Taking a holiday, in one of the many splendid gites in Aquitaine, is an ideal way to make the most of this fabulous and sunny French region. Aquitaine lies at the extreme south-western corner of France, a large region of sandy coastal plains and splendid river valleys, stretching along the Atlantic Coast. To the south of Aquitaine lies the Spanish border, and the mountains of the Pyrenees; to the east the Midi-Pyrenees.
The capital, Bordeaux, lies at the confluence of the Garonne and Dordogne rivers, that both snake through this region. The valley of the Dordogne is the home to many a gorgeous chateaux, and the Garonne to some of France's best vineyards. South, the hills rise to the mountains of the Pyrenees, in which are tucked many villas, in the picturesque Basque villages.
The coastline is famed for its range of stunning coastal dunes, more like mountains than sand dunes, and its equally mountainous surf. Combine that with the warm climes of this southern part of France and it can soon be understood why surfers have been attracted to the gites in Aquitaine.
The region is large and diverse and so selecting the location of your gite in Aquitaine depends on exactly what you want from your French holiday. One thing that many visitors like to do is to rent self catering accommodation, by the coast. They can then spend their time making the most of the fabulous beaches of the Landes area - and taking in the largest dune in Europe, the Dune de Pilat. Resorts such as Biscarosse, Arcachon and Mimiza are rightly very popular throughout the summer.
Another popular way of passing your time in Aquitaine is to take on a wine tour (or several). In a region that has Bordeaux as its capital, and its most famous wine, there are a multitude of tours and wineries to partake of. Saint Emilion, to the north-east of Bordeaux, is the centre of the wine-growing region, and is a charming medieval town to visit, in its own right.
Farther south the scene changes again, as the Pyrenees rear up from the plains - here there are some great walking holidays, centred around mountain villas and gites. This part of Aquitaine is Basque country, and has many charming villages, displaying the traditional white and red Basque style of décor.
One of the best times of the year to rent your gites in Aquitaine is undoubtedly the spring. At that time of year, the rates will also be lower. The climate in this part of France is pleasant and temperate, most of the year; and by coming before the summer sets in, you can avoid the heat and crowds - both of which can be quite oppressive.
Aquitaine does lie quite far down in the south-west of France, but travel here doesn't have to involve a long journey, even overland. France's renowned TGV rail system whisks passengers at high speed all around the country - and from Paris to Bordeaux can be done in three hours. This has the advantage of being able to see the wonderful landscape of France unfurl past your window. A similar journey, by road, will be seven hours. By air, there are direct flights to Bordeaux from a limited number of locations in the UK, so that is definitely an option.
Whilst in the Aquitaine region, it's important to bear in mind that the region is vast. Wherever your gites in Aquitaine may be, if you want to take in many of the diverse sights and landscapes on offer, a car rental would be a good idea. In Bordeaux itself, the public transport is excellent, with a modern tram route recently introduced. But many attractions are within the pedestrianised zone, so your feet are a good option!