October 10th - 17th 2008

8 days of Grape harvest and cooking classes in Provence

Provence the land of markets, Mediterranean cuisine, lavender beautiful villages and great wines
3 hours south of Paris by bullet train lays one of the most celebrated regions of France. A land producing a bounty of fruit vegetables, great wines, flowers and truffles the black diamonds of France.
 With a small group, you will stay in a wonderful and charming hotel, a former aristocratic private residence. You will experience the regional cooking of Provence after visiting colorful markets. Returning to the hotel we shall prepare in the hotel kitchen with the chef wonderful meals that we shall enjoy while tasting wines from the surrounding vineyards of the southern Rhone.
We shall tour a local vineyard in a horse drawn carriage and have lunch with the winemaker (harvest permitting) outdoor or in the cellar and enjoy the fruit of his labor.
Provence is also known for its very fine olive oil and we shall visit an olive mill and note the differences between various olive oils. The region has many flowers and as such it is also a major producer of many wonderful honeys that we shall taste. Provence is also well known for superb goat cheeses A special dinner will be composed of 13 different cheeses accompanied by appropriate wines.
The area is very rich in history having been settled by the Romans over 2000 years ago. It is sprinkled with medieval castles and historic monuments attesting to its rich and turbulent history. We shall also visit the famous Pont du Gard a 2000 year old Roman aqueduct and the Palace of the Popes in Avignon, a spectacular gothic palace where the popes lived for 100 years in the 14 Th century
A day will be devoted to visiting some of the most beautiful villages in France surrounded by vineyards where the harvest should be in full swing. We shall see the crushing and the fermentation vats and witness the intense activity of this critical time. The vineyards are at the feet of the Mont Ventoux a 6000 feet mountain that will serve as an imposing backdrop.

Day 1

Friday October 10
Depart from Paris or Charles de Gaulle late morning by TGV (bullet train) to Avignon 3hrs ride
Arrive in mid afternoon. Start of the trip.
 Meet your tour director and the bus driver at the Avignon railroad station
Visit of the Pont du Gard a 2000 year old Roman aqueduct and a Unesco world heritage site
Visit of the very interesting museum depicting the history and construction of this spectacular monument
Check in at the hotel the Villa St Victor meet your hosts and owners of this beautiful hotel ,a  former  private residence
Welcome cocktail and dinner

Day 2

Saturday October 11
Drive to the hill town of Uzes to one of the most popular and animated outdoor market in this part of France.
Stroll among the many colorful stands of fresh fruit, vegetables, local cheeses, regional specialties, flowers, fabrics etc

Lunch on your own in a local restaurant. Visit of the beautiful town of Uzes and shopping in the many boutiques Return to the hotel in mid afternoon for a cooking class and dinner

Day 3

Sunday October 12
Drive to L’Isle sur la Sorgue 45 miles away to visit an entire town devoted to antiques. Several hundred of dealers display their treasures. Lunch in a local restaurant on the banks of the Sorgue River on your own.
If time allows we shall stop at the Fontaine de Vaucluse a giant spring where the renaissance Poet Petrarque retired to write, Visit of an antique paper mill powered by a water wheel
Return to the hotel and if you wish see the chef in action.

Dinner at the hotel

Day 4

Monday October 13
Drive to a nearby vineyard visit of the vineyard in a horse drawn carriage, cellar, barrel tasting of the wines and presentation of the wine making process. Lunch with the winemaker outdoor or in the cellar
Return to the hotel and cooking class with chef Stephanne. Visit of the quaint village of St Quentin la Poterie where over 50 ceramic artists live and work. Game of Petanque for those wanting to experience the local sport
13 cheese dinner with wines pairing and a presentation by a sommelier at the hotel or in a private residence 

Day 5

Tuesday October 14
Drive to the foot hills of the famous Mont Ventoux trough the vineyards of Cairanne, Gigondas , Vaqueyras and Beaume de Venise where we shall see the crushing of the grapes and the harvest and taste great wines You will be able to see the influence of the terroir (soil and exposure) and the difference that a short distance can have on the wines of a same region. We shall also visit Seguret an old village where time stood still for the last centuries and recognized as one of the most beautiful villages in France. Return to the hotel, cooking class with chef Stephanne and dinner

Day 6

Wednesday October 15
Drive to Caderousse to the Bastide des Princes for a cooking class and lunch with master chef Pierre Paumel at his restaurant. Visit of Chateau Mont Redon one of the celebrated wines of Chateauneuf du Pape
Drive to Tarascon, home of Souleiado the best producer of the famous Provencal textiles and designs which can be seen in the company museum and store, both are set in an old building complex as an alternative r time permitting visit of the impressive medieval fortress of King Rene a major figure of the area’s ancient history.
Return to the hotel and dinner.

