September 2 - 8, 2018
Wine and culinary tours would never be complete without visiting France, n’est-ce pas? That is why we have chosen the beautiful sunny region of Languedoc-Roussillon, now in the newly formed region of Occitanie, in Southern France, for our next wine and culinary adventure. Millions of years old, this ancient land of rugged mountains, scrublands and sea has been a haven for grapevines which are said to have grown wild before Homo Sapiens ever even existed. During the 20th century, we have seen the widespread emergence of winemakers who are dedicating themselves to producing high quality terroir-driven wines. These wines reflect years of accumulated experience and wisdom on the part of winemakers and their commitments to choosing grape varieties best suited to the diverse soil types and climate conditions. This commitment, coupled with modern winemaking techniques and equipment, have created a substantial increase in international recognition and respect for this vast wine region. One of the hallmarks of French culture has been the ability of its people to perfect the art of matching wine with food. As we make our way from the northern city of Nîmes to the southern region around Narbonne, we will journey to the source of food where growers still pride themselves in offering organically-grown products which are then transformed into imaginative, delectable dishes by Michelin-starred chefs. Savor these memorable experiences for many years to come. We will taste wine just as the Romans made it 2,000 years ago, and if you ever wondered where salt comes from, here is your chance to hop on a train and tour the largest hand-harvested salt flats in the world. As a Sommelier, I am passionate about wine and its endless possibilities when pairing it with food. Join me as we embark on a journey of the senses while experiencing the elegant accommodations of boutique hotels tucked away among the vineyards. I look forward to sharing the wonderful wines and gastronomical delights surrounded by the rich historical beauty of this land and the French joie de vivre that is so much a part of the French experience. If you are like me, you just might come away wanting to come back for more. A votre sánte! Agi Toth Babochay, DipWSET | Tour Guide, Sommelier
DAY 1 SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2018
• Arrival and check-in to the Grand Hotel du Midi in the
city of Montpellier • Self-guided exploration of Montpellier, capital of Languedoc-Roussillon • Welcome wine dinner & reception in the heart of downtown Montpellier
When you arrive to beautiful Montpellier, we will be ready to greet you at the check-in table at the Grand Hotel du Midi. You may want to explore the rich array of shops and ancient wonders during the day. Our first group event will be an early evening wine dinner at Le Petit Jardin restaurant, just a 10-minute walk from the hotel. This will allow you to get a good night’s rest and be ready for a full day of exploration the next day as we begin our journey together.
Grand Hotel du Midi
Montpellier Market
DAY 2 MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2018
• A delicious Breakfast and check-out at the Grand Hotel • • • •
du Midi in Montpellier Guided tour of the beautiful ancient city of Nîmes Private tour and lunch at the Pont du Gard, the world’s tallest aqueduct and one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites Visit and tasting of Roman-style wines at Mas des Tourelles winery Hotel accommodations and dinner at Le Vieux Castillon one of the area’s top-rated hotels
After breakfast we will travel to the ancient Roman city of Nîmes where we will enjoy a wonderful look around with our expert local guide, after which travelers will enjoy free time to shop and explore on their own. Following the visit, we are off to see one of the world’s ancient wonders, the 2,000 year-old Roman aqueduct, the Pont du Gard. Here we will have an in-depth tour followed by a memorable lunch with stunning views of the aqueduct. In the afternoon, we will visit our first winery, Mas des Tourelles, a unique destination that actually makes wine the way the Romans drank it as well as more modern versions for today’s wine enthusiasts. Accommodations will be at the elegant boutique hotel, Le Vieux Castillon, as well as a lovely poolside dinner where we will toast another great day together. Mas des Tourelles
Pont du Gard
Le Vieux Castillon
DAY 3 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2018
• Visit to the town of Uzès with guided tour to the Duchy • Exclusive tasting and private lunch at Chateau de la
Tuilerie winery • A unique train tour of the salt flats at Aigues-Mortes • Private wine dinner at Michelin-starred La Chassagnette • Hotel accommodations at La Villa Mazarin Hotel in Aigues-Mortes After breakfast, we will head to the romantic town of Uzès and take a tour of the oldest French duchy in existence, followed by an exclusive tasting and lunch at the picturesque Chateau de la Tuilerie. Following lunch, we will journey to the edge of the Mediterranean and take a private tour of the largest hand-harvested salt flats in the world, close to the medieval town of Aigues-Mortes. Later in the day, we will check in to the nearby La Villa Mazarin Hotel and refresh ourselves before traveling to Arles for a fabulous farm-to-table dinner at the Michelin-starred La Chassagnette restaurant, prepared exclusively by Chef Arman Arnal.
