* About the location: Michael and Laurence Altman will welcome you into their charming Mas de L’Hermitage, in the heart of the Var countryside. The Var is the heartland of Provence, with a soft, enveloping countryside of woods, vines, lakes and waterfalls, and wonderful picturesque medieval villages, yet still a short distance from the sea. Michael, a food and wine expert with 25 years experience in the catering industry, and his French wife Laurence, an antiques and art specialist, will host you to a week of culinary and cultural heaven!
Your accommodation will be a selection of one of the bedrooms with en-suite facilities at the Mas, a large provençal style house, which overlooks Côtes de Provence vineyards, olive groves and the beautiful Esterel Mountains. Meals are taken in the charming kitchen, or weather permitting, outside on the terrace. You will find yourselves sharing a friendly personal and informal experience, “façon provençal.” Every effort is made to accommodate your varied needs, tastes and interests, and your hosts are always at hand to give helpful advice and pointers in the hope that you enjoy visiting Provence as much as they love living here.
* About the cooking lessons: "Cooking is all about feeling, smelling and creating," says Michael, "and that's the technique I want to pass on to you. By picking the best seasonal ingredients, you're already halfway to a great meal." Michael’s informal hands-on cooking classes are based on local ingredients from the market and most dishes will be savored at dinner that evening. He will add his knowledge of world cuisine to traditional Provençal recipes to create sumptuous dishes, a true delight for the eyes and the taste buds. You will discover the best seasonal produce, where the locals shop, how to choose the perfect cheese right from the farm, and how to prepare regional specialties, along with hints and tips to take back for enlivening your own daily cuisine.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1, Saturday:
* Pick up from Nice airport or train station, or the TGV train station at Les Arc Draguignan.
* Arrival at le Mas mid-afternoon, with time to settle in to your accommodation and get to know your surroundings.
* In the evening, an aperitif and welcome dinner.
* Overnight.
Day 2, Sunday:
* After breakfast, depart for le Muy. Visit there market and shop for fresh ingredients for your first cooking class.
* A late lunch in le Muy.
* Return to the property for your evening cooking class, followed by an aperitif and dinner.
* Overnight.
Day 3, Monday:
* Breakfast, followed by a visit to La Bastide de Fonteye, the renowned local fromagerie.
* Following, visit to Cotes de Provence wineries and domains.
* Lunch en route at the "Domaine de la Maurette."
* Return for an aperitif and your second cooking class at 6:00 p.m.
* Dinner to follow at 8:00 p.m. based on your efforts and overnight.
Day 4, Tuesday:
* Breakfast, followed by an early morning visit to the famous market in the notorious town of St Tropez.
* Today's lunch will be in town, with some time to explore the village, port, and of course, window shop!
* Return back to le Mas. Cooking class at 6:00 p.m. followed by an aperitif and dinner at 8:00 p.m.
* Overnight.
Day 5, Wednesday:
* After breakfast, enjoy a morning visit to the "Moulin de Callas," a traditional family run Provençal olive mill, where you will see how olives are pressed and processed into oil.
* Following, a trip into Draguignan for the local market and a light lunch in town.
* Return to le Mas for a 5:30 p.m. cooking class, aperitif and 8:00 p.m. dinner.
* Overnight.
Day 6, Thursday:
* Breakfast, followed by a morning at the colorful market in Lorgues!
* Today's light lunch will be in town.
* Following, an excursion to the villages of Entrecasteaux, Salernes (famous for its ceramics), Tour (a visit to its 11th century church) and finally Flayosc, where you will have an aperitif in the village before your final dinner at "La Vielle Bastide."
Day 7, Friday:
* Breakfast followed by departure, to airport or train station.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Prices:
- US$2810 per person for 2-3 people
- US$2620 per person for 4-6 people
- US$485 single supplement.
Price Includes:
- Six nights B&B accommodation with private bath
- Four hands-on cooking classes
- Six dinners and five lunches with beverages
- Visits and excursions as listed per itinerary
- Wine and cheese tastings
- Round trip transfers to Nice airport or train station, or Les Arcs Draguignan train station.
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