France

Gourmet Getaway to Provence

The Tree & Vine Gourmet Tour 2022

October 20 – 28, 2022

Group Size: 14 participants

Join us for a gourmet getaway that will take us to the sun kissed terroir of Provence and Mediterranean majesty of the Côte d’Azur, as we sip our way through Southern France’s finest appellations, from the blushing rosé of the AOC Ventoux and Coteaux d’Aix to the bold rubicund reds of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Bandol. Our senses will be dazzled by aromas of lavender and thyme as we hunt for truffles in the Lubéron and traverse idyllic medieval villages suspended in time. We’ll uncover the garden fresh secrets of the Provençal kitchen and savor a mosaic of street food traditions in Marseille and Nice while appreciating the artisan bounty of the south, from farm fresh chevre and the fruity olive oils of Les Alpilles to the sweet Calissons of Aix and the heirloom citrus of magical Menton. We’ll peruse the daily epicurean delights of the Marché of Aix and Antibes and be inspired by the seaside splendor of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, all while experiencing stellar haute-cuisine from the Vaucluse to the sparkling Riviera.

Trip Details

9 Days / 8 Nights

Day One

October 20, 2022 (Arrival to Provence)

Pre-Tour Hotel Option in Nice

It is strongly recommended that tour participants arrive to Nice one day prior to the commencement of the tour, to allow for any delays or rerouting that may occur while in transit to Nice. For tour participants wishing to arrive to Nice on October 19th, 2022, a pre-tour hotel option with rate has been outlined in “Additional Tour Information” under the “Pre-Tour Hotel Option” section.

Our gourmet getaway to Provence will begin at the rendezvous point of Hotel La Pérouse in Nice, where the CountryBred Tour Manager will be waiting to welcome everyone. Once all participants have arrived, we will depart via group bus transfer to the mesmerizing landscapes of the Lubéron for check-in to our antique stone farmhouse turned sumptuous five-star stay, Hotel Le Phébus & Spa, a gastronomic standout owned by Chef Xavier Mathieu. We will toast to the start of our epicurean adventure together with an al fresco aperitif featuring light bites and a warm welcome by owners of The Tree & Vine, Terri and Paul Karlsson. Following our gourmet welcome, we’ll settle-in with free time to discover our hotel’s picturesque Provençal setting and plush amenities, before celebrating the start of our getaway with a dinner of seasonal, market driven fare inspired by beloved family traditions and exquisite local ingredients at Le Phébus’s Le Bistrot Cafe de la Fontaine.

Stay: Hotel Le Phébus & Spa
Meals: Light Lunch, Dinner

Day Two

October 21, 2022 (THE LUBÉRON)

This morning we will delve into the fresh from the terroir flavors of Southern France with a chef-led cooking experience of classic Provençal cuisine hosted within the exclusive culinary space of Le Phébus. After we dine on a lunch of our delectable handmade dishes, we’ll travel from the kitchen to the countryside for an exploration of two of the Lubéron’s most stunning hilltop villages, starting with spectacular Gordes, perched atop a dramatic plateau overlooking the verdant Lubéron landscape. We’ll appreciate the Vieille Ville de Gordes with its scenic cobblestone calades and storybook town center before visiting the jewelbox village of Roussillon, a vision in pink characterized by a labyrinthine of passageways and the blush facades of its charming architecture. In the afternoon we’ll sip fine AOC Ventoux and Lubéron rosé and reds in the cellar of a boutique estate, while uncovering the unique characteristics of the surrounding terroir. Our day spent discovering the Lubéron will be crowned with a convivial hunt for the region’s prized Provencal black truffle led by an expert truffle hunter, and punctuated with a sampling of hors d’oeuvres featuring the treasured tuber paired with Champagne.

