nashville
edible
Farm-To-Table Travel Series
THE BEST OF PROVENCE
Saturday - Saturday,
1st - 8th October 2022
Welcome to Provence, one of the most breathtaking regions of France! This journey has been carefully designed for guests of Edible Nashville's "Farm-To-Table Travel Series". Roam Aix-en-Provence, the enchanting city of a thousand fountains. Discover the fabled lounges once frequented by legendary artists, including, Picasso, Edith Piaf, Paul Cézanne. Explore the lovely Provençal countryside. Meet the owners of an authentic cheese farm and learn the intricate art of cheese making. Discover Camargue, the French Wild West, and the famous “Manade”, the herdsmen. Experience their traditions and unique culinary specialties. Enjoy gourmet food tours in the colorful markets of Marseille. Learn the secret ingredients from your private chefs during your enjoyable cooking classes. Explore family vineyards in medieval villages. Dine on sumptuous cuisine and delectable wines. Hike verdant National Parks, and if you enjoy cruising, enjoy an opportunity of a life time to experience an unforgettable sunset cruise in Les Calanques.
Guided by the best local guides, find your inner passion in Provence.
DAY 1- SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1ST
Aix en Provence
Welcome to beautiful Provence!
On your arrival, you will be met by your guide.
Board your private coach from the station/airport to your charming hotel in Aix-en-Provence.
Upon arrival enjoy a welcome dinner in a favourite restaurant, a nice moment to review the program of the week with your guide.
Overnight in Aix-en-Provence
DAY 2 - SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2ND
Aix en Provence
After breakfast, meet your Chef in the lobby.
The Chef will take you on a gourmet tour round the traditional fruit and vegetable market in the beautiful historical center of Aix-en-Provence. Stroll through the colorful stands and take in the smells and sounds of the French art-de-vivre. Taste as you go along and watch how your Chef carefully picks and chooses the best seasonal products for your healthy and tasty cooking class. The Chef will welcome you to his kitchen where you will prepare your best Provençal lunch ever!
Later this afternoon, head to a famous Chateau and admire the beauty of the site enhanced by numerous pieces of world-famous artists, such as Tadao Ando, Jean Nouvelle, Bourgeois, etc.
Enjoy a wine tasting after the visit of the amazing cellar designed by Jean Nouvelle. Overnight in Aix-en-Provence.
DAY 3 - MONDAY, OCTOBER 3RD
Saint-Rémy de Provence
After breakfast, meet your guide in the lobby.
This morning, head to Saint Rémy de Provence (approx. 1 hr. drive).
In the lovely Provençal countryside, meet the owners of an authentic cheese farm. Listen to their stories about their daily life . This is also a great chance to taste and learn about all the different cheeses and products of the farm.
Enjoy a convivial lunch.
After lunch, your guide will take you on a visit to St-Paul de Mausole where the post-Impressionist artist Van Gogh spent the last years of his life.
End your day with an olive oil tasting at a local mill. In this mill, at the foot of the Château des Baux, the owners combine know-how, passion, exacting standards, technique and all of their olive farmers’ sensibility to create intensely powerful olive oils year after year, for pleasure constantly renewed.
Return to your hotel in Aix-en-Provence.
Dinner at leisure and overnight in Aix-en-Provence.
DAY 4 - TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4TH
Day at leisure in Aix en Provence
Breakfast at your hotel
This is an Optional Excursion. It will be an additional cost to you should you choose to book it:
Morning hike in the Sainte-Victoire mountain. A symbol of Provence, the major landmark of the Aix Region and Cézanne’s muse, Sainte-Victoire Mountain reaches an altitude of 1011 meters. A perfect area for walking, it can be explored along its paths peppered with dry stone walls. Head back to Aix-en-Provence for lunch and afternoon at leisure.
In Aix-en-Provence take the time to take a last stroll through the lively streets and take advantage of this time for shopping around, take a seat in a nearby cafe and enjoy the view.
Overnight in Aix-en-Provence
DAY 5 - WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5TH
Camargue
Enjoy breakfast and meet your guide at the hotel.
Drive to the natural park reserve of Camargue, the French Wild West. Camargue is mainly made up of lakes and marshland. It is home to more than 400 species of birds, including the elegant flamingo that colors the horizon pink. Encounter the majestic Camarguais bulls and the typical white and spotted horses. You will discover and learn all about the famous “manade” : the herdsman, the herd of bulls, the horses and the different sports and activities around them. You will experience Camargue traditions and of course, their food that you will taste in a lovely convivial meal with a wide choice of specialties : tapenade, paëlla royale, gardiane de taureau (bull’s meat), rice from Camargue, Sangria….
