Breakfast at our hotel and off to Mas des Herbes in Provence for lunch. (2 1/2 hour drive) We did a tour of the property and rooms on arrival. The rooms are decorated individually and each one has a unique style. The overall feeling of the resort is "light and airy," and the location is central for those wanting to visit the Provence region. The chef had prepared a wonderful lunch for us and we were treated to the best cream of mushroom soup I have ever tasted. It was so light, yet creamy and silky in texture. And again wine pairings with each course.
Then off again with a three hour drive to Lyon. Driving the French countryside was beautiful, seeing the farms and vineyards along the way. On arrival at the Villa Florentine Lyon we were escorted to our suites. My suite opened onto a balcony that looked out onto the roof tops of old Lyon. The suite was enormous for hotels in France and the bathroom was very large and with a huge soaking tub. The Villa Florentine is also a former convent. We met with the general manager, Jerome, for cocktails and hors oeuvre's, then on to view the property. The rooms are styled in French and Italian antiques and a few of the suites in the newer section of the hotel lean a bit more modern in decor. The hotel itself has a very Italian fee. Dinner that evening was prepared for us by the chef, and began with champagne and an amuse bouche, with wine pairings. The food was wonderful and we enjoyed the best foie gras. It was so creamy and melted in my mouth. Jerome is a delightful host and he is so excited about his hotel and the city of Lyon.
Breakfast at the Villa Florentine, then off with Jerome to meet their chef at the Bocuse Market. This market plays tribute to chef Paul Bocuse and the shops supply the goods for the Bocuse d'Or contest held in Lyon. The chef introduced us to many of the shop owners and they proudly described many of their outstanding products. (and gave us many samples to taste) From cheeses, to deserts, to breads, to meats, wines, and seafood. Each shop was beautiful and the foods were displayed in a very grand manner. There is one shop just for fresh oysters, and at 11am we were eating fresh oysters and drinking a lovely white wine. It was my first time tasting oysters from Brittany, Ireland, and Normandy. They were surprisingly much saltier that ours, but were delicious. LIFE IS SO GOOD....
Then on another two hour drive to Geneva for a late lunch at La Reserve Geneva. the hotel has a very African influence in its decor. Deep reds and browns in the public areas. The hotel sits right on Lake Geneva and the views are beautiful. They are not located in the central town area, but offer a private boat that takes you across the lake to town in only ten minutes. The spa at this property is gorgeous. It is decorated in white leather with accents of silver and gray, and very relaxing. Lunch of course was incredible, The main course was fish and lamb, and each was presented beautifully.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Thursday, June 23, 2011
France Tour Day Three and Four
Day Three - A very quick breakfast at Cap Estel. The rooms are so quiet I overslept. Then it was off to tour the rooms at Chateau de La Chevre d"or and Chateau Eze (which was being refurbished). Eze Village is so rich in history, very medieval, it was incredible seeing the workers climb the steps with equipment up and down. We did see the the rooms at Chevre d'Or and the views are magnificent. We met with the general manager and our sales team and enjoyed their signature champagne cocktail on the veranda overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. WOW... An interesting note, Florence attended college in South Florida and was here during the Tim Tebow reign at University of Florida, and we were talking Gator college football in Eze Village, France. It really is a small world.
We then drove about two hours to La Reserve Ramatuelle, near St. Tropez. We were warmly greeted by Pierre Alexandre, director of Marketing for La Reserve, and Nicholas, General Manager, and Alexia, director of sales.We were escorted to our six bedroom villa, again overlooking the Mediterranean sea. Each is fully furnished and has a maid come in daily to make breakfast, clean and do your laundry. We had a tour of the rooms and spa. The hotel and spa are very modern in design and furnishings, but with a warm and cozy feeling. Then back to our villa with a little free time. This evening we were privileged to have a private chef cook dinner for us in our villa. La Reserve specializes in fresh, healthy foods and dinner was remarkable. Who knew how marvelous healthy food could be? We again began with Champagne and hors d/oeuvres in the living room, and then to dinner. This evening our main dish was fillet of lamb, and desert was a beautiful presentation of a coconut and passion fruit creme in a white chocolate sphere. The wine pairing with this meal was from La Reserve private selection of wines from Bordeaux. (Chateau Cos D'Estournel). Pierre Alexandre and Nicholas stayed for dinner and we felt like dear friends sharing a meal.
