SUMMER DAYS 2012 - FULL week - June 15-22

    WHAT THE WEEK IS ABOUT....
     
    This is the ultimate summer course and foodie holiday - a nice mix of food, wine, culture and retail therapy... Because we have a whole week, this course is more relaxed yet with plenty of opportunity to learn about and taste our fabulous Mediterranean ingredients - from olive oils, super-fresh shellfish and wild honeys to goatscheeses and wonderful wines... We'll also learn how to turn simple, fresh ingredients into fabulous food... and how to re-invent and adapt these same dishes to every changing season... all while enjoying the very best of a French summer and some typical Languedoc culture thrown in for good measure!

    The dishes you will learn to cook will become part of your own foolproof repertoire that you'll want to use time and time again - easy to execute, pretty to look at and totally delicious!
     
    There are daily cookery demonstrations (hands-on for those who like it) and daily excursions to passionate artisan food/wine producers. There is time for strolling around colourful food markets and ancient cities (think shopping and sightseeing) and a few water-side picnics... And let us not forget relaxation time in the sunshine... opportunities for walking or cycling or cruising in the dappled shade of the tree-lined Canal du Midi... and ancient Roman and Cathar history...
     
    What can I say? Is there a better way than spending an active holiday in the sun?

    What the week includes...

    • 7 nights accommodation in B&B La Souqueto.
    • all breakfasts, lunches and dinners including wine - both at home and in local restaurants
    • all transport (airport transfers and excursions)
    • all cookery demonstrations and all tutored winetastings

    What the week costs

    1100 euros ALL INCLUSIVE

    Itinerary

    FRIDAY 25th - After the pick-up from the airport we go straight to the Medieval city of Carcassonne for lunch. There is time to explore the ancient walled city and visit some of the pretty little shops. We'll visit an organic beekeeper to learn all there is to learn about honey and taste their fantastic range. And if there is time, we will see the goats being milked at LA BALNAUTIERE goatfarm and of course taste their superb goatscheeses. At home there will be time to settle in before a talk on 'cooking with flavours' and a cookery demonstration, followed by dinner.

    SATURDAY 26th - After breakfast we'll visit Narbonne's bustling food market with an opportunity to see its beautiful 13th Century Cathedral and do some shopping. We'll have lunch overlooking the gorgeous pink Salt Pans of Gruissan (opportunity to learn all about fleur de sel) and a walk on the beach (or a swim in the sea) afterwards. Then a cookery demonstration using this morning's market produce with dinner afterwards.
     
    SUNDAY 27th - After breakfast, we will visit a typical French vide-grenier (literally translated empty-your-attic - a sort-of amateur antique market) where you may well find something to bring back home. Then we are off to the Canal du Midi for a water-side picnic at the Porte Minervoise. If liked, you can walk home along the pretty canal (30-minute) and there will be time to relax by the river. Another cookery demonstration is followed by dinner...

    MONDAY 28th - a lazy morning, with a visit to a snail grower before our outdoor lunch in restaurant La Selette. There is time to relax in the sun afterwards (perhaps an hour or two on the roof terrace or beside the river with a book?) Another cookery demonstration is dedicated to making impromptu meals from your cupboard and freezer is planned early evening with dinner afterwards.
     
    TUESDAY 29th - is a day off for you to do what you want. You may decide to spend it beside the river or lake in Mirepeisset, or we can drop you off in the centre of Beziers for some shopping and sightseeing. If you want to explore further afield (to, say, Montpellier), we can drop you off at train station (the trip takes 35 minutes) and collect you afterwards. Alternatively, we can arrange a cultural visit to an Abbey or Monastery or a day on the beach (pick-ups need to be co-ordinated).

    WEDNESDAY 30th - after breakfast, we'll visit an olive press, come home for lunch, then visit the vineyards and wine cellars of the TERRES GEORGES where its passionate owners Roland and Anne-Marie Coustal (who still make all their wines by hand). In the afternoon, Wendy Gedney will give a tutored wine-tasting which will give you skills you'll be using for the rest of your life. Dinner at home, in the company of Wendy who will talk you through the wines.
     
    THURSDAY 31st - after breakfast we shall explore the pretty village of LE SOMAIL. There is the option of a boat-trip on the Canal du Midi with a water-side aperitif and lunch and perhaps a walk home in the dappled shade of the tree-lined Canal du Midi... Then home for another cookery demonstration and our final dinner.
     
    FRIDAY 1st - after our final breakfast, we leave for the the airport for the flight home...
     
    Guests will go home with all the information, checklists and recipes covered during the week.
     

     

     
    For more information, please contact info@petracarter.com