My passion for France started with food and wine, of course! Long story short, a bottle of Bandol Rosé led to my first trip to Provence in southern France and the decision to become a chef. It is not hard to fall in love with Provence. It’s a glorious part of the world with a relaxed lifestyle, astounding beauty, delicious food, and wine, and I cannot wait to return. I found a beautiful villa in one of my favorite areas along the French Riviera with miles of rich blue Mediterranean coastline, where fruits grow abundantly, vines flourish, and fields of lavender perfume the air. This land is magnetic. Think groves of citrus and olives juxtaposed against vineyards and rolling herb-scented hillsides dotted with terra-cotta-roofed farmhouses of various pastel colors. No wonder this enchanted land attracted painters like Van Gogh, Cezanne, and my favorite, Matisse. We'll stay at a small, luxurious villa, just minutes from Cannes and Nice, in the medieval village of Saint Paul de Vence. This Provencal-style property offers spacious living, well-appointed rooms, and an outdoor kitchen where we can enjoy the serene views and cook great meals together. Once you experience long lazy lunches sipping rosé on the shady terraces overlooking the sea, olive trees, and brilliant blue skies, you'll also fall in love with Provence! Get the Details This part of southern France bursts with exceptional flavors and fragrances like olives, olive oil, fresh herbs, lemon, garlic, cheeses, and super-fresh seafood. We'll savor them as we explore the local outdoor food markets, such as the one held on Cours Saleya in Nice. We'll find bushels of ripe red tomatoes, tubs of salted anchovies, baby artichokes, lavender honey, and garlic braids amid a sea of colorful flower stands. Then we'll taste, taste, taste, and we have to try the socca, a thin chickpea pancake cooked over a wood fire. They're served warm, drizzled with local virgin olive oil and a coarse cracked black pepper. Best of all, autumn is the perfect time for this plethora of everything fresh. Back at "home," we can also take advantage of the well-equipped kitchen at our villa, where we can create Provençal dishes such as ratatouille, a buttery-rich galette, a sumptuous bouillabaisse with croutons and garlicky rouille, and the traditional savory pie topped with caramelized onions called pissaladière. Provence has something for everyone, whether you crave history, natural beauty, fresh produce, excellent wine, great outdoor markets, or a chance to explore with fellow food and wine lovers. This promises to be an immersion into one of the world's most beautiful and bountiful parts. So get ready to pack your bags! Register today Bon Voyage, P.S. Group size is limited, so register soon. You can also find me here!