Culinary Tour of France

(8 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Paris, Avignon, Aix-en-Provence

This indulgent private tour of France offers the ultimate experience of one of the world's most iconic culinary destinations. Enjoy in-depth private cultural and gastronomic touring while staying at the country's most beautiful and luxurious hotels and resorts. Also gain insider access to some of the finest cuisine and wines in France (and the world) while luxuriating in the sophistication of Paris and the romantic landscapes of Provence.

Begin in Paris. With your sophisticated expert guide, enjoy a private culinary tour of the city according to your interests. Experience epicurean delights at local markets, pastry shops, cheese shops, chocolate stores, tea salons and more. Shop for specialty kitchen utensils, fine tableware and upscale table linens at leading French retailers. One day, take a private lesson in either French baking or French cooking with an expert instructor. Also enjoy private cultural touring according to your interests. Tour the city's most interesting neighborhoods, such as exclusive Ile Saint-Louis, Montmartre or Le Marais, or perhaps see the art treasures of museums such as the Louvre, Musee d'Orsay, l'Orangerie, Centre Pompidou, Fondation Louis Vuitton and other major museums. Or visit smaller specialty museums off the beaten track. In the evenings, reservations will be made for you at favorite neighborhood bistros, refined brasseries and fine-dining restaurants serving traditional French haute cuisine and innovative contemporary gastronomy. Or, if desired, enjoy a reservation at one of the restaurants atop the Eiffel Tower.

Next, transfer to Provence, an enchanting region where fragrant olive oil, aromatic herbs and sun-ripened Mediterranean produce form the backbone of the revered local culinary tradition. During private touring in Avignon, enjoy a cooking class and tour the wonderful main market, the antiques district, and historic attractions such as the Palais des Papes, an imposing fortress-palace from which renegade cardinals once challenged the Vatican.

Next, explore the markets, art attractions and backstreets in Aix-en-Provence. Stay at Chateau La Coste, a beautiful vineyard and winery in the Provence countryside with outstanding contemporary architecture by Jean Nouvel, Tadao Ando and Frank Gehry, and a renowned collection of art by Louise Bourgeois, Andy Goldsworthy and other artists. Enjoy private touring in picturesque Provencal villages, as well as visits to specialty food shops, wineries and cultural sites. Along the way, stop at daily markets to mix with locals buying seasonal fruits and vegetables, fresh and dried herbs such as thyme and lavender, and flavorful dips and spreads such as tapenade (olives), anchoiade (anchovies) and caviar de poivrons (bell pepper).