pinkbirdflies

Joined a small group food and wine tour of Provence based in St. Remy de Provence and staying for 5 nights at the lovely boutique hotel Le Mas des Carrassins. All meals are included with 3 course lunches and 5 course dinners accompanied by wines from Chateauneuf-du-pape, Hermitage AOC, Cotes du Rhone AOC and Tavel AOC. The first morning was spent perusing the market of St. Remy de Provence which was full of lavender, wines, artisan cheeses, olive oil products, baskets and linen. We then drove for a superb lunch at Le Bistrot du Paradou with the most magnificent cheese course I have ever had. We saw local olive oil production and explored the gorgeous streets of the hilltop village of Les Baux de Provence before walking off the fine food and wine climbing through the southern Alpilles. It was warm and sunny and the scent of wild rosemary and lavender filled the air along the rocky, forested tracks before we viewed a spectacular panorama over St. Remy. Time for a swim before dinner which we had in the atmospheric gardens  of the Hotel each night.