Salt Flats at Aigues-Mortes
Duchy of Uzès
La Chassagnette
DAY 4 WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2018
• A lovely gourmet breakfast at La Villa Mazarin • Visit to the charming town of Sète • Coach journey to the quaint boat town of Marseillan
with lunch at nearby La Maison Tarbouriech Oyster Farm • Private tour and tasting at Noilly Prat Winery in Marseillan • Hotel accommodations at 5-star Chateau Castigno • Free evening to explore the village of Castigno Today we will explore the charming seaside town of Sète where you have the morning free to visit the famous bustling markets. For lunch, we take you to La Maison Tabouriech, a family-owned oyster farm overlooking Thang Bay followed by a private tasting and tour of Noilly Prat winery, which has been making its world-renowned vermouth since 1850. We check in at Hotel Castigno, where travelers are free to enjoy the evening exploring the restaurants and many cultural activities in the village of Castigno. Noilly Prat Winery
Chateau Castigno
La Maison Tarbouriech
DAY 5 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2018
Full breakfast at Chateau Castigno Tour and tasting at Le Mas d’Antonin olive farm Visit to the medieval-walled city of Carcassonne Coach journey to Narbonne, the oldest Roman settlement in France • Hotel accommodations at Ile de Gau in Narbonne • • • •
Following breakfast, our day starts off at the iconic family-owned olive farm, Le Mas d’Antonin, during harvest. Experience picking olives right from the tree and learn about the different types and production methods. A memorable tasting is also included. One of France’s most acclaimed sites awaits you at Carcassonne. Travelers will spend the afternoon there at their leisure, free to delve into the rich history the fortress presents as well as the nearby town, which houses plentiful shops and eateries. Finally, we journey to the ancient town of Narbonne and check in at Ile de Gau hotel, after which everyone can enjoy the evening at their leisure in this quaint area. La Mas d’Antonin
Carcassonne
Market Hall, Narbonne
DAY 6 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2018
• Full breakfast at Ile de Gau • A fabulous guided tour of Narbonne • Tour & tasting at internationally acclaimed wine
producer Mas Amiel in Maury • Gala wine dinner at the historic 3-starred Michelin Abbey of Fontfroide After breakfast, a personal guide will escort us for a leisurely walk to downtown Narbonne pointing out its major attractions, after which the group is free to explore the town’s markets, shops and choose from the many lunch venues. After lunch, we will visit Mas Amiel winery for a private tour and tasting, including some of the finest sweet wines ever made in the world. We celebrate our last night together at the highly rated former Cistercian Abbey of Fontfroide with a gala wine dinner. Abbey of Fontfroide
Mas Amiel Winery
DAY 7 SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2018
• Full breakfast at Ile de Gau, check-out and farewells
Town of Uzès
Due to the exclusive nature of the hotels involved, including hotels with a limited number of rooms, we are only available to offer a limited number of single occupancy rates. Those are available on a first-come, first-serve basis at $4,150. Please Note: Single rooms in France are often much smaller than double rooms. Paying a single supplement does not guarantee you a full-size double room.
$3,550 PER PERSON (based on double occupancy)
$4,150 SINGLE OCCUPANCY RATE (limited availability)
We will do our best to accommodate mobility requests and needs. Because of the age of many of the buildings on the itinerary, there will not be an elevator at every stop nor in every hotel.
*Space is LIMITED. Due to the exclusivity of the activities involved, the tour is limited to 25 guests.
Each day will involve a good deal of walking, and ability to maneuver steps. Please make us aware of any special needs when booking.
INCLUSIONS: • 12 superior meals • 6 nights of deluxe accommodations divided between Montpellier, Castillon-du-Gard, Aigues-Mortes, Castigno and Narbonne • Superior motor coach transportation between tour destinations • Guides, tours and admission fees at tour venues
At the time of booking please inform us of any special dietary requests (vegetarian, allergies, etc.).
SPECIAL EXTRAS INCLUDED IN YOUR ITINERARY: • Curator/expert led tours at various times • Wine included with all group dinners • Snacks at various points throughout the tour • Welcome goodie bag with various gifts/niceties EXCLUSIONS: • Airfare to/from France • Meals over and above the 12 included in the tour package • Personal expenses • Mixed drinks • Insurance (this may be purchased via Transcendent for a nominal fee - see below) PASSPORTS: Every tour member must have a valid passport that will be in effect for at least six months after the date of the conclusion of the tour. IMPORTANT NOTES: Space is extremely limited on this tour, and because of the exclusivity of the included events, we are unable to add participants once the maximum has been reached. Should you wish to add extra nights in Montpellier or Narbonne prior to or at the conclusion of the tour, please specify when making your booking. If available, we will be happy to make those arrangements with our hotels, alleviating the need to switch hotels. All pricing is based on double occupancy. Upon request, we will make every effort to match a single customer with another interested party interested in sharing a room.
