AT HOME WITH GINA

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“When travelling abroad, nothing’s better than being welcomed by local hospitable people as a guest. And nothing’s equally better than feeling like at home, staying at a private charming villa with a central location that gives the liberty to go outside for walking and shopping, and do not depend on local transportation. When choosing the Carpentras in Provence lifestyle vacation, I was sure my gourmet adventure would be a fantastic experience, especially as Gina escorts the wine tours personally, when she is not in her kitchen for running her intimate cookery classes.”
A. McCarthy (Milwaukee, WI)

Carpentras in Provence

Located near the Rhone valley, and distance from the Mont-Ventoux and the Dentelles de Montmirail jagged hilltops, Carpentras is a city of arts and history, modelled by the Romans before becoming a Papal property from the 13th to the 18th centuries. The architecture truly reflects the Italian influence but Carpentras’ culture has also been marked by the presence of Jews, protected by the Popes. Today, with its 26.000 inhabitants, Carpentras remains a charming city with a warm atmosphere especially in the old district. On visiting Carpentras you will not missed the Synagogue, the oldest in France; the Hotel Dieu, a 18th century hospital; the Gate to Orange, the latest witness of the ramparts built at the 14th century to protect the city during the Hundred Years’ War; the Aqueduct and the beautiful fountains. In the old district, you will admire the 17th and 18th centuries mansions, the 19th century covered arcade with its elegant shops (called “Passage Boyer”) and you won’t miss the open-air lively market which attracts the Comtat farmers and fill almost half of the city on Fridays.

Carpentras surrounding magnificient landscapes reminds the Tuscan countryside with its mesmerizing colours and flavours. Carpentras belongs to the Vaucluse department, the smallest county in Provence that overflows with quality-labelled local organic products: the purple Muscat grape from Mont-Ventoux; the Nyons olives; the Cavaillon melon; the Monts-de-Venasque cherries; the Carpentras strawberries; and the black truffles with the Carpentras market which takes place at the winter season. This northern Provence is also highly reputed for its finest wines with no more than three appellations on the territory: the Côtes-du-Rhônes (Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Beaumes-de-Venise), renowed for its full-bodied reds and sweet scented whites; the Côtes-du-Ventoux and the Côtes-du-Luberon that produce regional wines, perfect for daily lunches and dinners.

Just a short drive further afield takes you to the pretty villages of Pernes-les-Fontaines or Vaison on the way to Cairanne reputed for its organic wines. Each turn on the road is a treasure to behold, and the beginning of a memory that will last a lifetime.

The Property

Located in the old district of Carpentras, between La Charité and La Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs, the property is an elegant and charming stone building on three levels dating back from the 18th century, home of writers and artists during decades. Today, this mansion is a luxury guesthouse. You will appreciate its central location, a few steps from the lively market and shopping area, while enjoying its perfect peace and quiet at night. It features five rooms at the second floor, all decorated with stylish antiques and furnished with modern comforts. Waxed tiles with kilim carpets line the floors, a collection of artifacts and paintings deck the walls, and high white ceilings give each room a lofty feel. Modern amenities include, a private bathroom with tub and shower, a spacious dining and a comfortable living room opened on a private scented garden where you can relax when the weather allows. The kitchen with its colourful painted walls is at the ground floor, opened on the garden. It’s Gina’s headquarter for the cooking classes. After each class, participants eat the fruits of their labor in the garden or in the dining room.

Organic Diet cooking classes & Wine Tastings

Gina has always lived in an epicurean environment, raised in a family of chefs and wine growers in the South of France. Before opening her cooking school in Carpentras, Gina owned a restaurant and wine bristro in Paris that she sold for buying the villa and for having a new healthy and more balanced life there. As a member of the Slow Travel and Slow Food association, she always takes time with her guests and share her passion for the diet cuisine and the organic wines from Provence.

Gina provides hands-on classes (not demonstration ones) that take place in her Provence-style kitchen and include typical Provencal recipes made with organic fresh products from the nature, the farms and the markets. Each class is followed by a dinner including an appetizer, a main course, a dessert, a tea or coffee, wines and mineral water. Each class is dedicated to a culinary theme : aromatic and wild herbs, vegetables and fruits, olive oil, traditions from the Comtat, cheese & wine harmony.

This Lifestyle Vacations exclusive program includes four hands-on cooking classes featuring local recipes of the region, three wine tastings, the excursions to the Cotes du Rhone and the Cotes du Ventoux with the visits and tastings, the Carpentras guided tour, and the Friday morning market visit with the Chef.

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DETAILED ITINERARY – 6 days / 5 nights

> DAY 1 (Sunday): Arrival
Pick-up and transfer from Avignon TGV station to Carpentras. Arrival and check-in. Welcome with a fresh drink and installation in your room. You will have the time to relax in your room or in the private garden, maybe have a little walk to explore the area. Around 7:00pm, a welcome aperitif will be served, the occasion also to review your weekly program. Dinner and overnight at the property.

