Featured in Town and Country Travel, Summer 2005.
About the location: In the hills of the Vaucluse, facing the white range of the Alpilles
and the beautiful perched village of Velleron, the Hostellerie la Provence backs on to its
very own woodland of oak trees. The hotel is a selection of the Rivage Hotels of Charm, and
Jean and Brigitte—the owners and your hosts— are ready to take care of your every need as they welcome
you into their home, with its quaint red shutters, ensconsed in a sea of green. There
are many idyllic places to relax both indoors and out. You can relax at the beautiful large pool, set amidst an
English style garden, which is open from mid April to November. If you prefer more activity, you can hike along the picturesque canal to the next town. The former grain attics are now
charming and cosy bedrooms, decorated in true and historical Provençal style, with beautiful scenic views.
 
About the lessons: The Hostellerie has an excellent gastronomic restaurant, very popular with local
residents. Chef Brigitte is very creative and she will lead you in the hands-on lessons, which will take you through a range of
Provençal and French specialties. You will use Mediterranean herbs and spices and the freshest locally grown
vegetables to prepare light and tasty dishes with a focus on fresh vegetables and fish.
You will go home armed with wonderful, healthy recipes that can easily be reproduced at home.
A Provençal Dream
Velleron, Provence
Itinerary
Monday, Day One
- Arrival in the afternoon, with pickup at the Avignon TGV station or airport.
Transfer to your accommodation.
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Time to settle in to your lovely room before you meet with your hosts for a Welcome aperitif and
review the program for the week. If you are not too tired, a visit of the famous fruit and
vegetable market in Velleron.
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Dinner tonight in the gastronomic restaurant of the hotel.
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Tuesday, Day Two
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Country breakfast.
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At approximately 9:30 a.m. this morning your first hands-on lesson. Followed
by lunch with wine.
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This afternoon an excursion to the Luberon region. A visit to some of the wonderful
characteristic towns such as Fontaines de Vaucluse, the village of Gordes, the village
des Bories, Senanque Abbaye.
- A stop at Oppède le Vieux (made famous by Peter Mayle in
A Year in Provence) for a visit of the olive oil mill with a tasting.
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On the return home,
if there is time, a stop in Venasque Saint Didier and Pernes les Fontaines.
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Dinner at the Hostellerie.
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Wednesday, Day Three
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Following breakfast, departure for St. Remy de Provence for a visit of the famous market
in St. Remy. Meander the narrow streets where local farmers provide the freshest produce.
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A stop for lunch on your own in one of the famous bistros.
- Afterwards, a walk along the
path of Van Gogh and a visit to the Oppidum (the Roman ruins).
- On the way back, a stop in
Les Baux de Provence.
- Return to the hotel. Dinner tonight is on your own—you might dine at the hotel, or if you prefer your hosts will take you to a restaurant in one of several nearby towns.
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Thursday, Day Four
- Breakfast, followed by your next cooking lesson and lunch.
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In the afternoon, departure for
a tour of Avignon to include a visit of the renowned Palais des Papes (Popes' Palace)
and some time for great shopping!
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Return to the hotel, with perhaps some time for a rest, or a walk or swim before dinner. If you like, there is very nice nice walk of around 3 kms along the canal to the village of Pernes Les Fontaine.
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Friday, Day Five
- Breakfast and your third cooking lesson and lunch. (For those doing the 4-night option, departure after lunch.)
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This afternoon it is time for wine tasting!
From Carpentras to the Dentelle de Monmirail, you will pass beautiful mountain scenery with a
tasting of its original Muscat wine at Beaumes de Venise. Another stop at the famous Chateauneuf
du Pape and on the way back a visit to a wonderful Gigondas vineyard.
- Dinner tonight, maybe
with only Perrier!
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Saturday, Day Six
- Breakfast and your final cooking lesson, followed by lunch.
- Afternoon is free. Perhaps relax by the lovely pool, or schedule a massage or beauty treatment, If you desire a more active afternoon, you might take a scenic hike along the river.
- Tonight your Farewell Dinner at the Hostellerie.
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Sunday, Day Seven
- After breakfast, a visit to visit the alluring town of I’Isle sur Sorgue,
famous for its food
and flea market and more than 500 antique shops, the second largest in Europe. This is a
wonderful experience, great fun to visit the different stalls and fill in on those last-minute gifts.
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Lunch on your own, followed by transfer to the Avignon TGV station or airport.
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6-night program
US$3400 per person based on double occupancy
US$550 single supplement
4-night program
$2500 per person based on double occupancy
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2008 Tour Dates
Available any week, Monday - Sunday, for a minimum of two, maximum of six people.
Not available December and January, July 9-August 31.
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Included in the Program
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Six nights accommodation with ensuite bathrooms (bathrooms have a small tub and hand held shower)*
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Daily breakfast
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Four cooking classes with lunch to follow
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Five dinners in the gastronomic restaurant of the hotel
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All meals with wine (Please note that only wine is included— other beverages at meals and all drinks consumed outside of mealtime are not included)
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Excursions as listed in itinerary
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All excursions with English speaking escort
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Roundtrip transfers Avignon TGV station or airport.
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Massages and beauty treatments not included but are available at the property for a reasonable fee; advance booking recommended
*Please note that there is no elevator and no rooms on the ground floor; you must take stairs down to the pool and the terrace.
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Cooking Vacations 
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