Writing for the Telegraph, Miles Clery-Fox said he and his family wanted to get away to a place where they could enjoy the fresh air and escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
They found this in Quercy, where they spent time perusing the local markets and sampling some of the delights on offer from the stalls.
"Anywhere that combines wines from Cahors, black truffles, foie gras and more beautiful houses than you can wave a stick at deserves to be nominated as the Eighth Wonder of the World," wrote Mr Clery-Fox.
The family also visited the 7th century stone village of St Cirq Lapopie, which is built on a promontory overlooking the River Lot.
Describing the place as "straight out of the Middle Ages", the writer said it boasted numerous cafes with sunny terraces where holidaymakers could sit and watch the world go by or chat with the friendly locals.
Many of the streets in St Cirq Lapopie bear the names of the crafts that have been made in the village by skilled workers throughout the ages.
Boating holidays on the River Lot are available from the base at Douelle.
