A Tour for Cooks and Friends in Tuscany
and Provence
Daily Schedule
Tour Cost and Dates
The Cooks' Tour has been designed by the active gourmet as an
exploration of the delicious timeless cuisines of Tuscany and Northern
Provence for people who genuinely love food.
Learn about the products, meet some of the producers and be guided
in preparing the essentials of the two cuisines in a series of carefully
planned cooking experiences.
Autumn in Europe means the grape harvest. It also means luscious figs,
giant porcini mushrooms and prolific quantities of fruit and vegetables.
Shop in the bountiful markets and live like a local!
Happy cooks review the first tour
Loved every minute, thank you. Saw things and places I would never have been to normally. Wonderful accommodation and very enjoyable social get togethers. Will be trying the recipes and I'm sure will impress friends. Happy memories." Colleen
"Thank you for a wonderful experience. I have enjoyed it all, the cooking, markets and the places we have stayed in." Joan
Have had the opportunity never to be forgotten. So many new places I would never have visited. New friends, many laughs, beautiful meals. Thank you." Lesley
"Two weeks filled with sensory and visual experiences never to be forgotten - plus a fun group of foodies to share it all with. Thank you for all the new memories." Kaye
An amazing experience of Europe, people, food and fun. So many parts of Italy and France I would never have seen. Could have stayed in France and never gone home!!! Grazie, merci." Janine
A Tour for Cooks and Friends in Tuscany and Provence –
Daily Schedule
Day 1
Meal/s included: DINNER
Tour starts in Rome – Transfer to hotel (two nights B&B) in the
centro storico. Then you are free to explore this amazing, multi-layered
city. (We will provide suggestions based on your interests and familiarity
with the Eternal City). A 'Hop On Hop Off' bus ticket is provided.
Dinner will be in a typical Roman trattoria near the Piazza Navona and
the Pantheon.
Day 2
Meal/s included: BREAKFAST / LUNCH
Further exploration of Rome – A culinary tour of the area where
Roman cuisine originated – Testaccio.
Choose own dining spot tonight or one from our list of suggestions.
There are thousands to choose from.
Day 3 – transfer day
Meal/s included: BREAKFAST / DINNER
Transfer to Tuscany – Board a morning Frecciabianco (fast train) to Florence to meet up with the 'mothership'. Spend the day exploring the treasures of Florence before transferring to your Tuscan villa (6 nights).
Tuscan dinner tonight and an introduction to la cucina povera, the cuisine of Tuscany.
Day 4
Meal/s included: BREAKFAST / LUNCH / DINNER
Panzano market – Panzano market with a visit to one of Italy's most famous butchers, followed by Sunday lunch featuring bistecca fiorentina.
Day 5
Meal/s included: BREAKFAST / LUNCH / DINNER
Cooking school begins – Tuscan cooking session one, followed by
lunch and an afternoon at leisure by the pool.
Day 6
Meal/s included: BREAKFAST / LUNCH / DINNER
Greve in Chianti and cooking school – To the town of Greve in Chianti,
to visit another famous butchery, a modern tasting centre for both
wine and olive oil, and a little research into gelato...
Lunch at Villa Ghiardini, reputedly the home of Mona Lisa, followed
by a visit to this top quality Tuscan winery.
In the afternoon Tuscan cooking session two.
Day 7
Meal/s included: BREAKFAST / LUNCH / DINNER
Chiantigiana and cooking school – A day out in the Chiantigiana with visits to an olive oil mill and winery.
Lunch in Volpaia followed by Tuscan cooking session three.
Day 8
Meal/s included: BREAKFAST / DINNER
Volterra and San Gimignano – To the beautiful villages of Volterra and San Gimignano.
In the afternoon the group prepares the final Tuscan meal.
Day 9 – transfer day
Meal/s included: BREAKFAST
Transfer to Nice – Transfer to Florence for the train to Nice. Your luggage will be transported in the mothership.
If you wish, break the journey at Menton for a couple of hours to see Katherine Mansfield's house and to stroll the streets of Menton and then continue on to Nice.
Accommodation (two nights) in a hotel close to the famed Promenade des Anglais and the markets of Nice.
Dinner own choice and cost. We will give you a few recommendations.
Day 10
Meal/s included: BREAKFAST
Exploring Nice – A chance to see the wonderful fruit and vegetable
market in Cours Saleya in the old town, and the exquisite flower market.
