Truffles, Wine & Provencal Cuisine Tour

Today is arrival day…pick-up at the Marseille airport (Avignon TGV arrivals possible with cost of Uber transfer).  Upon arrival we make our way to the Luberon Region where we’ll be staying for the first 3 nights.  A lovely B&B that feels like a home in the charming small town L’Isle sur la Sorgue.  From the B&B you have an easy stroll to quaint boutiques, antique shops, cafés and the picturesque canal-lined streets.  After checking in, Emily will guide you on a historical tour of the town. You then have free time to visit the shops and antique flea market going on this day.   This evening we dine at a cozy countryside restaurant. 

Dinner included

Let the celebration begin…with a day exploring the Cotes-du-Rhone region and its wines; Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas & Vacqueyras AOC wineries.  Meet the growers, private tastings, walk in the vineyards, gourmet lunch, possibility to ship wine home.  Return to the B&B later afternoon for some R&R or choose to take a stroll in town.  Dinner this evening at a quaint bistro in L’Isle. 

Lunch & dinner included

Today is our day to discover the black winter truffle in the high hills of the Luberon Region.  We’ll meet Nicolas at the top of the hill and he’ll drive us down his bumpy dirt road in his 4×4 car to reach the secluded farm house and truffle tree plantations.  After going out to find our truffles with his dog, we come back to the his farmhouse kitchen for the most unforgettable truffle meal you will ever have.  Later afternoon we’ll digest our truffles with a countryside walk amongst the ochre hills (in the village Roussillon) and also in the beautiful village Gordes.   This evening we will enjoy a casual dinner at the B&B with some of our wines from the day before.

Truffle lunch & casual B&B dinner included

We are changing regions today.  Before making our way south to Aix, where we’ll stay for the next 4 nights, we’ll be immersing ourselves in the quaint town of Saint Remy for a hands-on cooking class.  Our chef will guide us through the market as we gather the fresh ingredients we’ll need for lunch. Then after a little cooking, learning and fun, we’ll sit down and enjoy the results of our efforts.  We’ll arrive at our Aix hotel later in the afternoon, with time to freshen up and relax.  After a brief orientation tour of the town, we’ll sit down together for drinks and a casual bistro dinner beside the famous Rotonde Fontaine. 

Cooking lesson lunch and casual bistro dinner included

This morning we roll up our sleeves to see just how talented we are in making French patisseries. Chef Clément will share his tricks of the trade as he teaches us the art of making delicate, delicious macarons.  The afternoon is yours to enjoy at your leisure in the heart of the city (where the workshop is and where the market will be going on until about 1:30 pm).  Late afternoon, we’ll meet in the hotel lobby to take off for a short drive to Sainte Victoire Mountain, the iconic landscape so often captured in Cézanne’s paintings.  From there, we’ll enjoy a peaceful 30-minute walk through the forest to one of the scenic lookout points.  Dinner this evening is at your leisure. 

Meals at your leisure today…

Oh to see the Mediterranean blue during winter when the air is so pure!  Let us venture on the Calanques near Cassis, stroll the fishing port, and take a boat out to the everlasting blues of the sea.  After our efforts of taking in the remarkable beauty, we’ll sit down at a café for a seafood lunch accompanied with the famous Cassis white wine.  Before going back to Aix, we’ll take a scenic drive to the tall cliff, Cap Canaille, overlooking the Cassis Bay. This evening we’ll gather to eat at one of Aix’s quaint gourmet bistros. 

lunch & dinner included

This morning we’ll meet our chef for a market tour in Aix, where we’ll select the fresh local ingredients for our Provencal home-cooked lunch.  Before arriving at his home, we’ll make a stop at a local winery to choose our wine to accompany our meal.  Lunch will be a leisurely affair, stretching into the afternoon and serving as our farewell meal together.  This evening, relax and enjoy your finals hours at your leisure.  Tomorrow your next adventure starts (transfers in the morning to Aix TGV or Marseille airport)

Cooking lesson lunch included