Will and Nico Besse and Doolin's rehearsal space.
• Dinner in Puylaurens with Doolin', presented as a family cookout with food, wine and music - a relaxed evening in the Doolin' spirit.
• Around 10:00 PM, departure for Albi.
• Overnight stay at Mercure Rives du Tarn in Albi.

Day 5 - Wednesday, May 26, 2027: Albi - Gaillac - Albi

• Breakfast at the hotel, followed by departure for Gaillac to spend half the day there.
• Sightseeing and wine tasting with members of Doolin'.
• Lunch at Chateau de Salettes, accompanied by a wine tasting, in an authentic and elegant setting surrounded by vineyards.
• After lunch, departure for Albi to explore its historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its red-brick architecture and remarkably well-preserved medieval heritage.
• Visit Sainte-Cecile Cathedral and its cloister. The booklet describes Sainte-Cecile as the largest brick cathedral in the world; its fortified architecture and richly decorated interior make it a major monument of Occitan heritage.
• Dinner at leisure in Albi.
• Overnight stay at Mercure Rives du Tarn.

Day 6 - Thursday, May 27, 2027: Albi - Toulouse

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Continue the tour of Albi with a visit to the museum dedicated to painter Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, housed in the Palais de la Berbie. The museum features an important collection of the artist's works as well as an overview of late 19th-century art.
• Visit the footbridge.
• Lunch at Les Tables d'Eric et Helene.
• Afternoon at leisure for independent exploration of Albi.
• Dinner at leisure in Albi.
• In the early evening, departure for the Albi theatre for the Doolin' concert. The performance forms the musical finale of the tour in the timeless setting of a magnificent Italian-style theatre.
• After the concert, departure for Toulouse.
• Arrival in Toulouse and overnight stay at Hotel Palladia.

Day 7 - Friday, May 28, 2027: Farewell, Toulouse

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Enjoy a final breakfast in France and a few last moments together.
• Transfer to Toulouse Airport.
• Check-in procedures and departure.
• End of services.

The journey is primarily focused on culture, food and wine, shared moments and music, with free time built into several stages. For relaxation, Mercure La Cite in Carcassonne features a swimming pool and quiet garden, while Hotel Palladia in Toulouse offers a spa and outdoor swimming pool.

Pricing

• Package: Doolin's Hometown Tour - 6 nights, May 22-28, 2027.
• Price per person based on 30 people: EUR 3,000.
• Single supplement: EUR 690.
• Estimated rates as of June 29, 2026.

Administrative formalities - France (U.S. nationals)

• U.S. nationals may enter France for a tourist stay of up to 90 days within a 180-day period without a visa.
• A valid U.S. passport is required, issued less than 10 years ago and valid for at least 3 months beyond the scheduled date of departure from the Schengen Area.
• An ETIAS travel authorization is required for visa-exempt travelers. The source booklet states that ETIAS came into effect in late 2026 and will therefore be required for the trip planned for May 22-28, 2027. This authorization is obtained online prior to departure.
• French authorities may also request proof of accommodation, a return or onward travel ticket, and proof of sufficient financial resources for the duration of the stay during border checks.
• No vaccination is required to enter France, according to the source booklet.

Our prices include

• Private coach transport tailored to the final number of participants.
• Accommodation and breakfasts for 6 nights, based on a double room: Le Grand Balcon - Toulouse; Mercure La Cite - Carcassonne; Mercure Rives du Tarn - Albi; Hotel Palladia - Toulouse.
• Meals with drinks as specified in the itinerary.
• Wine tasting at Chateau de Salettes.
• Rental of the Albi theatre.
• Visits and activities as mentioned in the program.
• Local taxes and hotel service charges.
• The services of a local English-speaking guide.
• 24/7 French-speaking telephone assistance for emergencies.
• Guidance and identification services from Tourist Event Consulting.
• Dietary requirements: please inform us of any special dietary requirements, as well as any food allergies or intolerances.

Our prices do not include

• Drinks during the evening at The Dubliners.
• Travel insurance.
• Optional excursions.
• Extras and personal expenses.
• Tipping.
• Anything not mentioned under 'Our prices include'.
• Dietary requirements: please inform us of any special dietary requirements, as well as any food allergies or intolerances.