(Option: Customized Itineraries)
Languedoc, France - 6 nights
Available April to November (excluding August) - Sunday to Saturday
Join a native Languedocienne on a culinary journey in this little known corner of southern France, nestled between the Camargue region to the east and the French Catalonian Pyrenees to the southwest. Your hostess was part of the original group who started the Food Network and was a producer of a restaurant program and some other related series. You will discover this singular historic region rich in traditions, art, architecture and culture and meet some remarkable personalities and spirited characters, from local chefs and winemakers to artists and artisans, all of whom are passionate about their craft and their land.
You will experience hands-on cooking classes, exclusive winery tours and tastings, shopping at local food markets and, of course, remarkable meals. You will stay in an elegant bed and breakfast with newly renovated en-suite bedrooms in the center of a lovely typical Languedocien village with a peaceful large garden and pool, and several hiking trails along the village and along the Canal du Midi.
The cooking classes will focus on traditional and innovative regional cuisine with an emphasis on local produce.
The six night program combines the best this region has to offer. It is designed as an insider’s guide to the vibrant markets, oyster and spectacular seafood, and olive oil and cheese producers. The program includes five hands-on cooking classes, as well as tastings of the traditional charcuterie and cheeses, and, of course, visits to wineries. You will also enjoy dining out in local bistros and fine establishments, and meet winemakers, in between sightseeing and shopping.
SIX NIGHT SAMPLE ITINERARY
DAY ONE - SUNDAY
ARRIVAL & WELCOME DINNER
Arrival at the airport or train station (see note).
Transfer to your lovely accommodation.
Welcome aperitif followed by dinner.
DAY TWO - MONDAY
VINEYARD TOUR & COOKING CLASS
Breakfast.
In the morning, you will meet a winemaker. After a guided tour of his vineyard, you will enjoy a comprehensive wine tasting followed by a lunch at the vineyard.
The afternoon will be free to spend as you wish before the evening cooking class and dinner.
DAY THREE - TUESDAY
BEZIERS - CANAL DU MIDI - OLIVE MILL - COOKING CLASS
Visit of Beziers in the morning. After a quick tour of the historical center, we will stop at Les Halles, a small indoor market, where we’ll purchase what we need for our cooking class.
Lunch will take place during a cruise on the beautiful Canal du Midi dating back to 1679 while enjoying some the magnificent sites of the Languedoc. You’ll visit an olive oil mill on the way back. You will have time to relax in the afternoon before the evening cooking class and dinner.
The afternoon will be free to spend as you wish before the evening cooking class and dinner.
DAY FOUR - WEDNESDAY
TRUFFLE DAY
This morning, head to a wine estate for a special truffle day. First meet a truffle expert at a recently-renovated old wine estate. You will learn how truffles are grown, how to cultivate them, and what to look for when purchasing this delicacy.
Next, follow a trained truffle hunting dog into the nearby woods. Savor the opportunity to sample different types of truffles following their season. The cooking class of the day will take place at the estate and it will be all about truffles.
After a time to relax, dinner will be at a wine bar for a relaxed evening.
DAY FIVE - THURSDAY
NARBONNE MARKET - WINERY - COOKING CLASS
The day will begin with a leisurely stroll through Narbonne and shop at the bustling halles, the indoor market in the center of town. You will enjoy lunch at a restaurant featuring local seasonal produce.
On the way back, you will stop at one of La Clape wineries, a little-known appellation at the edge of the Mediterranean.
The rest of the afternoon will be free to spend at your own leisure before starting the informal evening cooking class and dinner in the evening.
DAY SIX - FRIDAY
SHOPPING & COOKING CLASS
You will stroll through the magnificent town of Pézenas and its many artisanal shops.
Lunch will be served at one of the town’s leading regional restaurants.
After some time to relax, the day will conclude with the evening cooking class and festive dinner.
DAY SEVEN - SATURDAY
DEPARTURE
Breakfast
Transfer to the airport or train station.
We hope you had a marvelous time in this wonderful part of France!
*The content or order of the itinerary may change depending on dates, availability of services or activities, local festivals/holidays, weather constraints, etc. Menus are samples and may vary according to the season
GROUP SIZE
A minimum of 2 participants is required to run this tour and the tour is limited to a maximum of 6 participants.
(The number of participants refers to how many persons are required to run the tour, not to how many persons you must have in your party. Please inquire.)
HOW TO ARRIVE
Closest Airports: Montpellier, 1 hour from the house. Beziers, where several low-cost airlines fly-in from different European cities on a regular schedule - 30 minutes from the accommodation.
Closest Train Station: Beziers train station - 15 minutes from the accommodation.
Note: You can also fly to Barcelona and take a train to Narbonne station 30 minutes to the accommodation (The train ride is about 2hrs). Clients can also rent a car in Barcelona; the ride to the accommodation is about 3hrs.
*These details are provided as additional information. Please check below to see if transfers are included in this tour.
2020 Fees Per Person
Double Room/US$3450
NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
*Pricing may vary depending on market fluctuation
Deposit
After availability is confirmed, a 30% non-refundable deposit per person and the completed and submitted registration form will secure your reservation. Final payment is due no later than 75 days before your arrival date.
2020 Dates
April 19-25
May 10-16
May 24-30
June 7-13
June 21-27
July 5-11
September 6-12
September 20-26
October 4-10
October 18-24
*Please inquire about alternate dates
Included
SIX NIGHT PROGRAM
*Transfer to and from Montpellier airport, Beziers airport, Beziers train station or Narbonne train station
*Six (6) nights' accommodation with breakfast
*Transportation during all excursions
*All tastings
*Five (5) hands-on cooking classes
*All meals with wine
NON RESIDENTIAL DAY COOKING CLASS
*Hands-on cooking class
*Lunch with wine tasting
Airfare and personal expenses are not included.
For further inquiries or to register, click here.
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CANCELLATION POLICY
Please contact us for cancellation policy information. Travel insurance is highly recommended.
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This exciting region is depicted below. You can also access Google MapsTM by clicking HERE.
*In some cases mapping may give clients a general sense of location due to changes in venue. Please inquire about specific location.
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