A wine and food discovery through the South of France and the Liguria and Piedmont regions of Italy

Departure Date for 2010: April 24

April 24 - May 5, 2010

Join enologist Brian Carter, one of Washington’s greatest winemakers and restaurateur Karen Binder, founder of Seattle’s legendary Madison Park Café, for an unforgettable culinary and wine expedition from Southern France to Northern Italy.

Brian and Karen have teamed up with their friend Alessandra, an Italian Countess from an ancient Italian family, to create an unforgettable itinerary. During this journey, Karen will work with her European friends to make the greatest sauces of Southern France and finest pasta dishes in Italy’s Piedmonte region. Brian will concentrate on giving you a thorough introduction to the sophisticated wines of Southern France and the full-bodied wines of Northern Italy.

This is not group tourism!...but instead a group of food and wine lovers traveling down a road less traveled. These are experiences you simply could not arrange on your own....

The itinerary

Day 0 - April 23 - Fly from the USA to Marseille, France

You are welcome to enjoy a few pre nights in the great city of Paris if you have not been there before.

Day 1 - April 24 - Arrive in Marseille

We will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your centrally located hotel. After a chance to freshen up, you will join your traveling companions for a classic feast of Marseille bouillabasse. Sleep in Marseille

Day 2 - April 25 - Marseille to Saintes-maries-de-la-mer

Marseille is France’s oldest city so there are many things we must see before hitting the road for the Petit-Rhône delta and the lovely town of Saintes-maries-de-la-mer. One of our goals today is to visit the salt pans of Salin-de-Giraud which are part of the Camargue Natural Park. We will learn about the different ways of collecting and working sea salt, and how the sea water, the wind and the sun work together to create one of the most precious elements of our diet. We will also learn about the short-grained Camargue red rice cultivated in the wetlands of the Camargue. Karen uses both the Fleur de Sel as well as the Camargue red rice at the Madison Park Cafe. Sleep in Saintes-maries

Day 3 - April 26 - The Camargue and South of France wines

We will visit the natural reserve of the Camargue (the diverse birdlife in this wild area will add an interesting and unexpected dimension to your adventure) in the morning and then make our way to our first two wine tastings of the trip. Later in the day we will visit the amazing walled city of Aigues-Mortes and will learn about the gipsy tradition of the area. Sleep in Saintes-maries

Day 4 - April 27 - Les Baux de Provence, Chateauneuf du Pape and Carpentras

You will never forget your visit to the heart of Provence! First we will enjoy a a tremendous olive oil tasting near Les-Baux-de-Provence. Set atop a rocky outcrop of the Alpilles mountains and crowned with the ruins of a castle overlooking the plains to the south, Les Baux is a very special place. In the afternoon we will be introduced to the region’s most famous wine, Chateauneuf du pape, with a visit to two different producers. We will then end our day in Carpentras. Sleep in Carpentras

Day 5 - April 28 - Gigondas, Cotes du Ventoux and Carpentras

Today we will explore Cotes du Ventoux, Seguret, Vacqueyras and Baume de Venise with a special Muscat tasting and a visit to Karen’s friend, a winemaker in Gigondas. Later we will try amazing chocolate treats in the ancient city of Carpentras. Sleep in Carpentras

Day 6 - April 29 - Pont du Gard, Uzes, Lirac, Tavel and Avignon

We will start our day with a visit to a 2,000-year-old Roman aqueduct at Pont du Gard and the ancient settlement of Uzes, a quaint town full of bistros and local eateries. In the afternoon we will stop in the small villages of Tavel and Lirac, for a tasting of their famous wines. We will end the day in Avignon, the place where several popes and antipopes left stunning proof of their power in the architecture and character of its beautiful historic centre. Sleep in Avignon

Day 7 - April 30 - Gordes, Roussillon and Avignon

Today we will become acquainted with the picturesque villages of Gordes and Roussillon. The beauty of Gordes will make it easy for you to understand why so many artists (including Belarus-born Marc Chagall) were so inspired by it. Roussillon is another beautiful village which offers incredible color contrasts thanks to the ochre content of the region's soil. Returning to Avignon we will stop for a cheese tasting and learn the art of pairing cheese and wine. We will also learn the secrets of Provencal cuisine in wonderful local cooking class. Sleep in Avignon

Day 8 - May 1 - Menton and transfer to Genova, Italy

We will stop in the lovely Mediterranean town of Menton this morning to take a seaside stroll. Later, we will enter the historic Italian city of Genova, the proud city that controlled a large part of the Mediterranean Sea for hundreds of years. In the afternoon we will visit its historical centre, with its ancient, mysterious alleys, memorable buildings and panoramic views of the sea. Genova’s well-restored, sophisticated beauty will surprise you. Sleep in Genova

Day 9 - May 2 - Genova

This morning we will start our exploration of Genova at an extensive local food market. Together we will select all of the fresh produce and ingredients that we will use to cook lunch at Alessandra’s home. Alessandra will introduce you to the famed cuisine of Liguria and even share with you a few ancient family recipes including pesto, one of the many great dishes originating from this region. Sleep in Genova

Day 10 - May 3 - Piedmont, Alba and Barolo

Wine lovers know that Piedmont is synonymous with one of the finest red wines in the world: the Barolo. Today you will explore the rolling hills of Piedmont where great red grape Nebbiolo is used to make both Barolo and Barbaresco. We will first stop in the red-brick city of Alba before we pay a visit to Botti Gamba, one of the worlds most renown makers of oak barrels. Later, we will make our way to a quiet Piedmontese hilltown village for the night. Sleep in Castiglione Tinella

Day 11 - May 4 -Piedmont

Don’t be late this morning (the Piedmontese are always early) because your day is a full one. We will wander from castle to castle, sampling typical Piedmontese local food and the great wines of the region, including the Barolo and Barbaresco. Sleep in Castiglione Tinella

Day 12 - May 5 -

In the early morning you will be transferred to Milano airport. You can either fly back home or start your tour extension!

Your Journey:

1 night in Marseille
2 nights in Saintes-Maries-de-la-mer
2 nights in Carpentras
2 nights in Avignon
2 nights in Genova
2 nights in Piedmont, Castiglione Tinella

Total: 11 nights, 12 days

Price:
US $4,190 per person in double room (land only)
Single supplement: $685
Deposit required to secure your reservation: $500 per person
Booking deadline: December 31st 2009

What's included in your trip:

The presence of winemaker Brian Carter and restaurateur Karen Binder, all accommodation in comfortable hotels or country inns, all breakfasts and one big feast every day (either lunch or dinner including wine), all sightseeing and guided tours as per the itinerary, wine tastings and snacks of local specialties, all transportation in a deluxe private bus with air conditioning, professional tour leader and local guides, emergency medical insurance (not including cancellation).

What is not included in your trip:
- International airfare from and to the US
- Personal expenses
- Tips for your M&G guide, driver and local guides

Group size will not exceed 20 travellers, with a minimum number of 12.

Please Contact Us for more information!