Day 7

Thursday October 16
Drive to Nimes through a very scenic road in the garrigue and a very wild canyon. Nimes is the major city of the area founded by the Romans and it is known for  two spectacularly well preserved Roman buildings: the arenas still used for bullfights, concerts or large public events and a Roman temple the Maison Carree. Shopping in Nimes or visit of the old town market and gardens.
Lunch on your own in Nimes return to the hotel and visit of an old olive oil mill. Tasting of the various oils and products based on olive oil, cosmetics, soaps, tapenade etc
Cooking class and special farewell cocktail and dinner.

Day 8

Friday October 17
Check out of the hotel
Drive to Avignon the city of the Popes where for 100 years in the 14 th century the popes resided after leaving Rome. Visit of the Palace of the Popes and optional Rhone wine tasting in the palace visit of spectacular market and shopping in the many elegant boutiques. Lunch on your own in Avignon. Stroll in the old town or on the Pont d’Avignon made famous by the popular children song or visit one of the beautiful museums.

We look forward to having you join us for an informative, exciting and delicious trip.

Cost per person:

·  $ 3125 standard room double occupancy.
·  $ 200 extra for superior room.
·  $500 extra for single occupancy
·  50 %  deposit must be received to secure the reservation and guarantee prices. The price may be adjusted up or down based on the exchange rate of the Euro vs the Dollar. The cost is based on an exchange rate of $ 1.60 to 1 Euro. Please make your reservation at your earliest convenience, space is limited. Closing date is July 15 2008.
 
The cost includes

·  Accommodation in a luxury hotel for 7 nights
·  7 Breakfasts with freshly baked croissants, breads and a variety of dishes
·  7 Four course gourmet dinners one of which will be a spectacular 6 course
·  3 Cooking classes at the hotel with Chef Stephane and Emmanuel
·  1 Regional specialties cooking class with a master chef followed by a special lunch.
·  One picnic lunch
·  Wine tasting in the wineries, olive oil and honey tasting
·  All admission fees to sites
·  Transportation during the trip. From and to the rail road station on the day of arrival and departure in Avignon.
.
What is not included:

·  Trans Atlantic airfare
·  Train to and from Avignon 
·  Alcoholic beverages at the hotels or restaurants except wine tasting
·  Personal expenses and optional activities
·  Optional gratuities and special services
·  Travel insurance, which is advisable and strongly recommended. Additional costs due to airlines delays, missed connections, strikes or acts of God beyond our control however we shall make every effort possible to help alleviate any unfortunate difficulty .

Communications:

Emmanuel, your tour director has a French portable phone and will be able to be reached at any time. The number will be communicated prior to departure. A list of telephone numbers and email addresses of the hotel(s) will be communicated before departure
Special dietary or physical requirements need to be expressed as soon as possible in order to make the necessary arrangements.
We appreciate referrals. Please feel free to forward this information to friends or relatives or suggest they visit our web site. www.franceculturaltours.com

Rate shown is per person in U.S. dollars, based on double occupancy. It is subject to change without notice due to currency fluctuation or extra charges from our suppliers. Prices are guaranteed once a deposit is received. The rates include the accommodations, meals, and services as described in the day-by-day itinerary hotel taxes, and ground transfers between the rail stations and hotels on days of arrival and departure.

Rates do not include any air or rail transportation, travel protection/cancellation insurance which is suggested, personal expenses, or optional activities and alcoholic beverages except when specified.
Restrictions may apply, including, but not limited to, a minimum number of group participants.
Tabankor Excursions Inc, Emmanuel Roux and/or any of its sub-agents act solely as agents for the companies providing services and facilities to travelers, and they have no responsibility or liability for loss of or damage to property, injury, or death due to errors, omissions, or intentional acts of the companies that provide said services.
Enrolment Terms:

Per person deposit of half of the reservation amount is required to hold space and guarantee rates from currency fluctuations or other unexpected extra charges from our suppliers.
Final payment is due 60 days prior to departure. An invoice will be produced and payment will imply acceptance of the terms and policy.

Cancellation Policy:

• Travel protection/cancellation insurance is strongly recommended.
• Any cancellations will be charged as follows:
• 90-61 days prior to the beginning of the trip = 75% of total per person cost;
• 60 days to 31 days = 50%
• 30 days or less prior to departure = No refund.
• Exceptions to this cancellation policy cannot be made for any reason, including personal emergencies, weather or illness due to the guarantees required by the service providers to insure the services availability.

Please feel free to call or email us with any concern or question you may have
 
Emmanuel Roux at (727)251-1879 or emmanuel@franceculturaltours.com
 
Ready to go? Here's where to send your deposit:
Checks should to be made to Tabankor Excursions Inc.
 Please mail checks to: 2519 Driftwood Rd, St. Petersburg Fl 33705