Join Off the Beaten Path this fall, as we take you through the most beautiful villages of Provence and top it off with 3 days of cooking classes with one of Provence’s best loved chefs (OPTIONAL 4TH DAY INCLUDED FOR INTERESTED GUESTS).
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:
-3 days of cooking classes with one of Provence’s most locally renowned chefs.
-Winery tours & tasting-Olive oil mill tour & tasting
-Lavender distillery/farm tour & tasting
-Tours of Provence’s Medieval hill villages of Gordes, Lourmarin, Lacoste and Tourtour-Visit the chateau of Lacoste and Gordes
-Visit to the 2nd century “Les Bories”
-Tour the Abbaye Thoronet
-Great local Provence boutiques, artists workshops, pottery artisans
-Provence cuisine prepared by private chef during cooking class
-Free time for independent exploration throughout the tour
Participate in as many or few activities that interest you.
Your Itinerary
Day 1:
Day 1:
Arrival in Marseille where you will be greeted by your guide and escorted to your historical accommodations in the heart of Provence. From the airport we’ll transfer to our historical lodging that will serve as our base camp for our tour. During our scenic drive to the hotel, we’ll begin your exploration of Provence by passing through medieval villages that illustrate the history and flavor of Provence. Following check-in, you can opt to relax from your flight OR regroup with your guide to visit the local medieval hill village and chateau at a leisurely pace, a local artist hide-a-way in the hills with a commanding view of the Mediterranean Coast. On a clear day enjoy a view that extends all the way to Corsica. Enjoy a welcome beverage of choice in the village. Evening, special organized dinner with guide at historical “olive mill” to welcome you to Provence.
(D)
Day 2:
Cooking class today followed by special lunch with wine and afternoon visit to local vineyard for a winery tour and tasting. (Refer to “COOKING CLASSES INCLUDE” DETAILS WHEN YOU REQUEST AVAILABILITY FOR THIS TOUR).
(B) (L)
Day 3:
Petit dejeuner. The Medieval hill villages of the Luberon. Enjoy visits to each of these magical chateaux and old villages.
First stop today along our scenic drive is the medieval village of Lourmarin offering the splendor of lavender fields, and the remains of a grand chateau dating back to the 1540’s with some Renaissance additions to its’ interior. Continuing along our scenic route, we’ll stop in the hill village of Lacoste, the home to the ruins of the castle of the Marquis de Sade who hated rural life and Provence, though he made it famous by using the village as the setting for his fantasies, Justine and One Hundred and Twenty days in Sodom that he wrote while in prison. Afterwards, we head to Gordes for the remainder of the afternoon. Lunch in Gordes. The splendor of the Renaissance is visible in Gordes, and much of the village remains can be attributed to the great artist who restored it, Victor Vasarely; who also dedicated a museum in the village to himself. Though most of Gorde’s castle remains as it was in the 16th century, the Germans had leveled practically the entire village in retaliation for the killing of one of its’ soldiers in 1944. The view of the Petit Luberon from here is also worth noting. Just outside of Gordes, we’ll visit the village of “Les Bories”, a series of 20 restored, stone dwellings from the 2-5th centuries, and though they were inhabited until the early 19th century, their origin is unknown.
Evening & Dinner at leisure in La Cadiere d'Azur.
When selecting the 4th day of cooking class, lunch is included with class.
(B)
Day 4:
Cooking class today followed by special lunch with wine and afternoon visit to local lavender distillery for tour and tasting (yes lavender tasting). (Refer to “COOKING CLASSES INCLUDE” DETAILS WHEN YOU REQUEST AVAILABILITY FOR THIS TOUR).
(B) (L)
Day 5:
Petit dejeuner. Depart for the Abbey du Thoronet.
Today we’ll visit the Abbey du Thoronet, a fine old Cistercian abbey that's located in forested hills, just below the Argens river. Built in the 12th century near Tourtour, it was inhabited by Les Seigneurs de Castellane and slowly declined in influence over the region between the 14-16th centuries. Lunch enroute to Tourtour. Afterwards, we’ll head to Tourtour to visit the old village, enjoy a guided tour of the local olive oil mill where 3 ancient presses are still used to produce local olive oil products using traditional methods. Afterwards, we’ll stop at a local farm just outside the village for a degustation of locally produced farm products including foie gras, olive oil, tapenade (black olive paste) and local confiture (jams). Feel free to make your own selections.
Late afternoon return to the hotel. Evening & dinner at leisure in Bandol.
(B)
Day 6:
Cooking class today followed by special lunch with wine. Afternoon free to shop in the local medieval village boutiques to pick up souvenirs and local products and finish your shopping before tomorrow’s departure. (Refer to “COOKING CLASSES INCLUDE” DETAILS WHEN YOU REQUEST AVAILABILITY FOR THIS TOUR). Specially organized dinner to celebrate a great tour of Provence and great new ideas for whipping up some Provencal delicacies back home.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 7:
Today we sadly say good-bye to Provence and return to the airport for our flight home. We’ll visit the local open market before heading to the airport.
(B)
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
TOUR DATES:
-SEPTEMBER 30-OCT. 6
-OCTOBER 21-27
TOUR INCLUDES:
-American, bilingual resident woman guide/hostess
-6 nights historical accommodations (rooms have all modern -amenities and private bathrooms with tub/shower, toilet, hairdryer, etc). Hotel is a former Monastery completely renovated in Provencal style in one of Provence's oldest medieval villages.
-Private transportation
-Airport/hotel transfers
-Hotel taxes
-All breakfasts
-Many lunches-Welcome & Farewell dinners
-Organized excursions & activities and fees
-3 days of cooking classes(4th optional for guests interested)
-All fees for cooking classes
Also see tour packages in:
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France
Cooking School
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