PRE OPTIONS
Champagne: September 2 – 5, 2010
We’ll be staying 3 nights at one of the most famous boutique hotels in France, Les Crayères.
Built in 1904, Les Crayères is the world's most unique illustration of French-style “art de vivre” dedicated to the celebration of Champagne. This magnificent 18-room manor, surrounded by a pristine fifteen-acre park, is the property of our good friends, the Gardinier family, who also own the prestigious Château Phélan Ségur, located at Saint-Estèphe, Bordeaux.
We’ll experience their great hospitality, an intimate cooking class with their chef – Philippe Mille, one of the top star-winning chefs of French gastronomy and former chef of Le Meurice in Paris. We’ll get an inside look at one of the most famous kitchens in the world.
For our first evening at Les Crayères, guests will enjoy a welcome reception and dinner in the relaxed atmosphere of the Le Jardin Brasserie. Here, the decor, inspired by the history of the site, emphasizes transparency and friendliness: large veranda, kitchen opening onto the outdoors and vast terrace overlooking the magnificent park. Wine Chef Phillippe Jamesse will provide an introduction to the famous wines of Champagne.
For our first stop, our group will enjoy an exclusive cellar tour, tasting and luncheon at the legendary Champagne house of Laurent-Perrier. Founded in 1812, Laurent-Perrier has been avant-garde in creating unique and elegant champagnes for nearly two hundred years. The house was acquired by the Nonancourt family in 1939 and for over 65 years Bernard de Nonancourt has dedicated his life to innovating and perfecting Laurent-Perrier Champagne.
That evening, guests will enjoy a rare Champagne dinner inside the famous Maison Belle Epoque of Perrier-Jouët. The Maison Belle Epoque houses one of the finest collections of Art Nouveau pieces in the world, for over 75 years royalty from around the world have enjoyed being entertained here.
Travelers will enjoy a leisurely day as well where you will have a chance to explore the region's many special sights.
Our finale dinner will be in Restaurant Le Parc – one of the most celebrated restaurants in the world. It is a place where luxury, elegance and sensitivity mingle together. The wood-paneled walls of the dining room denote conviviality; its glass walls make it a magnificent showcase where French Haute Cuisine and Nature sing their own praises. Chef Phillippe Mille will create a special menu for us and Philippe Jamesse, the Wine Chef at Les Crayères will select special wines to showcase the spectacular food.
ITINERARY
Thursday, September 2
Upon arrival into Paris, a motorcoach will transfer you to Reims ( 1.5 hour drive )
Arrive Les Crayères
Welcome reception
Dinner at Le Jardin, the brasserie on property
Friday, September 3
Welcome reception at Perrier-Jouët with private VIP tasting of Tête de Cuvées’, private VIP tour of the historical cellars followed by a superb gastronomic experience paired with Perrier-Jouët Champagnes and other old world gems. Chef de Caves, Hervé Deschamps may join depending on harvest.
A group dinner for this night will be announced.
Saturday, September 4
Morning at leisure or optional visit to the city center and cathedral
Afternoon cooking demonstration with Chef Didier Elena of Les Crayères
Dinner at Le Parc restaurant
Sunday, September 5
Early departure by luxury coach for three hour scenic drive to Loire Valley
Fare is $2950 per person, based on double occupancy.
POST OPTIONS
Madrid and Wine Country of Northern Spain
September 14 – 20, 2010
Pictured Above: The famous Hotel Marques de Riscal by Frank Gehry
Spain is seriously exciting for food and wine lovers. Basque country is the gourmet epicenter of Spain, with many Michelin starred restaurants and of course its famous tapas bars. We will visit the top wineries in the region, explore its medieval villages and dine in royal residences.
We will start our journey in fabulous San Sebastian on the coast of Spain. San Sebastian is a city known for its esteemed restaurants, world-class casino, and Zubieta Race Track. The winding coast is lined with small fishing villages, beaches, cliffs, and rocky coves. Our home base will be the amazing Hotel Maria Cristina - home to the stars during their world-famous film festival.
