Active Gourmet Holidays . . .
Cooking Holidays in France, Italy, Spain and Portugal

Active Gourmet Holidays offers much more than conventional vacations - rather, they provide unforgettable getaways that nourish the senses, refuel the body and replenish the spirit.

Whether it be learning to master local dishes from a renowned chef in the heart of Provence, biking amidst the spectacular red poppy fields of Chianti, or tasting fine Tuscan wines from the Brunello region, Active Gourmet Holidays offers the perfect escape.

• Sample the world's finest cuisine
• Savour internationally renowned wines
• Step inside different cultures

Creating Active Gourmet Holidays has allowed founder Jo-Ann Gaidosz to share her passions by being able to combine all of her favourite things into unique and unforgettable holidays. Also, by offering outdoor activities, such as biking the coast of Saint Tropez or hiking the Italian Riviera, Active Gourmet Holidays affords you the opportunity to stay fit - all the while indulging in the gastronomic delicacies your palate desires!

• Culinary instruction for both the sophisticated and casual cook
• Combination holidays for those who enjoy variety or for traveling companions with different interests - Cooking and Biking or Hiking, Italian Lessons and Cooking, Food and Wine, Painting and Cooking
• Visits to famous vineyards and local food producers
• Small groups so as to offer a more intimate setting

If you have a passion for travel, enjoy the outdoors and possess a love for food and fine wines, read on to learn about theri enticing selection of tempting escapes - exciting itineraries, a mix of breathtaking destinations and a varied price range. With Active Gourmet Holidays you can enjoy the hidden pleasures of a foreign land like never before!

Do you crave the extraordinary?

< France > < Italy > < Spain > < Portugal >

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Cooking with Katherine in Burgundy - 6 nights

Experience the delights of Burgundy in a fabulous farmhouse. Join us for a ‘hands on,’ culinary vacation in the heart of the Cote D’Or, Kingdom of the Dukes of Burgundy where you will discover a patchwork of landscapes, valleys, rivers, canals and vineyards.

Exploring the local woodlands for mushrooms, becoming inspired by the colourful Dijon undercover market, waking the senses to the rich wines of this famous region all with your own personal guide and chef, Katherine.

Katherine is an experienced Chef, having had the opportunity to work in Marc Meneaus Vezely 3* Restaurant and has had a very successful business in the UK for many years. She has been included in the most prestigous Cooking Magazine in the UK and has appeared on the UK TV Cooking Channel, with several recipes published in the UK Newspapers. As a result, Katherine is frequently asked by the French Tourist Board to take part in demonstrations at their major Fetes. Katherine and her husband would like to share their enthusiasm for French Cuisine, Wine and Markets and wish to make their guests feel comfortable hoping that they will leave having learned enough during their stay to create their own little piece of France once they return home!

Available March to June, September to December – Sunday to Saturday

For further information see the Active Gourmet Holidays web site - click here

Cooking in Normandy with Susan Herrmann Loomis - 5 nights

Join Susan Herrmann Loomis, internationally-recognized food expert and author of six cookbooks, for a memorable culinary week at her cooking school in Normandy, France. On Rue Tatin is so much more than just a cooking school, rather it is a unique and hand-tailored opportunity for you to get inside the world of fine food and ingredients and warm, talented and generous people. You will spend five days getting an inside look at France with all of its quality and richness, its old-world quality and its youthful dynamism.

Susan's extensive travel throughout the United States, France and Italy has given her a depth of knowledge and an appreciation for the rich traditions around food—how it is grown, harvested and prepared. Susan believes that learning about cooking and food should involve much more than recipes and techniques. She delights in meeting and introducing the personalities and customs behind the great cuisines of France and takes a unique approach to her craft; combining training in journalism with a love for food and the people who produce it. Good food, prepared from the freshest, seasonal and local ingredients, sipping fabulous wines selected from our cellar, lively conversations around the dinner table and providing perspective and insight into the nuances of daily life in France is what you will experience during this five day adventure.

