Sardinia & Corsica Gourmet Food Safari®
13 - 24 June 2016 - Sorry, now fully booked
Come and enjoy the absolute delights of these two incredibly beautiful islands, the wilder shores of Italy and France, each with their own highly developed food traditions and some great wines. We start in the old city of Cagliari, exploring the winding cobblestoned streets and delightful little restaurants as well as the bustling San Benedetto Market where all the stall owners vie to make us feel welcome. Our guide is charming Melbourne chef Pietro Porcu, who grew up in a beautiful town outside Cagliari. We’ll meet his family and enjoy a delicious morning in his mother’s garden before heading off to a local winery to taste some of the fabulous wines of the region. We meet the king of suckling pig on the island and savour the exquisite delights of a Michelin starred restaurant. Pietro also conducts a cooking class using the freshest produce in season.
We stay in a charming little town on the west coast with its own cooking school then settle into a luxury resort snuggled under huge peaks where we relax before sailing along the most perfect coastline in the world with a seafood lunch on board.
The journey from Sardinia to Corsica is just an hour by ferry and is one of the most spectacular entrances to a town....we sail into a secret cove to beautiful Bonifacio, with its stone ramparts and ancient town with its winding laneways and charming little squares.....all looking out over clifftops and blue sea. Its breathtaking! We stay in a luxury hotel overlooking the pretty port right in the old city. We'll explore the old town with our guide Pierre, try some local restaurants for dinner and savour the delights of a new and different island.
We’ll visit our winemaking friends who produce some exceptional wines, all grown biodynamically; have lunch at a spectacular restaurant run by a clever mother and daughter team then settle into Ajaccio, the capital and Napoleon's birthplace. We're in the old city close to the port, a city with real charm, great produce markets and some great Corsican food.
So, best to fly into Cagliari via Rome and then depart from Ajaccio to Paris. More information on our itinerary and blog from one of our travellers.
Tour Leaders:
Pietro Porcu, chef and owner of the one hatted restaurant Da Noi, in South Yarra and one of the stars of the Italian Food Safari series and passionate about his homeland Sardinia, its food traditions, its people and culture. This trip has been a year in the planning and each day and experience checked and rechecked by Pietro and his family to make sure it makes the grade.
Liz Kaydos, our exceptional guide to the Greek Islands, Kangaroo Island and now two new islands. Liz is always adored by her groups – so much so that the group from our Greek Island Safari in 2009, requested that Liz lead the tour.
2014 June Safari
Click here to read a blog written by Catherine Saxelby - Foodwatch
Feedback June 2012:
"I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. Our fellow foodies were fun to be with and meeting the locals with their wonderful produce and talent to prepare great meals was a joy. I loved visiting new places that weren't overrun with tourists. The little villages were so nice and we did have a variety of activities. There were many highlights for me and I am boring my friends with it all now." Lisabeth T.
Feedback from September 2012
"Liz and Pietro were great tour guides. Pietro made Sardinia with his local knowledge and the passion he has for food.
Hotels we stayed in were lovely…especially having the opportunity to get to know the owners and their families.
The variety of our food experiences was great. The market, vineyard, delicatessen, cheese and pasta making and all the different restaurants we ate at.
Every day seemed to be packed with activities but there was still some free time to explore or do as we wanted. I also enjoyed the variety, like the town with all the murals and seeing how knives are made."
Ellie Scott.
"The trip through Sardinia with Pietro was great. We got to places that the ordinary traveller would not have access to.....Loved coming by ferry to Corsica....Bonifacio was a wonderful destination and the hotel there a winner....Our guide Liz was a delight, nothing too much trouble.
We had a great holiday....very good value."
Elizabeth Pryce.
Click here to read a day by day blog written by one of our travellers, Cindy Low
Click here for a Sample Itinerary
Click here for an overview
Costs:
$7995.00 per person twin share, land content only
$950.00 per person single supplement
How to book: Complete the booking form online. Payments for travel arrangements are to be made to our dedicated travel agents at David Vuong Travel - ATAS Accreditation No: A10652 - they will contact you on our behalf to arrange all of your requirements for this fabulous safari.
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Feedback from June 2012
What did you like - Annette
I enjoyed the entire trip. If left to my own devices, I would not have had the experience of seeing out of the way villages, trying and learning to make delicious and unusual food, learning historical information, and meeting interesting and passionate people. I thought Pietro was such a delightful man so helpful and keen to please. ... It was a great honour to be invited into his home and meet his family. I loved walking in the ancient forest, swimming in the Mediterranean Sea, perusing the fresh food markets and I will never forget Orgosolo with its amazing wall murals. Then, there was the shopping!!
What did you like - Brian
I loved the home style cooking at all the country properties. I thought the day on the boat with cooked lunch and then swimming in the Mediterranean was fantastic.
How would you sum up your Gourmet Safaris Sardinia & Corsica safari experience?
This was an outstanding holiday for us and I was really sad when it ended. We enjoyed the company of our fellow travellers who were an eclectic group with a common interest of enjoying “good food”. The trip has been well researched and was well balanced. We are so impressed that we plan to do the Greek Safari tour next year. Thank you Maeve and Liz for the effort you both made to accommodate every ones needs.
