Undoubtedly, you have noticed lots of promotional offers for travel this last year- especially with cruises, but also flights and land tours. Even luxury travel suppliers are offering deep discounts to spur travel and get their ships, planes and tours filled. These promotions are working as planes are full and cruises are booked well into next year and even into 2011. Have you considered taking advantage of this unprecedented pricing? Now is the perfect time to plan that exotic vacation, anniversary trip or family reunion you have always wanted and let your travel dollars stretch farther.

Provence, France holds many treasures to be discovered throughout its varied rich landscape, but a lesser known delight is a decadent afternoon of wine and chocolate tasting.  Flavorful wines can be explored after nearly every bend of the road, however, Bernard Castelain in Chateauneuf-du-Pape pairs chocolate with wine in a very informative and delicious way.  This rocky region produces some of the best wines of southern France which are a delicious complement to the rich delicacies of this chocolatier.

A recent visit there as part of Gateway Destinations Belle Provence women’s only tour proved what a delightful afternoon these two tastings are!  Spending a morning exploring villages and enjoying the colorful autumn scenery made for a perfect day in Provence.  After a delicious lunch in a village café, we ventured to this beautiful area in the Rhone River valley.  Not only were the tastings delicious, but there was an informative explanation and demonstration of how their chocolates are made. 

Join us next May (or October) for our Belle Provence, France’s Southern Jewel tour as we return to this rich region to explore, taste and delight in all that Provence has to offer.