Gourmet food and wine tour with Ian Parmenter

Day One – Friday 21st May

Today “Gourmet France & Spain” begins at our charming four star hotel on the Right Bank, on a side street off the famous Champs Elysees, and close to some of the best boutiques, antique shops, restaurants and cafes in Paris. A short walk away you will see the magnificent Arc de Triomphe. This evening, we would like to welcome you to France with drinks at the hotel.

This evening, we would like to welcome you to France with drinks at the hotel.

Day Two – Saturday 22 May

We transfer to the station for our train trip to Bordeaux, where our driver Denis will meet us and transfer us to the wonderful village of St Emilion. Our accommodation is a four star luxury hotel in the heart of the village, surrounded by the vineyards of St Emilion. This beautiful hotel, the Hostellerie de Plaisance, is a Relais & Chateaux property, offers deluxe amenities and its location allows us to wander and explore this exquisite village by night. For lunch we visit a Grand Cru Classé estate and enjoy regional specialties paired with their excellent wines, and then back to our lovely hotel for a free evening.

 

Day Three – Sunday 23 May

Breakfast at the hotel at your leisure.

Today we discover the village of St Emilion and its fascinating history with a guided tour of the village – including the grotto of the monk Emilion, the Trinity Chapel, Catacombs and the monolithic church which is one of the largest in Europe. This afternoon, we enjoy a unqiue experience becoming oenologists ourselves at Pomerol, a few kilometres from St Emilion. Using three varieties of grapes, in this entertaining workshop we will try and produce as closely as possible the sample proposed. Successful or not, you will take home your bottle, labelled just for you! This evening we enjoy the first of our gastronomic highlights with dinner at the stunning restaurant at our hotel.

 

Day Four – Monday 24 May

A bus ride of approximately 1 ½ hours takes us to our home for the next 5 days, Sarlat-La-Caneda.

Sarlat is an exquisite restored medieval town set amid forested hills. The town is a seductive tangle of golden cobblestone alleys that are off-limits to cars, and peppered with beautiful buildings and tempting shops! Warmly lit at night, the town is perfect for after dinner strolls.

Our hotel is a charming 3 star residence five minutes walk from the centre of historic Sarlat, offering tastefully decorated rooms, bar and swimming pool and the freedom to wander the village in the evenings, choosing your restaurant from the wide variety available. There will be time to settle in, and then we will direct you into town to enjoy the weekly market!

This afternoon, we will visit the C12 Chateau of Castelnaud, with its fascinating medieval military museum and stunning views over the Dordogne Valley. Afterwards we take the scenic route along the Dordogne River to the feudal village of Beynac, tumbling down a steep hill from its massive castle to the river far below.

Some of the film “Chocolat” was filmed here. We discover the fascinating history of both these castles, linked with the Hundred Years’ War between England and France. Free evening to enjoy any one of the atmospheric, lovely restaurants in town.

 

Day Five – Tuesday 25 May

This morning we will explore Sarlat on foot, our walking tour taking in the medieval cathedral, the “Lantern of the Dead”, and the historic homes surrounding the picturesque Place des Oies. We then take our bus to the spectacular historic village of Rocamadour, an ancient pilgrimage centre steeped in history.

Famous visitors to this religious shrine (part of the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela) included Eleanor of Aquitane, Richard the Lionheart and Henry Plantagenet. Enjoy lunch at your leisure at any one of the numerous cafes and restaurants in the village, many with spectacular views over the Alzou Valley.

This evening, another of our gastronomic treats, as we dine at a beautiful restaurant in Sarlat. You are eating in what was once the Royal Court in the 16th century!

 

Day Six – Wednesday 26 May

This morning we visit the beautiful riverside village of La Roque Gageac , classified as one of the plus beaux villages de France. Our visit here includes an hour cruising on a “Gabare” or traditional Dordogne river boat, so that you can enjoy the wonderful views of the village and castles from the river.

A highlight of our day today is a gourmet lunch at an undiscovered village – our restaurant is a well guarded secret by the locals – many of our guests comment that this is the most memorable meal they have ever had (and no tourists know about it)!

 

Day Seven – Thursday 27 May

Saturday Market in Sarlat – this is one of the best markets of the region, offering fabulous fresh local produce, china and linen.

Today we will enjoy an entertaining afternoon of cooking classes with Ian Parmenter at our beautiful stone farmhouse, “Bombel”, owned by charming English chef Jim Fisher. You will receive all recipes, complimentary “Cook in France” apron and of course, enjoy the fruits of your labours at dinner time!!

 

Day Eight – Friday 27 May

Today we leave Sarlat and drive south across the border into Spain and our next destination, San Sebastián – the gastronomic capital. Time to settle into our luxury hotel, and then as evening falls, our guide picks us up for a private pintxos (tapas) tour in the atmospheric Old Town.