Your meals will prove memorable as you dine al fresco in the courtyard of Susan's lovingly-restored convent in the center of Louviers and across the street from the Gothic Church of Notre Dame de Louviers.

Class sizes are small so you have plenty of hands-on, one-on-one time in the kitchen. You will use only the freshest ingredients, produced by small, family-owned farms and hand-chosen by Susan. You will work in a superbly equipped contemporary kitchen where you will learn the techniques that make French cuisine so seductive. Recipes are geared to the home cook so that once you are in your own kitchen you will be able to easily reproduce what you’ve accomplished at On Rue Tatin.

Available May to June, August to October - Sunday to Friday

For further information see the Active Gourmet Holidays web site - click here

Authentic France - 3 or 6 nights

Discover the authenticity of Provence by staying in a beautifully restored traditional 19th century farmhouse in the heart of the countryside surrounded by woods and fields. Enjoy breathtaking views where every scene is a photograph and the air is fresh and invigorating. The farm is truly a haven of tranquility. You will enjoy a continental breakfast, including homemade jams and preserves each day.

The farmhouse has 6 bedrooms located in a separate area of the house. Each bedroom is equipped with an en suite bathroom and toilet. The decoration of every room has been carefully chosen to reflect some aspect of the local flora and fauna, and the natural beauty of the surroundings. A spacious living room with library, music and board games is placed at the disposal of all the guests.

Your hostess, who ran a successful restaurant before deciding to live in the country, will seduce you with the delicate flavours of her Mediterranean and Provençal cooking. You will use organic ingredients which come from local farmers and producers, and of course, from her own delightful vegetable and herb garden. This really is a very authentic experience in every way. If you want to immerse yourself in all that is French, this is the holiday for you!

Your three hour hands-on cooking lessons will take place in the morning after breakfast. Your instructor will show you many different cooking techniques including steaming, salt crust, oven simmering and more with the use of many Provençal spices and herbs. The menus will vary according to the time of year the workshop take place. You will learn how to make delicious and simple Provençal dishes that you can easily re-create at home for friends and family.

A number of dishes can be prepared all year round including Bouillabaisse, Daube Provençale, Stuffed Rabbit, Gratin Dauphinois, Crespéou d'omelettes, Confit de Canard and much more. Other dishes vary according to the season such as Truffles, Foie Gras, Petits Farcis Provençaux, Salade Niçoise.

There are many walks, bicycle tracks, and picturesque country roads that will enable you to discover the Drôme Provençal, with its perched villages, castles, street markets and local artists and crafts people. Your hosts will be happy to give you suggestions on what to do during your spare time such as visiting Dieulefit to buy some beautiful handmade pottery to take home with you and visiting some of the amazing medieval villages like Poet-Laval.

Inquire about a truffle weekend, available December to early March.

Available year round

For further information see the Active Gourmet Holidays web site - click here

Cooking in the French Riviera - 2, 4 or 5 nights

March 2003 saw the opening of a new Provençal cookery school, set in a little converted country house in an idyllic spot with wild thyme, rosemary and olive trees at its doorstep. Outside there is a shady terrace where you can enjoy the fruits of your labour, accompanied by a glass of wine from the estate.

The classes, which are designed to be for small groups (2 to 10 people), are for people at all skill levels and available either over a long weekend or for a week. In addition, monthly Saturday cookery mornings run throughout the year for those staying at the Château who want to dabble in a spot of cooking. The courses capture the essence of Provençal cookery.

Before joining us, Chef Philippe Migot travelled in France and discovered his love for traditional cuisine. He gained valuable experience working with a variety of chefs including Michel Guérard (3 macaroons in Michelin Guide).

He left his mark on famous restaurants, such as Château de Riel (1 rosette in Michelin Guide) where he discovered his culinary identity. He then crossed the Atlantic to work in New York and shared his passion for food with a team who transcended the diverse cultural differences in tastes; a unique adventure! Back in France, having been Executive Chef to a big restaurant group, Philippe decided to create his own gourmet restaurant, « le Moulin du Prieuré ». It was a 6 year experience, which allowed him to demonstrate his talent for traditional and creative cuisine.