Stay: Hotel Le Phébus & Spa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Light Dinner

Day Three

October 22, 2022 (CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE & LES ALPILLES)

Today we will uncover the artisanal taste traditions of Provence, from handcrafted cheeses fresh from the farm to the Grenache based beauties of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and golden olive groves of Les Alpilles. We’ll begin the morning at the goat farm of a family of cheesemakers celebrated for their artisan approach to producing quality cheeses from their boutique chevrerie. We’ll learn about the farm’s organic approach to raising goats and how their exceptional dairy products are crafted, before delighting in a luscious tasting of the cheesemaker’s goat milk creations. Our journey will continue in the iconic vineyards of Châteauneuf-du-Pape for a private visit of the historic aging cellars of a storied estate followed by a tasting of their exceptional Cotes du Rhone vintages crafted from Syrah and Grenache. We’ll next be welcomed into the private cave of a Master Sommelier for a private chef’s table lunch of gourmet Provencal dishes expertly paired with a curated selection of elegant Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines. From emerald vineyards to the sprawling expanses of Les Alpilles, we’ll enjoy an exclusive tasting at an artisan olive oil mill renowned for their award winning AOP Vallée des Baux de Provence olive oils produced from native varietals, such as Salonenque, Aglandau, Grossane and Verdale, beautifully reflecting the windswept terroir of the region. Following our return to the hotel, a free evening will be ours to relax and enjoy dinner independently.

Stay: Hotel Le Phébus & Spa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day Four

October 23, 2022 (AIX-EN-PROVENCE)

This morning we will find ourselves in the delightful Provençal town of Aix-en-Provence where our guide, a local food expert, will introduce us to Aix’s lively farmers market showcasing a bounty of fresh produce and regional delicacies, from buttery olives and local honey to lavender goods and savory cheeses. Along the way, we’ll stop to visit a fabled 19th century candy atelier to savor the heritage of the locally loved confection, Calissons d’Aix, produced from sweet candied melon and orange, almonds, egg yolks and sugar. Our food expert will next welcome us into their kitchen for a hands-on cooking class dedicated to the true flavors of Provence, culminating with a lunch of our delectable creations paired with regional wines. We’ll spend free time in the afternoon exploring the romantic Old Town of Aix with its picture perfect squares like Place de l’Hotel de Ville and Place Richelme, and grand boulevard, the Cours Mirabeau, before setting off for the lush vines of the Coteaux d’Aix en Provence appellation. A private winery visit and tasting flight of signature Coteaux d’Aix vintages await us at a sophisticated wine estate revered for its contemporary design, unique collection of art treasures, and organic winemaking philosophy. Our evening in the vineyards will be complemented with a dinner of gourmet bites inspired by the Mediterranean flavors of Provence, served alongside the estate’s elegant wines, before returning to Le Phébus for the evening.

Stay: Hotel Le Phébus & Spa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Light Dinner

Day Five

OCTOBER 24, 2022 (MARSEILLE, BANDOL & GRASSE)

This morning we will bid adieu to our sumptuous stay in the Lubéron and set off for the mighty coastal metropolis of Marseille, France’s second largest city and capital of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region. We will appreciate the history and culture of Marseille while experiencing the city’s oldest district, Le Panier, a colorful collage of petit squares and narrow, picturesque streets where period architecture meets modern street art. We will next savor a true taste of Marseillaise flavors deliciously influenced by the Mediterranean and North Africa, while sampling specialties like Fougasse and Panisse during a food-focused walking tour, before sipping the local spirit of choice, pastis, at an antique Old Town tavern. Lunch will be an ode to the city’s iconic seafood stew, Bouillabaisse, before setting off for the hillside vineyards of the Bandol AOC wine appellation. We will learn about the vinicultural heritage of Bandol during an exclusive visit to one of the region’s most acclaimed estates, before tasting the winery’s lush red vintages produced from Bandol’s signature Mourvèdre grape. The day will lead us to the romantic French Riviera village of Grasse for check-in to former 17th century country house turned enchanting five-star stay, La Bastide Saint-Antoine, our culinary haven in the green heart of the Côte d’Azur. This evening will be free to get acquainted with our lovely accommodation and dine independently.

