Country French Art and Cooking Retreat
July 30 to August 6, 2012

Picture yourself walking along this quaint lane in Durfort, Southern France. A full week of cooking classes, exploring local markets and brocantes, designing jewelry and creating mixed media projects to your heart’s content await your creative energy. Our hostess, Dayle Doroshow, nationally recognized Mixed Media Artist will share her little corner of France with you. Gwen Gibson’s delightful home is your home, cooking school, artist loft, yoga studio and relaxation center par excellence for the week. Durfort is a small Medieval village with a history of copperwares and artist’s studios. The week includes, seven nights in a shared bedroom, daily cooking classes with Nese, all meals except two lunches and one dinner, daily side trips to local villages, wine tasting, artist workshops, free studio time, yoga, silk painting and visits to Carcassonne and Albi, the birthplace of Toulouse Lautrec. All of this for only $2500.00 per guest until October 15, 2011. Cost increase after October 15 to $2650.00, book now and save. Limited to 8 lucky ladies.

Itinerary

Monday July 30 Arrive, Toulouse, France before 2pm. Transportation to Durfort departs with Dayle promptly. Enjoy an hour drive to your country village. Join Dayle for a welcome aperitif in the town square getting acquainted with your housemates and the village of Durfort. This evening we will have a simple dinner with wine and early to bed.
Tuesday July 31 Your first field trip to explore local villages and shop the daily markets for ingredients to use in your cooking class. Lunch is served, and we move upstairs to the artist loft to make your personal recipe journal with Dayle’s expert eye. Materials are on site or bring some treasures from home. Begin your first cooking class and dinner at home tonight.

Wednesday August 1 Today is for wine tasting and the city of Albi, the birthplace of Toulouse Lautrec. A new museum dedicated to him and his art opened in 2010. There will be time to explore on your own, enjoy lunch, and take some wonderful photos before driving home. Join Nese in the kitchen for another cooking class.
Thursday August 2 Full free day to use the artist loft, enjoy yoga with Nese and relax. Perhaps you will want to take a drawing class or make your very own hand painted silk scarf as a souvenir or gift. Lunch is served and tonight we will all cook together once again.
Friday August 3 Your field trip goes to Carcassonne today, one of the oldest walled cities in France complete with a castle and cobblestone streets. The famous French dish cassoullet is served in many of the local cafes. Dinner will be enjoyed on our own this evening.
Saturday August 4 Market day, pick up items for your lakeside picnic lunch and tonight’s dinner. Revel is one the Top 100 Most Beautiful Villages in France. You will have a front row seat for the weekly festivities. Prepare a Saturday evening feast; your techniques will be fabulous by now.

Sunday August 5 Flea Markets, brocantes and vide greniers are on the itinerary today. Find many small things for your creative projects along with treasures to decorate your home. Cooking class and a farewell dinner are on the menu tonight.

Monday August 6 Time to go, off to Toulouse for your flight or train to continue your journey in France. Invite a friend and a special gift awaits in your room.

Not Included in Price: Local Transportation, we use rental cars, and the cost is shared with each guest. We use automatic, air conditioned cars and they are driven by your hostess. The cost is about $150.00 each including gasoline and road tolls. This money is paid locally in cash to Dayle Doroshow. Travel insurance is highly recommended, Armstrong & Hedges has all of the details. Air travel to and from France is not included.

Reservations: Michele Abrate, Armstrong & Hedges LTD Tel 510-521-1141
email: teagardentravel@earthlink.net