Archive for the ‘Dordogne’ Category

While the Dordogne isn’t known particularly for its shopping, the region is recognised for its trade in antiques and many people wile a day away searching through a plethora of second-hand goods.

Antique hunting in France is quite different to the UK, as the dealers with shops tend to be off the beaten track; additionally the stock is predominantly nineteenth-century furniture and vases.

Consequently, most chineurs - antique hunters – find their bargains at antique fairs; of which there are plenty in the Dordogne throughout the year. In October, for example, Brantome, Monpazier, Sarlat-la-Caneda, Grolejac and Bergerac all host a variety of fairs. Just ask around for details.

Traders at these fairs are likely to have travelled a long way to show their wares, as often they do not have their own shop in which to sell items. Therefore, you could have a far wider choice than compared with British antiques fairs, which tend to be very localised. 

There is a knack to good antique-hunting in the Dordogne’s brocante fairs (antiques fair slash flea markets) and vide-greniers (car boot sales – literal translation is ‘empty attic’), however. The first step might well be beating all the other Brits to the goods!

Here are the locals’ tips on getting the best out of a day of antique hunting in the Dordogne.

Get to the fairs as early as possible. While many of the fairs will stay open into the early evening, most of the good stuff will be gone by 11am. Aim to arrive around 7am or 8am, at the same time as the professional antiques hunters.

Picking up some croissants from a local boulangerie on the way for breakfast will definitely stand you in good stead for some serious hunting! It is likely that there will be a couple of food and drinks stalls, so you’ll be able to stop for lunch or an early dinner as the day progresses.

Make sure you have brushed up on some chineur vocabulary to ensure you can not only describe what it is you are looking for, but understand what vendors say. Having a basic grasp of the language will also earn you some respect.

Some key phrases include:
“Votre meilleur prix?” – your best price?
“Je vais y reflechir” – I’ll think about it.
“C’est trop cher” – it’s too expensive. 

Size up the vendor. Even in French you should be able to gauge whether or not he or she is likely to spin you a line or charge inflated prices. 

Be careful and don’t make any rash decisions. The vendor, knowing that you are not from these parts, will not be too concerned whether or not you are happy with the product – you’ll be far away by the time you’ve discovered any issues; too far to complain.

Do some research before hand. If there is a particular item you are hunting for, find out what the average market value is and use that as a guide price. Of course, the way to avoid going over budget is to haggle. A little bit of bargaining is expected by the vendor, so don’t be shy. If you don’t get the price you want, then walk away. 

Typical brocantes can have anything from 15 to 1,500 individual stalls, so you may well need the entire day to look round and some comfy shoes to wear.

Goods on sale range from furniture to books, art to tableware, embroidery to music; all tastes are catered for and you’re bound to pick up something of interest that you wouldn’t find over here. 

Those heading out on a French holiday to the Dordogne this November should consider attending the Sarlat Film Festival for a day or two. As one of the finest film festivals/competitions in the country, it draws in large crowds every year with its diverse range of visual offerings. Not only does it attract film professionals and the general public, but each year, 600 local students are invited to take part and take on hands-on projects.

This year, the Sarlat Film Festival will run from November 8th – 12th; giving cinema buffs an entire week to indulge in their favourite past time. Attendees will be able to hear from the personalities presenting their competing films, which include ‘L’Accordeur’ by Olivier Treiner ; as well as ’Ya Basta!’ from directors Gustave Kervern and Sebastien Rost. Other films competing include Mathieur Busson’s ‘Micha Mouse’, Les Enfants de Fevrier’ from Irina Gontchar and Vladimir de Fontenay’s ‘La Balle au Prisonnier.”

The categories up for grab at the competition include the Audience Award, which is voted for by the people of the city and the Young Jury Prize TPS Star - an awarded presented jointly by the General Council of Dordogne. Furthermore, the Best Actor and Best Actress award will be handed out; as will prizes to the high school students taking part in the festival. For short films entered, a first and second prize will be awarded; the latter volunteered by Kodak.

In addition to finding out who wins each of these prestigious categories, Sarlat Film Festival also gives holiday-makers in the Dordogne a fantastic chance to spot some of their favourite film stars, producers and directors wandering through the cobbled streets. Furthermore, they get an exclusive preview of some of the biggest upcoming films to hit the French cinema scene. In fact, the streets “come to life” during the event, according to several tourist reports. This could be because it is combined with the city’s drama festival, which sees some 20 plays performed in the heart of the city over a three-week period.