The gorgeous Maria Cristina Hotel is our hotel in San Sebastian.

 

Day Nine – Saturday 29 May

Today you will explore Basque cuisine in a venue usually closed to outsiders.

Basque men gather at Sociedades gastronómicass to cook, eat, drink, sing and socialize. Until recently women were excluded from the “cooking societies”. These clubs have nurtured the Basque culinary traditions, resulting in the current proliferation of top restaurants in and around San Sebastián. It is estimated that over 160 Sociedades gastronómicas co-exist in the area.

We are privileged to offer you private access to the most prestigious gastronomic society of them all. Accompanied by your guide and translator you will enter and learn about the society from the inside. Your host and instructor is a young accomplished chef working in his native city. He is often called upon to cook lunches and dinners for San Sebastián’s elite. You will spend the morning cooking traditional dishes and discussing Basque cuisine. Once prepared, you will enjoy the lunch you have made accompanied by local wines in the Sociedad’s very egalitarian and modest dining area.

The evening is at your leisure.

Day Ten – Sunday 30 May

Full-day excursion to La Rioja, Spain’s premier wine region. You will enjoy traditional riojan cooking for lunch, and return to San Sebastián in time for a dinner of pintxos or dinner at one of the many outstanding restaurants.

 

Day Eleven – Monday 31 May

Coastal walk. Walk from the heart of San Sebastián to the fishing village of Pasajes de San Juan. As you climb Monte Ulia, your views of the city and the surroundings become increasingly glorious. From the stunning views of the city below and the mountains on the horizon, you’ll then turn away from the city and follow a picturesque route that hugs the rugged coastline and which remains surprisingly unspoiled. You’ll pass a striking area of rocky cliffs inhabited by seagulls and our guide will point out medieval ruins and the remnants of defense posts that were carved out of the rock during the War of Spanish succession in the 19th century.

After a little over 3 miles, you’ll come to La Plata Lighthouse. Head down to Pasajes de San Juan, a large fishing harbor where our walk finishes. (for those of you who do not feel able to do this walk, we will have the bus take you to the village via a scenic route). Then we take the boat across the short stretch of water to Pasajes de San Juan and enjoy lunch in a restaurant with views overlooking the water. Pasajes de San Juan is an attractive town with a cluster of 18th and 19th century houses near the channel to the sea. It was here that Victor Hugo spent the summer of 1843 writing his Voyage aux Pyrenees.

Day Twelve – Tuesday 1 June

Today we transfer to the airport to fly to Barcelona. Our hotel in Barcelona is a beautiful & historic four star boutique hotel, the Hotel Neri.

Typical of the 18th century palace Neri was in its former life, its reception area is lofty, grand and made to impress. But not overly so, because the designers have shaken off the onerous formality of its haughty past and created a vibrant, polished and light-filled space that feels truly modern. With its chic interiors, 22 stylish rooms and upscale dining, the Neri is in the forefront of hip small hotels.

 

Day Thirteen – Wednesday 2 June

Today we discover Barcelona’s famous architecture & history with a walking tour conducted by an exceptionally knowledgeable expert local guide.

Antoni Gaudi is the most famous of those who have left their mark on Barcelona: his Sagrada Familia church is rightly revered, but just as fascinating are the (literally) fantastic houses and apartment buildings that he and his contemporaries designed. The medieval Gothic quarter of the city is a fascinating area.

Meals today are at your leisure.

 

Day Fourteen – Thursday 3 June

Today we hope to travel to the coastal town of Rosas, where we find one of the most famous restaurants in the world, El Bulli. El Bulli is a Spanish restaurant run by chef Ferran Adrià. which Restaurant magazine has recognised as the world?s Number One a record five times – in 2002, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.
Adria is a master of molecular gastronomy. We will also have the opportunity here to visit the Teatre Museu Dali, which has lighting and music designed by Dali himself as well as some of his trademark dreamscapes.

El Bulli does not open their reservations until later this year (for anybody!!) so at this stage, we cannot promise this visit ? be assured we will be reserving the day reservations open! However, if we are unable to confirm this reservation, we will instead enjoy lunch at one of the highly regarded Michelin starred restaurants in Barcelona itself.

 

Day Fifteen – Friday 4 June

Today we travel an hour north-west of Barcelona to the world famous monastery of Santa Maria de Montserrat is set spectacularly amongst the jagged mountain range and is home of one of the most famous Black Virgin sanctuaries.

Not only is Montserrat Monastery of significant religious importance but the natural beauty surrounding the monastery is simply breathtaking. The boys’ choir is also world renowned.

Return to Barcelona to enjoy the rest of the afternoon at your leisure, and then this evening we celebrate our final dinner together.

 

Day Sixteen – Saturday 5 June

Today the tour ends. If you would like to extend your stay in Barcelona we can organise this for you.