A typical course includes a visit to the bustling marketing at the nearby village of Lorgues, an olive oil mill, a traditional local restaurant for lunch, as well as a tour of the Château's cellar and a tutored wine-tasting

The way of life in Provence is inextricably linked to the art of Provençal food, with its evocative sensations, smells and tastes and the chef brings the true flavours of Provence to the table with menus featuring a mix of cuisine du terroir and cuisine grand mere, using organic vegetables, wild herbs and olive oil from the Château’s gardens and olive groves. He teaches the students about market produce, flavourings and the subtleties of spices, about olive oil and sometimes even about the black truffles grown in the area. Students can taste the joy of successfully making and then tasting various Provençal dishes, washed down with wines from the chateau. This year, every month will feature a new menu jam-packed with seasonal produce. But our chef is also an artist who likes to surprise, especially with his ‘Terre et Mer’ (or land and sea) combinations. He also knows how to surprise with blends of hot and cold and even crunchy and soft. It all adds up to a seductive originality which invites both further discovery and indulgence.

Available February 14 to November 1

For further information see the Active Gourmet Holidays web site - click here

Painting and Cooking in Provence - 5 nights

Join us in Provence for a fabulous week of art and gourmet food. You will not only see the beautiful villages of the Luberon but will learn painting and cooking techniques that will last you a lifetime.

Indulge in fabulous Provençal meals and immerse yourself into this beautiful part of Provence, known for its colours and landscapes, its welcoming people and of course for the wonderful foods and tastes that make this area so special.

Marie-Pierre and Chef Philippe, your instructors will welcome you and take you on site to the most unforgettable locales and teach you painting and cooking techniques enabling you to capture the essence of Provence.

Available year round - Monday to Saturday

For further information see the Active Gourmet Holidays web site - click here

Culinary Escapes in the South of France - 7 nights

Join Peta Mathias for a memorable week-long journey into the culinary world of the South of France. Peta Mathias is a respected and prolific New Zealand chef, author and broadcaster, who now builds on the culinary travel experience with her cooking school in France.

Having started off her culinary love affair in Paris with her restaurant 'Rose Blues' in the 5th arrondissement, she returned to New Zealand ten years later to teach, cook and write. 'Fête Accomplie', the first book about life in Paris with recipes, is also the first of her eight gastronomic travel books written about North Africa, France, New Zealand, Ireland and Vietnam. The most recent book is called 'French Toast'.

Peta has been presenting the prime time television travel/food shows 'Taste New Zealand', 'Taste Takes Off' and 'A Taste of Home' for thirteen years, and in 2006 did the food segment on TVNZ's 'House & Garden'.

Peta was born and bred in Auckland, a stunningly sparkling port city where she still lives but travels extensively researching books and filming her series. She is a member and judge of Slow Food and is proud of the fact that she lives in one of the cleanest, most beautiful countries in the world.

The Mas des Oules is the old farm estate of the Château de Saint Victor. It is a traditional country mas at the foot of the St Victor des Oules village. The setting is commanding, calm and beautiful with an exceptional view of the plains, Uzès and the Cèvennes mountains. At the heart of the U shaped courtyard is a tiled pond with a little fountain and eccentric sculptures. The gardens full of flowers, shaded terraces and little paths lead to the various gites. Walk through the courtyard and out through to the other side of the mas and you find a park full of olive trees, a fish pond and a well. There is a huge swimming pool and breakfast is served in the courtyard. There is also a restaurant and communal room.

This is the third year of the now legendary Fête Accomplie gastronomic adventure, where fearless guests join us in a week long dinner party charged with culinary tips, foodie outings, much hilarity and cultural insight.

Our mission has always been to provide really authentic gastronomic and cultural experiences, far from the well-trodden tourist circuits and into the homes, restaurants and kitchens of people with real food soul. We sample everything, from the chic to the humble because . . . variety is the spice of life! This year we have added an extra day (for the same price) to allow guests more time to soak - or buy - up the local colour. And due to constant badgering from potential guests, an extra destination: the incredibly exotic and hip city of Marrakesh.

