Departure from USA for an overnight transatlantic flight to Paris or another city in Europe
Arrival Paris CDG (or another city in Europe). After going through customs and immigration you will connect and board your flight to Marseille. Group transfer by coach to Avignon.
Should you prefer to travel individually, the group will meet in Avignon which can be reached easily from Paris by TGV, the fast French train.
Check-in at the charming, centrally-located HOTEL DE L’HORLOGE for 3 nights
Welcome dinner at a restaurant featuring typical Provencal cuisine close to the hotel.
3 Course Superior Menu with a Glass of wine, coffee and mineral water.
Hands-on cooking class in the morning: Go with the Chef to the local market and prepare the menu based on today’s fresh ingredients for lunch, which will include wine, water and coffee.
Guided walking tour of the old fortified city of Avignon in the afternoon including a visit to the Pope’s Palace.
Full day guided tour of the “Provence Romaine.” See the famous “Pont du Gard,” a Roman aqueduct from the first century BC.; 12 miles North of the aqueduct is the city of Nimes, now part of Occitanie, but historically still part of Southern Provence: walking tour including the famous Maison Caree and memories of Thomas Jefferson.
Free time for lunch on your own in this charming little town.
Return to Avignon for dinner at a local restaurant.
Departure for Carpentras, capital of Comte Venaissin, often residence to the Popes: walking tour including the Jewish quarter and the synagogue.
Free time for lunch before driving to the Alps of Haute Provence where for 2 nights we will enjoy the warm atmosphere of the Relais Chateaux, in Chateau-Arnoux.
Diner at the local Bistro.
Full day excursion to the Lake of Serre Poncon, one of the largest artificial lakes in Europe.
Enjoy a tour of Embrun, where we will visit the “Maison Eyriey” founded in 1902, one of the best chocolate masters in France. Boat excursion on the lake
Return to “La Bonne Etape” for another delicious dinner
Morning drive to go to Lourmarin to spend the day in the Luberon Mountains where you will learn everything about truffles
First you will learn how truffles grow, how they are farmed, and how they are hunted. You will walk with the dogs in search of the precious tuber. After hopefully finding a trove of truffles, you will visit the rest of the farm with its wild herbs, vineyards, olive groves, and beehives. You’ll return to the outdoor farm kitchen, to eat three different hors d’oeuvre with truffles, followed by truffle ice cream with truffle honey, and finally a tasting of organic extra-virgin olive oil, truffle oil and truffle salt, accompanied by as much Champagne as you care to drink. During the tasting you will learn how to buy truffles and truffle products, clean them, store them and prepare them.
Lunch close to the truffle farm in the little village of Cadenet.
Check-in to a charming country inn in the heart of the small village of Lourmarin for 1 night.
Late afternoon will be spent with locals sharing their “apero”and playing their favorite sport: “La Petanque” .
Dinner on your own.
Today’s excursion starts in “Les Baux de Provence,” a magnificent mountaintop village with a fascinating history. Free time to stroll through the fortified village and to enjoy the “Carriere des Lumieres,” a sound and light” art show inside the old quarry.
Lunch in the countryside, at a former hunting lodge surrounded by hilly olive groves
We’ll spend the afternoon in Saint Remy de Provence. Guided tour to visit the Monastery St-Paul-de-Mausole where Van Gogh stayed for nearly one year, the old town with a stop to taste and learn about the making of Lilamand candied fruit.
Arriving in Arles, check-in at your hotel in Arles for 3 nights and enjoy a free evening.
Walking guided tour of Arles in the morning. Learn more about this Roman city with its intact coliseum and its history of Van Gogh’s who stayed there in 1888 – 1889
Free time for lunch on your own
In the afternoon, visit LUMA, the spectacular new Art Center of Arles designed by Frank Gehry, the renowned Canadian-American architect who collaborated on designing the futuristic Tower with business woman, collector, art patron, and impresario, Maja Hoffman.
