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“GETAWAY TO COGNAC – SOUTH WEST OF FRANCE

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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.

Welcome to the charming Maison Charentaise B&B Inn

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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Indulge in the Secret World of the Cognac, through a unique olfactive & tasting class

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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Indulge in the Finest Charentaise Cuisine through a hands-on class with Executive Chef Thierry Verrat at La Ribaudiere (one-star at the Michelin)

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.

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Other activities

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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Detailled 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.

OUR PRICES PER PERSON (double occupancy)

$ 1,880.00

Self-driving and no escort : $ 1,250.00

Single supplement $ 150.00

Please note that prices are subject to change based on exchange rates. Call for updated rates.

PRICES INCLUDE:
• 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

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2009 TOUR DATES (* ESCORTED TOURS)

March 12-16
* May 28 - June 1
June 18-22
July 2-6
* August 27-31
September 3-7
* September 17-21
October 8-12
Other dates available upon request for a group limited to 6 participants

A minimum of 2 participants is required for each tour. Tours limited to 8 persons.

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