TRUFFLES HUNTING & COOKING in provence
3 days / 2 nights (Friday through Sunday) US$ 1,190/pers

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When it’s said that each season has its particular interest. It’s true, especially off the warm season at wintertime when truffles are harvested. Known as the diamonds of the culinary world, the French black truffles are prized over the world for their pungent aroma and dazzling flavor. This mushroom grows underground in symbiosis with a tree (oaks in Provence). If the black truffles “Tuber Melanosporum” are also called “Truffes de Perigord” due to the truffles industries, the main French production area is located in the “Enclave des Papes” Northern Provence. It means that in choosing this program you are sure to be in good hands and at the right place. For the epicureans, the truffle is above all a sigh of pleasure and satisfaction - a sigh that says, "Finally, the Greatest Joy is here!"

You are a food lover and a gourmet connoisseur…
you haven’t experienced the truffles yet… DO IT NOW !

Your culinary adventure starts on Friday when we pick you up at the Valence TGV station in the afternoon (it takes about 2hrs 30mn by direct train from Paris CDG airport). Private transfer by car to the property located nearby Richerenches. The privately owned Villa Kaza dates back to the 16th century (former residence of the Bishop of Avignon) and has been entirely renovated and decorated into a pure contemporary black & white style. It offers five luxury rooms and suites with private bathrooms and all modern amenities.

Better than a hotel, you immediately feel like at home, and enjoy relaxing time in the living room with its large fireplace when tasting an aperitif or brandy after dinner. Owner and chef Elisabeth (a member of the French Culinary Acamedy with a thirty-year experience in the French cuisine) runs unique cooking classes. Truffles cooking class is scheduled on Saturday at 5:00pm and it’s followed by a food & wine pairing truffles dinner at the property.On Sunday, after checking-out at Villa Kaza and before taking the TGV back to Paris, we will go to Nyons, visit to a olives grove (in winter it’s time to harvest) and to a traditional mill in activity, and drive through the hilltop villages of Saint Paul Trois Chateaux, and La Garde Adhémar

You will learn how to prepare and cook the truffles : shaved over pastas, grated into scrambled eggs, added to chicken or meat dishes, sauces or broths. With a local producer and his dog, you will hunt the truffles and with Elisabeth, you will visit the market of Richerenches. You will meet with Janot, chef and owner of l’Escapade in Richerenches, and share a unique “apéritif à la Française” after the market in a very friendly atmosphere.

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DETAILED ITINERARY

DAY 1 (Friday) : Welcome to Provence !
Afternoon private transfer from Valence TGV station to the property (about one hour drive) Check-in at Villa Kaza and relaxing before sharing an aperitif. Food & wine pairing dinner at the property. Overnight at Villa Kaza.

DAY 2 (Saturday): Morning Truffles market / Afternoon Truffles Hunting / Evening Cooking Class celebrating the black truffles
Breakfast at Kaza.
Food market visit with the chef in the village of Richerenches to experience the truffles. An aperitif at Jeanot's café follows. Lunch at a wine property in Richerenches.
Afternoon truffles hunting for one hour, starting at 3:00pm. With the dog, the farmer will hunt the truffles under the oak trees.
Back to Kaza at 4:30pm to relax before attending a truffles cooking class under Chef Elisabeth direction.
Cooking class starts at 5:00pm for two hours. Truffles gourmet dinner accompanied by wine follows. Overnight at the property.

DAY 3 (Sunday) : Morning check-out / Visit to Nyons olive grove & mill and to the northern Provence hilltop villages / Late afternoon transfer to Paris by TGV

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PRICES PER PERSON (3 nights / 4 days)

Program price : (double occupancy) $ 1190
Single supplement : $ 450
Rates are subject to change based on currency exchange. Call for updated rates

Price includes :
Private round-trip transfer from Valence, France TGV station, ground transportation by car during the 3 days, 2-night accommodation at luxury Villa Kaza, home-made breakfasts, welcome food & wine pairing dinner on arrival, truffles cooking classes followed by dinner on Saturday evening, Richerenches truffles market visit with the chef on Saturday morning followed by an aperitif at Jeanot (l’Escapade restaurant), Saturday lunch at a wine property followed by the unique truffles hunting with the dog, and by a wines tasting at the chateau. On Sunday after checking-out, private drive to Nyons to visit an olives grove and mill. Lunch break in Nyons. Afternoon drive to Valence through the hilltop villages of Saint Paul Trois Chateaux and La Garde Adhémar.

Not included :
airfare to/from France and TGV Paris-Valence, France round-trip, personal expenses and personal insurance.

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2010 TOUR DATES

January 29-31
February 19-21 (only 2 spaces available)
March 5-7
March 12-14

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