Day Four - Breakfast in our Villa prepared by our maid and joined by Pierre Alexandre and Nicholas. The fresh squeezed orange juice and breads were delightful. Then off the Oustau de Baumaniere in Provence for lunch at their 2 star Michelin restaurant. We had a tour of the property and rooms prior to lunch. The rooms are decorated in antiques and a very light wood color scheme. Our lunch was once again specially prepared for us by the chef. The main course was leg of lamb en croute and brought to our table by a chef and two assistants to carve and serve us. Desert was a true delight, Grand Marnier Souffle in a crepe. The souffle' almost floated off my plate it was so light. And again wine pairing with the meal.
Then another two hour drive to Le Couvent des Minimes. This property is a former convent, and the rooms are very spacious and decorated with subdued colors, more toward the minimalist design. The bathrooms are incredible. A huge two person shower and a soaking tub that when filled comes up to your neck. The bathroom is stocked with L'Occitane products that they use in their spa, and are made in Provence. They made a wonderful bubble bath. Dinner tonight at their restaurant, and we were delighted to order a very LIGHT meal of salad and roasted chicken.
We then drove about two hours to La Reserve Ramatuelle, near St. Tropez. We were warmly greeted by Pierre Alexandre, director of Marketing for La Reserve, and Nicholas, General Manager, and Alexia, director of sales.We were escorted to our six bedroom villa, again overlooking the Mediterranean sea. Each is fully furnished and has a maid come in daily to make breakfast, clean and do your laundry. We had a tour of the rooms and spa. The hotel and spa are very modern in design and furnishings, but with a warm and cozy feeling. Then back to our villa with a little free time. This evening we were privileged to have a private chef cook dinner for us in our villa. La Reserve specializes in fresh, healthy foods and dinner was remarkable. Who knew how marvelous healthy food could be? We again began with Champagne and hors d/oeuvres in the living room, and then to dinner. This evening our main dish was fillet of lamb, and desert was a beautiful presentation of a coconut and passion fruit creme in a white chocolate sphere. The wine pairing with this meal was from La Reserve private selection of wines from Bordeaux. (Chateau Cos D'Estournel). Pierre Alexandre and Nicholas stayed for dinner and we felt like dear friends sharing a meal.
Day Four - Breakfast in our Villa prepared by our maid and joined by Pierre Alexandre and Nicholas. The fresh squeezed orange juice and breads were delightful. Then off the Oustau de Baumaniere in Provence for lunch at their 2 star Michelin restaurant. We had a tour of the property and rooms prior to lunch. The rooms are decorated in antiques and a very light wood color scheme. Our lunch was once again specially prepared for us by the chef. The main course was leg of lamb en croute and brought to our table by a chef and two assistants to carve and serve us. Desert was a true delight, Grand Marnier Souffle in a crepe. The souffle' almost floated off my plate it was so light. And again wine pairing with the meal.
Then another two hour drive to Le Couvent des Minimes. This property is a former convent, and the rooms are very spacious and decorated with subdued colors, more toward the minimalist design. The bathrooms are incredible. A huge two person shower and a soaking tub that when filled comes up to your neck. The bathroom is stocked with L'Occitane products that they use in their spa, and are made in Provence. They made a wonderful bubble bath. Dinner tonight at their restaurant, and we were delighted to order a very LIGHT meal of salad and roasted chicken.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
France Tour In Luxury -
March 2011 - As a travel advisor with a Virtuoso agency I was invited on a short tour through France to visit many of the five star hotels that I refer my clients to. This blog is a day by day description of my trip and the experiences I had.
