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Adventures
in Provence
2008 Tour Schedule
April 15-20 - SOLD OUT
May 14-19 - SOLD OUT
June 11-16
Sept. 28-Oct. 3
October 16-21
$4280 per person double occupancy
TOUR SUMMARY
Day 1
Arrival Day, Group Pick-up at 2:30 PM at the Avignon TGV rail
station - D
"Meet and Greet" by your tour guide(s) at AVIGNON
TGV Rail Station at scheduled group pick-up time and location
inside the TGV station. Transfer to your 4-star, luxury historical
hotel in the heart of the village town of St. Remy-de-Provence.
Step out the door of our hotel into the historical pedestrian
streets and begin your program of discovery with a leisure
stroll through St. Remy-de-Provence village, visit of historic
monuments and museums. Introductory walking tour of St. Remy
de Provence following check-in at the hotel. Afterwards, enjoy
a local cafe and shopping at the artisan boutiques or simply
enjoy your time to settle into your room with a cocktail at
the private garden of our hotel or by the pool. Enjoy the
peacefulness of the hotel gardens and the spectacular backdrop
of Les Alpilles mountain range behind the gardens, a perfect
setting for pure relaxation. Our hotel, L'Hotel des Ateliers
de l'Image has recently been placed on Conde Nast Traveler's
exclusive hot list.
Dinner: Welcome cocktail hour in the hotel gardens prior
to enjoying our first evening of regional cuisine St. Remois
style this evening. A wonderful opportunity to become acquainted
with your fellow travelers.
Day 2
Walk: "The Calanques" and its' Mediterranean Village
of Cassis - B, D
Breakfast. Departure to the picturesque Mediterranean coastal
village of Cassis surrounded by vineyards, and bordered by
the Mediterranean sea, pictoresque cliffs and beach. The Mediterranean
sea glistens and sparkles as it meets the calcium rich white
cliffs (called Calanques), and as Frederic Mistral decried,
who have seen Paris, if you have not seen Cassis, you have
seen nothing, a quote taken to heart by the locals of this
thriving coastal village. There will be time prior to and
following guest's walk to stroll along the port and through
this art deco style village. The colorful Mediterranean port
in Cassis will serve as the starting point for the Calanques
hike. Guests are escorted by boat to view the calanques by
sea, after which the skipper will drop off both guide and
guests beachside to begin this spectacular walk. The walk
is approximately 3 hours and rated moderate. Travelers will
need sturdy and comfortable walking shoes and may wish to
bring walking poles. Persons with walking limitations will
not be permitted to participate in the walk, and instead will
be able to enjoy the calanque viewing by boat and return directly
to visit Cassis village and port or remain ashore to explore
the village, coast and local market.
Evening & Dinner: Bistro style Provence cuisine this
evening.
Day 3
Culinary Class - The Provence Paradox, Aix-en-Provence, Cezanne's
Workshop - B, L
Breakfast. Culinary Class in an antique bastide in the heart
of Aix-en-Provence countryside, just minutes from the town
center. Traditional proven?al cooking: Preparation of a three
course meal with the help of local provencal recipes. The
type of recipes used are simple but well known. In an italian
park each step reveals the rich aromas so well known to the
local cuisine. One cannot resist collecting the wild perfumed
herbs to prepare the irresistible old fashioned tasty mediterranean
delights. Lunch: Savoring the gourmet meal we have just prepared
accompanied by professionally paired wines.
Afternoon: Visit in historic Aix-en-Provence and the workshop
of Cezanne. In 1182, Aix became home to the Counts of Provence.
The town developed around three main sites, the Palace of
the Counts, the Saint-Sauveur Cathedral and several districts
of artisans and merchants. Under the reign of the Counts:
Its ancient ramparts were brimming with new convents, the
most famous being that of the Knights of Saint-Jean de Malte,
which became the burial place of the Counts. From this period,
the town has preserved its outer wall, which begins at the
old Bourg Saint Sauveur (the market town). In 1409, Louis
II of Anjou founded the University. Under the reign of his
son Rene (1409-1480), Aix acquired an efficient administration
and became a place of artistic creation. This Golden Age no
doubt contributed to the legend of Queen Jeanne and "Good
King Rene", whose statue still stands at the far end
of the Cours Mirabeau. A year after his death, Provence was
annexed by the Kingdom of France, though for two centuries
the town refused to accept the centralist policies of the
monarchy.