As usual the most difficult task has been to choose between all those delicious recipes . . . those tempting wines . . . those magical interiors . . . those overflowing markets . . . Someone's got to do it - why not you? I hope you can join us. To get to the real heart and soul of a culture means understanding how and what it eats. A culture's cuisine confirms its sense of belonging, bringing alive ancestral memories through stories of local traditions and daily life. These are passed down through the genes and the fingertips. Cooking is living history. Deeply understood, joyously shared. This has been my raison d'être for more than thirty years. Our culinary weeks go in search of this. In Morocco, where time passes on slippered feet, we divide our stay between the rural charms of authentic Berber hospitality, and the riotous but sophisticated life of Marrakesh's medina. Moroccan food is aromatic, they have a million kinds of pastries, eat with their fingers and the men call you gazelle.

In Southern France we hole up for the week in a glorious pastel-tinted Mas (country home) outside the medieval splendour of Uzès, and venture forth daily to experience the intoxicating, colourful and sensual cuisine that is Provençe. Sybaritic pleasures and cultural insights . . . Say au revoir to all you knew before and enter into our charmed and poetic gastronomic world.

Available June in France and October in Marrakesh

For further information see the Active Gourmet Holidays web site - click here

Hiking and Feasting in Arles - 6 nights

This program combines wandering about the glorious and varied countryside of Provence, and cooking together with friends (new and old!). Though what you will learn is Provençal cuisine, naturally rich in vegetables, olive oil, and with minimal fats, after a week of feasting, some of our clients worry about facing the scales when they get home. So, if we walk and hike for a couple hours each day, over hills and through valleys, collecting a few herbs, or berries, or mushrooms as we find them, you can indulge with no guilt in the evening's delicacies!

We'll walk through valleys of olive orchards, along paths with spectacular vistas, hike amidst vineyards, visit our cheese makers (and run into their goats grazing) and olive oil mills, include strolls through local markets to gather picnic supplies (as well as ingredients for the evening classes), through landscapes painted by Vincent Van Gogh, Roman ruins, and into the hidden valley of our favorite bee keeper.

Available May and September - Sunday to Saturday

For further information see the Active Gourmet Holidays web site - click here

The Perfumes, Colours and Flavours of the Luberon - Provence - 4 or 7 nights

Join Chef Patrick for a week in the heart of the Luberon. Daily hands-on cooking classes and excursions to neighboring villages and visits to traditional markets offering all the local produce for which Provence is renowned - from olive oil to fine wines and cheeses.

Patrick will greet you in his Eighteenth century restored house, opposite the Baron d'Agoult's castle, which offers you incomparable comfort. Well sheltered in the heart of the Luberon, Goult offers picturesque scenery, tradition and history. Patrick and Babeth will guide and inspire you, and your spare time will be filled with new places to discover, and good restaurants to enjoy! During the afternoon, Chef Patrick will be displaying his culinary art and disclosing the secrets of Provençal cuisine. Patrick graduated from the school of Roger Vergé, and has run his restaurant for over twenty years in the town of Goult, Provence. He has even had a cameo mention in Peter Mayle's famous book "A Year in Provence."

Highlights of this trip include:

• Wine tasting: wine of Luberon (Domaine de la Citadelle) and famous wine of Chateauneuf du pape
• Visit of the Lavender Museum in Coustellet and Corkscrew Museum in Menerbes and Truffle and Wine House in Menerbes (during the summer season wine lovers are welcome to participate in tasting sessions and discover the secret of regional wines)
• Fun hands-on cooking classes
• Cheese tasting (selection of the best cheese from France and Provence) and Provençal olive oil tasting
• Beautiful and antique villages of Luberon with such a difference from one to the other and the beautiful landscapes of Provence
• The Pope Palace in Avignon and the antique medieval village in Les baux de Provence

Available March to December - Saturday to Saturday

For further information see the Active Gourmet Holidays web site - click here

Provencal Gourmand - Provence - 5 or 7 nights

For those of you wishing to get far away from home to escape your normal life, if only for a bit, this holiday is the perfect choice.