Annette & Brian L
What did you like?
Where does one start when there were so many wonderful experiences? I have just looked through my travel book and remember drinks in Piazza Constituzionale, the visit to the Argiolas Winery, the cooking class, lunch at Casa Puddu, the visit to the Agriturismo with the marvellous demonstration of the pasta stretching, the throat singers at Su Gologone, the boat trip at Golfo Ororsei (even though I was not at my best), murals at Orgosolo, the lunch at La Conia, etc,etc. Excellent value for money"
Wendy D
"The inaugural GS of Sardinia and Corsica was a true safari but in the spirit of GS's always wonderful food experiences. This is my 3rd international safari and lived up to all my expectations of getting into the heart and soul of the countries we visited. Who ever thought wild boar, kid cooked meltingly off the bone and suckling pig would be part of our dining experiences. The skill and love of Paulo handmaking her pasta, Maria taking us into her home and preparing to cater for 20 Australians, all of the Sardinians who are right into having their food with low food miles...I could go on and on!
Of course, no testimonial would be complete without mentioning Pietro. The passion he has for his island and his food shone thru over and over, he gave freely of his time to answer all of our questions about food, Sardinia, his family, his restaurants and his desire to replicate what is considered normal in Sardinia in Australia!!! "
Bev J
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Vietnam Gourmet Food Safari®
13 - 23 March 2016 - Sorry, now fully booked
11 fabulous days in the most beautiful country on earth, travelling top to bottom.
Come and explore one of the most seductive countries in the world with us, each region with its own special dishes and traditions. We’ve been leading tours in Vietnam for 10 years and have built up a network of contacts who delight in giving our groups special attention. You’ll be looked after by Gourmet Safaris Director, Maeve O'Meara and founding Vietnam guide, Peter Nguyen, who will help you experience the real Vietnam, away from the tourist trail, finding the best restaurants and markets and those great little finds that you only find with someone who knows the territory.
We stay in 4.5 to 5 star luxury in some of the most acclaimed hotels – including the lovely Hotel de L'Opera just near Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi, the charming Anantara Resort on the river in Hoi An, close to shops and tailors but relaxing enought to truly laze in plus a new MGallery hotel in the centre of Ho Chi Minh City.
There’s a good mix of activity and lazing and our small group size means we can cater to your needs. One of the highlights is the very special visit to our guide Peter Nguyen’s extended family in the Mekong Delta. Peter was one of the first refugees to Australia from Vietnam, leaving behind a large family who love to have our guests come and see how they live and taste some of their delicious food.
There’s as much retail therapy as you’d like...from silks in every colour to the tailor shops of Hoi An, hidden antique stores and bustling markets, lacquerwork, silver, handbags and cottons......plus enough time for a massage or a quiet cocktail by the pool. In each of 3 regions we enjoy hands-on cooking classes which are great fun even if you can’t boil water.
Many guests have described this as the best holiday ever – all the thinking is done, you never have a bad meal, each day is a perfect mix of delicious food, inspiring people and amazing scenery.
Includes: the best accommodation – we believe in having you stay at our favourite places, 3 cooking classes, expert guides, day with a special extended family in the Mekong Delta, loads of wonderful and interesting food experiences, most meals, some great shopping, lazing, and a good introduction to Vietnam. Includes international and internal domestic flights.
Costs:
$4950.00 per person, twin share
$880.00 per person single supplement
How to book:
Complete the booking form online.
Our dedicated travel agents at David Vuong Travel - ATAS Accreditation No: A10652 - will contact you on our behalf to arrange all of your requirements for this fabulous safari.
Click HERE for Sample Itinerary
Click here to see photo gallery
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Testimonials:
March 2015
“Great company, great food, great country, luxury accommodation, full days, learning, teaching, lifetime friends and inspiration
...loved it loved loved it!” Lisa Motum
September 2012
We had a great time on the trip and would highly recommend Gourmet Safaris for an interesting, fulfilling, safe and secure 'adventure' in Vietnam. The accommodation was excellent as we loved the Metropole and Majestic. The old classic styling was wonderful. The Life Resort was terrific too. Long, Linda and Peter were excellent tour professionals and certainly added to our overall satisfaction and enjoyment. We thoroughly enjoyed all the cooking lessons.
RP&SW
March 2012
"Hotel was wonderful and central.
Learning how to cross roads was educational.
Cooking class informative and unique.
Linda and Mr Long were wonderful guides and companions.
Excellent Value"
Ken & Barbara Yates - VICTORIA
"An awesome holiday! The travel experiences shared with our tour guides Linda, Long and Peter were so authentic and provided many insights into Vietnamese life. The market tours and gourmet cooking lessons were presented by experts and showed us the cuisines of the north, central and southern parts of Vietnam, they were such fun. An unforgettable trip with an amazing group of people.
Excellent Value"
Allison Beattie - NSW
"Second international safari and I was not disappointed! Loved the guides. Long. Linda and Peter. They were most knowledgeable and easy to travel with! Perfect days and food all with the minimum of fuss.
Excellent Value."