As a tour participant, you agree that your image may be used by Transcendent in any way deemed appropriate, but not limited to, publication in newspapers, magazines, and other print media, use in broadcast media, television or video projects, publication via the Internet, and use in marketing materials used by Transcendent. Tour pricing is based on a current exchange rate of $1.19 to the Euro. Should the exchange rate rise above $1.45 to the Euro within 120 days prior to the start of the tour, Transcendent reserves the right to bill each tour participant an additional $500 USD in order to cover the additional expense. PAYMENTS An $875 payment is due at the time of booking, and Transcendent Travel is happy to create a convenient payment schedule for each guest. No order/reservation will be processed without the $875 first payment. Should any payment be in arrears more than one payment period and no payment arrangement entered into, Transcendent reserves the right to cancel a passenger’s participation in the tour and to retain all payments to date. FORM OF PAYMENT All forms of payment are available at no extra charge: Check or money order. All such payments should be made out to: Transcendent Travel Services, LLC and mailed to: Transcendent Travel Services, LLC P.O. Box 3181| New York, NY 10185-3181 Credit/debit card payments may be made by calling 1.866.654.7508 or online at www.transcendent-travel.com. CANCELLATION POLICY The following cancellation charges will apply if any person cancels their participation on the tour: • 50% cancellation fee for initial deposit/booking 30 days after such payment is made
• •
50% cancellation fee for all payments made after the first deposit No cancellations or refunds within 120 days prior to the beginning of the tour
Should world conditions affect the staging of the tour (e.g., natural disasters, war, terrorism), Transcendent reserves the right to schedule the tour to a later date. In the event a tour participant is not willing to reschedule, all deposits and/or tour payments will be returned to such tour participant who has signed up, less any non-refundable expenses actually incurred by Transcendent and a 3% processing fee.
when issued shall constitute the sole contract between the carrier(s) and the purchasers of the tour and/or passengers. All additional expenses caused by war, natural disasters, landslides, strikes, weather delays, illness or accidents are the responsibility of the passengers. INSURANCE For a nominal fee per traveler, we are pleased to offer our customers insurance as we travel together. Travel Insurance is highly recommended, and may be purchased directly from Transcendent for the following competitive rates: Age of traveler/insurance premium:
Should the original tour director be unable to lead the tour on behalf of Transcendent, Transcendent reserves the right to engage another competent tour director to lead and execute the tour.
TRAVELER AGE
INSURANCE PREMIUM PER TRAVELER
18 - 30
$100
30 - 45
$125
SUBSTITUTIONS Up to 120 days prior to the tour, Transcendent recognizes that circumstances occur where it may be necessary to cancel participation in the tour. Substitutions are encouraged so that cancellation fees can be avoided. An additional substitution fee of $400 will apply. All substitutions must take place no later than 120 days prior to the tour, or further charges will apply.
45 - 60
$150
60 - 75
$200
75+
$250
ITINERARY VARIATION Transcendent reserves the right to vary itineraries and/ or destinations and to substitute hotels if circumstances warrant. Venues, attractions and destinations may be adjusted or modified at the sole discretion of the tour planners and Transcendent. Should you miss meeting the start of the tour or any event during the tour duration all financial responsibility to catch up with the tour will fall on the participant. NOT INCLUDED IN TOUR PRICE Those items listed in the exclusions, as well as laundry, valet service, food not included, after-hours tea, coffee, alcoholic beverages or other expenses of a personal nature or any other items not specified on the itinerary are not included in the tour price. RESPONSIBILITY The responsibility of Transcendent Travel Services, LLC is strictly limited. Transcendent is not liable for delays, losses, changes in routing, hotels, transportation services, and/or sightseeing or accidents incurred by said persons or operators to passengers and baggage from whatsoever cause. Transcendent also reserves the right to change the routing, hotels, and/or sightseeing and any service offered, should local conditions in our opinion warrant; the extra cost, if any, must be paid by the passengers. The right is reserved to refuse any person on this tour. The transportation companies concerned are not responsible for any act or omission or event during the time passengers are not on board their conveyances. This passage contract in use by the carriers concerned
Insurance via Transcendent covers the following: • Medical Coverage up to $15,000 • Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) $25,000 for Primary & Spouse; • $5,000 for Dependent Children • Emergency Medical Evacuation/Repatriation $300,000 • Emergency Medical Reunion $50,000 • Return of Mortal Remains Up to $50,000 The purchase of insurance is optional, but highly recommended. We will be pleased to answer any questions you have about this coverage and will provide you with a copy of the policy. *This policy does not cover participant cancellation. It covers the individual during the duration of the tour. Should you choose NOT to purchase the insurance, any fees or costs incurred by the individual traveler that otherwise would have been covered by insurance are the responsibility of the individual traveler. In addition Transcendent is not liable for any charges not covered by the insurance policy/vendor. All insurance inclusion and exclusion information will be provided to the traveler in advance of travel. ANY QUESTIONS? Contact Transcendent Travel at info@transcendent-travel.com or call toll-free 1.866.654.7508.
Space Is Limited—Book Today! TRANSCENDENT-TRAVEL.COM Call toll free 1.866.654.7508. Thank you to all of our partners and the following organizations for their valuable support and photographs: