Friends and Food International - Friends in France
Our trips coincide with the best travel seasons for exploring scenic villages, vineyards and regional markets. People and their food are the keystones of culture. Knowing how and where it is produced, and its place in history and celebrations, provides a delicious guide to learning about other people and their communities.
Our philosophy is that the joy of travel and learning are as important as the actual places that we visit. We hope that you can join us, and appreciate and love these wonderful regions as much as we do.
We can also schedule trips at anytime throughout the year for groups of 6 to 10 people upon request. In addition to our European adventures, we can also organize trips to South India, and in the USA to New Mexico and the Oregon wine country.
To get a taste of what our “Friends in France” travel seminars are like, check out our sample itinerary below. Picture yourself in the Vaucluse of Provence - strolling the street markets and vineyards, visiting the Palais des Papes in Avignon, walking the country under Petrarch’s Mont Ventoux, eating classic cuisine, and savoring a glass of the local Cotes du Rhone wine.
For a complete itinerary, simply submit a request for information by clicking the “Request Info” link below.
Friends in France Sample Itinerary:
- Day 1 - Depart U.S. for Avignon TGV train station via Paris.
- Day 2 - Arrive Avignon, pick-up and transfer to l'Ecole Buissioniere in Buisson, France in the Cotes du Rhone. Lunch at l'Ecole, afternoon visit to Vaison-la-Romaine, aperitif at Cafe du Centre in Villedieu, and dinner at l'Ecole.
- Day 3 - Visit to the Enclave du Pape and the Chateau du Grignan, with spectacular views and architecture, followed by a visit to Richerenches, Commanderie of the Knights Templers and the truffle capitol of Provence.
- Day 4 - Morning at the Nyons town market and a visit to the famous olive oil mills and lavendar distilleries. Cooking class with Nyon's products and lunch at l'Ecole. Restaurant dinner in Entrechaux.
- Day 5 - Day tour of wineries and beautiful country towns. Throughout the day we will visit (and test) superior private and cooperative wineries and enjoy famous views of several hillside towns.
- Day 6 - Visit to the city of Avignon, the Papal Palaces, the gardens and the views of the Rhone River and neighboring departments. Restaurant lunch in Avignon and an afternoon visit to Ville Nueve les Avignon across the river, followed by a brief visit to the Papal castle site at Chateaunuef-du-Pape.
- Day 7 - Morning visit to the weekly antiques and farm market of l'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, the canal town near the Fountaine de Vaucluse and the Luberon Valley. L'Isle is now one of Europe's main antique and home textile design centers. Afternoon departure from Avignon.
Note: Epitourean, LLC provides a referral service for operators of culinary classes, vacations, cruises, schools and demonstrations. We cannot be held responsible for variations in descriptions, courses offered, changes to dates and/or prices provided by the operators.
