GATEWAY TO COGNAC
Cognac tastings, Cooking Class, Excursion and Visits to local producers, Gourmet restaurants, Charming B&B Accommodation.

5 days / 4 nights (Thursday through Monday) starting at $1250 / pers

Only a few hours by train from Paris, located North to Bordeaux, and East to La Rochelle & the Atlantic coast, “La Charente” region spreads in a peaceful and diversified countryside with a rich heritage of history, architecture, and traditions. You find here an extraordinaire spot thanks to the legendary spirit of Cognac. This week-end break program is exclusive to Lifestyle Vacations and it’s devoted to wine connoisseurs and gourmet amateurs;

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La Maison Charentaise is located in the tiny village of Ars, in the heart of the Grande Champagne vineyard, only 5 miles south to Cognac. Dating back to the nineteen century, this wide house was almost in ruins when Patricia & Yvon bought it six years ago. After two years of important renovation works, Patricia & Yvon now offer three elegant guests rooms with private bathrooms and all modern amenities. In the morning, morning breakfasts are served in the dining room or outside on the terrace if weather permits.

Breakfats are home-made by Patricia, and it includes tea, hot chocolate or coffee with fresh juice, brioches, croissants, French baguette, cheese, butter and jam. A private outdoor pool and an indoor jacuzzi are at the guests disposal. As detailed in the itinerary, three dinners with traditional Pineau des Charentes aperitifs are offered at the B&B Inn, as well as the welcome lunch upon arrival

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Surrounded by thousands acres of vineyard split into different districts (Grande & Petite Champagne, Borderies, Les Bois) which produces a light white wine, the Cognac area is world renown for its refined spirit, produced through a distillation process from November to March. If visitors necessarily push the doors of the most prestigious houses such as Hennessy, Remy Martin… rare are the ones who really enter the secret world of the cognacs through the unique educational approach of a class. We have choosen a half-day course including a lecture, a nose exercise to recognize the flavors & aromas, the full bouquets and multi-faceted characters, and of course the tastings beginning by the VS to finish on prestigious aged XO ones

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For sure, he is the best chef in Charente and tasting his fine cuisine at “La Ribaudière” is ever a feast for the buds. Thierry Verrat opens his cooking school recently and welcomes gourmet amateurs on Saturday morning for a unique teaching of the finest French and Charentaise regional cuisine. Under the chef direction, you will learn to cook a three-course meal unsing delightful produces such as truffles, langoustines, lobster, lamb from the farm, goat cheese from local producers, and the freshest seasonal vegetables and fruits from the market. The class starts at 9:00am and ends at noon. The tasting lunch with the chef follows the class. Wine and a glass of champagne for the aperitif are included.


In the North of Lyon, nearby the Paul Bocuse Culinary Institute : The luxury 5-key ‘Inn at the Park’ B&B.
Conveniently located in the northern part of Lyon, the luxury Inn at the Park B&B is set in a quaint area of residential properties, and nestled in a beautiful park with century oaks and maples. It was a farm with its barn, hen house and kennel seventy years ago… After a complete renovation, guests can now delight in the elegance and modern luxury at the Inn at the Park B&B, unmatched by typical hotel lodging.

It offers five rooms and suites elegantly appointed with antique furnishings and high quality fabrics, and with en-suite private bathrooms. In the morning, Inn at the Park awaken to the aroma of freshly baked breakfast breads and brioches. The Inn at the Park, recently featured in French home magazines, is the perfect place to stay for a romantic and gourmet getaway escape, either with your one and only, friends or when travelling alone to relax, rejuvenate and revive your spirit

Besides the Cognac spirit exploration and the cooking class with the Michelin-star chef, your program includes a visit to a goat cheese farm at Roullet-Saint-Estephe, as well as cultural visits (guided tour of Cognac, visit to Jarnac, visit to the Museum of the Arts of Cognac). At the warm season, you will experience a cruise on the Charente river aboard a traditional wooden boat called “gabare”. In the winter (November to March), you will visit a distillery “live” and see how the Cognac is produced. Whatever the season is, you will enjoy a healthy Sunday morning two-hour walk across the traditional village of Ars, and the beautiful Charente countryside and its vineyards.

