Gourmet Paris, Culinary Tours 2011.

August 29th, 2010

Cuisine has always been the highlights of Travel and our Tours always include exclusive experiences that best capture the unique food, wine & culinary traditions of each European destination.

Experience the Best of Authentic cuisine through:

A variety of dining experiences and venues including private chefs, street vendors, food & wine pairing events.

A variety of cooking classes, from private group, demonstration to hands on, one hour to half day to learn how to select & prepare local ingredients and to learn how cuisine reflects the local culture, climate , geography & history.

Behind the- scenes tours of bakeries, wineries and artisanal food workshops.

Visit to specialty markets, gourmet shops & other food sources.

Wine tasting with a group.

Wine tasting with a group.

Fromagerie in Paris.

Fromagerie in Paris.

Farmers market in Paris.

Farmers market in Paris.

ice cream on a cone.

ice cream on a cone.

Charcuterie in Paris.

Charcuterie in Paris.

Shopping for cooking ustencils, then learning how to use them.

Wine tasting & assistance with buying & shipping home.

Private  Touring of the cultural highlights of each region, with an emphasis on local culinary specialties & Traditions.

In addition, experience:

Europe’s best Hotels & Private Homes

Guide & driver

Comprehensive private cultural sightseeing

All tours are small tours & private, can depart once a week & we can customize them to suit your interests & schedules.

Visit us online at, www.luxurytravelconsultant2.com

Bistros in Paris.
Lʼami Jean. Bistro
Earthy cooking of southwest France ( Recommended by Alice Water), lots of meat
dishes but you can eat fish as well.
27 rue Malar, 7th Arrondissement.
Phone number : 1 47 05 86 89
Au Lyonnais, owners Alain Ducasse & Thierry Brosse of Lʼami Louis. Lots of meat
dishes , very expensive.
32 Rue Saint Marc.
Phone number :1 42 96 65 04

www.alain-ducasse.com
Pierre Gagnaire.
6 rue Balazac, 8th arrondissement
Phone number : 1 58 36 12 50
www.pierre-gagnaire.com

Cooking Classes at Alain Ducasse school.
105.00 euros ( half day) $ 231.00
280.00 euros ( full day ) $ 392.00
0r @ L’atelier des chefs.

Visit us online at, www.luxurytravelconsultant2.com

Upcoming Tours of Paris 2011. ( soon on our website)

Lake Como.

August 29th, 2010

Lake Como.

Lake Como.

Lake Como which is also known as Lario, is the third largest in Italy & the deepest ( 1,345 feet). It is shaped like a sprawling upside -down Y, with the arms of Locco, Como & Colico. The como shore is the most developed , with numerous restaurants and hotels, as well as a scenic road that follows the ancient Strada Regina, lined with elegant villas & aristocratic gardens. While visiting Como, have a drink at Villa D’Este, worth the stop. Villa D’Este was built by the Pellegrino Tibaldi in 1570 for the Gallio family, it became a luxury hotel in 1873, frequented by princes & actors.

Day Trips.

Let’s set the record straight, Lake Como was handsome before George Clooney moved there. This beautiful peninsula reaches out to greet visitors as they drift past on boats and it is impossible not to get smitten by Bellagio’s inviting waters, rugged, zigzaging streets, red roofed buildings, lush cypress groves & gardens. You can get close & personal with the entire town in an hour or two. you can wander for a while & then have a lunch or a latte at a lakeside  coffee shop or just hop a boat back to Como. Bellagio, has two splendid villas to explore, Villa Serbelloni & Villa Melzi with its beautiful gardens.It is 75 kms north of Milan.

Bergamo, is located in the Alpine foothills & is breathtaking. It is 58 kms east of Milan. The Piazza Vecchia, is a majestic medieval square & the ideal location some buttery biscotti that melts on your tongue.

Must see , Verona.

The city is an architectural aphrodisiac with fairy- tale Palazzo of striped brick and marble & secretive streets. Another legend that Romeo & Juliet lived here, visit the Casa di Gulietta, site  of countless pledges of undying love – some of them sincere. ( 161 kms east of Milan).

Special Offer from Luxury Travel Consultant2.