Mandy Sourry - NSW
2010
“Fabulous food. Fabulous country. Fabulous friends found. Great company to tour with”:
Marie Hand
“Exceeded my expectations. Wonderful guides, great cooking, just loved every minute. Met wonderful, fun people. Enjoyed learning to cross the road in Hanoi!”:
Louise Wood
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Greek Islands Gourmet Food Safari®
6 - 18 September 2016
Escape the tourist trail to spend time in a mountain village full of the sounds of church bells where we learn to cook some of the superb local produce with accomplished Greek chefs. We stay in a large colonial estate at the edge of a pretty village and gather produce from the organic vegetable garden as well as local markets to cook up into simple delicious dishes served alfresco overlooking one of the estate's two pools. Then we travel to the island of Limnos in the north east Aegean where we visit a couple of private estates for lamb cooked in the big woodfired oven,gather fresh figs from their trees and a glass of ouzo. Through our guide Liz's connections we gather with a whole village to dance to bouzouki music in the main square after dinner...we then journey on to the beautiful island of Lesvos with more "never find it on your own" experiences including dinner in a picturesque waterfront taverna. We finish in five star luxury on the cliffs at jaw-droppingly beautiful Santorini for days of sailing and sun, great restaurants and shopping.
Each day is a perfect little jewel and the trip constructed so you have a range of the best regional produce and meet all our favourite Greek characters including a day spent with a women's cooperative in Lesvos where we feast on dishes you'd never find in restaurants. One day we may be at a market, the next wending our way down a cobblestoned alley to find the best little hidden restaurant, the next in an olive grove with a view of that magic blue water...our guests have loved exploring great local "finds" and having their days planned so they can immerse themselves and not to worry or think about what’s happening next.
Please note: you don't need to have ever cooked a single thing in your life to love this trip. The cooking classes on the first island work at every level and the ease of the dishes mean that they are easy to reproduce again back home. We hope you'll come back inspired by this magic country.
Tour Leader:
Liz Kaydos - her family is from Limnos (just above Lesvos close to the Turkish coast). Liz grew up in a very traditional family. Her mother taught her how to make good Greek coffee and all the things that are important for a good Greek girl to know. Many of you will know that Liz is the guide to Greek Marrickville and researcher for some of the top TV shows including the internationally awarded Food Lover's Guide to Australia. Fluent in Greek and keen to share customs as well as some pointers on dancing Greek style!
Payments for travel arrangements are to be made to David Vuong Travel - ATAS Accreditation No: A10652
Costs:
$7995.00 per person, twin share land content only
$950.00 single supplement
How to book:
Complete the booking form online.
Our dedicated travel agent at David Vuong Travel will contact you on our behalf to arrange all of your requirements for this fabulous safari.
Click HERE for sample itinerary
Click here to see photo gallery
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FEEDBACK FROM TRIP #1 - 2015
How would you sum up your Gourmet Safari Greek experience?
One of a kind tour of Greek Islands. Away from tourists and a real insight into local food and wines. I would recommend to my foodie friends.
Do you think the trip has been value for money?
Excellent
Lyn F
FEEDBACK FROM 2014
Completely memorable, we squeezed so much activity without a sense of being rushed....the planning and organising was seamless and well executed by our great tour guide, Liz, and matched our expectations
Jeannie & Yianni
FEEDBACK FROM 2013
What was the highlight?
The fact that this trip was a real adventure. We travelled to places not easily accessible, and not the common tourist spots. We got to mingle with the locals and experience the Greek life for a while, their beautiful food, their culture, and embraced it all. I guess anyone can go to Greece and do the touristy things, see the picture postcard scenery and stay in beautiful hotels, but not everyone gets the opportunity to experience what we have just done. An amazing adventure!
Value for money? Excellent
Dee Phillips
Loved absolutely all of it! Liz Mellick
FEEDBACK FROM 2012
Just wanted to say how fantastic our trip was. It would be very hard to say how it could be improved. Each day was different & delightful.
Liz is an amazing lady & fabulous guide. My sister & I felt very lucky to have had her with us as she imparted knowledge & a great sense of fun. She was rarely fazed despite dealing with 21 different temperaments. All hail Liz !!!
Wendy Atkins
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Gourmet Food Safari® to Turkey
28 August - 9 September 2016
A perfect combination of the delights of Istanbul, some desert landscape and an ancient city full of winding alleyways and centuries old coffee houses plus the beautiful coastline of Turkey. Join Maeve and Turkish chef Somer Sivrioglu from Efendy Restaurant for the very first safari to this inspiring and exotic country. You'll enjoy some of the top restaurants along with the best finds when it comes to street food, sail on a gulet and visit the ancient city of Ephesus...plus enjoy 3 hands-on cooking classes. This is a food lover's dream - each day filled with delicious new tastes and inspiring people.
Costs:
$7400.00 per person, twin share land content only (2016 TBC)
$980.00 single supplement
How to book:
Complete the booking form online.
Our dedicated travel agent at David Vuong Travel - ATS accreditation no.: A10652 - will contact you on our behalf to arrange all of your requirements for this fabulous safari.
Click HERE for sample itinerary
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