It isn’t just the festival’s main events that are on offer, either. An exhibit entitled ‘Space Encounters Festival’ will be set up at the Old Bishop’s Palace – nearby the tourist office. It is a free exhibit open to the public and should provide a great place to visit, especially for families.

Those interested in procuring tickets for the event should do so well ahead of time. Not only is it typically a very popular event, but it is also the festival’s 20th anniversary; making it even more special and tickets even-more sought-after. Tickets or further information can be found at the Office of the Sarlat Film Festival, located at Hotel Plamon in the city. Sarlat Tourist Office is of course also on hand to provide help before or during the festival; located at Three Rue Tourny.

If you happen to be visiting the Dordogne in late September, you might like to visit the Concours National de la Blonde d’Aquitaine 2011 – an agricultural show which takes place annually.

Essentially a cattle contest, this festival of livestock and land spans three days and is greatly anticipated in the region. The show moves around Aquitaine, but this year is being held at Site de Picquecailloux, Lucien-Videau in Bergerac and the organisers promise the atmosphere will be sparkling!

Don’t be put off by the ‘farming’ label, as the event offers such a variety of activities and attractions, that undoubtedly everyone will find something to enjoy. It’s particularly entertaining for young children. 

The international show is billed as a “celebration of rural life” which promotes the region’s agricultural heritage, while showcasing its best farmers and producers. In case you were wondering, the Blonde d’Aquitaine is a breed of cattle and there’s no mistaking that this animal is clearly the star of the event!

So renowned is the show, that over 300 farmers from 45 departments in France participate. In total, 600 of France’s best bulls, cows and calves will be on display, each vying for one of the many awards. The highlight of the weekend is the crowning of the best ‘blonde’ in show, followed by the grand parade of the prize winning cattle. 

In addition to the contest, there are lots of other farm animals to visit; plus a demonstration of farming machinery and vehicles, which little ones are sure to love. 

Talking of the little ones, the show also hosts a jam-packed Children’s Village, which comprises a cornucopia of excitement: workshops, games, pony rides, horse-drawn carriages, an inflatable rodeo, huge balloons, the amazing-sounding circus school, a story-teller, paint-the-bull, giant wooden games, trampolines and a party. Sounds like lots of fun!

By this point, you will surely have built up quite an appetite. Fortunately for hungry tourists, the show also provides a veritable smorgasbord of French gastronomy. There will be a farmers’ market, where 24 producers sell foie gras, truffles, honey and other local specialities. On Saturday morning there is a cookery competition that will be great to watch and even better to take part in.

For those that prefer a liquid lunch, there is also a wine fair, showcasing the best wines in Bergerac. The on site restaurant is open from 9am every day, plus unique catering stalls will be dotted along the periphery of the show ground.

Throughout the event there are concerts and a variety of entertainment. These include flamenco dancers, a percussion band, music and dancing. Though not strictly traditional, it will no doubt amuse all.

Fiercely proud of their agricultural heritage, the event organisers recommend that visitors allow sufficient time to discover the history and landscape of the area beyond the show, too.

Bergerac is a beautiful town, famed for its Medieval castles, dramatic architecture, wine and proximity to the Dordogne River. There is also a variety of museums, shops, gardens and markets to explore.

If you’re not in the Dordogne this September 23rd – 25th, don’t worry about missing the show – there’s always next year.

A holiday in the Dordogne is globally renowned for its baking hot temperatures, peaceful surroundings and fine high street markets.

Yet another trait which the region is less recognised for is its historical value. Many tourists visiting the region do so to view the huge selection of ancient caves dominating the region.

The Dordogne has been named as palaeolithic capital of France and contains roughly around 150 caves which were allegedly inhabited by cavemen during the stone age. Around a sixth of these feature stunningly beautiful palaeolithic paintings.

Organised cave visits have been provided for tourists in the Dordogne for over 50 years and provide a unique insight into the history of cavemen from the palaeolithic era.

One of the region’s most popular caves is the Grotte De Rouffignac. At around eight kilometres long, this is one of the largest painted caves in Europe and features a guided electric train ride for tourists keen to learn about its history.

