Provence, France
A tour that every kosher epicurean could only dream of.... until now!
Possibly
for the first time ever, in March 2011, a Michelin star restaurant is being made
kosher - its award winning chef Marc de Passorio (3 toques Gault & Millau) will
prepare haute cuisine for a select few guests. The restaurant is situated in
a beautiful hotel, the Vallon de Valrugues near Saint Remy de Provence, which
will be our luxurious base for the week. Check it out on
www.vallondevalrugues.com
Touring will include the many Jewish and
general sites of interest in the area and some of the gorgeous towns in
this fabulous region of Southern France. Hiking and biking will also be on the
“menu”!!
Places are limited, so early booking is strongly advised.
Typical Itinerary, 2011
Each tour itinerary is tweaked according to arrival day and for shabbat times.
Arrival day (usually Tuesday)
Meeting point: Marseille airport:
Air France flights from TLV, NYC and LHR (via Paris CDG) 15.00 (3pm)….
And off we go!!!!!
Aix
en Provence: town of water, town of art – the perfect start to a tour of
Provence – we’ll enjoy a late lunch, followed
by a walking tour. Aix is a small, classically Provençal town, famous for being
home to Cezanne. Aix has always been a rich city. There is a stark contrast with
Marseille (30 km away). Whereas Marseille is one the poorest French cities, Aix
is perhaps one of the richest. It is a quiet, clean and comfortable city. The
city center is mostly pedestrian and, though it is quite small (you can cross
the center in 15 minutes by foot), offers long hours of nice walks. As in all
Provençal towns, the city center consists of narrow streets, lines with 17th
century buildings and paved plazas.
Day 2 (usually Wednesday)
Saint Rémy de Provence:
our base and one
of the "must-sees" in Provence. The main reason is without a doubt Vincent Van
Gogh, who produced more than 150 paintings of the countryside surrounding Saint
Rémy, including the "vase avec iris". Many of the places painted by the artist
can be rediscovered, the wild flowers, olive trees, cypresses, the Alpilles -
and, sadly enough, the room in the Saint Paul de Mausole Asylum where Van Gogh
stayed from May 1889 to June 1890. Were it not for Vincent van Gogh and his
paintings, St. Rémy would be just another historic town in France. It has
wonderfully restored town houses, it is the birth place of Jewish astronomer
Nostradamus, lovely shops and a weekly market.
Wednesday is
market day,
then a visit to the famous
Jewish cemetery
with graves from before 1400.
Les
Baux de Provence:
one of the
'most
beautiful villages of France' and said to be the most visited village in France.
The real highlight of Baux is in its great location - nestling in the Alpilles
Mountains, it has great views across the plains that stretch to the south, and
on to the Mediterranean beyond, as well as the attractive rocky landscape of the
Alpilles themselves. It is a typical 'Provence perched village', and the drive
up to the village is also very scenic.
The ruined castle - the Chateau of Baux-de-Provence - sits
on top of a rocky outcrop above the village. We’ll tour the ruins of the castle,
then relax and enjoy the views that stretch as far as the Mediterranean. The
village that we now see largely dates from the 15th-16th centuries. Steep
cobbled streets lead you through the grey houses, onwards and upwards until you
reach the entrance to the castle.
Arles:
its
Roman Amphitheatre
and Arlatan Museum
Arles, a lively Provencal town, proud
of its origins, is France's largest municipality. Above all, it is a town of the
arts: it was a capital in Roman times and became a major religious centre in the
Middle Ages.
Cooking Demonstration:
by chef Marc de Passorio,
Day
3 (usually Thursday)
- Jewish history of Provence
day
Avignon:
visit to the town, famous for its bridges on the river Rhone, the Pope's
palace, and the synagogue
Cavaillon: visit to the
Synagogue and the museum Judéo – Comtadin. One of the
most remarkable synagogues of Provence, the Cavaillon Synagogue, bears the
hallmarks of a unique history specific to the Jews of this region. The present
structure, built in 1774 in a place of another synagogue dating to the 15th
Century, features many of the extravagant decorative flourishes and color
palette (including pink, gold, green and blue) of the Rococo style that was
fashionable at the time. Gold and crystal chandeliers hang over the main room
and the gilded ark is flanked by neo-classical columns topped with carvings of
flowers indigenous to Provence.
