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Escape to Magical Provence
16 - 25 September 2018
MARSEILLLE
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LOURMARIN
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ROUSSILLON
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CASSIS
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GORDES
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MENERBES
Bienvenue S
ay au revoir to your daily grind and escape to an unforgettable encounter to the South of France.
Imogen Marais, experienced world traveler, in association with Maties Travel, has teamed up with local experts of Provence and assembled a unique tour package very seldom experienced by the typical tourist. Lourmarin, certainly one of the most beautiful villages in the Provence-Alpes-Cote d’ Azur region in Southern France, has been chosen as the base from where you will participate in the daily life of Provence, its local traditions and seasonal highlights. This location allows you to sense the ambience of this sophisticated village, bustling with café, restaurants, galleries and shops that spill out onto the cobbled streets and squares. Wake up to silence, then - wooden shutters opening, footsteps on cobblestones, the church bell tolling and the smell of fresh croissants baking in the nearby boulangerie. Autumn in Provence is quite spectacular when the colours change and the season ripens. The climate is glorious with warm days and mild nights.
Your discovery of Provence will include epicurean experiences at hand-picked restaurants, learning all about truffles, sundowners at a secret spot, an art & music show inside the caves at Les Baux and cooking classes, all while absorbing the history, culture and architecture of the region. From this basket of experiences, you will create your own special memories! In the words of Vicky Archer: “There is something about Provence that I can’t quite understand - it has a way of enveloping you, of transporting you from the every day and it makes you feel as if you are living in slow motion. The rest of the world disappears when I am in Provence … not an intentional decision, but one that just happens.”
Discover architectural masterpieces, regal history and delicious cuisine of Provence. Enjoy mild temperatures up to 25 C as we explore.
Experience the m a g i c o f Provence 10 DAYS FROM R 49 780
PER PERSON SHARING 16 - 25 SEPTEMBER 2018
All international flights and airport taxes are included.
16 - 25 September 2018
INCLUDES
NOTES
o All flights are onboard Air France / KLM in economy class o Meet and greet upon arrival in Marseille by our local host o All transfers in a private vehicle o Accommodation in apartments true Provençal style o All meals during your stay as indicated on the itinerary o All excursions as specified on the itinerary o Personal travel and baggage insurance o Medical, evacuation and travel insurance
o This tour requires a minimum of 10 guests o Prices may be changed without prior notice due to currency fluctuations o Please note that the itinerary is subject to change depending on the weather and other factors o No breakaways can be allowed o Single room supplement R8000
VISA South African nationals require a Schengen visa
EXCLUDES o Visa and passport fees o Drinks not included except where indicated o Service gratuities, telephone bill, laundry and any items of a personal nature
MEET IMOGEN Imogen Marais will be your tour leader. A seasoned world traveller with 25 years experience in the travel industry, Imogen is passionate about combining her love for food, art & culture and travelling and has created this amazing tour which will delight all your senses. page 2
Itinerary
DAY 1 - ARRIVAL Upon arrival in Lourmarin, we will check into our apartments to relax and freshen up. Let’s toast on new friendships and an unforgettable taste/experience of Provence ahead, then enjoy our first dinner in a quaint local favourite - Bistro Nonni. Meals included: Dinner
DAY 2 - 18 September 2018
Foot steps of Cézanne What better way to see the town than through this artist's eyes? We’ll stop at his statue, his place of birth, the apartment where he died, peek into the café where he regularly met his friends, and the highlight will be Atellier
Off with a bang to the charming medieval town of Cucuron! Breakfast at Cucuron market with its distinctive character and unique setting. It all takes place around the dramatic water feature (Place de'Etang) in the centre of the village. Then travel on to Aix-en-Provence – the town is like an outdoor museum with its classical and baroque style architecture, also known as the City of Fountains. We will experience the Cours Mirabeau, one of Europe’s great boulevards with busy sidewalk cafés, shops and restaurants, where you immediately feel like you have been transported to the Champs-Elysées. For lunch, we will feast on baguette, cheese & wine at La Fromagerie Du Passage, a typical Fromagerie and local hot spot.
de Cézanne (his studio). Continue to Hȏtel de Caumont, an elegant 18th century hȏtel located in the historic and aristocratic Mazarin Quarter. With its impeccable detail, it is much more than an art gallery. Visit the Granet Museum which houses the collections of Jean Planque, Renoir, Monet, Picasso, van Gogh, Klee Brague and other renowned artists. Evening at leisure.
Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch Excursions included: Entrance fee to Hȏtel de Caumont
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Bon Appétit
DAY 3 - 19 September 2018 A visit to Marseille - 2nd largest and oldest French city. Today we will learn the ABCs of Provence's signature dish, Bouillabaisse!! 9:30 – Chef Gille’s will meet us at the Old port, where fishermen have sold their catch for generations, to buy our fresh fish and seafood. Then it's off to the Hall of Justice farmers market to stock up on seasonal vegetables, fruits and spices. A stop at his favourite wine shop to buy pairing wines for our lunch.