Along with other prehistoric sites and caves in the valley of the Vezere, the Rouffignac was registered as a historic monument in 1979 in World Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. Ever since then it has been maintained by the World Heritage Programme to ensure that it retains its quality as the years go on.  

Unlike some of the other caves, the journey through is well-lit completely safe and features hundreds of clear images across its walls. The train journey is a four-kilometre trip around the main galleries and allows tourists the best views of the many ancient cave paintings inside.

Due to carbon dating, researchers have accurately predicted that some of the paintings are up to 40,000 years old. Yet, many of Rouffignac’s images are still engraved as clear as day on the walls of the cave.

Many are images of the animals from these times. There are 158 images of woolly mammoths alone. Others depict woolly rhinos, bison, horses and goats. These are deeply yet finely engraved using small stones in a range of styles. Some drawings have a cartoon-esque design, whilst others appear to have taken a lot more time to craft.   

Tourists on the electric train will also view scratchmarks from hibernating bears and huge pits reportedly dug by them to sleep in. These bears are of course long dead by now.

It is a subject of huge debate as to who created these images or why. Some theories suggest that they were drawn as methods of motivation or celebration for hunters. Others believe the urge to create art has been intrinsic in human beings, even tens of thousands of years ago.

For many people, it is these debates that make history so fascinating. Those who are interested in learning about the prehistoric era would certainly love a trip to the Grotte De Rouffignac to see history for themselves.

For the more adventurous explorers, there are a few caves nearby without electric trains and allow tourists to discover history for themselves. However, the quality of the art and the safety of the surroundings can often vary.

Whatever method tourists choose to use, they can certainly spend a good few hours viewing this fascinating element of prehistoric art.

The majority of the visitors to the Dordogne choose the destination for the calm atmosphere, beautiful surroundings and wide range of tasty local cuisine. However, one appeal of the region which is often underestimated is the many fun activities for children on offer in the region.

Jacquou Park is one of many holiday parks which can easily provide a whole day’s worth of entertainment no matter what your child’s interests are or how short their attention span may be.

Situated in Le Bugue – a small market town to the West of Campagne – Jacquou Park plays host to an animal park, a water park and an amusement park, all for one reasonable entrance fee.  For a fee of 12.50 euros (or 11.00 euros each during the off-peak season), a family can enjoy the equivalent of three fun days out in one.  

The animal park is a home to many rare farm animals from a number of habitats. Children will be thrilled to come in close quarters with llamas, highland cattle and angora goats amongst other animals.

Furthermore, considering the baking hot summer temperatures in the Dordogne, all members of the family will appreciate the chance to splash around in the swimming pools that the water park provides. Thrill-seekers can experience the array of water slides and toboggans on offer, whilst toddlers might feel more at home with parents in the range of paddling pools provided.

The amusement park also contains all of the classic rides you would expect from your local funfair. Timeless classics such as the ferris wheel and the merry-go-round will never fail to amuse. There is also a highly entertaining miniature golf course and bouncy castle. Of course, there are all the dining facilities you would expect from such a park as well.

The park is only open between April and September. Although it closes at around 1800 (up until June), there is plenty to do in Le Buque to keep the family in the region.

Despite being one of the regions smallest towns, the local high street in Le Buque has all the amusements you can expect from any in the Dordogne region. There are plenty of plenty of market stalls and fine restaurants for those seeking a fancy evening meal; whilst a family can be sure to pick up some decent souvenirs for their friends or family back home in the local shops.

The Dordogne is certainly a fantastic holiday destination for families seeking a break from the hectic hustle-bustle of daily life, but those with children who crave this sort of frantic activity shouldn’t be put off from visiting the region either.

The small market town of Le Buque – in particular Jacquou Park – is just one example of a fantastic family day out which can please tourists of all ages and interests. 

Jacquou Park is not the only children’s holiday park in the region either. It faces competition from many similar amusement parks in larger regions surrounding the river Dordogne.

However, when it comes to providing a wide range of fun activities at fantastic value for money, there isn’t much out there that can truly compete with the Le Buque attraction.  

One attraction that nearly every warm weather tourist hotspot cannot seem to do without is a luxury waterpark. The family friendly atmosphere mixed with the fun and frantic activities are a surefire winner no matter what location it is in and this is no different for Dordogne holidays.

