Delightful Provence

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DELIGHTFUL PROVENCE AT A GLANCE

This original and exclusive Lifestyle Vacations' cooking vacation program features Provence exquisite healthy food, fine wines, traditions, history and exceptional lifestyle. You will explore a region of an exceptional beauty with breathtaking landscapes, perched historic villages, vineyards, lavender fields, olive groves, and much more! You will enjoy Provence for its alive markets, magnificent lights, smells of delicately perfumed fresh air by wild herbs and flowers… for its flavorful cuisine paired with delicate local organic wines. The itinerary has been designed by Corinne Preteur who also escorts this tour.

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LUXURY VILLA ACCOMMODATION

Welcome to Beaumes-de-Venise, a charming Provence village which is reputed for its delicate Muscat naturally sweet wines, organic fruits orchards, vegetables gardens, and sweet life. Beaumes is home-village of La Villa des Dentelles, a luxury guest house nestled in the Ventoux-Provence countryside between woods, vineyards, and saffron gardens. You will be amazed by its panoramic breathtaking view on the Dentelles de Montmirail mountains, especially at the sunset. Unique!

La Villa des Dentelles offers 5 elegantly decorated rooms and suite, with en-suite bathroom equipped with walking shower. Each room or suite is in beige, grey and white colors trends, furnished with stylish antiques and king-size or two single beds. Modern amenities include minibar, safety lock, hairdryer, bathrobe, toiletries, etc. Free WiFi connection in all rooms. The villa has a pool.

COOKING CLASSES & GOURMET EXPERIENCES

Our cooking program includes 3 hands-on classes celebrating the Mediterranean and Provence classics with recipes adapted to home cooks. Provence is a blessed region with tasty organic vegetables, fruits, aromatic herbs, olive oil, goat cheese, honey... and our menus are designed with these local produce, in addition to the Mediterranean fish, the lamb of Sisteron, the free-range chicken of the local farms, etc. Cooking classes are run at La Villa des Dentelles by Chef Marie & Corinne by Chef Jonathan in Avignon and by Chef Jean-Marc in the Luberon. Their long list of accomplishments includes Michelin-star experiences.

All along your classes, and at the market place tour, you will get our precious tips to make your cuisine successful. Teachings include cooking methods and organization rules in the kitchen, balanced menu creations with fresh produces, food and wine pairing exercises, olive oil tastings, and more. ALL classes are taught in English, scheduled in the morning or in the late afternoon to leave time free for visits, resting time, and shopping.

Our menus follow the seasons. Asparagus, artichokes, rhubarb, cherries... start in April. After summer, you are still lucky with berries, peaches, apricots, figs, plums, grapes, pears, tomatoes, eggplants, zucchinis, and more. Sample menus can include pistou soup, pissaladière, ratatouille, tian provençal, petits farcis, spelt risotto, sea bream topped with a black olives crust, sautéed veal with lemon, thyme and green olives... Classic desserts and pastry such as the crème brulée, chocolate soufflé, fruits tarts, clafoutis, profiteroles... will certainly be in the menus too!
Each class is followed by a delicious 3 or 4-course lunch or dinner including an appetizer, a starter, a main course and a dessert, accompanied by wine, and coffee expresso or tea.

TOURS & VISITS

Our authentic Provence covers a territory located north to Avignon at the border of the Drôme county. Here local people welcome you as a guest and a friend not as a tourist.
Corinne will guide you through medieval villages nestled in the awesome sites of Montmirail, Mont Ventoux and the Luberon. You will visit tiny hilltop villages by walking, and meet artists, artisans, and producers who offer “la crème de la crème"…which means the best food. Program includes a visit to a goat cheese farm, and an olive oil mill.
You will visit Avignon and Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and Vaison-la-Romaine millennial town with its Roman and medieval quarters, and enjoy its alive open-air market scheduled on Tuesdays which is one of the biggest in Provence. You will discover quaint Côtes du Rhône wine villages and Beaumes-de-Venise including a guided tour to a winery.

ITINERARY

Day 1 (Sunday) : Welcome to Avignon in Provence!
5pm train station transfer by private car or van.
Check-in at La Villa des Dentelles. Resting time to recover from jet lag.
Welcome aperitif and dinner at the Villa.
Overnight.

Day 2 (Monday) : Hilltop villages walking tour and visit to a winery - Cooking class & dinner
After breakfast, transfer to Gigondas through Les Dentelles de Montmirail scenic route.
Morning visit to a winery followed by lunch in Gigondas.
Afternoon walk through this beautiful hilltop village.
Cooking class starting at 4:30pm for 3 hours, followed by a food & wine pairing tasting dinner.
Overnight.

Day 3 (Tuesday) : Vaison la Romaine (market & village walk) - Cooking class & dinner.
After breakfast, transfer to Vaison. Open-air market walking tour at 10am for about 2 hours.
Lunch in Vaison, followed by a quiet walk through Vaison medieval quarter.
Transfer to La Villa des Dentelles. Resting time.
Cooking class starting at 5:30pm, followed by a tasting dinner accompanied by wine.
Overnight.

Day 4 (Wednesday) : Cooking class & tour to the Luberon
After breakfast, transfer to Coustellet.
Meet Chef Jean-Marc for a farmers market and shopping experience, followed by a hands-on cooking class and of course ending with a gourmet lunch experience on the tree-shaded terrace or in the kitchen depending on the weather.
Afternoon guided walk through Gordes quaint village.
Light dinner at La Villa des Dentelles.
Overnight

Day 5 (Thursday) : Cooking class in Avignon & visit to the Popes Palace or tour to Châteauneuf du Pape
After breakfast, transfer to Avignon. At 9am, meet Chef Jonathan in Les Halles d'Avignon. You will begin by venturing into the market to discuss & build our menu with the Chef, to see what's freshest and to shop for our ingredients. Along the way we'll have a couple of tastings at a some of my favorite purveyors and discussions about the specialties of Provence. You then return to the kitchen which is set on the market and begin preparing the meal which includes a Provencal aperitif, a main course and a dessert. Tasting lunch is accompanied with wine, water and coffee. Program ends by 1:30pm.
Afternoon visit to the Popes Palace (by audioguide) or tour to Chateauneuf du Pape.
Dinner in a traditional restaurant in Caromb, a quaint village nearby La Villa des Dentelles.
Overnight.

Day 6 (Friday) : Avignon TGV station transfer - End of the tour
After breakfast, check out. Transfer to Avignon by private car or van.
End of the tour

PROGRAM PRICE

US$ 3,950 per person (DBL occupancy)
Single supplement: US$ 550

Price includes:
- Round-trip private transfer from/to Avignon TGV station,
- Luxury privately owned villa accommodation,
- All (continental) breakfasts, lunches and dinners,
- 3 hands-on cooking classes followed by food & wine pairing tasting lunch or dinner,
- Market tours and shopping, visits to local producers as detailed in the itinerary,
- Luberon half-day excursion, and picturesque villages guided walks,
- Daily transportation by private car or van,
- Tour is conducted by Corinne or Sophie.

Not included: international airfare from your country, train tickets, drinks in restaurants, personal expenses, personal insurance, and everything which is not mentioned in "price includes".

2021 TOUR DATES

June 27 - July 2 (6 spots left)
October 10-15 (6 spots left)

Tour is confirmed with 2 people, and it's limited to 6 participants. Other dates can be added upon request. Please contact us.

Before booking and paying a deposit, please complete the Contact Form online. Thank you.