CAMERATA PACIFICA EN PROVENCE S U M M E R
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In summer 2017 Camerata patrons will travel to Provence to visit a small music festival in a 9th century castle in Salon de Provence, hosted by the Principal Musicians of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. Prior we’ll explore the areas in and around Avignon and Aix-en-Provence; the Celtic, Gallic, Greek & Roman histories of the region, explore the lavender fields and the wineries of Côtes du Rhône and Châteauneuf-du-Pape. As always, a Camerata trip will offer lots of personal time to relax and explore by yourself, and enjoy time with like-minded people. However, there is SO much to see and do in this area. This might well be the Camerata’s best trip to date. Certainly the countryside of Provence is breathtaking, the villages beautiful and the properties at which we’ll stay are, quite frankly, very special — take time to peruse their websites. La Mirande in Avignon, is located in the heart of the walled city. Originally a Cardinal’s Palace in the 14th century, in the 17th century the building was restored to become a hotel. At the end of the 20th century the Stein family restored the hotel with an 18th century, Age of Enlightenment sensibility. The property has 27 rooms. www.la-mirande.fr From Town & Country Magazine: “In nearby Aix-en-Provence is La Villa Gallici, a honey-colored 18thcentury mansion set in a seven-acre garden. The pool alone is made for aestivation (yes, Latin has yielded us a word for the summer version of hibernation). Cézanne would have had fun with it, a vision of blue (sky and water), terra-cotta (tiles), green (cypress and plane trees), and red (poolside umbrellas). The 22 rooms, however, all recently redecorated, are a Francophile fantasy from an earlier era, circa Louis XV. As if all that weren’t sybaritic enough, the spa (with trendy cryosurgery on its menu) and gym have just been redone, and a new wine cellar, overlooking the jasmine-scented gardens, provides one of the most comprehensive selections in the region.” www.villagallici.com Pricing information follows the itinerary.
ITINERARY NOTE: This itinerary is subject to change as music festival information becomes available. TUESDAY, JULY 25 ARRIVAL DAY (OPTION TO ARRIVE MONDAY, JULY 24) INTERCONTINENTAL MARSEILLE HOTEL DIEU marseille.intercontinental.com/en/ Arrive and transfer to Marseille. The Intercontinental Hotel Dieu is ideally and beautifully situated above Le Vieux-Port. Optional dinner at the Michelin starred restaurant “Alcyone”. WEDNESDAY, JULY 26 LA MIRANDE, AVIGNON Morning to explore in Marseille. Afternoon transfer to Avignon for 7 nights. Introductory talk on the history of the region by a local historical guide. THURSDAY, JULY 27 LA MIRANDE, AVIGNON Depart from the hotel at 10.00 a.m. for the short drive to the perched village of Gordes to meet a local guide for a walking tour of the village. Lunch in Gordes at a café/restaurant of own choice. Drive to the Plateau de Sault to visit L’Aroma Plantes Distillerie for an explanation of the lavender distilling process and production. Tour the lavender fields. FRIDAY, JULY 28 LA MIRANDE, AVIGNON With our wine guide Olivier Hickman visit two Châteauneuf-du-Pape domaines for wine tasting and a tasting lunch at Chateau Fines Roches accompanied by the wines of La Grand Veneur. Return to Avignon after lunch. Remainder of the day free.
SATURDAY, JULY 29 LA MIRANDE, AVIGNON 10 a.m. departure to meet a local historical guide for a tour of St. Remy with its associations with Van Gogh and including a visit to the Cloture St. Paul. Lunch at own choice of café/restaurant in St. Remy, then on to a tour of the historical site of Glanum. Free time in St. Remy before returning to Avignon.
