Exclusive Nine day Group Tour ~ 15 to 23 September 2018

*** CONFIRMED ***

Last minute discount: € 100,- p.p.!  

THERE EXISTS an ancient realm in southern France, where forbidden history and unsolved mysteries reign; a land of stunning natural beauty, incredible French cuisine, ancient castles, goddesses and energetic power places. To visit Occitania is more than just exploring historic sites; Occitania allows you to click back into the footprint of your soul.

COME AND UNLOCK WITH ME THE SECRETS OF CATHAR COUNTRY! From Saturday 15th to Sunday 23rd September 2018!

INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:

* Accommodation.
* All meals from dinner on arrival day to breakfast on departure day.
* 7 day excursions incl. entrance fees for the sites we will visit.
* 1 transfer on arrival day and 1 on departure day (Toulouse airport).

NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:

* Airline tickets / train tickets / taxi fares etc.
* Travel insurances.
* Personal expenses.
* Extra drinks not included in the meals.

YOU WILL BE SPOILED FROM TOUCH-DOWN TO TAKE-OFF!

This mini bus tour is different from any other tour that has ever been organized here in Occitania. Although a visit in Rennes-le-Château is on the itinerary, we are also going to explore several 'off the beaten path places' no large tour bus can reach.

On this tour we will explore Gnosis and Cathar philosophy. We visit PEYREPERTUSE Castle and QUERIBUS Castle, two Cathar castles that we usually only visit during a private tour.

We will also see the mysterious beehive-shaped houses of COUSTAUSSA and discover rare MAGDALEN statues in three different places; statues that are often overlooked...

We will see the famous LAST SUPPER in the St. Volusien Church in Foix and visit the mystical crypt of the "Notre Dame de Sous Terre" in ST. MICHEL DE CUXA in the Roussillon.

We will explore the BETHLEHEM CAVE above Ornolac, visit the ND DE SABART, MONTSEGUR village and monument, the ND DE MARCEILLE and the Hermitage of GALAMUS.

We will discover an ancient and mystical chapel dedicated to ST. MICHEL, hidden deep inside ancient forests, and visit a strange church with a tiny PENTACLE in its leaded glass window.

We will visit THE UNDERGROUND VERSAILLES in the Conflent (the Grandes Canalettes cave), the Troubadour castle of PUIVERT and the ancient chosen place of ALET with its esoteric background. Of course we will also explore the enigma of RENNES-LE-CHATEAU on a special visit. Let's try and discover the reasons why Rennes-le-Chateau has become the main character in such a mysterious play...

Obviously it will be no surprise that the FRENCH CUISINE will be seriously sampled, along with some fine WINES and the Mother of Champagne: the much praised BLANQUETTE DE LIMOUX, which is a lovely light sparkling white wine, invented by mistake in this very region!

Of course we will also help people with their diets (for example vegetarian).

IN SHORT:

Let's explore the deeper layers of Cathar history and beliefs and see those special places that are not often included in a normal group tour.

Let's go on an adventure...!

The MAISON TEMPLIERE Hotel in Belvianes will cater to all your needs. Situated in-between the rocky mountains of the Pyrenees and the volcanoes in the high Aude valley, this characteristic hotel on the bank of the Aude river has a restaurant, a swimming pool and a relax-space with Jacuzzi, where you can enjoy aromatherapy and massages (not included).

We have secured 6 comfortable (single) rooms with en-suite bathrooms for this tour.

Last minute price:

Single room: € 1850,- Euros p.p.
Double room (two people sharing): 1700,- Euros p.p.

Minimum 4, maximum 7 people.
Only 2 more seats available!

When you register, you will receive an e-mail with the possibilities of payment and - as this is a last minute reservation - we will ask you for a total payment (100%, no longer refundable) to secure your seat. If you wish, we can give you personalized advice about your flights into Toulouse (flights not included) and the transfer to the hotel (1 group transfer included on arrival day and 1 on departure day).

The Terms and Conditions (link given below) apply to this tour, except for the details for the payment.