Learn to cook from an incredibly talented chef, Erick, a native of Arles. When in Provence last year, I can honestly say that his cuisine was the very best my friends and I had during our stay.

You will learn to make over 16-20 different Provençal dishes, you will go shopping for the days' ingredients at the local markets, visit a local winery and food artisans, and simply revel in the arts of good food and good wine. You'll share the passion, riches and pleasures of this very special region called Provence.

Depending on the season, you will visit many different culinary artisans and, wineries and the Arles market.

Available January, May through July, October

For further information see the Active Gourmet Holidays web site - click here

Provence Cooking Classes - Provence - 6 nights

Twenty minutes east of Nyons, the olive capital of France, lies an 18th century 3 story stone "mas" (Provençal farmhouse) nestled in the hills outside the village of Condorcet. Enjoy a breath-taking view and a climate said to be among the most agreeable in all of France. Savor blue skies, sunlight in all its shades and shadows, old farm-houses of yellowed stone and mottled clay-tiled roofs, and its holy trinity of lamb, goat and olive.

Each day is designed to provide 3-5 hours of culinary instruction and actual meal preparation, with an emphasis on student participation. You will learn classic French methods using the flavors and techniques of Provençal cuisine.

Your cooking vacation begins with your arrival Tuesday afternoon and ends the following Monday after breakfast.

Wednesday through Sunday, each day is designed around 3 - 5 hours of hands-on culinary instruction and excursions into this sun-drenched and historical corner of Provence. Depending on the availability, season and local village festivals, we will:

• Visit a local goat farm and goat-cheese producer
• Visit a duck farm to buy meat for "confit" and can observe the "gavage"
• Visit 250 year old factory where olive oil filters are still made the old fashioned way
• Visit a trout farm - select fresh fish for the table
• Tour a Chateauneuf-du-Pape Chateau or visit area wine producers
• Bottle our own wine (with an extra to tuck into your suitcase)
• Experience a bit of French/Roman history - tour a medieval village - visit remarkable Roman ruins
• Tour an olive-oil mill founded in 1847 or the famous Nyons olive co-op
• Tour an old-style lavender distillery
• Find time to shop for those beautiful Provençal fabrics and ceramics
• Explore the renowned, sprawling and animated open-air market in Nyons

There will also be ample time to relax by the pool, read on the terrace, hike up the mountains through the wild lavender and thyme, ride horses up into the hills, bicycle, star-gaze or simply nap in your room. Sleep with windows open. Soak up the ambiance of Provence and totally immerse yourself into this wonderful way of life.

Instructor for the sessions is master chef Daniel Bonnot. Chef Bonnot was born in France and worked under Parisian chefs for seven years. After several years cooking in London at the Savoy Hotel, he moved to Guadeloupe, where he learned to integrate Creole cooking with French cuisine, and was "chef saucier" at La Caravelle. In 1979 he moved to New Orleans where he was proprietor/chef at Chez Daniel and most recently, Bizou. He was the mentor for the famous New Orleans chef Susan Spicer; he was named Chef of the Year in New Orleans in 1980 and 1995, and Bizou was named one of the 10 New Best Restaurants in the Country by John Mariani in Esquire in November,1996. Chef Bonnot has been a frequent celebrity chef at the March Jazz Fest in Juan-les-Pins (on the French Riviera), on luxury liners and around the world.

The three separate guest rooms with private baths and the two-bedroom, one and one-half bath apartment are comfortably furnished for your enjoyment and relaxation. Each room has its own exterior entry providing privacy. There is also a stream-fed pool ideal to relax, converse or take a dip before apertifs and dinner.

Available June and September - Tuesday to Monday

For further information see the Active Gourmet Holidays web site - click here

Culinary Provence - Provence - 6 nights

Experience magical Provence with Carole, acclaimed chef and restaurateur and her French born husband, Bernard. Small groups of eight to ten persons, gorgeous accommodations in a restored home, cooking classes, divine cuisine, fine wines and cultural activities. Provence awaits your arrival and promises to make your dreams come true!

