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Chocolate, a Bruges story … and who doesn’t love Chocolate!!
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 It was already written in stone that Bruges would grow into the chocolate capital. So many centuries later, Bruges is still the chocolate Mecca. A reputation that it fully honours with Choc’in Brugge!
Inspiring Chocolatiers
Bruges has more than 50 passionate chocolatiers and acts as a genuine chocolate laboratory. This is a place where established names and fresh up-and-coming talent complement each other. In Bruges you can both sample the traditional chocolate craft and boundary-pushing chocolate creations.
Choco story – A chocolate museum
The Chocolate Museum aims to bring life to the 4000-year-old history of chocolate in words, pictures and flavours. The museum submerges you in the exciting world of chocolate and takes you on a journey of the senses through time. A feast for the eyes, but also for the nose and the taste buds!
Things you never knew about chocolate
• in bygone days chocolate was served to ladies of nobility during mass
• the church banned the consumption of chocolate at one time because it was deemed to be an aphrodisiac
• the Aztec ruler Moctezuma drank up to 50 cups of spiced cacao every day, especially when he planned to visit his harem
• Mrs du Barry gave her lovers drinking chocolate, so they could keep up with her
• Casanova often used chocolate and champagne
• there are over 800 different constituents in chocolate
• chocolate does not raise your cholesterol level
• chocolate contains antioxidants (e.g polyphenols) that help prevent heart disease and cancer
• diabetics can put chocolate on the menu
• chocolate does not cause liver failure and good-quality chocolate is digested within thirty minutes, unless consumed after a heavy meal
• chocolate does not cause constipation
• chocolate is not addictive
• chocolate does not cause dental caries |
Along with Chocolate, Bruges is one of the most beautiful little towns in Europe…call us and find out how to discover and enjoy all its wonders…Trisha Iannazzi – 585-624-1285
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Fares, schedules, Virtuoso exclusives, events and amenities are subject to availability and blackout dates and may change without notice. Unless otherwise stated, prices are in U.S. dollars, per person and based on double occupancy. Restrictions may apply. See your Virtuoso travel advisor for more details and applicable restrictions. Virtuoso is not responsible for any errors in pricing. The trademarks VIRTUOSO, the Globe Swirl Logo and SPECIALISTS IN THE ART OF TRAVEL are registered trademarks of Virtuoso, Ltd. Virtuoso, Ltd. has a U.S. copyright registration for the Globe Swirl Logo, ©2000. All rights reserved. Virtuoso CST#2069091-50 301008 08/11 |
Does your perfect holiday involve sumptuous cuisine, delicious wines and personal cooking experiences ?
Come to France and discover the pleasure of tasting the world renowned wines and french cuisine :
With more than 365 cheeses, thousands different wine producers, foie gras, sea food, amazing fish and meat, and of course specialties like bouillabaisse, pot au feu, boeuf bourguignon … France is the paradise for those who like quality, traditional and innovative cooking.
Our food and wine collection is perfect for those who wish to enjoy hands-on cooking classes with star chefs, dine in Michelin-starred restaurants, discover local products in charming hidden inns, learn about wine-tasting techniques with local wine producers, meet and talk to the best wine experts in each region or simply enjoy spending time strolling through a fabulous open-air market.
As a Certified France Specialist we have all the insider information on how to create a fabulous food and wine experiences in this amazing country for you. Contact us for more details and to arrange your customized French gourmet vacation…..
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Authentic Wine and Cooking Barge Cruise
through the South of France
May 15 departure only $4,995 per person |
| Enjoy 6 nights aboard Le Phenicien on a leisurely cruise while enjoying the local wines and wonderful regional cooking. |
| This is the perfect barge cruise for exploring the nature, history, wine and food of this beautiful region of France. There are two private hands on cooking classes that add to the experience as you prepare dishes of typical Mediterranean cuisine… Then relax and enjoy! Rosé lovers will delight in the 5 winery visits throughout the cruise.
PACKAGE INCLUDES
› 6 nights aboard Le Phenicien
› Private hands-on cooking class
at the 4 star La Mirande in Avignon
› Visit to Le Domaine de La Mordoree in Tavel
to taste some of the best rosé wines of France
› Private hands-on cooking class
at the Domaine de Valmouriane
in Les Baux de Provence
› Wine tasting at AOC Baux de Provence producer
Mas du Gourgonnier.