Win 2 free stays at Villa Larienella when you & a guest gather a group of 12 guests ( 6 each)

The Tour Departure Dates:

November 20 – November 27, 2010

8 days/ 7 nights

14 guests $ 2,800 pp

The Tour package includes

Villa Accommodations ( Double occupancy)

Drivers ( mini buses), Transfers & Touring the region

Private chef ( All meals included) as well as Thanksgiving meal, ( 3 Bottles of wine included for dinner)

( Air Fare not included)

Visit us online at, www.luxurytravelconsultant2.com


Old villa in Verona with balcony.

Old villa in Verona with balcony.

Lake Como, Bellagio, Verona.

Lake Como, Bellagio, Verona.

Garden on Lake Como.

Garden on Lake Como.

Amazingly beautiful Lake Como.

Amazingly beautiful Lake Como.

Lake Como, a sprawling upside-down Y

Lake Como, a sprawling upside-down Y

Beautiful Villa , Lake Como.

Beautiful Villa , Lake Como.

Sustainable agriculture in Luberon, France.

August 21st, 2010

Hello & Welcome to Luxury Travel Consultant2 Blog.

Today, Organic Wines are not a fade anymore -

Biodynamic Farming France.

Organic vineyards & Wines

Organic Grapes .Biodynamic Farming is based on the agricultural philosophies of Rudolf Steiner. While biodynamic farming includes organic farm management practises, it also uses specially prepared , natural treatments, incorporating natural rhythms and cycles of the moon and sun, light and warmth.
The Demeter Biodynamic Farm Association has a website with lists of biodynamic producers , visit them online at www.bio-dynamie.org
Chateau La Canorgue is an organic & biodynamic vineyard located in Provence, the movie ” A good year ” was filmed there.
Chateau Romanin is another organic & biodynamic vineyard located outside of Aix en Provence. The Castle where we will be staying for 1 week in September does biodynamic farming.

A healthy Love of Organic Wine

Provence, Chateau ThouarRead an article from The Guardianweekly about organic wines in Provence, France. Wine Growers in Provence are turning to chemical-free garpe Farming.
Today says the article, we consumers are much more health conscious and more demanding& more aware of the environment and this includes what we eat & drink. This demand has prompted wine growers in Provence, the weather is perfect- ambient temperature, mild winters with hardly any frost, reliable hot sun from the beginning of spring to the end of summer.
With modernizing, which was the motto of the day, farmers used pesticides & herbicides which gave them larger yields & disease -free grapes, but if the people were happy the soil was not and became saturated with chemicals. One wintner, Jean Claude Lavaud , realizing that a change was needed made a commitment to environmentally friendly viticulture. he now produces organic wines. His winery is inspected once a year and at times randomly, organic wines in France must have the Logo ” Agriculture Biologique”, AB. The Label will read “Wine made with Organic Grapes”, but will never claim to be an organic wine since wintners still add sulfites, a preservative that prevents oxidation & bacterial spoilage.
In France, organic wine has really caught on and is no longer a fad- especially with the younger generation. No headache effect the reason behind it is because of the low level of sulfites and the absence of pesticides in the soil.
Cheers! A votre sante!

September 18, 2010 – September 25, 2010   $ 2,850 pp ( 12 guests invited) , Double occupancy- exclusive of Air.

We also will accommodate you with other dates through October & November 2010.

Package includes:

  • Chateau  Accommodations
  • 8 days / 7 nights
  • Breakfast, lunch & Dinner served daily
  • Gastronomic meals &Organic wines tasting
  • Olive oil Mill visit & Tasting
  • Drivers ( Transfers & Touring the region)
  • Sight seeing and visits ( see our E brochure)

Languedoc -Roussillon, a great place to vacation.

August 16th, 2010

Map of France. Region of Languedoc-Roussillon
Map of France. Region of Languedoc-Roussillon

If you cannot afford Provence, my suggestion is ” Languedoc-Roussillon”.

Not as expensive as Paris, the Riviera or Provence. the languedoc-Roussillon is known for its hot & dry summers & cool winters. A lot of expats live there and it really is a melting pot- British, Dutch, Germans- with relatively few Americans, so far. The cost of living is not cheap, but a comfortably frugal life can be had at $ 30.000.00 a year. Dinners out $ 60.00 a couple.

Housing costs : For renters, a modest apartment in Montpellier starts at $1,200 to $ 1,500 a month. For buyers, mid-price houses & apartments are $250.000 and up. Coastal prices are much higher or similar but as you go inland, they drop sharply like everywhere.