Dinner: Independently in St. Remy. St. Remy offers a large
selection of dining opportunities from simplistic to sophisticated
cuisine, your Guide will be happy to make recommendations
for dinner, as well as any reservations that you may require.
Day 4
The Luberon: Hilltop Villages of Gordes and Roussillon, Market
day in Gordes, Camargue Cheese & Chateauneuf-du-Pape Wine
Tasting - B
Breakfast. Departure to the picturesque "Luberon"
area of Provence made famous by Peter Mayle's book A Year
in Provence. Our visit today will concentrate on the artist
villages of Gordes and Roussillon, the two most beautiful
of the Luberon. Built on the foothills of the Monts of Vaucluse,
facing the Luberon, the village of Gordes is one of the most
well-known hilltop villages in the region, and one of the
most beautiful in France. Its houses and buildings of white
and golden stone root themselves into the sharp cliff of the
mountain, its labyrthinth of "calades" (narrow cobblestone
streets) do not leave the visitor indifferent to its charms.
Many artists have stayed in Gordes and have contributed to
its fame. Some, such as Marc Chagall, Victor Vasarely and
Pol Mara came to stay. Gordes is also proud of its castle
firmly planted in its very core and which reminds the passer-by
of a past rich with conquests, but also marked with the sufferings
of its inhabitants. Also, situated at the foot of the Monts
of Vaucluse and in the heart of one of the biggest ochre deposits
in the world, the village of Roussillon is famous for its
magnificent red cliffs and ochre quarries. The red, yellow
and brown shades of the earth form a striking contrast with
the lush green pinetrees. The vivid blue of the Provencal
sky and the exceptional quality of light make this a magical
site. It is like an artist's pallet, with the infinite combinations
of colours varying from yellow to purple with all the shades
of pink and red in between. The ochre fa?ades of the houses
are magnificent... shades vary subtly from light yellow to
dark red, set off by the brightly painted shutters and doors.
From the base of the village to the summit of the Castrum
and its splendid view, Roussillon is a delightful place! Again,
numerous artists, naturally, have been seduced by Roussillon:
Jean Cocteau, Carzou, Buffet, Ambrogiani...to name a few.
You will discover several art galleries and studios, as well
as artisan boutiques while strolling through the narrow village
streets.
Early evening: Travelers are welcomed in the gardens of our
hotel for a tasting of local cheeses produced by our friend
Claudine, an artisan cheese maker from the Camargue. Claudine
raises her goats and produces her cheese in a fromagerie on
her farm in the Camargue. We'll pair our cheeses with a lovely
bottle of Chateauneuf du Pape wine and a selection of Provence
fresh breads from our local baker, plus increase our wine
and cheese knowledge, learning more about Provence vinification
practices and the art of cheese making.
Evening & Dinner: Independently in St. Remy. St. Remy
offers a large selection of dining opportunities from simplistic
to sophisticated cuisine, your Guide will be happy to make
recommendations for dinner, as well as any reservations that
you may require.
Day 5
St. Remy-de-Provence Art, Artisan and Local Products Market,
Culinary Class in an 18th century Provencal Farmhouse - B,
D
Breakfast. Spend the morning shopping at the local art, artisan
and local products market in St. Remy-de-Provence, the town
that inspired some of Van Gogh's most famous art work. Situated
in the heart of the Alpilles, surrounded by lush valleys of
olive tres and Baux de Provence vineyards, the sounds of cicadas
chirping, the visual delight of plane trees and flowers and
its' golden stone architecture, St. Remy-de-Provence reflects
the heart and soul of Provence. Market day in town is a must
for any stay in Provence.
Evening and Dinner: This evening Guests embark on a second
culinary adventure with an evening hands-on cooking class
at an 18th century Domaine (farmhouse) surrounded by a pine
forest, vineyards and olive trees near St. Remy-de-Provence.
This spectacular settings creates the perfect inspiration
for the delicious cuisine and local recipes we'll prepare
together. There will be time to enjoy a glass of local wine
and stroll the grounds. Following class, a gourmet feast of
the recipes prepared together in class with wine pairings.
Day 6
Tour Conclusion - B
Buffet breakfast. Trip concludes today with a NOON arrival
to Avignon TGV Rail Station. We can also provide earlier returns
to the Avignon TGV station for Guests returning directly to
the Charles de Gaulle Airport.
Call Exclusive
Wine Vacations for more information
845-485-7221
877-485-7221
travel@exclusivewinevacations.com
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