Escapades in Provence
April to October for 2-6 people
Gourmet Escapades specialises in personally guided bespoke holidays ideal to enjoy with family and friends. Unique, off the tourist trail and always about the food and wine, Karen will be your host as you savour the Provençal lifestyle...
buying seasonal produce at the local village markets,
cooking regional dishes with Karen and French chefs,
dining in local restaurants from brasserie to Michelin Star,
tasting award-winning wines with the winemakers,
savouring the delicacies of the region,
enjoying lunch in a typical Provençal mas (farmhouse)
accompanied by wine from their vineyard,
stylish picnics in the countryside of Les Alpilles,
join a master sommelier in his 13th century cellar for a chef's table lunch and wine pairing, vintage shopping, painting en plein air, enjoy sundown each evening with an apertif on the apartment terrace overlooking the village rooftops and beyond...
We have included a suggested itinerary of 5 nights to whet your appetite. We also offer weekend getaways or linger longer... we'll completely cater to your interests and your heart's desire.
Sample 5 night/6 day itinerary
from €2,800pp all inclusive*
Transfers to and from Avignon TGV or Marseille airport.
Provençal style breakfast of seasonal fruits, yoghurts with daily delights selected from the village boulangerie.
Day 1 arrival in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence where your gourmet escapade begins with a champagne welcome. A delicious Provençal dinner served with local wines awaits at Karen's home, la Maison des Coeurs.
Day 2
Morning tour of Saint Rémy’s vibrant weekly market where we will shop for dinner tonight. Then a drive over Les Alpilles past olive groves and vineyards to enjoy our 4 course seasonal lunch in a typical Provençal mas (farmhouse) accompanied by wines from their vineyard. On the way home to Saint Rémy we will experience the spectacular Carrières de Lumières art show. Dinner tonight will be a variety of delicacies inspired by the morning's market accompanied by local wines.
Day 3
Morning tour of Les Halles (the indoor food market) in Avignon where we buy our ingredients for today's cooking class at the apartment. We’ll prepare and cook our terrines and dessert for tomorrow's gourmet picnic and make a pissaladière for lunch. Afternoon tour of the artisans of Saint Rémy including the chocolatier and biscuitier. Dinner tonight will be at one of Karen's favourite restaurants in Saint Rémy including wine from a local chateau.
Day 4
Morning tour of nearby village market and wine tasting at a secluded wine chateau, choosing wine for our picnic to have beside a pretty stream in the countryside. Cheese and baguettes purchased at the market will accompany our terrines made in yesterday's class. After lunch we'll drive through olive groves to visit a local moulin for our olive oil tasting. Aperitif on the terrace of the apartment before driving to a picturesque mountain village for dinner at a favourite family-run restaurant with wines from the region.
Day 5
This morning's drive is to a nearby brocante (antique market) where irresistable treasures abound, antique linen, silverware, vintage fashion and jewellery... Appetiser of prawns and freshly shucked oysters at the market (when in season) and lunch on a nearby café terrace including wine. Afternoon drive to Chateauneuf-du-Pape for wine degustations with our friends, a winemaker in his vineyard and a master sommelier in his 13th century cellar tasting some of the finest wines from this famous region. More wine will accompany your degustation dinner at one of the finest restaurants in Saint Rémy.
Day 6
Fond farewell after breakfast.
* Twin share. Land content only. Airfares, train fares not included.