Stay: La Bastide Saint-Antoine
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day Six

OCTOBER 25, 2022 (ANTIBES, CAGNES-SUR-MER & SAINT-PAUL-DE-VENCE)

Our culinary journey will continue as we delve into the coastal treasures of the Côte d’Azur, starting in the sparkling French Riviera town of Antibes. We’ll experience the city’s lovely covered market, the Marché Provençal, brimming with fresh produce and fine gourmet goods, before exploring the scenic Old Town of Antibes with its elegant Place Nationale and lovely seaside Promenade Amiral de Grasse. Delicious discoveries await us at a gourmet fromagerie where the cheesemonger will lead us through a special tasting of signature French cheeses hosted within a very unique setting. From Antibes we’ll arrive in splendid Cagnes-sur-Mer for a guided visit of the Musée Renoir, former home of legendary Impressionist artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir, offering an intimate portrait of the Renoir family with its period furnishings, collection of paintings, and artist’s atelier. Our afternoon will be spent in the charming hilltop village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence with free time to meander through its charming cobblestone center of quaint boutiques and galleries, before savoring a dinner of seasonal Provençal cuisine at a sophisticated spot once frequented by iconic artists like Picasso and Matisse.

Stay: La Bastide Saint-Antoine
Meals: Breakfast, Light Lunch, Dinner

Day Seven

OCTOBER 26, 2022 (MENTON, MONACO, EZE VILLAGE & SAINT-JEAN-CAP-FERRAT)

Today we will venture within moments of the French-Italian border to explore the exquisite coastal town of Menton. We’ll traverse the historic seaside center of Menton, known for its uniquely rich history spanning from the ancient Romans and Italian Ligurians to the Monegasque and French, before making our way to a historic lemon grove to appreciate the estate’s organic cultivation of the coveted Menton lemon variety, while learning about the historical significance of citrus in local Mentonnaise culture. Our journey along the chic Riviera coastline will lead us to the petit Principality of Monaco, known for its unique history under the House of Grimaldi and glittering reputation as a playground for the world’s most glamorous. We’ll enjoy free time to independently explore the heart of Monaco’s Monte Carlo district, known for its yacht-lined harbor and legendary Belle Epoque stunner, the Casino de Monte Carlo. Lunch will be an elegant tasting menu highlighting the sunkissed ingredients and marine inspired flavors of the Côte d’Azur at legendary Two Michelin Star restaurant, La Chèvre d’Or, in the medieval hilltop village of Èze. Our sparkling day along the coast will culminate in the picturesque seaside town of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat for a guided visit of the fanciful gardens of Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, built upon the promontory of Cap Ferrat at the turn of the 20th century.

Stay: La Bastide Saint-Antoine
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day Eight

OCTOBER 27, 2022 (NICE)

Our celebration of the Côte d’Azur will continue as we set off for the jewel toned heart of Vieux Nice (Nice’s Old Town) for a taste of typical Nicois life along the glittering Baie des Anges. We’ll experience the Old Town’s Baroque architecture and glorious squares, like the Place Massena and colorful Marche aux Fleurs Cours Saleya, before embarking on a street food tasting tour to sample typical specialties like chickpea Socca, Pissaladière and Tourte de Blettes. Following some free time for shopping and exploring independently in the center of Vieux Nice, we’ll return to La Bastide Saint-Antoine for a relaxing afternoon to enjoy our accommodation and prepare for tomorrow’s departure. This evening we’ll raise a glass to our culinary journey together during an elegant Michelin-starred dinner of Riviera inspired cuisine showcasing the aromatics of the coastal terroir at La Bastide de Saint-Antoine’s gastronomic restaurant by Chef and Owner Jacques Chibois.

Stay: La Bastide Saint-Antoine
Meals: Breakfast, Light Lunch, Dinner

Day Nine

OCTOBER 28, 2022 (DEPARTURE FROM GRASSE)

This morning we’ll get an early start as we check-out from La Bastide Saint-Antoine and depart for our scheduled drop-off at Nice Côte d’Azur Airport, and the end of the tour.