Health care is excellent, also French health care has been assessed the best in the world by the world health organization.

Culture & Leisure time .Museums, festivals, hiking, swimming, markets, day trips to The walled city of Carcassonne.

Flights from & out of the US. Local airports connect to European cities, then it’s transatlantic haul. ( 3 hours ) on high speed train from Montpellier to Paris, then a transatlantic flight.

Hotel - Restaurant in Montpellier.
Hotel – Restaurant in Montpellier.
Driving from Montpellier, view of Marseille.
Driving from Montpellier, view of Marseille.

Trains From Carcassonne

Carcassonne to Paris – 4h59 & More Train Routes. Book Now.
RailEurope.com/Carcassonne

Carcassonne, the city.
Carcassonne, the city.
Castle in Carcassonne.
Castle in Carcassonne.
Carcassonne, city of many castles.
Carcassonne, city of many castles.
Visit of Carcassonne with group.
Visit of Carcassonne with group.

L’eveil des Papilles. Provence.

August 9th, 2010

home-kitchen-1home-kitchen-2

Who are we :

Fabien comes from the Charentes Maritimes. After working in Paris with Monsieur Guy Savoy, Christian Lesquer at the Pavillon Ledoyen, to just mention a couple, he came to the South. Excellent experience with Parisian and regional caterers, a well as in conference centers. Winner of the friendly competition of Young Chefs at the Domaine Vaudieu in Châteauneuf du Pape in April 2010. Passionate about good cuisine.

Angélique, daughter of a caterer in the Paris area. Graduated from the catering school of Paris, Rue Médéric and the catering school of Avignon. Head of reception, then marketing coordinator at the Pavillon Ledoyen on the Champs Elysée; marketing director for the fairs at the Hotel Régina in Paris. Passionate about cuisine.

Together, in 2008, we started the Alpilles Home Management home catering service and Éveil des Papilles, specializing in culinary events and cooking classes

We did a wine tasting catered by Fabien , a very talented chef as well as his wife Angelique who works as a travel & lifestyle management concierge.

Cooking in Luberon.

August 9th, 2010

Our chef, Damien Gillon was born in Burgundy and moved to Provence a decade ago.

His concept.

• Discover the pleasure of a Pastry Chef in your kitchen and giving him the organization of private dinners or business confidential or improve yourself by using a session initiation . . • Enjoy personalized service and a quality including menu development, shopping (only fresh products), preparing, decorating your table service, wine tasting, the dishes and if necessary a hire. You will be able to evolve according to your desires, from traditional to gourmet menus through organic, vegetarian, molecular or order your parts artistic shot and blown sugar. Et parce que le désir est un luxe, Damien GILLON élabore votre prestation selon vos souhaits; ainsi, chaque menu est conçu sur mesure afin de s’adapter au goût et budget de chacun. And because that desire is a luxury, Damien GILLON develop your performance as you wish, so each menu is tailored to suit the tastes and budgets.

About Gilles. • Eager and technical challenges, he moved to Switzerland to gain control of the chocolate and discover the passion of sugar shot and blown to within Gourmet (1 Michelin macaron) in Martigny.

•Enfin, il explore la Provence des saveurs en confirmant ses acquis à l’Hôtel de l’Europe en Avignon ( 1 macaron Michelin ) comme pâtissier et cuisinier. • Finally, he explores the flavors of Provence, confirming its achievements to the Hotel de l’Europe in Avignon (1 Michelin star) and as a pastry chef.
Il sillonne aujourd’hui les garrigues odorantes du Luberon et vous fait découvrir son art hors du cadre traditionnel de la restauration  jusqu’à chez vous … He now travels fragrant scrubland of Provence and you discover her art beyond the traditional food to your home ...

Damien has been our chef  every time we went to Provence, he is hard working, extremely creative and always accommodating to our clientele. He is the best!.

Chocolate dessert with fruits.

Chocolate dessert with fruits.

Dasmien, a very warm person and an amazing chef.

Dasmien, a very warm person and an amazing chef.


Le Luberon.

August 8th, 2010

La Fountain de Vaucluse.

La Fountain de Vaucluse.

La Fountain de Vaucluse.

La Fountain de Vaucluse.