SUNDAY, JULY 30 LA MIRANDE, AVIGNON Visit Isle sur la Sorgue to stroll at leisure and browse the antiques and provencal market. In the afternoon a guided tour of Le Palais des Papes and Pont St. Benezet (Le Pont D’Avignon). Dinner at La Mirande. MONDAY, JULY 31 LA MIRANDE, AVIGNON Meet your wine guide Olivier Hickman to visit domaines of the Côtes du Rhône vineyards and a food and wine matching lunch at Chene Bleu, Le Crestet. Later, a historical walking tour of Vaison la Romaine. Evening free. TUESDAY, AUGUST 1 LA MIRANDE, AVIGNON A free morning in Avignon. Stroll the medieval streets and visit some of the interesting museums — Musée Angladon particularly recommended. Early afternoon visit to the Pont du Gard UNESCO world heritage site. OPTIONAL: COOKING CLASS. Previous Camerata trip participants might remember a wonderful cooking class in Belfast and a disappointing ‘cooking’ class in La Rioja. (I know!) This is a wonderful opportunity. If we have enough participants, some of us will cook dinner for the others. From La Mirande: Since 1994, in its cooking school ‘Le Marmiton’, La Mirande has welcomed some of the most renowned chefs of Provence. Classes are held, one week per month, in the authentic 19th century kitchen and are a practical ‘hands-on’ experience, limited to a maximum of 12 participants working around a huge wood-block table. The kitchen’s original wood stove is fired up three hours before the class begins. The authenticity of time spent in this special place where the heart of La Mirande beats will lead you to unique discoveries through smells, tastes, colours, lively and friendly exchanges of recipe tips and secrets. The classes allow all of those who share the same passion to live unforgettable moments. Aprons, kitchen utensils and recipes are supplied, and the classes end with a meal accompanied by wines chosen by our sommelier. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2 TRANSFER FROM AVIGNON TO AIX FOR 5 NIGHTS STAY LA VILLA GALLICI, AIX-EN-PROVENCE We arrive to Aix-en-Provence, and to the music festival. From this point the following itinerary will be modified to permit attendance at festival events. We’re awaiting publication of the 2017 festival program. Many of the festival performances take place at L’Emperi Palace; a 9th century castle where Nostradamus made many of his most famous prophecies! We can choose from concerts every evening and some middle of the day performances. festival-salon.fr/en Enjoy lunch in Aix, then meet with your local guide for a walking tour of the old town starting with a guided visit to Cézanne’s atelier. Free time in Aix for the rest of the afternoon.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 3 LA VILLA GALLICI, AIX-EN-PROVENCE An arts and culture day. Visit the Hotel de Caumont Arts Centre including a guided visit of the Arts centre with the Caumont Centre guide. Lunch in Aix followed by free time to visit some of the other interesting museums, including the Musée Granet where some of Cezanne’s works are exhibited.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 4 LA VILLA GALLICI, AIX-EN-PROVENCE Depart hotel for an excursion to the south Luberon for the weekly provencal market in the pretty village of Lourmarin. Free time to browse the market and charming old village. In the afternoon, a guided visit of the renaissance Château de Lourmarin. SATURDAY, AUGUST 5 LA VILLA GALLICI, AIX-EN-PROVENCE Visit Chateau La Coste wine domaine in the countryside near Aix, where we’ll meet the Chateau guide and stroll the Art walk on a guided tour or alternatively enjoy a guided visit of the chaix (wine caves). Lunch at own choice of either the café or restaurant at the Chateau. SUNDAY, AUGUST 6 LA VILLA GALLICI, AIX-EN-PROVENCE Take a short drive to the charming Mediterranean fishing village of Cassis, with free time to stroll the pretty village and for those that wish. OPTIONAL: take a boat ride visiting the Calanques, (fjord like structures for which this part of the coast is famous). Lunch by the harbour side at own choice of café/restaurant. Free time in the afternoon before a farewell dinner. MONDAY, AUGUST 7 LA VILLA GALLICI, AIX-EN-PROVENCE Depart after breakfast. Own transfer arrangements for onward travel.
PRICING INFORMATION On Camerata Pacifica trips, we negotiate directly with hotels and agencies. There is no middle man. For that reason we are able to offer highly competitive pricing. Following the trip, you will receive a notification of a tax-deductible amount, equaling your contribution to the organization’s ‘profit’ from the trip. Generated by commissions, we aim for that amount to be approximately $500 per person. This amount can be affected positively or negatively by exchange rates.
Per Person Price is $8,375 exclusive of airfare. Full breakfast is included every morning, scheduled wine-tasting lunches and 3 dinners. Single Supplement is $4,550. A non-refundable deposit of $2,000 is required by December 23rd, 2016 to hold your reservation. A minimum of 14, (maximum 18), participants are required. In the event that number is not reached, any deposits will be returned in full. Balance must be paid in full by April 28th, 2017. If the euro exceeds a dollar equivalency of $1.25 before April 28th, 2017, pricing will be adjusted. Rates will be locked after April 28th. There will be a 2.5% surcharge for credit card use.
• If you would like an extra day in Marseille, arriving Monday, July 24th, add $220 per person. • At La Villa Gallici there are 4 rooms that are smaller than the rest, (it’s Europe!) but can accommodate 2. If you would like one of these rooms, deduct $600 per person from the price. First come, first served. • Suites are available in each property. Price upon request.
To make a reservation, please call Donna Jean at (805) 884 8410 PLEASE ARRANGE FOR TRIP INSURANCE. ONCE THE DEPOSIT IS RECEIVED, THERE WILL BE NO REFUNDS.