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HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS
Totally unspoilt surroundings > Hardly ever seeing another walker > Exploring the medieval streets of Lyon, and enjoying the fine cuisine

The Vercors is an outlying ripple of the Alps, covering 186,000 hectares, just south of Grenoble. Travel writer Nick Crane, author of several books on walking, believes this to be one of the finest trekking destinations in the world.

The National Park is one of the most important areas of wilderness remaining in Western Europe, and contains some of the most beautiful scenery in France. The main feature of the park is a dramatic limestone massif, running north-south. The landscape is characterized by woodland, mountain pastures and towering rock formations such as the dramatic Mont Aiguille. On the eastern slopes, the terrain has an alpine feel to it, while the western slopes have a markedly more Mediterranean climate and the villages are more Provencal in style.

In between is a high plateau – a broad expanse of rolling grassland - which is virtually inaccessible except for a few paths between sheer cliffs. The plateau proved an ideal base for French resistance fighters during the Second World War, and walkers can still see the Maquis memorial, and sometimes stumble across the odd shell casing from German artillery bombardments.

The highest point in the Vercors is the Grand Veymont at 2,341m, and there are over 1,700 miles of hiking trails. Wildlife includes ibex, vultures and even a few wolves. For plant-lovers, there are over 60 species of orchid that grow here.

Accommodation each night is in carefully selected gites and small, family-run hotels that serve delicious regional cuisine.

The Vercors is accessible in all seasons – spring, summer and autumn are great for trekking, while winter is ideal for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

After the trekking, Original Travel advises a stay in the lovely city of Lyon. France’s second city is home to the country's finest art collection outside the Louvre, Roman ruins, and a fine medieval old town. It is also a place of gastronomic pilgrimage, as the undisputed foodie capital of France. Stay at the stylish Cour des Loges hotel in an attractive, quiet street of the pedestrianised old town.

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PRICES
The price shown above is based on the sample itinerary, with flights in economy class, accommodation on a B&B basis (or more where stated), transfers and activities specific to this trip. Where prices fluctuate throughout the year, the price is based on low season rates and where more than one accommodation option is listed, on the cheapest available. We would be delighted to put together a current and 100% accurate quotation based on your specific travel requirements, so please contact the relevant member of our expert team.

TAILORED TO YOUR EXACT SPECIFICATIONS
Almost every one of our Big Short Breaks and Beyond the Big Short Breaks can be entirely tailormade from scratch, so you can enjoy the holiday exactly how you want it, exactly when you want it, and for exactly as long as you want it. Our expert team, who have been to every one of our destinations, are here to talk you through all the options available in order to create the trip best suited to you.