Dordogne’s deluxe waterpark is called Aqua Park Junior Land and is based ten minutes from the centre of Bergerac on the way to Bordeaux between vineyards and the Dordogne river. The park is open every day between May and September making it the perfect day out for families spending their summer holidays in the region.

Aqua Park Junior Land really is fun for the whole family whatever their age, as the emphasis appears to be on swimming and sports rather than scary rides and height restrictions. It contains four swimming pools each with an area of around 1,000 square metres, so there is likely to be plenty of space no matter how busy the park is. There are also two paddling pools for toddlers and their parents to splash around in.

Each of the pools contains common play features such as water slides and the park even allows access to the river Dordogne for those who fancy a spot of canoeing. The large area of the resort makes it the perfect setting to combine a few hours of relaxing in the sun with a couple more of wearing the children out.

The resort is open until 10pm because there is lot more than water sports on offer for tourists. Families can enjoy an incredible variety of sports throughout the day ranging from fun games such as ten pin bowling and crazy golf to skilled sports like table tennis, archery and beach volleyball. For the extreme sports lovers, there are also a range of quadbikes, mountain bikes and mini motorbikes to hire.

For the non-sporty, there are bar and restaurant facilities as well as evening entertainment often featuring cabaret and the like not to mention a jacuzzi and solarium where parents can unwind. Guests may want to arrive dead on the 10am opening times in order to get it all done.

There are plenty of enjoyable options just outside of the park for those who don’t fancy spending the whole day at the waterpark. The town centre offers tourists the opportunity to enjoy all of the Dordogne region’s traditional urban delights from dining in an outside restaurant to buying fresh food from the markets. There’s even a full-sized 18 hole golf course where dads might want to sneak off to for a couple of hours.

There are plenty of reasons why the owners of Aqua Park Junior Land have been enjoying continued success ever since it opened back in 1997. Short of accommodation, the resort provides everything that the stereotypical tourist might want to enjoy on holiday.

Despite its popularity the owners have kept their pledge of keeping the price family-friendly. They even offer discounts for groups of 10 or more people, making it perfect for sports teams enjoying a group holiday.

Those visiting the Dordogne should definitely put the resort on their to-do list.

The Dordogne boasts so many beautiful spots, it’s hard to know which ones to pick whilst on your French holiday.

However, for those of you that love architecture from the Middle Ages and fantastic, locally produced food or drink, then the pretty town of Excideuil ought to be on your list of places to visit.

Situated in the Perigord Vert, Excideuil is located about 15 kilometres from Hautefort and 30 kilometres south of Jumilhac. Nestled in a valley, visitors will feel as though they have been transported back to the time of the Knights Templar, evidenced by striking and remarkably well-preserved Medieval buildings.

If you are going to visit Excideuil, then make sure you arrive on a Thursday, which is market day. Reportedly, this market is one of the biggest in the region and is certainly one of the busiest, with people coming from miles around to shop and trade. The market is, in fact, one of Excideuil’s most popular tourist attractions.

Indulge yourself in some delicious local produce – regional specialities include walnuts, duck, foie gras and wine, naturally. Why not buy some souvenirs or pick up something for lunch? Alternatively, just enjoy the experience of a quaint French town bursting to life on a bustling market day. 

After you’ve wandered around the market, head towards the charming town square, which is complete with a fountain and framed by magnificent architecture. The remains of a 10th century monastery, a Gothic church, is located here also. It was apparently around this monastery that the first inhabitants settled and the community grew.

This is a lovely spot to stop and eat lunch, perhaps the goodies you picked up at the market, before drifting through the streets to work it off. Those who visit in July or August can hire a local guide for walking tours, otherwise, make your own way, armed with a map from the tourist office.

While walking, you may notice how striking the houses are, some of which remain from the days of the Templar Knights. Excideuil was once a very prosperous town; Louis XI gave residents a tax exemption in 1482 and they enjoyed a successful iron mining industry, both contributing to the town’s wealth. The varied architectural style makes for an interesting walk.

The 12th Century Castle, Excideuil’s second biggest draw, is unfortunately no longer open to the public but can be admired from the courtyard beyond. Set “on a rocky promontory,” the building managed to keep Richard the Lionheart at bay on three separate occasions, therefore is bursting with history.

