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CREME BRULEE
Sweet Provence
October 2 – 12, 2008

Blessed by The Gods

Crème brûlée (French for “burnt cream”) is a dessert consisting of a rich custard base topped with a layer of hard caramel, created by burning sugar under an intense heat source. France, England and Spain all lay claim to this delicious dessert’s creation, but it was first mentioned in a French cookbook by Massialot, dating back to 1691. Whatever its origin, Crème Brûlée has become just one of the many delights in French cuisine, and nowhere in France, perhaps, is the food quite as distinctive as it is in Provence.

     Provence is so named because it was one of the first provinces settled by Romans outside of Italy. Greeks and Phoenicians settled here on the Mediterranean coastal strip from around 600 BC onwards. Christianity arrived very early and the region was already extensively converted by the 3rd century AD, with numerous monasteries and churches being constructed. In the aftermath of the fall of the Roman Empire, Provence fared badly, suffering numerous invasions by Visigoths in the 5th century, Franks in the 6th century, and Arabs in the 8th century. When it wasn’t being raided from beyond, it was coveted from within the French realm, changing hands between various lords, dukes, and princes.

     Such a varied history since ancient times has left its mark on Provence. Ancient settlers left behind Roman buildings still in use today. Residents built fortified villages to withstand attacks by Saracen pirates and land-roaming slavers who plagued the region. In the 19th century, rich Europeans sought winter warmth in the south of France, and high society was in residence all year round by the 1920s. Their elegant villas remain, strewn all over the region.

     Nature defines its borders, with the Rhone River to the west, the Mediterranean Sea to the south, and the Alps to the east and north. Within is a varied landscape of steep mountains, deep gorges, shining alpine lakes, rolling vineyards, salt flats, lavender fields and olive groves. The warm sunlight nurtures intense flavors and colors. Peppers, garlic and olives transform fresh Mediterranean fish into that vibrant epitome of Provencal cuisine, bouillabaisse. Vegetables, spices and olive oil inform the texture and taste of ratatouille.

     As simple as they are exciting, the culinary traditions of Provence entice lovers of sunny, colorful cuisine and seduce the most demanding palates. Ultimately, the secret of the cuisine here is not in any elaborate preparations or fancy presentations but in the freshness of its ingredients. In most cases, food has been barely been harvested before it lands on your dinner.

     From its herb-scented hills and pristine lakes to its endless rolling hills of vineyards and olive groves, no other region of France fires the imagination as strongly as Provence. The vivid landscape and luminous light inspired artists and writers from Van Gogh to Picasso and from F. Scott Fitzgerald to Pagnol. The people of the “Provencal” claim that their land has been “blessed by the gods.” Once you have experienced (and tasted) Provence, you will know why.

Click here to view itinerary

2008 Creme Burlee Information

ACCOMMODATIONS
(Click hotel name to read description)

Avignon: Hotel de l’Horloge

Aix les Bains: Hotel Astoria

Lyon: Hotel Carlton Lyon

TOUR PREPARATION

Entry Requirements—For U.S. Citizens a valid passport is the only document required to enter France for stays of up to 60 days.

Immunizations—No immunizations are currently required for travel to France, but it is wise to have your inoculations up-to-date. Is your tetanus booster current?

Exit Requirements—There is currently no separate departure tax required of visitors leaving France other than that included with the cost of your airline ticket.

Suggested Reading

The Avignon Quintet by Lawrence Durrell
A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle
The Olive Farm by Carol Drinkwater

Suggested Viewing

Avignon: A Good Year (2006) with Russell Crowe
Roussillon: Jean de Florette (1986) with Gerard Depardieu
Aix les Bains/Annecy: Claire’s Knee (1970) by Eric Rohmer
Chamonix: The Man Who Would Be King (1975), European scenes
Lyon: Entre Nous (1983), with Isabelle Huppert

WHAT TO BRING

In October, the weather has started turning cooler with autumn. Average high temperatures range between 55 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit in Avignon, with the weather slightly cooler in Aix les Bains and Lyon. You won’t need any dressy clothes, as the tour is informal and dinner attire will be casual. Pack light and try to bring only two reasonably sized pieces of luggage. Mix and match outfits! Pack any medications you require in a carry-on bag and leave expensive jewelry at home!