> DAY 2 (Monday): Excursion on the “Cotes du Ventoux” wine route.
Organic Wine Tasting & Cooking Class 1
After a delightful breakfast with home-made brioches and jam, and other delicacies, you will explore the Ventoux and the Dentelles de Montmirail areas along a private excursion escorted by Gina. Departure is planned around 11:00am. You will meet a wine grower and enjoy a visit of the cellar. First organic wine tasting and lunch at a wine property. Afternoon walk in the vineyards.

You will be back to Carpentras around 4:30pm. Relax time. At 6:00pm begins your first hands-on cooking class dedicated to the fresh and wild aromatic herbs. You could cook something like a mesclun (mixed salad) or wild herbs soup, a traditional meat and vegetables ball called “la caillette”, an einkorn risotto or salad with fresh herbs, a goat fresh cheese and savory “faisselle”, a fruits soup with mint, melissa or vervain. Your class is followed by a dinner all together. Overnight at the property.

> DAY 3 (Tuesday): Excursion to L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue and Pernes-les-Fontaines
Cooking Class 2
After your breakfast, your guide meet you at the Villa for a private excursion to the picturesque villages of l’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue & Pernes-les-Fontaines (a ground transportation is included). L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue is a charming picturesque village called the “Venice of the Comtat” due to its numerous canals and branches of the Sorgue river adorned with beautiful waterwheels. It also attracts antique dealers and antique enthusiasts from worldwide, especially during the spring and summer week-ends. L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue sounds the perfect place to have a lunch break on a terrace under the plane trees. The excursion continues with a visit of Pernes-les-Fontaines, another 16th century charming village with a strong architectural heritage highlighted by the Ferrande tower, the donjon of the Counts of Toulouse castle, the gate of the ramparts, etc. The numerous fountains that you admire all along your visit bring the village a unique character and lifestyle.

From Pernes les Fontaines, you will go directly to the village of Velleron (about 10 mn by car) where you will join Gina for a visit of the peasan open-air market; it’s the occasion to buy vegetables and fruits that you will cook at the evening. This second hands-on class is dedicated to the vegetarian cuisine. Your class is followed by a dinner. Overnight at the property.

> DAY 4 (Wednesday): Carpentras guided tour and free shopping
Cooking Class 3
After your breakfast is a relaxing time at the Villa before walking to the Tourism Board office located steps for a Carpentras sightseeing. It’s a two-hour guided tour. Lunch by your own in Carpentras. Afternoon free shopping. At 4:00pm you will be back to the Villa for joining Gina, ready to show you the best food & wine spots to buy the finest products. This short walking tour introduces your third hands-on cooking class dedicated to the traditional recipes from Le Comtat. Your class is followed by a dinner. Overnight at the property.

> DAY 5 (Thursday): Excursion to Chateauneuf du Pape and Cairanne
Organic Wine Tasting 2 & Cooking Class 4
The Cotes du Rhone are probably the best wines from the Northern Provence and Rhone Valley and the appellation of world renown Chateauneuf du Pape is one of the finest. Here begins another great day of visits, a vineyard exploration and wine tastings to enhance your understanding in the French wines. As a wine expert, Gina is guiding you, opening the doors of the chateaux which are not open to the public and whose wines are served in the Michelin starred-restaurants. You will visit the wine cellars whose one dates back from the 17th century before having a little conference with a wine tasting as it’s run on a professional way.
Both Chateauneuf du Pape and Cairanne chateaux you will visit produce organic wines, and are listed among the premiers crus classés.
On being back to Carpentras around 4:30pm, you will relax before participating to your fourth and last hands-on cooking class dedicated to the olive oil. With the chef, you will learn the secrets of this elixir reputed for its therapeutic qualities, have a different oils tasting and then explore traditional recipes using the olive oils, from the appetizer to the dessert. Dinner and overnight at the property.

> DAY 6 (Friday): The lively open-air market of Carpentras and check-out.
After your breakfast, we strongly recommend to visit by your own the Carpentras beautiful open-air market, the most spectacular in Provence. It's located few steps from the Villa. You will enjoy the colours, the scents, the display of colourful and scented fruits and vegetables, herbs and plants, cheese, spices, oils, honey and jams, breads of all kind, wicker baskets and other artcrafts, etc. Check-out not later than noon. Transfer to the Avignon TGV station.

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PRICES PER PERSON

$ 2,855.00
Single supplement : $ 440.00
Suite supplement $ 405

Rates are subject to change based on currency exchange. Call for updated rates.

Price includes : Round trip private transfers from/to Avignon TGV station
Six days / Five nights accomodation at Gina's private Villa, based on double occupancy
Four hands-on cooking classes, followed by a three-course dinner with the wines included
Two half-day excursions on the Cotes du Ventoux and Cotes du Rhone wine routes by private driver
Three wine tastings at the chateaux on Monday and Thursday, and at the Villa on Friday
A cultural excursion to l'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue and Pernes-les-Fontaines by private car or minibus
Walking guided tour of Carpentras on Wednesday
Markets visit on Tuesday with the Chef
Welcome aperitif and dinner on Sunday
Two lunches (on Monday and Thursday at the wine properties).

Airfare not included

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TOUR DATES

May 2-7
June 13-18
July 4-9
September 12-17

This program is available throughout the year
for a minimum of 2 participants.

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