In the afternoon, optional cooking session, or a train trip to neighbouring
Villefranche sur Mer, followed by a waterfront stroll around Cap Ferrat.
Day 11 – transfer day
Meal/s included: BREAKFAST / LUNCH / DINNER
Transfer to Caromb in Provence – TGV to Aix-en-Provence then
transfer to L’Isle sur la Sorgue, to wander the greatest antiques and
brocante market in France. There is a regular market here too.
Mid-afternoon, a chance to see one of Europe’s most-visited sites,
Fontaine de Vaucluse, where the waters of the glorious Sorgue River
mysteriously appear from below a giant rock outcrop.
On to our accommodation in the small Vaucluse village of Caromb
(four nights). Dinner tonight will be prepared by long-time Provence resident, Valerie.
Day 12
Meal/s included: BREAKFAST / LUNCH / DINNER
Bedoin, Mont Ventoux and cooking school – To the typical provencal market of Bedoin to buy pique-nique food before ascending the Giant of Provence, Mont Ventoux. Return via the magnificent Gorges of the Nesque.
Late afternoon cooking session in Caromb, 'Assembling a meal, French-style'.
Day 13
Meal/s included: BREAKFAST / DINNER
Exploring Provence – To the large regional market of Vaison la Romaine. Lunch in the respected wine village of Gigondas before taking a stroll in the Dentelles de Montmirail.
Dinner at a local bistro, serving strong, simple meals.
Day 14
Meal/s included: BREAKFAST / LUNCH / DINNER
Relaxing in Provence – Au Revoir dinner in Caromb, prepared by the group and
overseen by Valerie.
Day 15 – transfer day
Meal/s included: BREAKFAST
Transfer to Paris – Farewell the mothership and take a mid-morning TGV to Paris.
Accommodation in a Left Bank hotel (two nights).
Day 16
At leisure in Paris – We can give you guidance and advice tailored to your previous experience in Paris.
Enjoying the food tour in Rome
Explore the ancient sites in Rome
Laughing in the pool at the Tuscan Villa
Making pasta at a Tuscan cooking school
Another cooking class...
Departing for a Carpentras cooking class
Explore Paris
Tour Dates & Cost
Dates on application
NZ$9950 twin share or double basis
A single supplement applies (if you prefer an individual room)
Included in each 16-day tour:
Transportation
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Daily support vehicle.
-
Luggage transfer between localities.
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Option to drive your own rental vehicle (surcharge applies).
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Any purchases you make in the markets and antique shops can
easily be transferred.
Accommodation
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Quality accommodation in properties of character, mostly with
private facilities. We stay two to three nights on average in each
place, using the base to explore the environs.
Food and wine
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Twelve gourmet dinners featuring the best of regional specialties –
not forgetting the special arrivederci feast on our final night. -
Eight lunches including spectacular picnics.
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Several times you’ll get the chance to ‘follow-your-own-nose’ for midday and evening meals.
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All breakfasts, including exquisite homemade preserves.
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Five cooking sessions.
Guidance
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An experienced facilitator with knowledge of the attractions, the people, and the history of the area.
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Daily briefing and guidance.
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Rest days and independent exploration possible (we supply very detailed maps which allow a choice of routes).
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Literature, including a detailed itinerary, clothing guide, use of large-scale maps of the area, and general advice on travelling in Europe.
Accessories
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Water bottle and hat.
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A sense of adventure is compulsory!
Exclusions
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Travel insurance (mandatory)
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Transfers and flights
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Castle and museum entry fees – you choose which to visit
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Gratuities (tips) and drinks
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Golf club hire and green fees, kayak hire where applicable
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Visas and passports (as necessary)
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Personal items, eg. laundry, telephone, internet charges
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Optional extras
A limited number of days available?
You can join in for a shorter time. We also offer associated walking or cycling itineraries.
Footnote: Please note that there may possibly be changes outside the organiser's control, such as fluctuations between the NZ dollar and the overseas supplier's currency, or changes in prices or services. Prices shown are correct as at July 2019. The organiser reserves the right to change any details in this outline, should this prove necessary, at any time until full payment is received.
See our FAQ page for more information or email Gail to book.
Enjoying the spoils of a cooking class
The freshest ingredients
Lunch in Nice
Keen on a personalised tour?
We will design an itinerary for you, tailormade to suit your needs, interests and time frame. You decide when and how long you wish to tour for, who with and on what mode of transport.
Or we can help you select the most suitable tour from our extensive portfolio of the very best of worldwide activity holidays.