Suggested Packing List:

____ Passport.

____ Nice, casual wear for dinners (chinos, khakis, slacks plus nice shirts).

____ T-shirts and long-sleeved layers for daytime activities, depending on the weather.

____ Shorts (2-3 pair), jeans for active cool days (2 pair).

____ Long underwear, top and bottom, for Mt. Blanc day (just in case it is cold).

____ Light gloves, scarf and winter hat (to be on the safe side).

____ Socks, underwear for 9 days.

____ Sweater and light jacket for cool evenings and the mountain. Think layers!

____ Umbrella or other rain protection.

____ Comfortable walking shoes.

____ Daypack or fanny pack.

____ Sunscreen / lip balm / sunglasses.

____ Personal toiletries.

____ Camera with extra batteries, extra film or digital memory.

____ A good book for the long flights.

MONEY MATTERS

The French monetary unit is now the standardized Euro (EUR). Notes are issued in the following denominations: €500, €200, €100, €50, €20, €10, and €5. There are €2 and €1 coins, plus fractions (there are 100 cents in one Euro). On October 25, 2007, the interbank exchange rate was 1 EUR per US $1.43. ATMs are widely available in Avignon and Lyon. Major credit cards also work in most ATMs for cash withdrawals, and they are accepted at most restaurants, hotels, shops and tourist attractions. French Law prohibits stores and restaurants from accepting foreign currency, so you will need to obtain local currency upon arrival.

RESERVATIONS

To reserve a place on this tour, click on the “Reservations” link above. Type in the information requested in each field, print the form, then sign and mail it to Toto Tours with your $500 deposit check. You also have the option to pay for your tour deposit with a Visa or MasterCard. The remaining balance is due 80 days prior to departure (by July 14, 2008). Tour registration is not complete until we have received both the signed reservation form and your deposit check or credit card authorization.
Toto Tours does not accept credit cards as a form of payment except for the amount of the tour deposit ($500 maximum can be charged per tour). An installment plan is possible. Our mailing address is: Toto Tours, 1326 W. Albion Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60626-4753. Make checks payable to: Toto Tours, Ltd.

LIABILITIES & DISCLAIMERS

Making a reservation with a deposit shall be deemed to be consent to these conditions: Toto Tours does not accept responsibility in whole or in part for any delay, loss, accidents, personal injury, sickness, medical expenses, or property damage occasioned by fault of any person from whatever cause. All participants are required to sign a standard liability form.
     We strongly encourage you purchase Travel Insurance to cover all aspects of your travel in France! We will provide the necessary forms upon receipt of your deposit, or you can apply online by following the link at the bottom of this page. You can also book your travel insurance with a phone call to Toto Tours.
     The tour operators reserve the right to accept or decline any person as a member of the tour at any time and to make whatever changes become necessary with or without notice. Guaranteed departure with a minimum of ten participants.
     Toto Tours is not responsible for airline cancellation or change penalties incurred by individual tour participants for air tickets purchased prior to notification that the tour is a confirmed departure.

THE TOTO SPIRIT

Toto Tours provides Adventure Travel Experiences as differentiated from tours in the traditional sense. Adventure Travel allows (even encourages) you to be an active participant. Adventurers can be identified by certain traits. They are:

fun-loving optimists who have a sense of humor and accentuate the positive;
good natured realists who are willing to accept situations as they exist;
undaunted by the unexpected, like occasional delays or bad weather;
willing to forego some of the amenities we normally take for granted;
eager to try new things & test limits;
punctual;
not whiners!

If you thought culture was best obtained by eating yoghurt, wait until you experience the dose of culture that comes with every serving of Toto’s Crème Brûlée! If you have any questions, please call us toll free at: 800-565-1241.

THE BOTTOM LINE
(tour prices per person)

Price: $3,595 double occupancy

Private Room: $600 extra. We have booked only twin and double rooms for this tour, so paying single supplement will guaranteed you a Twin Room for Sole Use (TSU).
(Paying the single supplement is not required of men traveling on their own. Toto Tours will make every effort to match you with a roommate if you prefer to share a room.)

Deposit: $500 (Due at time of registration for the tour. May be paid with a credit card.)

Remaining Balance: $3,095 double / $3,695 single
(Assumes $500 deposit has already been made)

Remaining Balance Due: July 14, 2008
(Full payment required with reservation form if enrolling after this date.)

Included: Nine nights hotel accommodations; transportation by air-conditioned motorcoach; all meals, activities and transportation as specified in the itinerary; fully guided and escorted tour.

Not Included: Round-trip transportation (by air or rail) to Avignon at the beginning of the tour, returning home from Lyon; meals and activities not specifically included in the itinerary; insurance; alcohol; soft drinks; bottled water; laundry; telephone calls; internet; airport transfers at beginning and end of tour; any other expenses of a personal nature. Tips to drivers & guides are not included.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

We recommend you purchase travel insurance with AIG Travel Guard to cover for unforseen events prior to and during your trip. Please follow the link below or call us for more information.