Have you always dreamed of discovering the sun-splashed splendors of Provence - with your own personal guides to reveal the Provençal landscape, culture, foods, wines, and restaurants as only a native of the region can appreciate them? Your dream can come true when you join an acclaimed chef and restaurateur and her French-born husband, for their Culinary Tour in Provence.

Carole and Bernard's special delight is to introduce sophisticated travelers to the rich history, natural beauty, and culinary delights of this extraordinary region in the south of France. Intimate tour groups of 8 to 10 persons allow each participant to enjoy an unforgettable personal experience as they discover Provence from a true insider's perspective. You will be Carole and Bernard's guest at their restored home in Montfrin, Prieuré Notre Dame, which boasts a history dating back to the 12th century and all the contemporary comforts of today. Montfrin is conveniently located in the heart of Provence at the center of a triangle formed by the cities of Avignon, Arles and Nimes, each about 20 minutes' drive from the village.

As executive chef and owner of her very successful restaurant in Connecticut, Carole has received the coveted four-star rating from Connecticut Magazine and acclaim in Gourmet, The New York Times and other national publications for her pioneering and original culinary creations rooted in a commitment to use of fresh and organic foods grown by local producers. So it was only natural that she fell in love with the bounty of Provence with its thriving open-air markets and small farms.

The first goal of Carole's cooking class in France is to pass along to her guests her knowledge and technique, taking full advantage of the wealth of fresh ingredients available in Provence in order to provide a better understanding of their many flavors and uses. But unlike most cooking classes, these lessons are not limited to Carole's demonstrations in the kitchen of the Prieuré Notre Dame. Carole takes her guests to visit and learn from various chefs of the region, and often brings a local chef to the Prieuré as a guest instructor.

Going on location enables Carole to show the Provence profonde — the real Provence — in all its beauty and diversity. Thus, in addition to cooking classes, each tour sets aside time for a wide range of other culinary and cultural activities such as wine tastings in local vineyards, a tasting and workshop at the Institute of Olive Oil, or touring in Les Baux de Provence and the Camargue. Our guests also discover both established and up-and-coming restaurants in Provence, as Bernard constantly tours the area to search out the best chefs, restaurants and wines in the region. Of course, no weeklong tour in Provence is complete without shopping — but here, too, we stay off the beaten tourist paths to seek out those special craftsmen, artisans and designers rooted in the true culture of the region.

Available July, September to October

For further information see the Active Gourmet Holidays web site - click here

A Small Taste of Provence - Provence - 2 nights

Looking for a small village in Provence for some relaxation, historical points of interest and cooking classes? This bed and breakfast is a perfect place to discover the area, gain some culinary experience and taste exquisite wines. The location is ideal since it is close to Avignon, Chateauneuf de Pape and the Luberon region of Provence.

Welcome to Provence! You will be greeted by your hosts in their beautiful Nineteenth century “mas”. The village where you will be staying is well known for its rosé wine, being the first in France. You will discover the surrounding area, rich in historical attractions such as Avignon and the Pope’s Palace and the Roman aqueducts. Fabulous landscapes, exceptional light (there was a reason van Gogh came to the south!) and the singing of the cicadas will bring you peace and comfort and offer an appreciation of this exquisite region of France. You will be charmed by the colourful markets and warm people. In Provence you will discover the French way of life with a sunny twist.

You will partake in a hands-on Provençal cookery class based on sun-kissed vegetables and fruits, thyme, rosemary, garlic and basil. Groups are small, two to six people, to offer more personal attention. You will prepare your own dinners in a way all Provençal women (and men) do, without professional equipment but with a Provençal heart. The dishes prepared will be a pleasant, more than expected, discovery in flavour.

Available year round

For further information see the Active Gourmet Holidays web site - click here

Cooking and Yoga in the Languedoc-Roussillon - 7 nights

Join us for a week of hands on traditional French cooking and energising Iyengar yoga practice. You will be staying in a beautiful spacious “Maison de Maitre” with shady gardens and a turquoise pool. Lionel is our English speaking French chef and his English partner Karen is a qualified yoga teacher.

