2019 Experience Provence

OPTIONAL BREAKAWAY

Escape to Magical Provence

30 Sep - 04 Oct 2019 Bruges Ghent Amsterdam

22 - 30 September 2019

"There is something about Provence that I can't quite understand- it has a way of enveloping you, of transporting you from the every day and it makes you feel as if you are living in slow motion. The rest of the world disappears when I am in Provence...not an intentional decision, but one that just happens."

Vicky Archer

MARSEILLLE

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LOURMARIN

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ROUSSILLON

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CASSIS

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CUCERON

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BONNIEUX

Experience the m a g i c o f Provence 7 DAYS 7 NIGHTS FROM R 45 000 PER PERSON SHARING 22 - 30 SEPTEMBER 2019

A l l i n t e r n a t i o n a l f l i g h t s a n d1 6 a i r-p o e st eam r e bi necrl u2d0e1d8.

2r5t tSaex p EXCLUDES

INCLUDES o All flights are onboard Air France / KLM in economy class ex JNB o Meet and greet upon arrival in Marseille by our local host o All transfers in a private vehicle o Accommodation in apartments true Provençal style o All meals during your stay as indicated on the itinerary o All excursions as specified on the itinerary o Personal travel and baggage insurance o Medical, evacuation and travel insurance

MEET IMOGEN Imogen Marais will be your tour leader.

A seasoned world traveller with 25 years experience in the travel industry, Imogen is passionate about combining her love for food, art & culture and travelling and has created this amazing tour which will delight all your senses.

o Visa and passport fees o Drinks not included except where indicated o Service gratuities, telephone bill, laundry and any items of a personal nature

NOTES o This tour requires a minimum of 10 guests o Prices may be changed without prior notice due to currency fluctuations o Please note that the itinerary is subject to change depending on the weather and other factors o No breakaways can be allowed o Single room supplement R4 000

OPTIONAL BREAKAWAY 30 Sep - 04 Oct 2019 Bruges Ghent Amsterdam

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

VISA REQUIREMENTS South African nationals require a Schengen visa

Our

Itinerary

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL 23 September 2019 After meeting us at Marseille airport, our host/driver will take us to Bono’s inspirational Chateau La Coste. https://Chateau-la-coste.com.

Stretching our legs while strolling through the woods, olive groves and vineyards we will admire the unique mix of modern art, architecture and culture to which 37 contemporary French artists contributed.

Before lunch there is an opportunity for wine tasting, housed in the a 19th century building.

Lunch will be served at La Terrasse – an outdoor café situated in the heart of the old farm.

On route to Lourmarin we will make a surprise stop !!

Drinks on the square and dinner at a local spot. Let’s toast on new friendships, and a face to face experience of Provence.

Meals included: Lunch Excursions included: Entrance fee to La Coste

DAY 2 - 24 September 2019 The romantic hilltop towns of Bonnieux is our starting point of the day.

After taking in the awesome views of the Luberon valley we will work up an appetite while browsing through the quaint boutiques and galleries. A cultural walk to the beautiful roman Catholic churches of Eglice du bas and Eglise Haute will provide for a few moments of quiet reflection.

Now it is time for a well-deserved coffee break with crêpes at the famous Les Glases du Tinel.

Roussilion, famous for its ochre quarries is the next stop. The facades of the houses and their shades from pale lemon to vibrant red and every colour in between provide for a lot of photographic opportunities.

Aix en Provence, the city of fountains, is the place to be in the afternoon. Strolling through the Mazarin Quarter from where we will visit the L’Horloge, a clock tower and the Granet Museum which house the collections of Renoir, Monet, Picasso, Van Gogh, Klee, Brague and other renowned artists.

After exploring Cours Mirabeau, one of Europe’s great boulevards with busy sidewalk café’s and shops, we will feast on baguette, cheese and wine at Fromagerie du Passage, a typical Fromagerie and local hot spot.

Meals included: Breakfast and late Lunch Excursions included: Entrance to Granet museum

DAY 3 - 25 September 2019 The coastal village of Cassis is at the top of every Provence must see list!

This fishing port tucked into a curve along the Mediterranean is known for pebbly beaches and it’s Calangues – narrow inlets framed by steep limestone cliffs.

The harbour features picturesque pastel-coloured buildings, sidewalk café’s and restaurants. While here we will indulge our senses at a family owned perfumerie which are creating fragrances since 1851.

A leisurely boat trip to the Calangues, on the emerald waters of the Mediterranean will bring us to our lunch stop at one of the harbour café’s.