As a result of an astonishing 18 Michelin stars bestowed upon San Sebastian restaurants, culinary aficionados congregate here to sample distinctive Basque cuisine. We will enjoy a unique cooking experience and special meal by one of the most famous chefs in Spain and a visit by one of the regions top winemakers. We will tour the city and enjoy the nightlife.
Our first stop will be Frank Gehry's groundbreaking Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao – one of the most famous modern architecture sites in the world.
From Bilbao, we will head off to our wine tour of Northern Spain and take in two of Spain's most picturesque regions - Ribera del Duero and La Rioja.
Our stay in Rioja will be at another Frank Gehry creation – one of the most unique properties in the world, Hotel Marquis de Riscal. We will visit and dine with some of the top wineries in the region, and to meet one of Spain’s most revered winemakers Alejandro Fernández at Tinto Pesquera. After a decadent lunch we will head south to one of the most exciting cities in Spain – Madrid.
Street life is the trademark of 21st century Madrid, be it in the cobbled streets of old Madrid or in the sleek new districts. Here you will find some of the best art museums in the world, royal architecture, delicious food, thrilling nightlife, top-end shopping and round-the-clock friendly, lively and warm atmosphere.
Our home base will be the famous Palacio del Retiro in the heart of historical Madrid. We will enjoy our grand finale dinner in one of the city’s most famous restaurants with rare wines not-to-be missed.
Travelers will have option of heading home from Madrid or travelling on to Barcelona, one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The unique Hotel Casa Fuster will be your home while you explore the city.
ITINERARY
Tuesday, September 14 Bordeaux to San Sebastian
Day at leisure.
Dinner at Rekondo Restaurant with Bodegas Muga
Overnight Hotel Maria Cristina
Wednesday, September 15 San Sebastian
Morning Guided Tour in San Sebastian
Return to hotel - lunch and afternoon at leisure.
Cooking class and dinner with Chef Natalia Arizmendi at her home
Overnight Hotel Maria Cristina
Thursday, September 16 San Sebastian to Bilbao
Morning transfer from Spain to Bilbao
Guided tour of Bilbao - Guggenheim
Lunch at the Guggenheim Museum Restaurant
Transfer to La Rioja
Overnight at the Hotel Marques de Riscal
Friday, September 17 La Rioja
Full Day Wine Tour
Visit Bodegas Muga and Bodegas Sierra Cantabria
Lunch at a local restaurant
Visit Bodegas Fernando Remirez de Ganuza
Dinner at a Avendida 21 with Bodegas Breton
Overnight at the Hotel Marques de Riscal
Saturday, September 18 La Rioja to Madrid
Tour the Ribera del Duero Wine Region
Visit Tinto Pesquera with wine luncheon at Condado de Haza Palacio del Retiro
Late afternoon transfer to Madrid
Dinner at leisure - Tapas tour
Overnight at the Palacio del Retiro
Sunday, September 19 Madrid
Madrid Historical Tour
Lunch and the afternoon at leisure
Grand Finale Dinner at Restaurante Pinera - Gil group of wineries: Bodegas Shaya, Bodegas La Cana, Bodegas El Nido, Boedegas Juan Gil, Bodegas Ateca, Cellar Can Blau & Bodegas Triton
Overnight at the Palacio del Retiro
Monday, September 20 Departures
Return for international flight or continue onward for Barcelona program
Fare is $5890 per person, based on double occupancy.
OPTION TO CONTINUE ONWARD TO BARCELONA
Monday, September 20 Madrid to Barcelona
Transfer to Barcelona
Lunch with Jeff Koheler
Evening Tour of Gaudi’s Barcelona
Dinner at leisure
Overnight at Hotel Casa Fuster
Tuesday, September 21 Barcelona
Guided tour in Barcelona to the Gothic Quarter
Tasting lunch at LaBoqueria market
Return to hotel, balance of day at leisure
Wednesday, September 22 Priorat Wine Region
Full day excursion to the Priorat Wine Region
Thursday, September 23 Departures
Check out and departure home