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DETAILED ITINERARY

> DAY 1 (Thursday) : Arrival to Cognac – Remy Martin visit
- Arrival to Cognac train station at noon. Private transfer by taxi to Ars (5 miles).
- Check-in and welcome light lunch.
- Afternoon three-hour visit to the prestigious Remy Martin including the two sites of Merpins and Cognac.
- Back to Ars at 6:00pm.
- Dinner and overnight at the property.

> DAY 2 (Friday) : Cognac Olfactive & Tasting Class – Cognac sightseeing – Visit to the Museum of the Arts of Cognac
- After the breakfast, private transfer to Cognac to indulge in the secret world of the cognacs through a unique class taught in English by our expert. The class lasts three hours.
- Lunch in a traditional restaurant in Cognac (wines not included).
- Afternoon guided visit to the Museum of the Arts of Cognac before exploring the city of Cognac and enjoying some shopping.
- Dinner at the gourmet restaurant “La Gourmandiere” nearby Ars.
- Overnight at the property.

> DAY 3 (Saturday) : Cooking Class – Visit to a goat cheese farm
- After your breakfast, private transfer to Bourg Charente (10 miles) to reach la Ribaudière and its cooking school run by Executive Michelin-star chef Thierry Verrat. The class starts at 9:00am and ends at noon. Tasting lunch follows.
- In the afternoon, you will visit a goat cheese farm. Cheese tasting follows the visit. Back to the property at 6:00pm.
- Dinner and overnight at the property.

>DAY 4 (Sunday) : Morning walk across the village of Ars or relaxing time – Visit to Jarnac including a cruise on the river or a visit to a distillery
- After your breakfast, you can simply relax at the property or enjoy a morning walk across the village and its surroundings. You will be guided by Yvon, the ower of the B&B Inn. On the way back, you can stop at a local cognac and pineau producer.
- Private transfer to Jarnac at noon.
- Lunch in a traditional restaurant in Jarnac (wines not included).
- Afternoon two-hour cruise on the river Charente or visit to a distillery depending on the season.
- Warking tour of Jarnac by your own.
- Back to the property at 6:00pm.
- Dinner and overnight at the property.

>DAY 5 (Monday) : Breakfast and morning check-out.
- Private transfer by taxi to the Cognac train station.

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PRICE PER PERSON (double occupency) : US$ 1,880.00
Single supplement : US$ 150.00
Self-driving and no escort : US$ 1,250.00
• Please not that prices are subject to change based on exchange rates. Call for updated rates.

PRICE INCLUDES
• 4 nights accomodation (double occupancy),
• 4 home-made breakfasts
• Welcome lunch on arrival
• Visit of the Remy Martin both Cellar & House in Merpins and in Cognac
• One Cognac spirit olfactive & tasting class with an expert
• One hands-on cooking class followed by tasting lunch, wine included
• Two lunches at traditional restaurants in Cognac and Jarnac (wines are extra)
• Three dinners at the B&B (wine and Pineau aperitif included)
• One gourmet dinner at La Gourmandiere restaurant
• Visit to the Museum of the Arts of Cognac (entrance tickets included)
• Guided tour of the city of Cognac
• Afternoon cruise on the river Charente aboard a traditional boat or visit to a distillery,
depending on the season
• Walking tour across the village of Ars, including a visit to a local cognac producer
• Private transfers from/to the Cognac train station
• Private ground transportation for the visits and excursions

NOT INCLUDED
• airfare to/from France, airport or train station transfers
• Drinks at the restaurants
• Dinners on Wednesday and Thursday
• Personal expenses and personal insurance

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2012 TOUR DATES

Program available in April, May, June, last week of August, an September, Thursday through Monday, for a minimun of 4 participants. Please email us your request.