We will meet you at Charles de Gaulle Airport or the Avignon TGV station in the early afternoon and transport you to our Villa and home for the week centrally located outside Caseneuve and an excellent point from which to begin our daily Adventures. Caseneuve is dominated by its castle, which looks out sized considering the rest of the village, and indicates the ambition of the ruling family that built it in the 970s AD. This family, the Agoults, then moved on to other strongholds and took their wealth and connections with them, so the village never grew to catch up with the size of the castle. All that is left of them is their enigmatic motto: “Lilia sustentant turres” (the towers sustain the lilies).
After settling in, enjoy a meet-and-greet with homemade hors d’oeuvres and locally produced wines. Then relax by the by the outdoor pool or explore the tranquil mountain-side estate and enjoy the view of the Luberon Mountains until it is time for a homemade welcome dinner. (Dinner by AGA and chef Walter)
Monday
Breakfast at Villa, then we leave for a truffle farm. Here we will go behind the scenes of the world’s most secretive business. We will take a tour of a Provençal truffle plantation, learn how truffles are cultivated and truffle dogs are trained, and go on a hunt for France’s elusive “black gold” with professional hunters who know all the tricks of the trade. We will then enjoy a sampling of fresh truffle hors d’oeuvres, Champagne and a tasting of their organic olive and truffle oil. After returning to the Villa to Relax and Refresh we will begin our hands-on preparation for dinner.(Breakfast, Truffle Tasting, Dinner provided by AGA).
Tuesday
After breakfast at Villa, we will travel a short distance to see the Pont Julien Roman Bridge. We will have lunch at a restaurant in nearby Bonnieux* and then have time to discover this Hilltop Town (Famous for filming of “A Good Year” with Russell Crowe). Built on a plateau above the valley, Bonnieux is one of the finest villages in the area. The houses spread out on the hill-side form a striking harmony of earth-toned colours and shapes. Some superb residences dating back to the 16th, 17th, and 18th century serve as a reminder that Bonnieux was a wealthy village when this region, the Comtat Venaissin, belonged to the Popes. Back to the Villa for Relax and Refresh. Dinner prepared by AGA and chef Walter. (Breakfast and Dinner provided by AGA)
Wednesday
After breakfast, we will get an early morning start to the town farmer’s market in Apt with Walter to shop for the freshest ingredients for tonight’s dinner. Lunch will be in town* and then you are free to discover Apt, shop or just relax in a nearby cafe. The beauty of Apt is the old town, hidden behind the walled buildings. Long, narrow streets winding between the houses, with interesting little nooks here and there waiting for discovery. Then we head back to the Villa for Relax and Refresh until it is time for dinner by AGA and chef Walter. (Breakfast, Hands-on Dinner provided by AGA)
Thursday
Breakfast at Villa prepared by AGA. After a drive-through visit to Gordes, we will spend time in the beautiful town of Rousillon among the Ochre pigmented hills and cliffs where you will be free to discover this amazing town full of small boutiques and amazing views. We will meet for Lunch at a Restaurant in Rousillon*. Roussillon is lovely from the outside, set in a deep green pine forest on bright red-ochre hills. Roussillon is even more spectacular inside the village, with the colorful old buildings and narrow medieval streets. The village is fairly small, so wandering the streets to discover the many lovely shops is very easy. Or if you are so inclined, head off for an optional walking tour of the ochre hills. Then we will leave Rousillon and head back to the Villa where we will Relax and Refresh until it is time for dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner provided by AGA)
Friday
After breakfast, we will head to the ancient town of Monieux. Monieux clings to the steep hillsides. In the village you will discover beautiful old houses, several of which date back to the middle ages. A 12th century look-out tower dominates Monieux and links the village to its historic past. After a Picnic Lunch provided by AGA, we will drive on to the nearby town of Sault for a visit and shopping. Sault is an old fortified village perched along the top of a high ridge overlooking a wide valley, with large lavender fields spread out below to the south and west. Along with the ancient buildings lining the high ridge are the remains of a huge feudal castle. We then return to the Villa where we will Relax and Refresh get ready for dinner at a local Restaurant*. (Breakfast, Picnic Lunch provided by AGA)
Saturday
Breakfast at Villa provided by AGA (have bags packed and ready to load into Van but leave room for your purchases!). We will then leave for Market in Apt and SHOP until it is time to leave for Avignon TGV station and on to next destination! The Apt market is the biggest of the Luberon weekly markets. It takes place on Saturday morning year-round, and has been going for some 900 years. The market sprawls through several streets and squares in the heart of old Apt like a snake and it’s a festival of food and local products. (Breakfast provided by AGA)
*Your Adventure Covers All Meals at Villa
Itinerary subject to change without notice.