For registering, or if you have any questions, email me at anneke@panoccitania.com

Your tour guide on the Ultimate Cathar Experience:

My name is Anneke Koremans. Since 2007 I have been a resident of the southern French department of the Aude-Pyrénées. In my spare time I enjoy photography and writing (under the nom de plume of Jeanne D’Août) and producing little video trailers to help promote this region. Since early childhood I loved studying the lost history of civilization, the first centuries of Christianity, the Gnosis and Mysticism. My esoteric adventure novels and articles have been published in English to reach as many people as possible. In the past I have been a guest on many radio shows, both in the USA and in Australia, but also on a live TV Talk Show in Las Vegas in 2013. In 2012 I was interviewed for a now world famous TV documentary called "Himmler and the Holy Grail", giving me a page on IMDb. I also worked together with the well-known American filmmaker Frank LaLoggia, to write a synopsis for a possible screenplay for my first book "White Lie ~ The Quest for The Forbidden Relic", which is available together with its sequel, "The Eye of Ra", on Amazon (see www.jeannedaout.com for all the direct links). In the Summer of 2015, I became a member of the ITW (International Thriller Writers Organization). In 2016, both "The Forbidden Relic" and its sequel "The Eye of Ra" were also published on Kindle eBook. In the past few years I had the honor of being the private guide for several VIPs and celebs from all around the world.

I would LOVE to see YOU on this very special tour. If you are interested in joining me, then send me an e-mail at anneke@panoccitania.com, so I can put you on the mailing list.
FROM OCCITANIA, WITH LOVE! xox ♥

N.B. This tour is only for those who are able to walk rocky paths that are often on a slope (sometimes steep).

See my REVIEWS

ITINERARY

Day 1, Saturday 15th September

Peter will meet all the group members at Toulouse airport or Toulouse train station between 11.00 am and 2.30 pm. Transfer to the hotel in Belvianes for a meet and greet with local bubbles, the famous Blanquette de Limoux! (included)

Dinner (included) with the group.

Day 2, Sunday 16th September

Departure: 08.45 hours. Today we will go back into prehistory, when we explore the ancient Bethlehem Cave with its pentacle, and the Hermit's Cave (exterior parts only). Before we go to the lunch address, we will visit the Notre Dame de Sabart with its ancient origins, an old Magdalen chapel that is often overlooked and some interesting symbolism.
After lunch we will go to the village of Montségur to hear the story of the Cathars. We will also visit the Cathar Monument and separate the legends from the historical facts.
Before driving back to the hotel, we will stop at the Fontaine de Fontestorbes, a unique natural phenomena!

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 3, Monday 17th September

Departure: 09.00 hrs. This morning we will start our tour with a visit to the Capitelles, better known as the beehive shaped houses of Coustaussa. We will explore the various explanations and see several up close. Afterwards we will drive to Les Pontils, where we can see from the road the spot where a tomb once stood. This tomb has become famous in combination with a certain Poussin Painting called 'Shepherds of Arcadia'. After Henry Lincoln used this landscape with the tomb in his documentary, the owner of the land received so many unwanted visitors, that he blew up the tomb. Now, only the spot can be seen from the road where this tomb had once stood.

After a short coffee stop in Rennes-les-Bains, we will climb to the Devil's Chair, aka 'Throne of Isis' as it is called these days. We will see the Source du Cercle and hear the stories of prehistoric Europe, the Celts and the possible function of the 'chair'.

After lunch in Rennes-les-Bains we will drive via the Pas de la Roque to Rennes-le-Chateau, right through the center of Henry Lincoln's famous Pentagram and passing historical places like La Maurine (early Moorish settlement from the late 8th century), and Lavaldieu (La Valle Dieu), a gorgeous property that once belonged to the order of the Knights Hospitaler. Passing the fields where Visigoths battled the Moors, we will soon reach the road to the ancient stronghold of Rhedae.