Meals: Breakfast

Pricing

Pricing is $6,799 per person, based on double occupancy*

*Prices subject to change

Tour Highlights

8 nights at luxury, five-star boutique accommodations in the Lubéron region of Provence & the green heart of the Côte d’Azur

14 regionally inspired meals showcasing local food products & seasonal ingredients

Full-time CountryBred Tour Leader & select touring with local CB guides

Two representatives from The Tree & Vine on tour

All ground transportation from pick-up to drop-off in private, air-conditioned bus

Two hands-on cooking experiences highlighting the heritage Provençal recipes in the Lubéron & Aix-en-Provence

Private Chef’s Table lunch hosted at private cave of Master Sommelier in Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Premium winery visits and tastings in the Lubéron, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Coteaux d’Aix en Provence & Bandol appellations

Guided explorations of stunning medieval hilltop Lubéron villages of Gordes and Roussillon & exquisite French Riviera towns of Antibes and Menton

Exclusive gastronomic experiences, including hunting for the local Lubéron black truffle, boutique chevrerie visit for tasting of cheesemaker’s delectable goat milk creations, artisan olive oil mill visit and tasting at award winning Les Alpilles producer, visit to storied 19th century Calissons d’Aix candy atelier & signature tasting of regional French cheeses with expert fromager in Antibes

Guided Farmers Market visits in Aix-en-Provence & Antibes

Guided exploration of Marseille’s oldest district, Le Panier, including food-focused walking tour to savor true Marseillaise flavors deliciously influenced by the Mediterranean and North Africa

Guided visit of Renoir’s former home and artist atelier turned museum, the Musée Renoir

Exclusive visit to historic lemon grove to appreciate estate’s organic cultivation of the coveted Menton lemon variety

Visit to Principality of Monaco with time to independently explore heart of Monte Carlo

Guided visit of fanciful gardens of Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, built upon the promontory of Cap Ferrat at the turn of the 20th century

Guided exploration of Vieux Nice (Nice’s Old Town) to experience a taste of typical Nicois life, including street food tasting tour to sample typical specialties like chickpea Socca, Pissaladière & Tourte de Blettes

Elegant gastronomic dining on the Côte d’Azur, including lunch at legendary Two Michelin Star restaurant, La Chèvre d’Or & Michelin Star dinner at La Bastide de Saint-Antoine

Included

8 night stays at deluxe accommodations hand-selected by CountryBred, including five-star Hotel Le Phébus & Spa in Joucas & five-star La Bastide Saint-Antoine in Grasse

All ground transportation from pick-up to drop-off in private, air-conditioned bus

Group transfer from designated rendezvous point in Nice to the Lubéron region of Provence, for start of tour

Group transfer from Grasse to designated drop-off point of Nice Côte d’Azur Airport, at the end of tour

Full-time assistance of a CountryBred Tour Leader

Select touring with CB Regional Ambassadors & local culinary experts, where indicated

Two representatives from The Tree & Vine on tour

Signature cultural touring & all associated ticket/entrance fees exclusively organized by CountryBred

Hands-on cooking experiences highlighting heritage Provençal recipes in the Lubéron & Aix-en-Provence

Premium winery visits and tastings in the Lubéron, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Coteaux d’Aix en Provence & Bandol appellations

Special visits with food artisans & organic farmers, including guided farmers market visits in Aix-en-Provence & Antibes, cheese farm & fromagerie visits, olive oil mill visits, truffle hunting in the Lubéron, visit to confectioner of typical Calissons d’Aix & visit of historic Menton lemon grove

Tastings of local delicacies unique to each region, including street food tasting tours in Marseille Old Town & Vieux Nice

Daily hotel breakfast

Welcome aperitif featuring light bites hosted at Le Phébus

Seasonally inspired dining experiences showcasing regional gastronomy & wines of Provence, including private Chef’s Table lunch in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Two Michelin Star lunch at iconic La Chèvre d’Or Restaurant & Michelin-starred dinner at La Bastide Saint-Antoine

Traveler Welcome Package in advance of departure

Not Included

International or regional airfare

Alcoholic beverages, wines or a-la-carte food orders outside of pre-arranged menus during organized meals

Any meals or beverages during free time

Hotel incidentals including room service, laundry services and hotel bar tabs

Hotel room upgrade requests and/or fees/supplements incurred from any room changes

