Gourmet France & Spain Ian Parmenter

15 nights / 16 days
Begins Paris, end Barcelona
1 night Paris, 2 nights St Emilion, 4 nights Sarlat, 4 nights San Sebastian, 4 nights Barcelona
Boutique 3 & Deluxe 4 star accommodation

It is our pleasure to invite you on a once in a lifetime French experience with our charming chef celebre Ian Parmenter.

As well as being responsible for directing and producing several hundred major TV shows, Ian is probably most well known for his witty and entertaining show “Consuming Passions”, which ran for eight series and screened in some 15 countries. He also has eleven recipe collections to his credit as well as his award-winning memoir Sheer Bottled Bliss. Ian has lived in France, becoming a passionate Francophile and an expert on French cuisine and wine.

Your holiday with Ian will introduce you not only to the wonderful cuisine and wines of the region, but some hidden corners and charming locals that will add indelible memories to your trip. Each tour includes the unique experience of cooking with Ian in enchanting locations and well-equipped kitchens, enjoying the fruits of your labours (or Ian’s!) after the class. Your Toujours France tour director will also introduce you to the history, culture and traditions of the area, as we believe that no tour should exclude these vital highlights!

After each tour we produce a journal memoir of this exclusive tour for you to keep and treasure, including Ian’s recipes, photos, drawings and contributions from tour guests themselves. Each year we offer a different itinerary.

The Gourmet France & Spain tour combines four splendid destinations, with time to unpack and relax at each one:

The fabulous wine making region of Bordeaux, where we stay at a Relais & Chateaux hotel in the UNESCO world heritage village of St Emilion and discover the wonderful regional wines;

The breathtaking Dordogne, home of some of the most picturesque villages and scenery in France – staying in the historic town of Sarlat and discovering medieval history along with the fabulous cuisine introduced to you by Ian Parmenter at our exclusive cooking school, “Bombel”;

The gourmet capital of Spain, San Sebastian, where we combine tapas bars with secret gastronomic societies, coastal villages and seafood restaurants;

And spectacular Barcelona, home of the extraordinary architecture of Antoni Gaudi, the famous “Gothic” quarter and a short distance from world-famous restaurants and the incredible Montserrat monastery.

The hotels and restaurants on this tour have been chosen to offer you an exceptional accommodation and gourmet experience.

Our small group is of a maximum 18 guests, and Ian’s tours are always extremely popular, so we recommend early booking to avoid disappointment!

May 21st – June 5th, 2010

$14,299.00 per person twin/double share
$3,770.00 single supplement