La Maison Verte

In August you will be staying in the small town of Roujan, near Beziers. This house is a huge, stunning, rambling mansion full of French character and ambiance. It has doubles, twins and three single rooms, some are en-suite and some sharing bathrooms with one other room. The rooms are allocated on a first come first serve basis. The garden has lots of shady corners, pool and sunny lawns. Nearby, in the town, you will find shops, a post office, banks and cafes.

Cerf Gris

In September we are in a very small village called Moux near to Carcassonne. This is a beautiful big “Maison d’ Maitre” with a spacious kitchen and its own spacious yoga loft. The large airy bedrooms are twin, double and one single, some are en-suite and some share with one other room. The rooms are allocated on a first come first serve basis. The garden has an enticing pool, lots of shady corners, and a sunny lawn and its very own pair of nightingales. This village has a bakery, post office, chemist and one shop. There are some lovely short routes for an early evening stroll in and around the village.

Both houses are in the Languedoc region of France. A wealth of history lies in this area. Roman monuments, Greek ruins, medieval castles and ancient villages are set amidst a patchwork of vineyards, sleepy sun baked villages, farmlands, mountains and plateaus.

Cookery Classes

Lionel has many years of hotel and restaurant experience in France but his real passion is traditional family food. He will demonstrate and help you prepare delicious meals that you can cook with confidence for your family and friends when you return home. You will learn how to prepare sauces, soups, meat and fish dishes, pastries and desserts all in a true Mediterranean style. Many of recipes were taught to Lionel by his Grandma who was taught by her mother before. Some example are Gazpacho (cold soup) Aioli and Rouille (dressing for fish and seafood) Tian (aubergine bake) Moules (mussels) Pissaladiere (provencal tart) Asparagus with Sabayon (mousse dressing) Mediterranean veal chops, Fish with mint and olive tapenade, Crème caramel, Granite (Mediterranean ice) Nougat glace (fresh ice cream) and many more….

For breakfast you will have the choice of fresh croissants, crusty French bread, honey, homemade jam, yoghurt, juice, coffee and tea.

A typical lunch could be Cucumber mousse with virgin sauce, Chicken Balentine with vegetable cannelloni and rosemary sauce, fruit and local wines.

In the evening, after pre dinner drinks on the balcony or in the courtyard, you may enjoy Provencal butterfly (grilled cherry tomatoes, sliced mozzarella marinated in basil, chives and olives) Duck Magret pan fried with honey, vervienne sauce, vegetable tian and roast potatoes. Followed by a cheese course and a delicious dessert of Coconut tile with rosemary granite (frozen rosemary syrup ball).

These dishes are a typical example of the traditional family recipes that Lionel will prepare for you and ones you may learn to cook in your stay in France.

Yoga

Iyengar Yoga is suitable for all levels and a great introduction if you have not done any yoga before. We will build up the poses gradually from standing, sitting, twists to backbends and inversions (only if you feel you are ready). You will work at your own level, with props to help you access some of the poses. The aim is to distribute weight evenly over your muscles, bones and joints. Once both sides of your body become symmetrical undue stress is removed. These yoga poses affect and penetrate every single cell and tissue, leaving you feeling energized and calm. There will be a relaxation time at the end of the session for you body to absorb all the benefits of your hard work.

Karen has practiced Iyengar yoga for 14 years and trained as an Iyengar teacher 10 years ago. She has studied with the Iyengar family in India.

Art

Karen is also a practicing artist and teacher so there is the option to have art lessons. These classes are suitable for all levels, there is so much to inspire you around the house and garden. We have a wide range of materials for you to work with.

The classes will run at the same time as the cookery lessons.

Available August and September – Saturday to Saturday

For further information see the Active Gourmet Holidays web site - click here

The Foods and Wines of the Languedoc-Roussillon - Languedoc-Roussillon - 7 nights

Join us in this pristine region in the South of France, where you will learn French, English, Oriental, Vegetarian and Fusion cooking in a well equipped kitchen in a beautiful chateau. Visit local food producers, taste fine wines from the Corbieres and Minervois and visit the Narbonne market where you will learn to select the freshest foods for your class.