Personal expenditures and personal spending money

Expenses for activities/excursions not included in the tour itinerary

Transportation expenses incurred during free time, such as taxi or bus fares

Travel insurance including health, accidents, lost baggage and trip cancellation

Passport and Visa expenses

All other items that are not mentioned or included in the tour itinerary

additional tour information

Arrival & Start of Tour

The tour will commence on October 20th, 2022. The group rendezvous point for the start of the tour is Hotel La Pérouse in Nice, the designated pre-tour hotel option. It is strongly recommended that you arrive to Nice one day prior to the commencement of the tour, to allow for any delays or rerouting that may occur while in transit to Nice. Please note that all participants must arrive to Hotel La Pérouse by 9:00 AM on October 20th, 2022 to take advantage of the group transfer to the Lubéron region of Provence.

Tour Start Date: October 20th, 2022

Suggested Airport: Nice Côte d’Azur Airport

Pick-up Location: Hotel La Pérouse

Pick-up Time: 11:00 AM

Pre-Tour Hotel Option

Tour participants choosing to arrive to Nice on October 19th, 2022, one day prior to the commencement of the tour, have the option to book the following pre-tour hotel rate at Hotel La Pérouse in Nice:

Superior Room with Sea View
$240 per night, per room, with breakfast and city tax included; check-in on October 19, 2022 with check-out on October 20, 2022

To book your pre-tour hotel stay at Hotel La Pérouse in Nice on October 19th, 2022, please contact CountryBred at info@countrybred.com.

Departure & End of Tour

The tour will end on October 28th, 2022 with group drop-off at Nice Côte d’Azur Airport. If you are planning to depart from Nice Côte d’Azur Airport on October 28th, 2022, you will need to book a departing flight that leaves no earlier than 10:00 AM, to allow for ample time following the scheduled group drop-off.

Tour End Date: October 28th, 2022

Suggested Airport: Nice Côte d’Azur Airport

Drop-off Location: Nice Côte d’Azur Airport

Drop-off Time: 6:30 AM

Changes to Tour Itinerary

CountryBred has designed this exclusive gourmet tour for The Tree & Vine to highlight seasonal vinicultural and gastronomic experiences of the highest caliber. As this tour has been specially crafted to take you off the beaten path and introduce you to authentic local food and wine experiences, it may require that necessary adjustments be made to the tour schedule either prior to departure or during the tour. Rest assured, we will make every effort to provide you with the touring experience outlined in the itinerary. Please be advised that we cannot provide refunds for any touring days, activities, excursions, tastings, etc.,in which you have chosen not to participate, or any costs associated with opting out of a planned activity or excursion (i.e. taxi or bus fare).

Travel Insurance

Optional travel insurance is available to provide peace of mind during your travels in the event of accident, sickness or unexpected cancellation. In evaluating travel insurance options you may want to review all forms of insurance coverage for your upcoming trip, such as your credit card or medical and homeowner’s insurance company benefits, in addition to other third party insurance providers. Trip insurance can also be purchased through CountryBred’s preferred provider AIG Travel Guard®, the nation’s leading travel insurance carrier. If you are interested in obtaining a quote or purchasing a Travel Guard policy, you can contact CountryBred at 1-800-615-3543 or info@countrybred.com.

Airfare

Today’s travel landscape offers many resources available for booking airfare. As such, we encourage you to explore your options, such as booking your airfare through a trusted ticketing agent, an online airline resource, or using your frequent flier miles or credit card rewards points. As you research your preferred flights, you will want to review your pre-tour and post-tour travel plans, and select airline routes that make sense logistically with regard to the start and end dates of the tour.

Passports, Visas & Travel Documents

All CountryBred Encounters require a valid passport, with a minimum 6 months validity. As visa and entry requirements can change with little or no notice, it is your responsibility to carry the proper travel documents, and to contact your local embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date information on visa and entry requirements, along with information about country specific quarantine and testing requirements.