The Luberon Regional park attracts hordes of hikers every year. The mountains between Cavaillon and Manosque are thick with garrigues ( scrublands) and olive groves, and are dotted with caves, castles. abbeys and picturesque perched villages with magnificent views.  To the south, the Durance waters a checkerboard of fertile fields, and stallholders on the local markets proudly peddle some of France’s finest fruit & vegetables.

Places to visit.

La Fountain of Vaucluse: from deep in a circular hollow, springs one of the most powerful water sources in the world. One myth claims that a nymph removed seven diamonds from the rocks, one by one to release it. The torrent suddenly emerged in the seven century, watering the fig trees and feeding the Sorgue river. Truly spectacular after heavy rain. the last time we went a rainbow painted the sky.

Gordes.

The village des bories. A hamlet consisting entirely of restored bories ( dry-stones igloos), where inhabitants of the Vaucluse and the Luberon lived from Ligurian times ( 6th century BC)

Abbaye de Senaque. Built in 1148, this is one of a trio of primitive abbayes, known as the” cistercian  sisters of Provence” to allow the monks to meditate undistracted, according to the rules of Saint Benedict.Phone # is 04.90.72.05.72 ( Route de Senanque)

Chateau de Lourmarin. The older part of the castle , an austere fortress- like place called Chateau Vieux, was built between 1495 and 1525. In 1526, Madame D’Agoult added the more attractive Chateau Neuf, dedicated to pleasure. It is filled with Provencal furniture and chinese musical instruments.

The Chateau de Lourmarin has a cave where you can do wine tasting & purchase wine , Tea & olive oil.

The Roussillon Cliffs. Another legend explains the color of the rocks, ” The wife of a nobleman threw herself from the top of the cliffs, after her husband forced to eat her dead lover’s heart. The earth turned scarlet with blood  and rocks were left with a permanent rosy glow.

Daily visits ( 9 AM – 5:30 PM) times may vary.

Where to eat.

Dominique Bucaille ( Manosque) 45, boulevard des Tilleuls. the Food is great!. Phone # 04.92.72.32.28

Mas Tourteron  (Gordes), Homegrown herbs accompany the local lamb, large dessert buffet. Phone # 04.90.72.00.16

Accommodations.

Auberge de L’aiguebrun. The little hotel has a pool, garden & Private parking and well -equipped rooms.The cuisine is delicately Provencal, try the eggplant gratine dish!. www.aubergedelaiguebrun.fr. Bonnieux.

La Bastide de Gordes. Village centre. Phone # 04.90.72.12.12

www.bastide-de-gordes.com. This charming & elegant 16th- century mansion has spacious , luxurious rooms, a outdoor pool and fine dining in a superb setting.

Les Bories .

www.hotellesbories.com. This wonderful situated . tranquil hotel, comfortable hotel has a pool, tennis court & top quality restaurant. Pricey

Hotel le gordos.

www.hotel-le-gordos.com. in an area of expensive accommodation, it is a relief to find a decent, sensibly priced, family run hotel. Pretty garden, pleasant garden terrace and pool.

Hotel les bories, in Gordes.

Hotel les bories, in Gordes.

Hote le Gordos , route de cavaillon.

Hote le Gordos , route de cavaillon.

La Bastide de Gordes.

La Bastide de Gordes.

The Garden at the Hotel " Les Bories"

The Garden at the Hotel " Les Bories"

The Camargue.

August 7th, 2010

The Rhone does not simply pour into the sea but fans into a huge delta where river and sea water merge, creating a very fascinating wetland.It is a vast, flat, awesome wilderness of air & water and light covering of 72 000 hectares. A multitude of air & water and etangs- shallow salty lakes- break up the land , providing refuge for vast number of birds. Roaming herds of black bulls of the Camargue, wander in the distance. Groups of half-white ponies graze closer at hand. The area falls within The Parc Regional de la Camargue, part of which is an enclosed wildlife sanctuary, not open to the public. It is a place of binoculars & telephoto lenses.

Les Aigues- Mortes., the town was constructed as a seaport by Louis 1x in the 13th century specifically for use by crusaders. Aigues- Mortes stands like a bizarre stone sculpture among a featureless lanscape. Visit the Tour de Constance, part of the ramparts,used as a prison for Camisard women in the 18th century . LaTour Carbonniere survives as a magnificent fortification with portcullises, battlements and ( 66 steps up), a viewing platform with a panoramic view of the town and the surrounding landscape.

Places to rest your wary head.