After this exotic day, board your private coach and drive back to Aix-en-Provence. Dinner at leisure and overnight in Aix-en-Provence.
DAY 6 - THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6TH
Marseille
Breakfast at your hotel
This morning, you will head to Marseille.
Meet your Chef at the fish market on the Old Port. A real Marseille institution, this small, vibrant market is held on the quai des Belges on the Old Port, where you can buy the catch of the day fresh off the boat - expect red mullet, bream, grouper - and have it weighed and cleaned for you while you wait. This is where local restaurateurs source fish for the day's bouillabaisse. Your Chef will then drive you to his home for a typical cooking-class. You will cook and enjoy several of the true & home-made Marseille specialties.
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Afternoon activity:
This is an Optional Excursion. It will be an additional cost to you should you choose to book it:
2-hour cruise in the breathtaking Parc National des Calanques, an area of incredible beauty, diverse landscapes and unique cultural heritage.
Return to your hotel in Aix-en-Provence.
Dinner at leisure and overnight in Aix-en-Provence.
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DAY 7 - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7TH
Avignon
After breakfast at your hotel, meet your guide in the lobby.
This morning, we head to Avignon, a magnificent medieval city dominated by the impressive Popes’ Palace.
You will start your visit of the city with Les Halles, Avignon’s covered Provençal market. You will then visit the Pope’s Palace. In the 14th century, Avignon was the most important city in Europe. It was the seat of the Catholic church, represented in spectacular style by the Palais des Papes.
After this morning visit, enjoy lunch in a local restaurant in Avignon.
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This is an Optional afternoon activity. It will be an additional cost to you should you choose to book it.
2-hour kayak in L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
Tonight, to celebrate a great week in Provence, enjoy a farewell dinner in a lovely local restaurant.
Transfer back to your hotel after dinner.
Overnight in Aix-en-Provence
DAY 8 - SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8TH
Departure
After breakfast check out of your hotel.
Meet your guide in the lobby.
Group transfer to the airport/train station.
Bon Voyage!
COST
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Per person cost in EUROS, based on double occupancy:
8 paying participants is 4600€* per person
10 paying participants is 4300€* per person
12 paying participants is 4060€* per person
14 paying participants is 3950€* per person
16 paying participants is 3830€* per person
Single room supplement is an additional = 1500€
(Today's Exchange Rate EUR €1 = USD$1.03)
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USD $1500 per person non-refundable deposit due at time of booking.
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Your reservation is not confirmed or guaranteed until the deposit has been applied.
Please telephone or email to confirm availability.
Final is due 60 days prior departure.
Exclusive Small Group Tour
Minimum 8 participants - Maximum 16 participants.
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Travel with complete medical coverage and protect your trip investment with Travel Insurance.
Each participant must provide a copy of their travel insurance within14 days of applying the trip deposit.
Please enquire about travel insurance at time of booking.
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8 - 16 participants, it will be a minibus with a guide.
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THE TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:
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7-night accommodation in Aix-en-Provence, Le Pigonnet, or similar:
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with breakfast and city tax included,
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Activities and visits mentioned above
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Cooking Class with Lunch on day 2,
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Convivial lunch at cheese farm in Saint Rémy de Provence on day 3,
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Lunch in Camargue on day 5,
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Cooking Class with lunch in Marseille on day 6
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Lunch in Avignon on day 7
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Dinner at local restaurant on day 1 & day 7 (3-course menu) in Aix-en-Provence
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Wine, mineral water and coffee are included -
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One English-speaking licensed guide for the following services:
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Half-day on day 1 & 8
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Evening on day 1 & 7
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Full day on day 2, 3, 5, 6, & 7
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Private luxury coach with driver throughout the tour from arrival in Aix-en-Provence train station/ Marseille airport on day 1 to drop off in Aix-en-Provence train station/ Marseille airport on day 8. No services in the evenings (except on day 7) and on day 4.
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1 small bottle of water per person and per day is included,
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Driver and waiters’ gratuities
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THE TOUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
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Guide gratuities,
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International flights or any fees related to it,
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Airfare from the US to Marseille, France and from Marseille, France to the US & passport fees,
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Personal expenses such as excess or overweight baggage charges, laundry, telephone, email, room services,
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Individual travel insurance, baggage/ personal accident insurance, medical expenses, (Trip Insurance is required by each participant). Please enquire at time of booking
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Meals not specified in the itinerary,
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Availability of Guide and Coach other than services described in the above offer,
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Entrance fees/visits/activities not specified in the itinerary,
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Optional excursions or deviations from the scheduled tour,
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Any other service that is not listed under the « the price includes » section
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