Dinner at a local restaurant
Full day guided excursion through the plain of Camargue in the Delta of the Rhone where you will see the white horses of the region, the bulls and the flamingos. Taste local specialties such as the Fougasse d’Aigues Morte and Saucisson d’Arles. See “ Les Saintes Maries de la Mer”, capital of Camargue famous for the gathering place of the Gypsy festivals
In Aigues Morte, walk around the remparts and inside the “salins” (salt basins).
Group transfer to Marseille airport.
All passports must expire at least six months after the trip’s end-date, so after April 28, 2025.
This itinerary is subject to possible changes or adjustments due to weather and traffic conditions or other unpredictable events. We will make every effort to ensure that any substitutions are of equal value and interest.
This custom tour was created for Aliza Green Culinary & Cultural Tours
www.alizagreen.com, spice@alizagreen.com
Reservations are made through Celestial Voyagers
Your safety and comfort are our top priorities and final confirmation of hotels will depend on a careful selection related to the appropriate health regulations.
Proposed hotels:
$6750 sharing in a twin room
Single supplement $965
$750 deposit at the time of reservation
Final payment due : Friday, August, 2, 2024
| Your airline ticket to Provence should be a round trip to Marseille, France This trip is a land only program. You can book your airline ticket prior to travel. Celestial Voyagers is an IATA licensed tour operator. We will be able to advise the best schedule, the best routing and best value for your ticket. Please contact us before booking your flights. Should you choose to purchase your airline ticket on your own, please provide us with a copy of your schedule. You may have to book additional private transfers between the airport and your hotel. |
Celestial Voyagers Terms and Conditions relate to specific contracts with various suppliers. The policies and regulations below must be strictly enforced.
Aliza Culinary & Cultural Tours, Celestial Voyagers and all their partners in Provence will surpass your expectations and deliver a trip of superior quality.
We may adjust the program, but we will commit to creating the best possible program for guests with safety, comfort, and ease as our top priorities.
DEPOSIT & PAYMENTS
A deposit of $750 is paid on line at time of registration and will guarantee your space and the type of room you wish to reserve. We do recommend registering as soon as possible.
Final payment is due by Friday, August 2, 2024.
Should you register after Friday, August 2, 2024, full payment is due; deposit can be paid on line and the balance due should follow as soon as you receive your invoice.
CANCELLATION BY THE PARTICIPANT:
Your deposit is refundable up to Friday, July 19, 2024 minus $350 processing fee.
For cancellation received in writing between Saturday, July 20, 2024 and Monday, August 5, 2024 the deposit is non refundable.
For cancellation received in writing between Tuesday, August 6, 2024 and Tuesday, September 3, 2024 the penalty is 50 % of the trip value.
For cancellation received in writing after Tuesday, September 3, 2024 and in case of no show the penalty is 100% of the trip value.
Should you be able to provide a new participant to take your place the name change fee will be waived and no penalty will apply.
We highly recommend to take a travel insurance to protect yourself from these penalties.
CANCELLATION BY TOUR OPERATOR:
All trips will operate with a minimum of 6 participants. We do recommend whenever you can to register early.
If by Friday, August 2, 2024 the minimum number of participants has not been reached the trip will be postponed and you will receive a full refund.
Travel Insurance is highly recommended
We advise all travelers to purchase travel insurance in case of any unforeseen circumstances and if you are no longer able to travel. We offer the following insurance policies through Allianz Travel Insurance: Basic, Classic, and Classic with cancel anytime. Prices vary with age and amount insured. Click on the link below for more details:
https://keyword.celestialvoyagers.com/leisure/leisure-insurance-passports-visas/
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Passport
Most countries require that a passport be valid for six months beyond the completion of a trip. If your passport expires before April 28, 2025, you must apply to renew your passport.
Visa
If you are not a US citizen please check with the consulate of Morocco or a visa agency for the latest requirements. You will also need a re-entry permit to return to the USA.
Aliza Green is a renowned chef, an award-winning author of 15 cookbooks, and a certified tour director who is experienced in planning and leading international culinary tours. She loves to share her deep culinary knowledge, her fascinating stories, and kitchen tips and tricks gained from her extensive experience in the kitchen.