Who: Suzy and Tim Deger
Where: Carcassonne
Best meal: Les Burgers d’Arcadie, a wonderful, small but elegant stop on the road to the castle, serving traditional regional French food. The chef, Philippe Bodin, came out after every course to make sure we were satisfied, and the staff came out to thank us and shake hands as we were leaving.
Best deal: Local food, wines and cheeses are delicious and inexpensive. Try the local stew called cassoulet and Minervois wines.
Best time to go: We went in May, when the temperatures and number of tourists were lower. There are medieval festivals during high season in July and August.
Best travel tip: The surrounding area has several impressive castles that were holdouts of the Cathar “heretics” during the Albigensian Crusades of the early 13th century. Rent a car to visit these sites.