Excideuil also boasts one of France’s oldest buildings that is still in use: a hospital which is widely believed to date back to 12th century when it was a convent.

When you’ve finished walking around the town and admiring the views, you’ll no doubt  want a little sustenance. Travel lovers recommend a coffee and cupcakes at the Kitsch Kafe, though there are plenty of other places to choose from, if you have a more savoury tooth.

Depending on when you visit, you might be able to catch an art exhibition, featuring the work of local artists. These are held from May to October. 

If you feel you have exhausted the town and still have time to spare, the nearby Perigord-Limousin Natural Park is a delight. Just bring some sturdy walking shoes!

It may not seem like the most glamorous nor exciting activity to undertake while on holiday in the Dordogne, but for some people, exploring French supermarkets is a real treat; something that requires several hours of drifting, browsing and in some cases, grimacing.

Many people might wonder why anyone on their French holiday would want to enter le supermarche when they have any number of truly wonderful farmer’s markets dotted about the department or a number of independent boulangeries, patisseries and charcuteries in the village. A supermarket is a supermarket, right? No matter where in the world?

Wrong. There is something decidedly different about French supermarkets and walking round one is a great way to while away a rainy day. Especially if it is one of the giant hypermarkets, which truly warrant putting aside several hours.

There are several hypermarkets in the Dordogne, including Carrefour in Boulazac, Perigueux, Champion in Terrasson Lavilledieu, E. Leclerc in Bergerac or Riberac, plus hundreds of ordinary supermarkets. It is advisable that you check opening hours as many are closed on Sunday.

Arriving in the morning, you will be consumed by the mouth-watering aroma of fresh bread coming from the bakery. Don’t buy any yet, though. Do as the locals do and have breakfast in the café. A coffee and a brioche or hot chocolate accompanied by a croissant is typical fare.

Sated, commence exploring. If the children are old enough, you may be able to let them run off to the toy section, but not before taking them to the fresh meat and fish section first.

Always fascinating for the children are the pools which contain live lobsters and crabs, though beware that some fishmongers do slam the crustacea on a hard surface to kill them, while others just bind their claws, which can be a little upsetting.  

Gourmets will be pleased to see that as much food as possible, particularly dairy, fruit, vegetables, wine, seafood and honey are sourced locally. Consequently, much food is available seasonally. Melons are particularly sweet and tomatoes on the vine are especially flavoursome.

At the fromagerie, ask the staff for advice regarding local cheeses, which are relatively cheap. Bear in mind that many of them are unpasteurised, so may not be suitable for young children. .

What is great about wandering round the supermarche is that you can use it as a live lesson in French. By associating actual items with their French name, the whole family will pick the language up much more easily, great for those taking French GCSE.

Many famous French brands will be far cheaper in the supermarches, so stock up on your L’Oreal, Evian and Bonne Maman.

The shopping part is fun, but what you’ll end up doing is noticing the differences between French supermarches and their British counterparts.

For example, in England, you will see plenty of helpful shop assistants patrolling the aisles, ready to point you toward the creme fraiche. This is not the case in France. Self service means self service, but at least you won’t be pestered. 

Don’t let the sparse decor put you off. While the warehouse-like appearance might be ‘less pleasantly decorated’ than you would expect, the savings are passed on to the customer; supermarches are largely better value than supermarkets.

Lastly, some stores will allow people to bring in their dogs. 

What appears to be a boring trip really does have something for everyone; it will keep the entire family amused. Don’t forget to buy your baguette on the way out!

French cuisine is renowned around the world and as mentioned in previous posts, is so highly regarded that it has been added by UNESCO to the list of the world’s “intangible cultural heritage.”

Local delicacies of the Dordogne region include foie gras, duck dishes, mushrooms and walnuts. You will see them on every menu, at every market and in every combination in a mouth-watering range of dishes.

Therefore, while on your French holiday, it would be a crime not to explore the food of the region and maybe even try your hand at a little cooking yourself. It can be done in a day, then you can use your new found skills back at your self-catering accommodation and cook un plat in the ‘proper’ French style!

There aren’t many French cookery courses that take place in just one day, but Cookinfrance is one which does. Situated in Saint Amand de Coly, between Sarlat, Lascaux and Montignac in the east of the region, this course promises to equip you with a plethora of fancy skills that are sure to impress all at your next dinner party!