One of the most remarkable synagogues of Provence, the
Cavaillon Synagogue, bears the hallmarks of a unique history specific to the
Jews of this region. The present structure, built in 1774 in a place of another
synagogue dating to the 15th Century, features many of the extravagant
decorative flourishes and color palette (including pink, gold, green and blue)
of the Rococo style that was fashionable at the time. Gold and crystal
chandeliers hang over the main room and the gilded ark is flanked by
neo-classical columns topped with carvings of flowers indigenous to Provence.
Kosher wine-producing Castle for lunch
Carpentras:
the oldest active synagogue in France!!
Jews lived in Carpentras since at least the 12th century,
when its scholars and doctors were esteemed in Paris and the rest of France.
Expelled in the early 13th century from Carpentras, they returned half a century
later and spent several centuries in Carpentras, often required to pay taxes or
homage to the Pope.
The original synagogue dates from 1367 and formed the base for the
reconstruction of the synagogue in the 18th century, then restored in the
1950's. The exterior facade is plain, similar to neighboring buildings, as
required by law.
Day 4
(usually Friday)
- A hike on the cliffs
Les
Calanques:
on foot, by bike or by boat.
Lunch
at Cassis: pretty fishing village with lovely and lively harbor.
Depending on the time of the year and the weather, we may spend some time on the
gorgeous beach.
Back to St. Remy top prepare for Shabbat.
Day 5
(usually Shabbat)
After davening and a full late breakfast, we’ll walk 10 minutes to reach
Saint Remy, visiting some of the highlights of this lovely unspoiled town.
After every Shabbat, they say, there’s a Motza’ei Shabbat: evening
entertainment!!
Day 6
(usually Sunday)
- Lavender Luberon day
L’Isle sur
la Sorgue:
Sunday is market day and this one is famous for its antiques.
Lavender is the most popular of aromatic plants known for its perfume and
therapeutic virtues. The Romans already used it for its olfactory qualities.
Only in the beginning of the 20th century did lavender start to be cultivated.
The first flowers appear in June and are cut at the end of July or beginning of
August.
Driving through the Luberon, we will discover a very beautiful countryside with
extraordinary sites and some wonderful stone constructions called "Bories" made
by shepherds and farmers with the stones they found in the fields.
Four of "the most beautiful villages in France" are located in the Luberon –
hiking and biking options will be available.
Lunch in a café in Fontaine de Vaucluse.
Fontaine de Vaucluse: The fame of the village is
essentially due to the impressive spring which flows out of the high cliff. This
gigantic source is the most powerful in France and fifth in the world. 630
million cubic meters of water flow out every year. The emerald green calm summer
waters become spectacular in the wet seasons, (autumn and spring) spilling into
the bed of the River Sorgue. In all seasons, secondary sources flow into the
river to create an extremely beautiful shady pool under the immense plane trees.
Gordes: The village has a world wide reputation due to
its famous inhabitants, and Peter Mayle's book A Year in Provence
certainly helped. While strolling around the tiny streets which climb up between
the tall houses, you will discover here and there beautiful old doorways,
arcades and walls of flat stone perfectly restored, and on the other side, there
is the panorama of the valley and mountains of Luberon.
Day 7 (usually Monday)
Depart hotel 11:00 for Marseilles arriving 12:00 for afternoon flights dep to all destinations
Every day: 3 minyanim (if we have
10 men), full buffet breakfast, light lunch on the move, elegant served dinner
Kashrut:
a mashgiach
tmidi will represent our Rav Machshir, Rav Chassid, the Chief Rabbi of
Gibraltar; glatt meat; regular milk, but chalav yisrael observers can be
accommodated, if they notify in advance
from
7 Days 6 nights
Tour, Price from $4600
per person sharing
2012 Dates: March 13 – 19, October 23 - 29
(DLX
room and single supplements apply)
We will be pleased to help you arrange extra
nights hotels.
not
included in the price of your trip
·
insurance:
all clients should be aware that while all efforts are made to avoid any
problems before during or after your trip, Naomi carries no insurance for your
health or luggage. While using the services only of registered suppliers, we
recommend that you purchase
fully comprehensive
travel insurance as we cannot be held liable for any mishaps during your stay.
In addition to these dates, we will be pleased to tailor a week in Provence for
your group according to your needs and preferences.
so if you are planning a family gathering, a club or synagogue trip, a business
promotion, a charity fundraiser, a bar/bat-mitzvah, a wedding or any other
specific group activity, contact us.
Inquire for more info or to book
Toll-free
877-466-2934. Phone 727-254-4373
email:
info@JewishTravelAgency.com
www.JewishTravelAgency.com
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Agency is registered with State of Florida as Seller of Travel Registration No.
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