Relais de L’Oustau Camarguen, 3 Route des Marines, www.ousteaucamarguen.com. A genuine old  farmhouse on the edge of this modern resort. Attractive & comfortable rooms, gardens & close to the Etangs.

Le Spinaker . www.spinaker.com. A comfortable spot in a touristy setting. Its very friendly restaurant is open in summer only, serving acclaimed high-quality cooking.

Visit the Parc Ornithologique ( Bird sanctuary). Flamingos,Herons, marsh harriers and other birds of prey and a multitude of ducks. You can see black bulls in the distance.

Les Saintes Maries de la Mer. This small , picturesque town with its medieval fortified harbour on the Mediterranean seashore has become a busy focal point for visitors of the Camargue.The fortified & Romanesque church  is the most attractive feature.

The legend of Saintes Maries de la Mer.

“The Holy Maries”, a catholic legend claims that a boat carrying Mary Magdelene, sister of the Virgin Mary, who was also called Mary and their Ethiopian maidservant Sarah, together with Martha, Lazarus,Maximus & Sidonius put to sea from the lands of Israel after Christ’s cruxifixion and landed on this spot on the Camargue’s coast.

Stay at.

Hostellerie du pont de Gau. 4 kms out of town , right beside an etang. Traditional hotel-restaurant with excellent cheap menus. Phone. o4.90.97.81.53

Le mas de la Fouque. www.masdelafouque.com. Extremely luxurious & pricey hotel, standing in its 4-hectares chunck of Camargue wilderness. There is a pool, sports facilities and every amenity, each room has a terrace looking out over the Etangs.

Wild Ponnies in la Camargue.
Wild Ponnies in la Camargue.
Bulls in La Camargue, running free.
Bulls in La Camargue, running free.
Flamingos, Camargue.
Flamingos, Camargue.
Wild bird, part of la Camargue Sanctuary.
Wild bird, part of la Camargue Sanctuary.
Wildlife , La Camargue.
Wildlife , La Camargue.

More about Provence. Places worth visiting.

August 7th, 2010

Uzes, This Feudal city is the seat of a dukedome, founded in the days of Charlemagne. The cobblestones and stately townhouses date back to the 17th & 18th centuries. The tour de Belmonde has 148 steps. To cool off after the climb, it is worth lingering under the stunning arcades of the place aux herbes.

The Pont du Gard, this masterpiece of civil engineering has stood for 2000 years. Its asymmetrical arcades on three levels create a vision of perfect harmony. In antiquity , the aqueduct was supplying water to the city of Nimes.

Saint Remy de Provence, Famous worldwide Van Gogh made it his home. St Remy ’s fountains ( one named after Nostradamus, a local), its boulevards lined with plane trees and its alleyways might cause visitors to ignore Glanum’s splendid roman remains. They include a carved arch & a 60 ft high mausoleum, adorned with hunting battle scenes. Must see!

Les Beaux de Provence,the medieval citadel and ruined 10th-century chapel remain, along with some Renaissance palaces, including the Hotel des Porcelets. Visit at sunset when the crowds are gone & the birds are returning to their nests.

Medieval Citadele , Les beaux de Provence.

Medieval Citadele , Les beaux de Provence.

Starry night. Van Gogh

Starry night. Van Gogh

The famous Pont du Gard

The famous Pont du Gard

The Fountain of Uzes, Provence.

The Fountain of Uzes, Provence.

Provence, France.

August 6th, 2010

Provence is one of my favorite region in the South of France.

Les Costieres de Nimes / Alpilles

Recalling the glory of medieval Avignon, a papal palace & a 14th century fortress stand face to face across the river Rhone. To the west , the Gard flows between the pillars of a noble Roman aqueduct, a dozen or so miles from Nimes and its amphitheater. Around Vauvert, the pines thin out & the first reeds appear. In the fields beyond the gently rising curves of La Montagnette, avenues of plane trees cut across the homeland of Frederic Mistral. South of Saint Remy, the Alpilles suddenly emerge.

Avignon is the capital of the Vaucluse department & owes its fame to seven popes ( 1309 – 76). The 14th century Palais des Papes perched on on the rocher des Domes was the symbol of a life of luxury. Today it sits empty, the main courtyard eventually became the home of a great performing arts festival.

The Palais des Papes in Avignon.

The Palais des Papes in Avignon.