All you need to do is bring yourself, no prior knowledge or special kit are required. The course caters for all levels, from those who have cooked nothing more than beans on toast to those who consider themselves a pretty competent chef, so don’t fear a ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ experience, the atmosphere is very relaxed. As the approach is very ‘hands-on’ the course can be adapted to suit a variety of abilities as it progresses.

The course will impart new tricks, new techniques and possibly new tastes as the experienced (English speaking, Masterchef semi-finalist) chef takes you through a comprehensive menu of typical Dordogne specialities. Typical dishes on the menu include garlic and bread soup, pan-fried duck breast, Pommes Sarladaise, tarte tatin and the heavenly-sounding Chocolate and Walnut tart, among others.

You’ll be taught how to cook delicate pastries, prepare shellfish, produce classic French sauces and ‘master the art of stylish contemporary food presentation.’ Then, after slaving away all day, you will be able to sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labour with a nice glass of wine. What’s more, there’s no washing up to do! 

Not only will you have fun, but you may also gain confidence in the kitchen, learning cookery skills that you will be able to take home and use to impress nearest and dearest for years to come. Plus you may also make some new friends.

The course fee covers tuition, utensils, protective clothing, lunch and wine. Given that all the market-fresh ingredients are included too, the £120 price is pretty good value for money.

While in ‘tiny, idyllic’ Saint Amand de Coly, why not take a look round and burn off some of those calories which have just been consumed?

The village’s imposing, yet beautiful 12th century abbey is particularly impressive and guided tours can be arranged via the tourist information point. The grounds of the abbey often host summer classical concerts, with many taking place in August.

There is also a workshop where you can buy some traditional French copper cookware – equipment to enhance those new-found cooking skills!

Here’s an idea for a day trip in the Dordogne: visit the pretty village of Rocamadour.

On the eastern side of the department, situated within the heart of the Parc Naturel Regional des Causses du Quercy, this tiny place receives over a million visitors every year. Not bad considering it only has a population of just 600 or so people.

However, Rocamadour is famous for two reasons.

Firstly, it boasts dramatic, medieval architecture, which sprawls up the cliff side. Calling itself a “vertical village”, layers of honey-coloured brick buildings cling to the cliff, overhanging the Alzou Canyon. Views are breathtaking, naturally. One travel expert said upon arrival, all you can do is “wonder at the sheer audacity of its location.”  

Secondly, it has for the last millennium been an important pilgrimage destination as it was built upon a shrine to Saint Amadour and features the Black Madonna statue. The site, renowned for its healing powers, soon became a stop off point for pilgrims going on to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. It is now a popular destination for religious pilgrims and tourists alike.

When arriving in Rocamadour, you will immediately be struck by the complete uniqueness of the village; it is like nothing you have seen before, or will see afterwards. Essentially there is one main road running through the village, which is lined by beautiful houses. Wandering around the street will bring you to two notable stone gateways, the Porte du Figuier and the Porte Salmon.

Next, while you have the energy, climb the 216 steps – le Grand Escalier – which leads to several sanctuaries above. Here, you will also find several chapels, the basilica Saint-Sauveur and the Chappelle Notre Dame, which houses the revered Black Madonna.

The Black Madonna is a wooden carving, said to have been created by Saint Amadour (after whom the village is partially named, with ‘roca’ meaning cliff) sometime between AD 388 – AD 418. His body was said to be found perfectly preserved in 1166 and a shrine was created in his memory.

After admiring the various chapels and the fascinating carvings on the wall, climb further up to L’Hospitaliet, from which local guides recommend visitors to stop and take photos of the village below as it is a great vantage point.

You’ll be pleased to hear there is a lift, so getting back down shouldn’t take too long. You’ll have worked up an appetite, so seek out one of Rocamadour’s cafés or restaurants for some refreshments.

While there, you really ought to sample some of the village’s signature cheese made from goat’s milk which is called Rocamadour, unsurprisingly.

If you’ve time later in the day, the Gouffres de Padirac caves are within easy driving distance and will make for a dramatic finale to your day. 

To avoid the throngs of tourists, its advisable to visit Rocamadour either early in the morning, late in the evening or out of peak holiday season. That being said, it would be a real shame to miss this spectacular town due to the of year your visit coincides with; it is definitely worth battling through the crowds for!