After a full day the evening is at leisure.

Meals included: Breakfast Excursions included: Boat trip to Calangues

DAY 4 - 26 September 2019 After breakfast we travel to the quintessential town of St. Remy de Provence and have some leisure time to discover the town with its winding alleys filled with shops and galleries.

Eating a Patisserie at Michel Marshall is highly recommended before we meet to visit the Monastery SaintPaul de Mausole – where Vincent van Gogh lived the last year of his life.

One of the highlights of our tour is Carrieres de Lumieres – a former quarry with art-based media shows, projecting images of famous paintings to music. During our visit the works of the genius painter Vincent van Gogh will be on show.

A short walk of less than a kilometre brings us to the village of Les Baux and here a truffel tasting at Maison Bremond awaits us. Afterwards we will visit the small church of Saint Vincent des Baux, which is carved into rocks.

Early dinner is in the charming town of Tarascon. Our hostess Madame Catherine will share her love and passion for food and wine at Le Mas de Lilou’s table d’hotes, a beautifully restored 19th-centrury Maison.

Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner Excursions included: Carrieres de Lumieres, Monastery Saint Paul de Mausole, Cooking class

DAY 5 - 27 September 2019 Lourmarin! Baskets in hand, we hit the vibrant and colourful market town with streets full of vendors. While strolling between the tree-lined avenues into the centre of the village, where much more than food and produce is available, we become part of the local population. Ambling around you can admire the quality clothes, shoes, handbags,

jewellery, handmade pottery and homeware. Authentic Provençal goods such as French linen by the meter, vintage textiles and tablecloths is available at reasonable prices.

Afternoon at leisure. Dinner will encompass delectable morsels of the tastes of France, to share.

Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner

DAY 6 - 28 September 2019 A visit to Marseillle – the oldest and second largest city in France is also a fitting place to learn cooking the regions signature dish, the Bouillabaisse!

After meeting Chef Gille’s at the Old Port, where the fishermen have sold their catch for generations, we will buy our fresh fish and seafood. Then it’s off to the Hall of Justice farmers market to stock up on seasonal vegetables, fruits and spices and a last stop at his favourite wine shop to purchase pairing wines for lunch.

Back at his home, the hands-on cooking class starts, and thereafter we will tuck into the Bouillabaisse lunch, with all the traditional accroutements on the shaded patio.

The rest of the afternoon we will explore Marseille on foot/tourist train, visiting the Notre Dame Basilica – the highest point with amazing views of the city and Le Panier, the oldest neighbourhood oozing a modern and hip ambience with its eclectic street art.

Sundowners and tapas at a secret spot.

Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch Excursions included: Cooking Class

DAY 7 - 29 September 2019 We spend our last day in L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue which stretches across the Sorgue River and is nicknamed “Venice of Provence”.

The town is famous for its antique dealers and is the second largest antique centre in France.

With its babbling river, historic waterwheels and flower-filled riverside cafés and restaurants it makes a lovely backdrop for the exquisite Sunday market - the largest outdoor market in the region.

This is an antique, brocante(vintage) and food market all rolled into one and afford the ideal opportunity to buy a few gifts to take home, be it smaller antique/vintage items or fine art.

Five will host a special farewell dinner, where we can raise a toast to wonderful days in the heart of Provence.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

DAY 8 - 30 September 2019 Time to say au revoir.

Au Revoir

Our transfer to Marseille Airport will collect us in the early hours of the morning, for our flight to Johannesburg via Amsterdam.

We will arrive in Johannesburg the same day.

4 Day Breakaway optional from Amsterdam.

Optional Breakaway Bruges - Ghent - Amsterdam 4 DAYS 4 NIGHTS FROM R 11 000 PER PERSON SHARING 30 SEPT - 04 OCT 2019

INCLUDES - Private return transfers from Amsterdam to Bruges and Ghent - Accommodation - Canal cruises in Bruges and Ghent - guided tour by boat - City card in Ghent - hop on/off - all trams and busses in the historic area.

- Entrance fee to all monuments and museums.

- 1 day free bike ride - Meals: Dinner in Ghent - Personal travel and baggage insurance as well as medical evacuation

EXCLUDES - Meals, drinks and excursions excluded unless indicated - Service gratuities, telephone bill, laundry and any items of a personal nature

30 Sept 2019 We arrive from Marseille at Schipol Airport Amsterdam and then take a private transfer to Bruges.

This fairytale village is compact and easily walkable, full of museums, churches and historical buildings, that tell the story of Belgium. The town is also well known for chocolate, waffles, beer, and Belgium fries.

