Gabriella Maria's Charming Provencal Culinary and Culture Retreat

Afternoon/Late Afternoon

A Self-Guided Walk With Cézzane

Follow the path of the French artist, Paul Cézanne on this self-guided walk through the city.  Sometimes considered the father of modern art because of his paintings structured from geometric shapes and his emphasis on light and color, his symapthetic story and character make this walk an exceptional way to spend one's time.  See the places where the artist studied, lived, and worked as you explore museums housing his artwork and visit the studio in which this master painted.

Early Morning to Early Evening

Finding Your Way In Marseille

Greeks settled here in 600BC, and the port hasn't stopped since.  Walk through at least 2600 years of history, try fresh fish, and get a feel for a French city that revels in its distance (geographically, culturally, gastronomically) from Paris.  Grittier, louder, but no less charming, Marseille will pleasantly shock you with its energy and breathtaking panoramas of itself and the Mediterranean sea. And should you long for the crash of waves upon cliffs, the inestimably beautiful National Park of the Calanques.

9:30 AM - 6:30 PM

Private Gourmet Tour of Aix en Provence and South Luberon

Experience the best of Provence with this Gourmet Tour, including both food and wine tastings. Sample crusty bread, tapenades, rosé wines, goat cheese, and more in the evocative setting of the Luberon Valley. A special local delight is the famous candy of Aix-en-Provence: the Calisson. Made with almonds and candied fruits, its sweet tradition dates back to the 15th century. Your knowledgeable guide will explain to you the time-honored traditions and culinary processes of Provence on this full-day tour, designed to appeal to all ages.

Morning to Late Afternoon

A Self- Guided Jaunt through Avignon

Avignon boasts a particular medieval history as the seat of the Roman Catholic church in the 14th century. Its grandeur, though illustrious, is tempered by the Provençal sun and wind, and the sometimes irreverent Festival d' Avignon, a summer theather event that draws crowds from all of France. Highlights of a visit include the Palais des Papes, a massive, Gothic structure fit for a pope, the Pont d' Avignon which will make you want to dan-ce, dan-ce, and les Halles, an exceptional food market with a verdant exterior.

10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Private wine tour in Cassis & Bandol

Good wine has been a tradition here for thousands of years; taste that history on this day-long excursion to Bandol and Cassis.  These towns and their epoymous regions will prove that both red and white grapes can adapt to hot weather and still make elegant wines.  Bandol reds, made primarily from the rugged grape Mouvedre, will suprise you with their depth, while Cassis whites will echo the tastes and light of the Mediterranean near which their vines grow.  Your guide will be happy to go as deeply into the wines' stories as possible, or simply let you taste soemthing new!

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

3-Hour Provencal Pastry Baking Experience

Immerse yourself in the delightful world of French pastry making with this 3-hour course in Aix-en-Provence. Learn the art of crafting perfect French pastries from an expert chef in a cozy, well-equipped kitchen. This experience offers a hands-on approach, allowing you to create and taste a variety of traditional pastries from Provence and other parts of France. Ideal for culinary enthusiasts and those looking to add a unique twist to their visit to Aix-en-Provence, this baking course provides not only new skills but also delicious memories.

To Be Determined

Marseilles Airport Dropoff by Taxi

Aix en Provence taxis are generally reliable and honest, so taking a taxi is cheaper than a pre-arranged transfer. Your hotel will be happy to arrange a pick up for you. If you are picked up about 2 hours and 45 min before your departure time, you should arrive at the airport with just under two and a half hours to spare. If you are leaving during rush hour, you may want to budget an extra twenty minutes or so. The Full Itinerary also contains alternative instructions on taking the train or metro to the airport.