Tour Details/Dates/Prices Art de Vivre in the Loire. Price $2,510 (4 Nights) CAD*

Optional:Extended Stay in Paris
Thursday
Breakfast
Check Out + Transfer to Paris
A day in beautiful historic Paris – the city itself gives unparalleled opportunities for amazing first-hand gastronomic experiences.
Spend the evening at your Paris Hotel and return on Sunday (or stay longer…).

Custom Designed Gourmet Safari
If you’d like to spend more time in the kitchen we can easily arrange it for you. There is also a plethora of other activities in the area if you’d like to spend less time in the kitchen or if your partner doesn’t like to cook: from hiking and walks through the surrounding woods and then a meal at the restaurant, to a visit to the abbey with its magnificent 16th century courtyard, to a tour of the old wine cellars followed by wine tasting.

Little Extras
• Cook book with all of your week’s recipes
• Apron
• Diploma when you leave

Tour Length: 5 days/4 nights
(7 days/6 nights also available ­ please inquire)

Tour Begins: Tours, France TOUR CONCLUDES: Tours, France

Tour Dates:
Culinary vacations are available year-round except July and August.
All dates are subject to availability.

Tour Prices for 2010:

Please contact us for 2010 prices, thank you.

Tour Prices for 2009:
4 Nights
$2,510*

6 Nights
$3,610*
*Double Occupancy per Person Prices in Canadian Dollars (excluding airfare)

Please note:
Solo traveller prices are available.
If you have a special interest in painting, centerpiece floral arranging, or antiques (with visits to local flea markets) this can also be paired with cooking lessons.
If you would like to purchase airfare please let us know and we’ll arrange it for you right away.
All dates and prices are subject to availability.
Prices may be affected by international exchange rate fluctuations.
Interested, or questions just contact us.

Payment:
Form of Payment.
We accept VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Diners, cheque or money orders in CAD $.
Place a Deposit on Your Dream.
A deposit of $700CAD per person is required at time of booking to secure your culinary vacation dates.
Please note: Your deposit is non-refundable due to the fact that our travel partners will be in receipt of monies, however in most instances the deposit can be applied to future travel.

Balance due.
Balance is due no later than 60 days before departure.

Number of Participants:
Minimum: 2 (simply join an existing person or group)
Maximum: 6-8

Travel Accessories:
Local Weather
Currency Conversion
Local time

Questions? Just email or call
E-mail: jackie@gourmetsafari.com
Phone: 416.238.9987 (local Toronto) or 1.800.839.5795 (toll free in North America)


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My Safari Notes. (my personal experience)
Monique met us at the St Pierre des Corps (Tours railway station) and we had a wonderful drive through the stunning Loire River Valley countryside to the farmhouse B&B – our home away from home. The drive took only 30 minutes, but it felt like 30 seconds because there is so much to ‘take in’. The setting is perfect, right in the woods with a lot of space surrounding the beautiful home. The home is tastefully decorated and filled with antiques and furniture from many different periods. I admired Monique’s taste which is woven through every unique room.

Monique has a special way of instantly making you feel at ease and welcome in her luxurious home. The meals were delicious – very simple French recipes with amazing flavours and results. Monique likes the idea of using simple straightforward recipes with ingredients that can be easily found once you return to your home. She has a true gift for making quick and easy dishes taste like a lot of time and effort went into making them. I really think that she is onto something and has the right formula. We thoroughly enjoyed our culinary experience; everything that I tasted left me wanting more. We savoured Roquefort cheese terrine, lamb (which is usually not my favourite, but in this case was delicious), a traditional green leaf salad, local cheeses and sausages, and to finish off we had a decadent chocolate pate with candied orange. What a gastronomic experience! We also sampled many Loire wines paired with our meals – they are excellent.

The chocolate pate was so delectable that I had to make it as soon as I returned to my kitchen. I shared it with everyone and it left them wanting more…

The Loire Valley is also home to many Chateâux – we visited 3 of the most prominent and were very impressed by their architecture and beauty. The local stone used in the construction turns whiter with age, so the Chateâux really stand out set amidst the stunning landscape.

We toured through many charming villages that are full of life with typical shops and places of business. The outdoor markets of the area offer everything that one could need for an incredible French meal. We visited a very charming market, spoke to many of the merchants and savoured local products – the local goat cheese and sausages are amazing.

The Loire Valley is a great destination for those who appreciate great food, excellent wines and beautiful countryside.

Jackie DeKnock, Gourmet Safari Creator
PS. By the way, Art de Vivre in the Loire has been visited and highly rated as a B&B by the Michelin Guide.

Safari Notes – Lasting Impressions.

Julie R., Thunder Bay, Canada, February 2006

Monique could not have been more charming - she really went out of her way, she was so helpful.  What a beautiful, beautiful setting.  I would highly recommend this vacation to anybody.  She couldn’t have been more accommodating – she took me to Tours and to the surrounding areas – and she insisted on waiting for me.  I’d love to go back there when the sun is shining.  And I always knew what was happening when planning this trip with you, it’s very important.

Dan Duran, Toronto, Ontario, January 2005

Monique enjoys only the finest things that France has to offer, she’ll take you to all the best butchers, bakeries, restaurants…and of course the best wineries that the Loire has.

Nancy J/American Airlines, December 2004
Just wanted to let you know that we thoroughly enjoyed our cooking school adventure with Monique Binet in the Loire Valley. We were very well taken care of...cooking in the morning and excursions in the afternoon. My friend Kate Barth that traveled with me has already made a dish we cooked while there... the ham and endives, to rave reviews from her family and friends.
The visits to the chateaux in the afternoon along with a tour and visit to the winery were also very interesting. Monique took very good care of us and we learned a lot about french culture. Kate commented to me as we were leaving the train station from St Pierre des Corps that this was one of the most relaxing vacations she has had in a very long time.
We would recommend the cooking school as a fun and informative vacation.