Some of the sites we will visit includes: Belfry Tower (with it’s 43 melodious bells), offers panoramic views of the town. At Grote Markt and Burg Square we will explore some of the most iconic sights of the town, outlined by multi-coloured buildings and street cafes.

Lieve Vrouwekerk with it's 115.5 metres high brick tower is known for its iconic art collection. The international music and art centre, The Concert Gebouw is a must see! Rozenhoedkaai - the view from this bridge is one of the most photographed spots in the world.

Hopping onto a boat for our canal cruise. Bruges is often called the Venice of the North, as canals run through the whole city (more than 80 bridges).

Some shopping teasers: ‘T Apostelientje - for antique and handmade lace. Madam Mim - one of the best clothes stores. Markt Chapellerie Baeckelandt – The local’s favourite hat shop, the owner Frederica designs and manufactures ladies hats herself. Juliette - for various speculoos varieties and other handmade biscuits.

D’s Deldyke Traiteurs - the place for city-tripping foodies. For cheese - De Kaasbolle - taste the house cheese, as well as Tartarin Cognac (Fresh cow’s milk, Turkish raisins marinated in Cognac). Old Chocolate House for the best hot chocolate in town!

1 Oct 2019 - Mid-morning transfer from Bruges to Ghent

Ghent - Amsterdam

01 - 03 Oct 2019, Ghent -2 days/2 nights A vibrant college town with stunning Dutch architecture and charming canals winding through cobblestone lanes.

A walk to Gravensteen Castle, an amazing fortress. Peek into Saint Nicolas Church and Cathedral St Bravo.

Time to explore the Patershol neighbourhood, full of beautiful tiny houses, nooks and crannies, also the culinary heart of Ghent.

INCLUDES To quench our thirst we will enjoy a beer with Kroake amandels (deep fried salted peas in a crispy cone). We will o Private return transfers from Amsterdam to ruges visit Bij’de Vieze Gasten (cultural centre) – not to be missed! and Amsterdam o Accommodation in 4* hotels Some shopping teasers: Korenmarkt is the largest pedestrian shopping area in Europe !!

Sint-Pietersniewstraat - vivid street for exploring.

A few specialty food stores on our list: Loubergmarkt - A foodie's paradise. Test homemade mustard at Tierenteyn. Koperhuis - for lifestyle and interior. Aubon Marche - Retro jewelry store. Chocolatier van Hoorebeke - for handmade chocolates. Melanie’s World for Belgium spices.

We can’t leave Belgium before we haven not tried the famous Cuberdons - a sweet and purple Belgian souvenir, made from a mix of red berries with a gooey center.

For art lovers, a visit to the Kunstenaarskwartier (Artist’s Quarter home of the best art galleries in the city). A stop at Citadel - to view two of the best art museums, SMAK (City Museum for Contemporary Art) and MSK (fine arts museum) Dinner promises to be a taste adventure!

03 Oct 2019, Amsterdam After breakfast our private transfer takes us to Amsterdam. Day at leisure and overnight in Amsterdam.

A choice between shopping and sightseeing or both! Ams’ city centre is not very big so you can do and see a lot in one day. Sightseeing and things to do include: Explore the 3 main canals of Herengracht, Prinsengracht and Keisergracht by foot or by boat - visit Damrak and The Royal Palace. Begijnhof - Floating flower market. Visit one of 3 museums: Van Gogh or Rijks museum or Anne Frank's house.

Eat like a local – top must try foods: Poffertjies with butter and poedersuiker/syrup, Stroopwafel, Satay (a staple of the local cuisine), Oorlog French fries - crisp cone filled with homemade fries topped with their famous mayonnaise. Herring, Cod with homemade tartare. Mint tea with mini stroopwafel on top.

Some shopping teasers: Kalverstreet between Dam and Muntplein Square - Hours: 10 am to 11h00 pm My favorite coffee spots: Koffie Academie, Zoku (sweet Zoku), Coffee & Coconuts, Boca Café and Monks Coffee Roastery.

04 Oct 2019 Early morning check out and transfer to Schipol Airport for our flight to Johannesburg. (same day arrival)

M A G I C I T ' S J U S T

I S N ' T I M A G I N A R Y .

V E R Y W E L L P L A N N E D .

FOR SPECIALIST ASSISTANCE Imogen 082 850 9118 or email us on imogen@5gems.co.za Five Gems (Pty) Ltd.

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