Tour de ‘Provence’

La Cȏte Provence! A place I have wanted to visit for a long time!

We arrive at a beautiful castle surrounded by vineyards. We will spend our first night here and I am so excited! The estate has a long wine making traditions, there is a pool, a fitness area and the rooms are amazing. From my window I can see vineyards as far as they stretch.

At arrival we are welcomed with a delicious glass of Coteau d’Aix which we sip on by the pool. It is a wonderful day, not too hot and there is a soft breeze. We get some time to freshen up in our room and are then taken for a tour around the estate. We learn that the winery took root in Roman times and has a long history. The cellars are ancient!

After the tour we sit down in the tasting room and start tasting the first three wines. A little snack is served, warming us up for dinner.
We chat and get in the mood for more food and wine and that is when we are taken to the restaurant of the estate. The restaurant is tastefully decorated and has a typical French countryside vibe, I love it!

The dinner starts with fresh oysters and ends with the prettiest macarons. In between all the courses are delicious and paired with a wine made on the estate. We taste white, rosé and red and are told about the local traditions.
It has been a full and exciting day. Time to go to sleep and load up for tomorrow!

The next morning, we indulge in a delicious breakfast served at the estate. There is plenty of choice in bread – croissants yes! – charcuterie, cheeses and so much more. Fresh grounded coffee, a variety of teas and juices. It all looks very good and I eat a little bit too much of everything!

We are picked up and taken to Bandol to visit Chateau de Pibarnon, an estate winery surrounded by the vineyards of Bandol. The host shows us around the estate telling us the long history of winemaking of the region. We are explained the terroir with its olive trees cypresses and roses. A blooming paradise.

We learn about the winemaking process and the Mourvèdre grape, the star of Bandol. On the estate they make white wines, rosé and bold reds. We taste a selection of 5 wines and are left with a good impression of the region, the wines and the estate.

Next stop is Domaine de Terrebrune. Besides making a variety of wines the estate hosts a beautiful restaurant. We do a quick tour and sit down at a table in the garden. We are surrounded by vineyards and trees; the cute parasols protect us from the direct sun and we feel upbeat and relaxed. The local lunch is paired with the wines made at the estate. The chef is renowned for his cooking and we certainly understand why. Everything is fresh, well elaborated and delicious.

After a good coffee we are picked up to go to our next location and on the way, we stop at the Abbaye de Thoronet, a Cistercian abbey surrounded by woods. The place is known worldwide for the special stonework and architecture. The abbey was built in the 12^th century and is part of the Three sisters of Provence together with the Senanque and the Silvacane abbeys.

The abbey provides a photogenic location and we take our time to make pictures, walk around and enjoy the place.

Our last stop of the day is at our next hotel. The hotel with spa is located in a historic 18^th century wine estate. I don’t know if it is possible but this place is even prettier than our last hotel! The estate stretches over multiple squares, with stunning stone building, there is a pool with palm trees, lounge beds everywhere. The restaurant has a Michelin star. I am so excited to discover this place!

The evening activity consists in chilling in our hotel which we all love because there is so much to do. I spend an hour in the spa, swim in the pool and we enjoy a light dinner in the hotel restaurant. Of course, the wines flow and we go to bed satisfied.

The next morning after breakfast – another delicious breakfast – we move on to the Golfe of Saint-Tropez. A place I have seen so many times in movies and photos, I have always wanted to go.

We visit a beautiful winery located in the Golfe and get a private tour from the owner. We start tasting a crisp and mineral glass of white wine and take place on pretty picnic tables in the vineyards. Lunch is served in courses accompanied by the wines of the estate. The delicious summer food gets us in the mood for fun and after the visit we have a free evening.

I decide to participate in a catamaran sunset tour to experience Saint-Tropez from the water. It is a great decision! The sunset is stunning, the sky colors as pink as the rosé in my glass. What a life! Santé!