Join Darlene Marwitz and Beth Cunningham in Provence!

June 25 – July 02, 2016

✓ tour lush lavender landscapes

✓ sip regional wines 

✓ shop and cook with a local chef

✓ dine at "bistronomiques"

✓  savor breakfast at poolside

✓ explore your inner artist

✓ sleep 7 nights in a restored farmhouse inn

✓ meet new friends or travel with pals

LAVENDER et ROSÈ en PROVENCE

hosted by Epicopia Journeys and McCabe Travel Group, LLC

ITINERARY: Saturday June 25 – July 02, 2016

Relaxing Atmosphere and Intimacy: Start your breakfast each day at “La Ferme de la Huppe,” with its beautiful gardens and view overlooking the Luberon and the old village of Gordes. Exclusive arrangements for 7 wonderful nights at “La Ferme de la Huppe” (www.lafermedelahuppe.com), a restored eighteenth-century farmhouse near Gordes in the heart of Provence and lavender country!

Saturday. June 25, 2016. Plan your arrival into the Marseilles Airport (no later than 12:00 noon) for motor-coach transfer to La Huppe. Unpack, relax and begin enjoying your home for the next seven nights. Enjoy a welcome dinner in the intimate atmosphere of Bistro de la Huppe.

Sunday. June 26. Sleep in a bit before savoring breakfast by the pool. Relax at La Huppe to begin your workshops with Darlene and Beth. The day is slow and peaceful, but punctuated with activity starting with Darlene’s unique interpretation of the ‘art of the travel journal pages.’ Beth will also introduce you to the joy of expressing your inner feelings through the ‘art of travel tangles’ based on the Zentangles ® system of creative drawing. Darlene and Beth will thereafter guide you “on the fly” throughout the week as we travel and explore.

Monday. June 27. Devoted to “lavender landscapes” and distillery experiences exploring haute Provence. A stop in Manosque offers a guided visit to L’Occitane’s factory, before continuing to Forcalquier and a tasting at the distillery Domaines de Provence. From the Plateau of the Valensole, we ascend toward the Mont Ventoux region for a visit and lunch in one of the most famous lavender villages, Sault. Lunch promises to be both seasonal and regional as we taste the fresh cuisine in a “bistronomique” restaurant. Next is Apt for a guided visit of Les Fleurons ‘Apt – this will surely be a sweet experience!

Tuesday. June 28. Depart for a local market town to be joined by our Chef for the day as we visit and barter for produce – for our cooking class in his “famous” kitchen. Learn your lessons well for we will be eating what we cook for our lunch today! Afterwards, we visit several medieval villages including Senanque Abbey (famous for those amazing lavender photos), and perhaps a few typical ‘water and fountain villages,’ – postcard views in every direction.

Wednesday. June 29. A second day devoted to “lavender landscapes” and the ‘perched’ villages of the Luberon region. Stroll among the lavender fields and enjoy a bit of shopping in the outstanding village of Lourmarin. Lunch will be at another “bistronomique” restaurant in the very typical Provencal village of Bonnieux. Thereafter, we will chose from Ménerbes, Lacoste, and Oppèdes le Vieux. Perhaps a wine tasting or a stop for another “sweet break” at the typical and well-known “petit café?”

Thursday. June 30. We explore Avignon and the wine region of Chateauneuf-du-Pape. As part of your “workshop activities” this week you will be given a special assignment in Avignon. After a short visit to view the Pont D’Avignon, we will meet for a gastronomic lunch at the “Chateau de Rochegude” – a splendid medieval castle. We will also visit a famous wine cellar for a regional tasting.

Friday. July 01. A few more villages to visit: Roussillon with its red Colorado-like Canyon, the unique-to-this-region Bories Village, and the antique and craft lovers’ favorite, Ile sur la Sorgue. Then, it’s time to review and discuss the “travel journal pages” and “travel tangles” you have been creating all week while “on the road.” Beth and Darlene will share secrets to help with finishing touches and for continuing the discovery back home. We then relax to enjoy a soft jazz evening and a special gourmet meal prepared for us by the team at Bistrot de la Huppe.

Saturday. July 02. Early departure after breakfast to return to Marseilles Airport, or if traveling beyond by rail to Paris or another destination there will be transfer to the TGV Station in Avignon.

Per person, based on two sharing a room: $4,787.00*

Single room supplement:   $595.00* (only two rooms available for single use)

Based on a minimum of 14 paying guests.

Deposit required to secure place in group:   $500.00* per person

*Payments by check only.

Includes:

7 nights accommodations; room, tax and porterage

Meals:  7 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 4 Dinners

Wine and distillery visits with tasting

Cooking class with English instruction

All entrances and visits as indicated

Air-conditioned small motor-coach throughout

English speaking local guide 5 full days

Workshops throughout with Darlene Marwitz and Beth Cunningham

Tour Director: Harold D. Partain (Epicopia Journeys); hpartain@epicopia.com; www.epicopia.com

Not Included:

Air transportation from home to Marseilles, France

Additional meals not included in itinerary

Premium wines with lunches and dinners

Extras or incidentals at hotel or while on tour

Gratuities to local guide

Additional restrictions and conditions may apply. Price based upon rate of exchange as of 14 October 2015 and subject to adjustments 60 days in advance of tour. Final Payment due no later than April 25, 2016.

Payments to:

McCabe Travel Group, LLC

5042 Rabbit Ridge Ct.

Rockwall, Texas 75032

Tel:  972.771.3510

Contact:  Harold D. Partain; hpartain@epicopia.com; www.epicopia.com

Darlene Marwitz; darlene@darlenemarwitz.com;  www.darlenemarwitz.com

Beth Cunningham; bellabethvt@gmail.com; www.bethcunninghamartist.com