Obviously you will hear the whole story as I will share everything I know during this visit. We explore Saunière's Domaine, visit the Tour Magdala, the Villa Bethania and of course, the enigmatic church with its inspired messages.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 4, Tuesday 18th September

This morning we can leave half an hour later (09.30) as we drive north to Limoux to visit the Notre Dame de Marceille in Limoux, a basilica with a very important story. Afterwards we drive to Benoit, where we find an ancient church, most probably built on the remains of a late-Roman temple, with a pentacle in the window. This church has a little story about the Benedictines, and will be a nice introduction for the excursion to Prades tomorrow.

After lunch we will visit the ancient town of Alet-les-Bains, early site of Mother Goddess worship, with its fabulous cathedral ruins, the 'house of Nostradamus' (we will find out whether this is fact, fiction or a possibility during this visit) and if time allows, the church next to the cathedral ruins, which has several interesting murals, windows, artifacts and stories, of course...

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 5, Wednesday 19th September

Departure: 08.45 hrs. Today we go south, to the town of Prades and the magnificent mountain Canigou, holy for the Catalans on both sides of the French/Spanish border. Here, at the Abbey of St. Michel de Cuxa, we see a very old example of superb pre-Romanesque architecture and we discover the true identity of the early Benedictine Order. There is much to be seen here, for the eyes to see...

After lunch in the picturesque fortified town of Villefranche sur Conflent, famous for its military architecture by Vauban, we visit the amazing caves of Canalette, also known as the Underground Versailles. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 6, Thursday 20th September Departure: 09.00 hrs. Today is a real hiking day; first Queribus Castle, the eagle's nest, where we visit the ancient stronghold and see the pillar which holds the power of the mountain like an antenna. It is said to activate the throat chakra. This castle, as well as the castle we visit this afternoon, was important for the Cathars, for they found protection from the Cucugnan family and were allowed to hide behind its walls in times of danger.

Lunch in Cucugnan, and then off on another hike, a bit longer and steeper than Queribus, as we visit the mountain fort of Peyrepertuse with its two levels. There are again stories to be told, but also amazing photos to be taken, making amazing memories to take home with you.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 7, Friday 21st September
Departure: 09.00 hrs. This morning we leave southward, driving through gorges and magnificent landscapes, to reach a very old chapel, probably from late Visigoth to early Carolingian period, with a horseshoe gate and very old chapel. It is dedicated to Archangel Michael and stands in the middle of nowhere on a hill. It's an enchanted spot, where sensitive people will be able to see the colours of its aura, or feel the silence and balance of the geographical spot.

We have lunch in St. Paul de Fenouillet, and after lunch we will visit the Hermitage of Galamus, where we hear the story of the Knights Templar and discuss the source of the ancient knowledge, protected and shared by many thousands of brave people throughout the ages. Thanks to them, we can still talk about it today. On request I could sing the medieval Franciscan version of the Aramaic Lord's Prayer called the 'Abwoon', a song that the Franciscans - who where in the Hermitage 700 years ago - may have sung on the exact same spot. We will discover the SATOR AREPO TENET OPERA ROTAS sign and I will explain its meaning and backgrounds.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 8, September 22nd

Departure: 09.30 hrs. This morning we will visit the castle of Puivert, exploring the Troubadours and the history of this peaceful castle on the Plateau de Salt.

We will have lunch in a local restaurant and the drive onwards to the city of Foix, with its feudal history. We will visit the castle and the church of St. Velusian, to see the famous Last Supper. The church sometimes closes without reason, so this is why we picked the Saturday afternoon for this visit.

At the end of the day Peter and I will dine together with the group on this last evening in the Templière hotel.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 9, 23rd September

Departure: 6.00 am from the lounge of the Templière hotel to go to Toulouse (airport first, then train station).

Early breakfast included.


***
KNIGHTS TEMPLAR CATHARS Mary Magdalene FORBIDDEN history UNSOLVED mysteries POWER places ADVENTURE TRAVEL PanOccitania GNOSIS

This tour has been made possible by:
PanOccitania.com / JeanneDaout.com / Barinca.fr
Terms and Conditions