The rest of the afternoon we will explore Marseille on foot/tourist train. We will visit Notre Dame Basilica - the highest point for amazing views of city and Le Panier, the oldest neighbourhood-which oozes a modern and hip ambience with its eclectic street art. Sundowners and tapas at a secret spot.
Back at his home, the hands-on cooking class begins!! On the shaded patio we will tuck into our Bouillabaisse lunch, with all the traditional accoutrements.
Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch Excursions included: Cooking Class page 5
DAY 4 - 20 September 2018 After breakfast, we'll travel to the quintessential town of St. Remy de Provence and area. Chocolate tasting at Joel du Randt - one of the top ten chocolatiers in France. Monastery Saint-Paul de Mausole, a small, GalloRoman village with its elegant buildings, which was once the home and inspiration of Vincent van Gogh. One of the highlights of the tour- the extraordinary Carrieres de Lumieres (Quarry of light). The sound and light show in Les Baux-de-Provence is housed in an old bauxite quarry. The venue is a cross between museum and theatre with a show that changes each year. This year’s exhibition - Flower Power is an immersive journey in the graphic universe of the sixties. Dinner with a local in the charming town of Tarascon. Our hostess Madame Caroline will share her love and passion for food & wine at Le Mas de Lilou’s table d’hotes, her beautifully restored 19thcentury maison. Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner Excursions included: Carrieres de Lumieres
DAY 5 - 21 September 2018 Lourmarin market day - another highlight of our trip!! With shopping baskets in hand, we hit the vibrant and colourful market on our doorstep! Streets are full of vendors across the plane-lined avenues into the centre of the village.
Much more than food and produce can be found here. There are many other wonderful buys - quality clothes, shoes, handbags, jewelry, handmade pottery and homeware. Also Provençal goods such as French linen by the meter, vintage textiles and tablecloths. Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner page 6
Charm & tradition
DAY 6 - 22 September 2018 Embark on a journey to the romantic hilltop towns and be seduced by the winding roads linking the perched villages. Bonnieux - This village with it’s wonderful view of the Luberon valley was made famous by Peter Mayle's book/movie “A year in Provence”. Browsing in the quaint shops and galleries, enjoy a coffee break at Le Tinel Crêperie for the best crêpes, waffles and home made ice cream!! Head to Menerbes - a village set amid in art and authenticity. Ancient walls, towers, churches and chapels perched on the stoney cliffs. Our next stop, Roussillon will be a memorable experience. Famous for its ochre quarries, you’ll be stunned by the facades of houses and buildings with their shades, from pale lemon to vibrant orange, blood red and every colour in between. Lunch will be served at one of the many gems. Let's not miss out on the village of Gordes -with its unique location, exceptional charm and its typical architecture, home to many movie stars and artists. Houses and buildings of white and grey stone root themselves into the sharp cliffs of the mountain. After this exciting day, we’ll enjoy the evening at leisure. Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch
DAY 7 - 23 September 2018 Today we visit the coastal village of Cassis – at the top of every Provence must see list! A fishing port tucked into a curve along the Mediterranean. It is known for pebbly beaches and its Calangues (narrow inlets framed by steep limestone cliffs). The harbour features picturesque pastel-coloured buildings, sidewalk cafes and restaurants. A visit to a family owned perfumerie, creating fragrances since 1851. Pastis tasting - An anise flavoured spirit and aperitif from France. A leisurely boat trip to the Calangues, on the emerald waters of the Mediterranean. Lunch at one of the lively harbour cafés. Evening at leisure. Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch Excursions included: Boat trip to Calangues page 7
DAY 8 - 23 September 2018 Enjoy a day at leisure to relax and soak up the atmosphere of Lourmarin. Ideal for strolling through the quaint alleys and doing last minute shopping at various clothing/shoe boutiques, unique art galleries, designer jewellery and homeware shops. (September is a perfect month for sales)
Having a coffee or a glass of wine on the square (Place l ’Orneau) at the popular Café Gaby or visit Chateau de Lourmarin, the first Renaissance Chateau in Provence. Raise your glass and toast your journey at a special farewell lunch and bid "À bientôt" to Magical Provence. Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch
DAY 9 - 24 September 2018 Time to say au revoir.
Au Revoir
Our transfer to Marseille Airport will collect us in the early hours of the morning, for our flight to Cape Town via Amsterdam. We will arrive in Cape Town the same day.
M A G I C I T ' S J U S T
I S N ' T I M A G I N A R Y . V E R Y W E L L P L A N N E D .
FOR SPECIALIST ASSISTANCE Imogen 082 850 9118 or email us on imogen@fivegems.co.za Five Gems (PTY) Ltd.
9 Molteno Road, Schonenberg
CONNECT WITH US /MatiesTravel /FiveExpierence Estate, Somerset West, 7130