Luggage Allowance

Each tour participant is allowed a total of one medium sized suitcase (25” to 27” inches) and one standard carry-on. Please note that this luggage allowance will be strictly enforced, as the size of the tour vehicle will only accommodate the set number of tour participants and the outlined luggage allowance per participant. Any deviation from the outlined luggage allowance will result in unnecessarily cramped tour bus conditions.

Organized Meals

This tour is designed to celebrate the regional culinary traditions, seasonal produce, and local food products that makes France such a dynamic gastronomic destination. During the tour you will enjoy a diversity of gourmet foods and typical dishes, intended to delve deep into the authentic food landscapes we will be exploring. This means that you can look forward to sampling regional delicacies that highlight a cornucopia of ingredients, from the familiar to the unfamiliar. As culinary experiences and the menus for organized meals are planned well in advance, it is important that you advise The Tree & Vine and CountryBred of any food allergies and/or dietary restrictions you may have, as soon as possible, so that we can do our very best to meet your needs.

Physical Considerations

This tour will be physically active and interactive, so you must be in good health to participate. While the pace of walking will be monitored by the Tour Leader and local guides in accordance with the natural pace of the tour group, participants can expect to be on their feet for an extended period of time for specific touring activities, such as during guided walking tours, which may require climbing stairs to access sites or dining locations, experiencing uneven terrain, and walking up or down hilly streets, etc. If you have any physical, mental, visual, or other medical impairment that may hinder your ability to successfully complete this CountryBred small group tour, you must submit a letter from your physician stating that you are able to safely participate in the tour at least 90 days prior to departure. CountryBred reserves the right to decline any Participant whose condition, in CountryBred’s opinion, may negatively affect the health or safety of that Participant, other Participants, our staff/agents, or third parties.

Traveler Welcome Package

Your Traveler Welcome Package will be mailed out to arrive prior to your departure on the tour, and will include a printed copy of the detailed tour itinerary, as well as other supplemental travel information.

How to Book

To reserve your spot on this exclusive tour for The Tree & Vine, please refer to the following steps. The group size for this tour is 14 participants.

Step 1:

Please contact Terri Karlsson of The Tree & Vine at terri@thetreeandvine.com or Terri’s mobile 828-577-1848, to make arrangements for submitting your trip deposit. A deposit of 50% of the total trip cost ($3,399.50/per person) will be required as the first step in reserving your spot on the trip.

Step 2:

After your trip deposit has been submitted to Terri at The Tree & Vine, you will need to complete and submit CountryBred’s online Group Traveler Booking Form. You can fill out and submit the form by clicking the “Book Now” buttons on this page, or by visiting https://countrybred.com/group-traveler-booking-form/.

Once your trip deposit and Group Traveler Booking Form have been received, your spot will be reserved on the trip. Should you have any additional questions regarding your reservation and the submitting of your deposit to The Tree & Vine, please contact Terri Karlsson at terri@thetreeandvine.com or 865-985-0524.

Should you have any questions regarding the submitting of your online Group Traveler Booking Form, you can contact CountryBred at info@countrybred.com or 1-800-615-3543.

Trip Balance Payment

Trip balance is due to Terri Karlsson of The Tree & Vine by no later than August 8th, 2022 (approximately 75 days prior to tour departure).

Payments may be made by MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover, or by check made payable to The Tree & Vine.

Cancellations

If you cancel by or before March 1st, 2022: You will receive a 100% refund of your paid deposit

If you cancel between March 1st, 2022 and June 10th, 2022: You will receive a 50% refund of your paid deposit

If you cancel between June 10th, 2022 and August 8th, 2022: You will receive a 25% refund of your paid deposit

If you cancel after August 8th, 2022 all monies paid will be non-refundable

Trip cancellation must be made by calling Terri Karlsson, at The Tree & Vine at 828-577-1848, and must be followed up by written confirmation via email or mail.

Handpicked Stays

Hotel

Hotel Le Phébus & Spa

Hotel

La Bastide Saint-Antoine

"A work colleague recommended CountryBred for my milestone birthday trip and we were thrilled with our travel experience. The trip exceeded our expectations- filled with one of a kind experiences. We are already talking about our next CountryBred journey!"

"I don’t know how one could ask for better experiences than we receive from CountryBred."

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