What Our Clients Are Saying About This Trip

"This tour proved to be so much more than what I could have ever imagined.  I decided to undertake this trip as a mother-daughter one.  There is quite a discrepancy between our ages, but there was something for both of us to enjoy and appreciate everyday, many times a day!  I have never taken a trip that engaged my all my senses totally from the beginning until the end.  The flow of the itinerary was excellent and we were given the liberty prior to and during to tailor it to our "wants".  "

Having the security and ease of private transportation to and from our destinations made it relaxing.  The care with which our guides were selected made our many and varied experiences so much richer.  I think back to our guide, Emily Molins and her suggestion to visit the Roger Sabon Winery in Chateauneuf-Du-Pape and her instruction in wine-tasting 101... :-)  And then the next day arranging it so that she could be the driver to take us to the Avignon train station, insisting on going in with us and making certain we boarded the right train!  I will never forget our outside dining experience with Marlene Boyer from Experience Provence at Le Cabro d'Or (the flavors exploded on your palate) in Les Baux.  It was Mother's Day in France and she spent her's with us...arriving with flowers for my daughter and me!  On to Spain and into the care of Jack Sagel of Discover Girona.  Our chocolate shop stop in a tiny village turned into this amazing "Experience" of being invited to view shop owner's personal art collection covering room after room...INCREDIBLE, never to be forgotten in my lifetime.

 The lodging selections were absolutely suited to our needs.  Mas des Carassins in St. Remy, France is a delightful small boutique hotel with wonderful alfresco dining offered in the evening.  Remembering sitting under the stars with a cooling breeze off the Rhone River as we enjoyed a delicious menu from appertifs to dessert and expresso never fails to bring a smile to my face.  I would return to this hotel time and again.'''

La Placa de Madremanya in Spain, what a special place this is. Set in the Spanish countryside with Roman roads leading from it, I found it to be an oasis of serenity.  The tasting menu we partook of there was another "once in a lifetime" experience.  The young couple (he is the chef and she is the "Jackette of all trades") purchasing it were wonderful.  We took a cooking class with him...Vincenc...what fun, informative and delish!!!  Again, a small hotel I would like to think I will return to someday. The meals we enjoyed with Jack Sagel were each and everyone memorable due to the foods we were introduced to and the superb quality...how I would love to return with him to the restaurant he selected with the most delicious Iberian Ham and cava. 

I really liked the blend of Provence and Catalonia...enough of a contrast to keep our interest, but not so much scurrying about not to have time to enjoy both.  This was a trip I can never imagine coming close to replicating.  Locations, private guides, amazing food and wines, lodging, sights, EXPERIENCES.  I know I haven't done this tour justice in my attempt to describe it, I would encourage anyone who is remotely thinking about a gastronomic tour to sign-up for this one...because you will find it to be so much more."