› More fine wine tastings at Le Chateau
Mourgues du Gres and Chateau d’or et de Gueule.
› All on board meals, wine tastings and excursions
› 2 nights in Paris at hotel La Demeure
with daily breakfast – pre/post cruise.
› Round-trip rail Paris to Provence
› Cruise departure May 15th
*Price is per person based on double occupancy.
Contact us right away for more details on this fabulous program!
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| We are pleased to announce a terrific collaboration enabling you to enjoy a week (or more) in a Tuscan villa while spending a few days of your time (June 2-5) in wine paradise. The event concludes with an exclusive barbeque lunch with music legend Sting and his wife, Trudie Styler at their villa in Chianti!
The three day wine & food extravaganza includes:
- · A relaxed country lunch barbeque hosted by music legend Sting and Trudie Styler at their private villa, Il Palagio, in Chianti.
- · Taking wine classes from James Suckling, the former senior editor and European Chief of Wine Spectator (and one of the world’s most influential wine critics)
- · Tasting wines from some of the top 50 wineries in Tuscany, including Antinori, Frescobaldi, Mazzei, Ricasoli, Il Borro, Petrolo and Castello Banfi
- · Elegant dinners in an exclusive Florentine palazzo and at well-known wine estates, including one meal prepared by a 3-Star Michelin chef
- · A private concert by violin virtuoso Joshua Bell
Add a wonderful villa to the mix, accompanied by our charming local VillaHosts to ensure everything goes smoothly, and you have a recipe for a spectacular time in Tuscany.
The dates of the wine, food and Sting extravaganza: Thursday June 2 through Sunday June 5
We suggest a villa stay from May 28 – June 4 or 5 in one of several villas still available (ranging from 3 bedrooms to 6 bedrooms) or make it a two week vacation with a stay from either May 21 – June 5 or May 28 – June 11! |
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If you are wine enthusiast clients, foodies or Police/Sting groupies, this could be the trip of a lifetime! Call us now for more details!!! |
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I recently was invited to attend the Puglia Wine and Land Educational program held in the wonderful region of Puglia in the heel of Italy. This part of the south is, in many ways, the real, unspoiled Italy.Here the landscape reminded me more of Greece than what we are used to seeing in Italy …not surprising as it was once part of Greece. Miles and miles of ancient olive groves and vineyards dotted the landscape and narrow roads lined with stone walls were interrupted here and there by whitewashed farms and villages.
Gathered here were travel professionals from Germany, Russia, Switzerland, Belgium, the UK and only me from the US along with wine buyers and press from all over the world. Our hosts in Puglia introduced us to the magnificent wines, olive oils (Puglia produces 40% of the Italian olive oil) and wonderful local foods. Pastas and breads made from the local durham semolina wheat have a golden glow and unique texture. Fresh produce was already growing in the fields and filled our plates at every delicious meal.
While there we stayed at a magnificent 5-star Masseria (a farm property fortified against centuries of invasions) and took time to visit several more Masserie along with full service resorts and small b&b properties. Since the area is surrounded by the Ionian and Adriatic seas, one is never far from lovely sandy beaches. Ancient hill towns, majestic castles and the “trulli” houses were all wonderful to visit.
After you’ve seen Rome, Florence, and Venice try to find time to visit this magnificent area of Italy. It will steal your heart away as it did mine!
 
Blue sunny skies and lovely warm weather greeted me when I arrived in Porto on the first of February and stayed with us throughout our stay in Portugal for the International Wine Tourism Conference. Here along with tour operators and journalists from around the world, I met with wine tourism representatives from all over Portugal, Spain, Italy, France, Croatia, South Africa and South America giving us information on their amazing accommodations, wine tours and tasting opportunities.
Following the conference and workshop, I set off on a tour of the Dao and Douro Valley wine regions where we visited several beautiful properties along with quite a few “quintas” (Portuguese wineries). While Portugal is well known for its fabulous Port Wine, it is not as well known for the several areas producing excellent red and white table wines. Portugal has emerged from the shadows to become one of the monst interesting and exciting red wine producing regions in the world. The producers and hoteliers have come together to offer a wide range of exciting food and wine programs for visitors to their country.
I finished my visit to Portugal with a few days revisiting Lisbon where I met with my local representative and looked at several beautiful properties in and around the city including some new and exciting hotels I know that our clients will love.
Portugal is a fabulous destination year round and should be high on everyone’s must see list…..
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