Learn to cook from an accomplished English chef, Sasha, in the lovely Languedoc-Roussillon region of France close to the famous Canal du Midi. Stay in a beautiful Seventeenth century Chateau set in the tranquil atmosphere of an old wine Domaine. Amidst vineyards and breathtaking scenery, you will visit many of the area's wine makers and experience some of the most exciting wines now being produced in France that are among the finest in the world. You will learn about the different grapes and processes used in the production of Corbiéres and Minervois wine and enjoy several wine tastings (dégustations) as part of your cooking or wine tour. Sometimes known as "forgotten France" this region has not changed for centuries and is steeped in history. Southwest of Provence, it is now being discovered and loved for its quiet roads, beautiful unspoilt countryside and warm and friendly people. Your English hosts, Tim and Sasha, are passionate about the region and their lovely home. They like to look after you as if you are family, and believe me, when I left, I felt like family! !

Available year round

For further information see the Active Gourmet Holidays web site - click here

Active Gourmets in Bordeaux - 6 nights

Savor the wines, foods and landscapes that define this southwestern corner of France between Bordeaux and St. Emilion. Your week in the "Entre Deux Mers" region is a unique way to get to know French people and to share their culinary passions. It is an opportunity to taste and cook traditional and locally grown foods: wine from their vineyards, shellfish from their seacoast or mushrooms from their forests. Your hosts for the week are Carol, an American who has been living in France for more than thirty years, her French husband Bruno and their English friend Helen.

During your stay you will participate in cooking classes in home kitchens and professional workshops. Dinners are often in private homes or in their favorite restaurants and cafés. We try to keep a little time each day for walks if you'd like (at your pace) through the vineyards and villages, on the Atlantic's beaches or on the nearby bike trails. You can also relax in the garden or in the winter, infront of the fireplace. No matter what the season you will indulge in delicious tastings and simply immerse yourself in everyday French life.

Although cooking and wine are the main themes of your stay, your personal interests, whether it be gardening, antiques, contemporary art or a night at the opera, can also be included in your stay. Carol and her friends can introduce you to the best the area has to offer. *Take a look at the seasonal propositions at the bottom of the page.

Available year round - Saturday to Friday

For further information see the Active Gourmet Holidays web site - click here

Bordeaux Gourmand - 6 nights

This fully escorted 7 day culinary and wine tour offers you a luxurious active vacation with a small group. The program has been specifically designed for a travel audience interested in fine cuisine, Bordeaux wines and the French “Art de vivre”. Stay in gorgeous accommodations, explore the area, learn about the finest in food and wine and participate in hands-on cooking classes and wine tastings.

Available May and July

For further information see the Active Gourmet Holidays web site - click here

Cooking in the Dordogne - 7 nights

Join us in Southwest France for a week of total immersion in the French lifestyle. Pick-up a straw basket and each morning we will visit a different traditional market and learn how to select the best produce. In France gastronomy and life rhyme with markets which are a a vital event held on the main square of the town. It’s a place where one can find the good home-grown food products and is essential to catch up with the local gossip!

We will get our inspiration for our menu as we are shopping together, according to the seasonal vegetables and fruits and what the fishmonger is offering that day. The area is known as France’s orchard and notable specialities include the prunes from Agen and the tomato from Marmande. You will learn how to cook in a simple manner without too many complications and conflicts of flavours. We will also give special attention to food presentation, as the eye should first be pleased when the plate comes to the table.

Your hostess Sylvie was born in the Cognac region in southwest France and studied English and American literature at Bordeaux University. Her love for travelling and sailing took her to the CARIBBEAN ISLANDS where she worked as a chef on luxury yachts. A few years later she settled in Ireland where she opened her first restaurant, soon to receive listings in several food guides, including the Michelin. In 1987 she moved to the Baleares islands in Ibiza to open her second restaurant where she developed her interest in Mediterranean cuisine. For the last four years, she has been teaching the Italian Mediterranean cooking course in Tuscany for an Italian cooking school. F