6. WINING & DINING IN AVIGNON Food and wine are culinary stars in France; fresh produce and bountiful vineyards are nurtured by a great climate and talented gourmet chefs! Take home some secrets of heavenly French cooking when you accompany our chef on a buying trip to a local market in Avignon. Each region has its own specialties; in Provence, fresh herbs and vegetables — and flavourful, locally produced goat cheese — send your taste buds to nirvana! Learn the tricks of the trade as you help the chef prepare a traditional meal in a hands-on cooking lesson. Then learn the finer points of wining and dining when a professional sommelier guides you through a tasting and pairing of fine Rhône wines for your multi-course mid-day meal. This is truly an authentic taste of the “art de vivre”! Walk it off during a guided tour of Avignon’s most imperious landmark, going inside the breathtaking 14th-century Palais des Papes, before exploring this walled city of culture and history on your own. Meals BL
7. LES BAUX & VAN GOGH Vincent van Gogh was endlessly inspired by the region’s pastoral scenes and light, once saying, “The whole future of art is to be found in the South of France.” His work changed from nature paintings to impressionism during his years here, intoxicating him with visions that eventually seduced his mind. Get a better idea of what went on inside his head from van Gogh scholar Mathilde Duvilliers when you visit the asylum that he called home, Saint- Paul-de-Mausole. An afternoon excursion to an olive mill offers a different look at the countryside, rewarding with a taste of olive oil! The feast for your senses continues at Les Baux and medieval Vallon de la Fontaine, followed by a festive farewell dinner. Meals BD
8. AU REVOIR, PROVENCE Tour ends: Marseille. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from Hostellerie du Vallon to Marseille Provence Airport. Allow three hours for flight check-in. Meals B
Chic Boutiques (small luxury hotels))
LE PIGONNET Aix-en-Provence, Nights 1 & 2
This quintessential 18th-century Provençal mansion, lush with flowering gardens, has been family owned and operated since 1924, and is steps from elegant Cours Mirabeau in the city of fountains
HOSTELLERIE LE PHEBUS Joucas, Nights 3 & 4
A stone farmhouse nestled between
beautiful hilltop villages... award-winning Provençal cuisine... and telescopes that
invite intimate encounters with a starlit sky. An elite member of Relais & Chateaux
Price from $3490 per person double Meals 7 Breakfasts / 2 Lunches / 3 Dinners Dates 2011 Apr — Jun; Aug — Oct
Activities at a glance
Some days include 2-4 miles of walking up steep hills or on uneven terrain and beginner kayaking. The pace is up to you – take part or take a pass – either way you’ll enjoy your journey.
Maximum Group Size: 22
For complete dates and prices or more information on private group departures, air, & our guest protection product, visit www.
culturious.com
HOSTELLERIE DU VALLON St-Rémy-de-Provence, Nights 5, 6 & 7
Inspiring with soul-stirring views of Chaines
des Alpilles, sun-dappled gardens, authentic Provençal decor and innovative regional
cuisine, this hotel reflects the high standards of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World
Check out the photos at
www.culturious.com 19
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