PARIS “SYMPHONY OF FLAVORS”

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France is a country which boasts a Millennial history. Over the centuries, France has built a mosaic of regions, counties and terroirs (areas with specific soil characteristics). These regions spawned a vast array of agricultural riches that formed the basis of a bountiful food and fine wines. That’s why the French cuisine is plural, declined over the regions to offer an incomparable anthology of flavors and aromas. PARIS SYMPHONY OF FLAVORS program is exclusive to Lifestyle Vacations. It combines a unique exploration of Paris and a very interesting approach of the French cuisine through hands-on cooking classes which celebrate each day a Region of France with its specialities, its delicacies and its wines.

COOKING SCHOOL : OPERA “PARIS GOURMAND” WITH CHEF MYRIAM

Far from the cooking schools which welcome people by hundreds, and offer more demonstation courses than real hands-on ones… Paris Gourmand limits each class to 8 participants and can even run a private class for two. All classes are taught in English and recipes are translated in English too. Nestled in a beautifully restored Hausmannian building, the school is at chef Myriam’s home. The kitchen is spacious with all modern cooking equipments and professional appliances. Tasting lunches or dinners are served in the elegant dining room furnished with stylish-antiques. Classes are scheduled in the morning or late afternoon according to the itinerary, and lasts about 2 hours and half, the right time to learn how to cook a three-course meal (starter, main course and dessert). Program includes 4 classes celebrating each French regional specialities, easy to make when you are back home.
On Wednesday, the class starts after the market visit with the chef. Paris Gourmand is located few minutes to Montmartre, the Opera and the boulevard Haussman department stores. Please note Myriam has cats.

ACCOMODATION : THREE-STAR ELYSEES-OPERA OR FOUR-STAR TERRASS HOTEL

Both hotels Elysees-Opera and Terrass Hotel have been selected for their location in the residential and safe 9th and 18th districts, steps to the cooking school, and nearby the Opera shopping area. You are granted the deluxe rooms accommodation for more comfort.
More information at http://www.elysees-opera.fr/uk/visite.php
and http://www.terrass-hotel.com/e/hotel

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DETAILED ITINERARY

>DAY 1 (Sunday) : Arrival – Welcome drink – Welcome dinner
Pick-up at Charles de Gaulle’s airport and private transfer by car to the hotel. Check-in. Relax in your room before meeting with Corinne at noon and sharing the welcome drink. We will review together the weekly program. Lunch by your own. Afternoon free (we suggest a cruise on the river Seine or the Paris sightseeing by bus). Museums are opened on Sundays. Dinner at a traditional French restaurant in Paris. Night at the hotel.

>DAY 2 (Monday) : Walking Tour of Montmartre and “Les Passages” - Cooking class 1 followed by tasting dinner
Breakfast. We will meet at 10:30am to start the guided tour of Montmartre “La Butte” (the hill) where you meet the painters and enjoy the breathtaking view all over Paris. The tour continues to the Royal Palace gardens (nearby Le Louvre) through the 19th century covered arcades and galleries.We will have a lunch break together to relax between Montmartre and the covered arcades trail. Back to your hotel at 3:30pm to relax before you link the cooking school and partake your first class. The class will celebrate the Burgundy cuisine. It starts at 5:00pm and ends at 8:30pm after dinner. Night at the hotel.

>DAY 3 (Tuesday) : Morning Gourmet Tour – Afternoon Cooking Class 2
After your breakfast, you will meet Corinne at 9:30am at the hotel. She will guide you in her secret Paris left bank celebrating the best gourmet shops and artisans. The tour lasts 4 hours and features the very best of what Paris offers from the chocolate, to the pastries, bread, cheese, charcuteries, spices. It finishes at the wine bar with a cheese, bread & wine tasting, before visiting the Maubert open-air food market, steps to Notre Dame Cathedral, the Pantheon and the Seine river banks. You will walk, discover Paris totally off-the-beaten paths while enjoying food & wine tastings. After this guided tour, you are free to continue for shopping, for visiting or to return back to your hotel to relax.
Your upcoming activity is the second cooking class with Myriam at 6:00pm to explore the secrets of the healthy Provencale cuisine. Tasting dinner (drinks included) follows the class. Night at the hotel.

>DAY 4 (Wednesday) : Market Visit and Cooking Class 3 – Afternoon guided tour of
the Islands and Le Marais
After your breakfast, you will join chef Myriam at your hotel at 9:15am. With the chef you will go to the Iena open-air market to buy the freshest produces you will cook. You will be back to the school around 11:00am. This third class pays tribute to the Normandy and its specialities (this regions is famous for its lush fields and dairy products). Your class is followed by the tasting lunch (wine included). Corinne will take you at the school at 2:30pm for starting the guided tour to the Islands (Cité and Saint-Louis) and Le Marais which is one of Paris most ancient. In the 4th you won’t miss half-timbered houses dating back to the 11th century. Dinner by your own. Night at the hotel.

>DAY 5 (Thursday) : Cooking Class 4 – Afternoon free – Dinner & show at Le Paradis Latin cabaret
After your breakfast, you will walk to the cooking school to start the fourth and last class which celebrates the delightful Britain cuisine. Class starts at 10:30am and ends at 2:00pm after the tasting lunch.
Your afternoon is free to visit Museums, or make some shopping. After several days in Paris and living at the rhythm of a true Parisian, the city will have no secrets for you anymore… hope so !
You will meet with Corinne at 7:00pm at your hotel to go to the Latin Quarter and attend the beautiful show at the Paradis Latin Cabaret. You will dine there with wine and champagne.
(package includes the best menu called “star”). The show finishes befire midnight. Private transfer by taxi to your hotel. Night at the hotel

>DAY 6 (Friday) : Check Out
After your morning breakfast, check-out.
Private transfer to Charles de Gaulle’s airport.

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Prices

3-star hotel $ 2,560.00 – Single supplement $425
4-star hotel $ 3,110.00 – Single supplement $803
Rates are subject to change based on currency exchange. Call for updated rates.

PRICES INCLUDE:
• the round-trip private transfers from/to the airport
• 5 nights deluxe room accomodation (double occupancy),
• 5 continental buffet breakfasts,
• 4 hands-on cooking classes followed by lunches or dinners wine and coffee included
• Market visit with the chef on Wednesday,
• Welcome aperitif on arrival,
• Welcome dinner on Sunday,
• Private walking guided tour of Montmartre and Les Passages (19th century covered arcades)
• Private walking gourmet tour including food & wine tastings,
• Private walking tour of the Paris islands and Le Marais,
• Dinner and show at the Paradis Latin cabaret,
• Transfer by taxi on Thursday night after the entertainment,
• Tickets for the bus and metro for the visits.

NOT INCLUDED : airfare to/from the USA and France, lunch on Sunday, dinner on Wednesday, personal expenses and personal insurance.

2010 TOUR DATEs

March 21-26
April 11-16
May 9-14
May 24-29
July 4-9
September 5-10
October 24-29

A minimum of 4 participants is required for each tour.
Tours limited to 8 persons.

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