Day 1 - arrived Nice - stayed in a charming central city hotel, The Hotel Le Grimaldi. This is a small gem in the the middle of town. Reasonable rates, small comfortable rooms, and decent size bath. They have a very welcoming staff and greet guests with candy and a bottle of Rose' wine from Provence in the room. I enjoyed my day in Nice walking through the city in the rain. (which continued almost my entire stay)
Day 2 - We drove from Nice to Cap Estel - our group of four agents were escorted to a four bedroom villa. I opened my patio door and looked over the Mediterranean Sea - I had to pinch myself. the villa was fabulous, and we were able to tour the other rooms and villas. Each is decorated a little differently,but all were beautiful. This is a great resort for families as well as couples or singles. That evening we met for champagne and hors d'oeuvres in the lobby with the general manager, Bernard, (a very charming English gentleman). Then it was off to Chateau de La Chevre d'Or for dinner. We were greeted by two lovely ladies from the sales team, Isabelle and Florence. Florence had actually attended college here in Florida. We began our evening in the lounge with more champagne and hors d'oeuvres, then to the dining room for an eight-course meal. The chef had prepared a very special meal for us with wine pairing, which was incredible.
MENU:
Gillardeau's Potato artichoke and cauliflower, whipped cream and caviar
Green Asparagus of Provence in a fine velvety Gamberonie veiled with Colonnata's bacon
Turbot from Birttany, small local vegetables with oysters and watercress
Supreme Bresse' pigeon,caramelized spices, Medina's couscous,T'Faya onions with lavender honey
Cheese Course (there must have been 30 different cheeses on the tray)
Finger cake with Strawberries
Guana Chocolate Palet
Wines - Bellet Domaine de la Source 2008 and Clos Saint Joseph 2008
This was my first time tasting pigeon, which I loved, and the two deserts both were decorated with spun sugars. We ended the meal with chocolates and coffee. Then waddled out the door.
Day 1 - arrived Nice - stayed in a charming central city hotel, The Hotel Le Grimaldi. This is a small gem in the the middle of town. Reasonable rates, small comfortable rooms, and decent size bath. They have a very welcoming staff and greet guests with candy and a bottle of Rose' wine from Provence in the room. I enjoyed my day in Nice walking through the city in the rain. (which continued almost my entire stay)
Day 2 - We drove from Nice to Cap Estel - our group of four agents were escorted to a four bedroom villa. I opened my patio door and looked over the Mediterranean Sea - I had to pinch myself. the villa was fabulous, and we were able to tour the other rooms and villas. Each is decorated a little differently,but all were beautiful. This is a great resort for families as well as couples or singles. That evening we met for champagne and hors d'oeuvres in the lobby with the general manager, Bernard, (a very charming English gentleman). Then it was off to Chateau de La Chevre d'Or for dinner. We were greeted by two lovely ladies from the sales team, Isabelle and Florence. Florence had actually attended college here in Florida. We began our evening in the lounge with more champagne and hors d'oeuvres, then to the dining room for an eight-course meal. The chef had prepared a very special meal for us with wine pairing, which was incredible.
MENU:
Gillardeau's Potato artichoke and cauliflower, whipped cream and caviar
Green Asparagus of Provence in a fine velvety Gamberonie veiled with Colonnata's bacon
Turbot from Birttany, small local vegetables with oysters and watercress
Supreme Bresse' pigeon,caramelized spices, Medina's couscous,T'Faya onions with lavender honey
Cheese Course (there must have been 30 different cheeses on the tray)
Finger cake with Strawberries
Guana Chocolate Palet
Wines - Bellet Domaine de la Source 2008 and Clos Saint Joseph 2008
This was my first time tasting pigeon, which I loved, and the two deserts both were decorated with spun sugars. We ended the meal with chocolates and coffee. Then waddled out the door.
Monday, May 30, 2011
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