COOKING & EASY WALKING - FROM November 2007 through all seasons in 2008! A deluxe package for as few as 2 persons, this short program will give you a sample of the best Languedoc has to offer: cuisine, wine, weather, and natural beauty! You will be met from your arrival by an English speaking driver and his Mercedes E class vehicle for a posh 3 days of service and fun. Personalized hands on cooking with 2 recognized chefs will give you wonderful insight into specialties of the region, and with your wine visits you will discover some of the best wine in France yet less known than some of the other regions. This region of France is a landscape of thousand faces. From vineyards to bays, from wooded hills to towering mountains, Catalonia is an open air and open country. With its nice weather and memorable walks, Catalonia is an excellent choice, with scenery that changes with the seasons and its abundance of animal and plant life. This package is very comprehensive and full service and as it is located in sunny Languedoc coastal region, you can go throughout the year and add it on to any Europe trip.		"Barb and I had a great time on our trip arranged by you in the Languedoc region. As with our first trip, everything went very smoothly with no problems at all. " -R.& B. Smith

DAY 1: Arrival at Perpignan airport or Perpignan TGV Train station (around 5,30 hours from Paris) Upon arrival transfer with English speaking driver and limousine to St Cyprien and your deluxe 4 star golf-hotel the Mas d'Huston.. (or with private mini-coach over 4 persons) You will have a private orientation of the program and free time until a delicious gourmet dinner with selected wines of the Roussillon region . (D)

Day 2: After a full buffet breakfast at the hotel, departure for the Agly valley. In the small and authentic Mediterranean village of Maury, you will meet you host for a morning kitchen course at the Maison du Terroir. First of all with Pascal Borrel, (his place is well known in the region, www.maison-du-terroir.com) you will spend 3 hours preparing a dish which you will then get to enjoy for your lunch along with a selection of local wines.After lunch, departure for Carcasonne. Guided walking tour of the famous Cité de Carcasonne, free time for shopping.Dinner at “la Brasserie du Donjon” where you will have the opportunity to taste the famous French « Cassoulet »Transfer back to Saint Cyprien – Overnight. Cooking is for small groups; more than 4 will change venues to be in Rivesaltes –Auberge du Domaine de Rombeau . www.domaine-de-rombeau.com (B, L, D)

Day 3: After breakfast, departure for Collioure along the coast and one of the most picturesque villages of the south. The old village is curled up between its bell tower and its Royal Castle, both at the water’s edge.The village has been home to the works of famous artists such as Matisse, Derain or Dufy. Free walking tour in the streets, echo to sounds of life to rhythm of the sardane-dances. The town is lively and a walk in its narrow streets takes you back in time. Later, continuing along the coast road is Banyuls sur mer, an attractive village that has given the name to the wine that comes from the terraced vineyards on the hillsides above. Delicious Catalane cuisine for lunch in an authentic Mediterranean style restaurant in Banyuls. Here, the vines plunge down to the sea or climb high up towards the mountains.At 2 PM the winemakers will share some very special moments with a walking tour of the estate with English speaking guide, tasting some outstanding wines from Banyuls and Collioure.(2 hours visit) At 4:30 PM, you will have your cooking class in one of the best tables of the rocky coast, referenced in French gourmet guides. “Al Fanal” (approximately 3 hours).Dinner of your dishes with selected wines of the Vermillion Coast..www.al-fanal.com
Dinner of dishes with selected wines of the Vermillion Coast. Return to your hotel afterwards.
(B,L, D)

Day 4: )After breakfast, departure to Castelnou. Some of the morning visits include stops at the Monastir del Camp and tour with English speaking guide followed by a visit at the Chateau de Sau. Lunch at the very fine restaurant of La Villa Duflot. After lunch, time to visit Castelnou on your own is available, before going back to Perpignan for departure. About Castelnou: a medieval village, it has a castle at its heart dating from 990 AD. There is a Roman church, artisans, and numerous cobblestone walkways and pathways - just as it was more than 1000 years ago!

Transfer to Perpignan airport or Train station for departure. (B,L)

We can arrange longer stays, and/or trains back to Paris.

The trip includes: 3 overnights accommodations in a hotel 4 **** hotel le Mas d’Huston www.golf-hotel-saint-cyprien.com
2 cooking classes ( approx. 3 hours each)
3 lunches ( 3 main courses with ¼ regional wine, and coffee)
3 Dinners (3 main courses with ¼ regional wine , and coffee)
A Welcome presentation of the journey with one apron per person
1 English speaking driver (from day one upon arrival to day 4 upon departure)
1 Limousine for two ( Mercedes Classe E or similar, with air conditioning)
1 English speaking guide during Carcassonne city-tours
1 Entrance fee to Elne cloister.1 Entrance fee to Cabestany “Roman sculpture centre”
1 guiding walking tour in Banyuls wine estate + Cellar visit + tasting.(2 hours)
1 personal visit + tasting fees on Marie-Pierre or Serge Baux’s wine estate.
1 personalised visit + tasting fees on the tomato producer farm

We also include free travel planning to add Paris hotels, car rentals, France hotels, trains, airport transfers, and more.

Optional Services:
Travel insurance, Paris museum & metro passes, Paris day tours, Lido shows, and other services. Cell phone rental and luggage storage services.

Note: Tourist tax of about 1 euro per person per day is collected at the hotels and is not included in the price; and any other personal expense. Prices subject to change based upon currency fluctuations. See Booking Terms and Conditions.