CASTLES, CASSOULET & CATHARS

8-day, 7-night "intermediate"-level walking tour in southwestern FRANCE, May 8-15 & Sept. 29-Oct. 6, 2019. Highlights: From Carcassonne, drive to Montlaur/walk through Gorges du Congoust/picnic at Ribaute in Pyrénées/7th-century Abbaye Sainte-Marie de Lagrasse/climb 1,500-foot Pech de Blanes/Corbières wine region/Cathar village of Cucugnan/Hermitage of St. Anthony of Galamus/fortified Cathar castles Château de Montségur and Château de Foix. €2,500 (near $2,835) ppdo. Single supp., €600 ($681). Spanish Steps (Aspen, CO; 877/787-9255, spanishsteps.com).