Te Whau Lodge returns to Provence 2008
Who are we and what are we doing?
We, Gene O'Neill and Liz Eglinton, are passionate foodies, keen travellers and committed hosts with a penchant for Provence. We are no strangers to hosting guests from around the world and, 8 years ago, created a small, intimate guest lodge on Waiheke Island, New Zealand. Te Whau Lodge is the type of place that we had longed to find in our own travels - a place to enjoy good food, good wine and more importantly good company - relaxed hospitality in a relaxed setting.
For the last four years, we have taken time out from Te Whau Lodge and travelled to the Vaucluse region of the south of France. We have come to know it well but each year we keep finding new "treats" to entice us back and so in May 2008, we will again be making our annual jaunt to our favourite village - St Didier.
The idea behind our trip is to take some time out in a tranquil setting and to experience village life in the Vaucluse - along the way sampling local foods, relaxing with a glass of rose at the village cafe, visiting little markets in stunningly beautiful towns and getting an appreciation of the local history. We invite you to join us to share the wonderful experiences of life in what has become a very special part of our world. This is not a tour but rather a group of six people (including ourselves) having a holiday and experiencing a special little corner of Provence.
Please note: bookings for the 2008 trip are now closed -
watch this space for photos of this year's travels and news of future trips...
What do we have planned for 2008?
For our 2008 travels, we have planned 4 themed excursions, each with a slightly different emphasis to accommodate different interests but with the focus being a holiday in Provence. For the entire time, we will be based in the same villa in St Didier so you could join us for adjoining trips without the hassle of moving and without repeating the sights and experiences.
So our plan looks like this:
Food, wine and markets - Six nights from Sunday 4 May 2008
This week will focus on exploring some superb local markets from the Velleron evening producers' market with the freshest local produce to the vast Carpentras market, which has literally been operating for centuries. We will also visit wine caves and co-operatives of the area including the famous wine towns of Chateauneuf du Pape and Vacqueras. In 2007, we had a fantastic cooking day with Gina, who lives in Carpentras and this year, we have asked her to guide us to visit some of her wine growing friends. Some evenings we will dine out at nearby restaurants but there will also be a chance to join Gene in the kitchen 'chez nous'.
Villages and walks - Six nights from Sunday 11 May 2008
Here is the chance to enjoy a slower pace of life in a beautiful environment. Enjoy walking the country lanes from St Didier to Venasque. Take in the wonderful views from the heights of the Dentelles de Montmirail and, after an exhilarating climb, see why they are called the 'Lace Mountains'. Enjoy strolling in beautiful villages such as Isle sur la Sorgue and if this week doesn't lower your blood pressure with the help of a little time by the pool and a glass of chilled rose, then nothing will!
Ancient sites - Six nights from Sunday 18 May 2008
This region is rich in history and, within easy reach of our home base, are the amazing sites of Avignon - a walled city that was home to the Popes of Rome in the 14th century and is now famed for it's annual festival of performing arts; Glanum - a bustling commercial centre in Roman times that is now being meticulously excavated; the Pont du Gard - an engineering feat that still commands respect; Orange - with its Arc de Triomphe (circa 20BC) and magnificent roman amphitheatre. A very special week.
Short & sweet - Five nights from Sunday 25 May 2008
A selection of some of our favourite spots in the region with some time thrown in to relax 'chez nous' - we plan to picnic on Mt Ventoux, to visit the markets of Bedoin and Vaison La Romaine and to stroll the streets of Avignon while making sure we have time to sit by the pool and enjoy some leisurely time in St Didier.
Our base
A restored two-storied house in a quiet lane just a few minutes walk from the main street of St Didier will be our base. The house is very well set up and has a large open plan kitchen, dining and living room downstairs plus four bedrooms and three bathrooms, so there is plenty of space for us all. We will have exclusive use of the house and the garden and pool will also be ours to enjoy - if the weather is kind, we will dine outside. All linen will be supplied and your room will be set up on arrival.
We know this house from past visits, it is light and sunny and is a haven to return to at the end of a day exploring.
What is included?
We have aimed to make the package as much as possible an all-inclusive one so that there should be no surprises at the end of your stay - we hope this approach works for you.
- Accommodation in a double room in a restored Provencal house
- A French style breakfast each morning
- Picnics or lunches at local cafes
- Dinners each evening which may be prepared at our house or we may dine out at local restaurants
- Pick up and return to the Avignon TGV station at the beginning and end of your stay
- Transport for our excursions in the region (most likely in a 7 seater van)
What is not included?
- Wine, beer and spirits are not included but we intend to run a 'kitty' for this to share the cost
- Personal items such as phone calls, newspapers, entry to museums or galleries
- Transport to and from our pick up point - the Avignon TGV station
- Any travel and other insurances
Please note: the phone in the house allows local calls only and if it is important for you to have access to the phone/internet, then we suggest that you arrange this prior to arrival. In 2007, we were able to get wireless access in the house and we had our own laptop on hand for this - we will need to check whether the wireless service is still available closer to the date.
Costs
| Food, wine and markets |
NZ$3400 per person
(includes a full day guided tour with the wonderfully exuberant and knowledgeable Gina who will take us to visit some of her wine grower friends) |
| Walks and villages |
NZ$3200 per person |
| Ancient sites |
NZ$3200 per person |
| Short and sweet |
NZ$2700 per person |
These rates are based on double occupancy and there is a single supplement - please enquire.
Why not enjoy Te Whau Lodge hosting in beautiful Provence!
If you are interested in joining us, please contact us for further details and for a full itinerary.
Please note: bookings for the 2008 trip are now closed -
watch this space for photos of this year's travels and news of future trips...
Comments from the 2007 trip
“The trip to Provence with Liz and Gene was beyond our expectations. They were wonderful hosts and allowed us to get far more out of our trip than we could possibly have done, had we done it alone. The accommodation and food not to mention the wine was superb. Liz’s ability to speak fluent French together with Gene’s culinary expertise and the fact that our hosts knew the area well meant that we did a number of things that we would probably have missed were it not for them.
Highlights included a trip up to Mount Ventoux, a highly memorable vineyard tour (and tasting!) in Chateau Neuf du Pape, dining at Michelin starred restaurants, picnics in Gigondas and by the river banks of Fontaine de Vaucluse, touring the local markets, trying our hand at a cooking school in Carpentras and seeing pretty villages such Venasque and the red hilltop town of Rousillon, often quoted as being one of the prettiest villages in Provence. Best of all was the village of St Didier where we actually stayed – a beautiful spot with a tree lined street, a wonderful boulangerie that Gene would frequent to provide breakfast treats each morning and a fantastic café run by Monsieur Marc, where we would stop for an afternoon’s Pastis or Rose (he got to know us all too well by the end of our stay!). The accommodation at the Lemon Tree itself was excellent, with ample well furnished rooms, all the creature comforts and a pool to laze by after a hard day’s sight seeing.
All up Liz and Gene delivered more than we expected and we had the trip of a lifetime. We made some great new friends and have memories that will last a lifetime. Highly recommended, a great way to see the highlights of Provence without the stress of doing it all yourself and well worth every penny. We would love to do it all over again”.
Dr Bill Short and Fiona Kelly
“Dear Liz and Gene - Thank you once again for the delightful introduction to the French countryside. Because of your loving care and attention, I fell in love with Provence – definitely the highlight of our trip. I will return at some stage and see more. It was lovely to be in such beautiful countryside and away from the crowded cities. I think of us when I am out on my early morning walks and remember our walks in St Didier before breakfast and being touched by that lovely early morning sun and air.”
Sandra and Jack – Sydney, Australia
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