5-bedroom luxury holiday villa, Valcros La Londe

Audio expert Carl Beckwith finds inner peace at Valcros…

aiwood — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 16:06:51 +0000

This is what Carl said about his stay….”After many weeks of ‘full-on’ business projects and seemingly endless working commitments, I needed a holiday break. At the same time, a writer friend was overdue her annual ‘time-out’ from a long Winter-Spring haul on a new novel. We both settled on the idea of driving through France, rather than flying; taking-in the beautiful landscapes and the more relaxed road/traffic infrastructure. Our destination, – Provence. This was based upon having just enjoyed watching the DVD’s of the 90′s TV series with John Thaw and Lindsay Duncan, ‘A Year In Provence’.
When Claire showed me the details of her choice for our week’s stay, being within sight of the Riviera, I was concerned about noise and holidaymakers. I needn’t have concerned myself. Driving up into the hills, ‘Villa Mathilde’ and the magnificent surroundings was exactly what we needed – and I can say without there being any hesitation that the property, it’s facilities, the cleanliness, together with the friendly greeting we received meant that by the end of our week’s stay, we both felt many times better than when we began our break.
What is there here?
The most amazing sunsets from an amazing vantage-point with full panorama of the Riviera, set some two-miles away from the coastline. Access to the countryside within minutes, yet close to nearby villages and many thriving restaurants serving fine cuisine to suit many tastes. St. Tropez is reached within an hour. Cannes within two. Peaceful surroundings, tasteful decor, good facilities (music/Sky tv), and a wonderful place to read, rest or play with the large pool a regularly visited ‘must’ on the hottest days, yet cool inside the villa, even when temperatures soared outside!
10 out of 10!

2012 Gourmet Food & Wine Breaks in Provence…too good to miss!

aiwood — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 14:18:01 +0000

“Your Taste of Provence” Your Gourmet Food & Wine Experience in 2012….Booking for dates in October and November

4 nights/5 days Fully Inclusive at £980

Fine food and wine is synonymous with France and nowhere is better to celebrate these than in Provence, where the dream of the original French Riviera lives on.

Our short break combines food and wine, a visit to St Tropez, local food markets and an introduction to the beautiful coastline and area. Visit the vineyards producing the renowned AOC & Cru Classé wines of the region, guided by an English-speaking sommelier. Savour seasonal menus using only the best local ingredients.

You will stay in a beautiful, luxury hillside Villa with stunning views of the famous Isles D’Or – Porquerolles, Levant and Port Cros, just off Hyéres.

- Stay at the beautiful Villa Mathilde for 4 nights/5 days (Thursday – Monday)

- A full day visiting local vineyards led by our local English speaking award winning Sommelier.

- A Gourmet Dinner, with local wine parings – presented by our Sommelier, Claire Santioni, who will introduce you to the best of the area and expand your taste experience beyond the renowned Provençal Rosé.

- A day visiting St. Tropez, the famous harbour and Saturday morning market.

- See the charming medieval village of Bormes les Mimosas, the seaside town of Le Lavandou or the historical town of Hyéres.

- All meals and wine served in the Villa are included within the price of your stay with menus created by local Chef, Jean-Claude Santioni.

Price: £980 per person (Discounts available for groups of 4 people or more)

These Gourmet Weekends run from Thursday to Mondays and bookings for Autumn 2011 - contact us for bookings so please call Ian or Gill Wood: 00 44 (0) 208 675 1920 or Ian on 00 44 (0) 77 11 790 178

email: alistairianwood@aol.com

Your Intinerary

Day One: Having made your own travel arrangements you will arrive at Villa Mathilde and will be greeted by your hosts with tea and cake, you can then unpack and settle in before dinner. A five course welcome dinner will be served accompanied by local wines.

Day Two: After breakfast, you will be collected and enjoy a full day excursion visiting local vineyards and wineries led by our English-speaking Sommelier, Claire Santioni. There are over 30 renowned vineyards in the local area, producing varied white, red and rosé wines. Claire’s choice is based on the quality of recent vintages. Lunch will be taken back at Villa Mathilde. After lunch, we will continue our tour for more tastings, on the way you will visit the ‘Route des Vins’ along the beautiful coastline of La Londe and, if time, see the French Presidential Summer Palace at Bregancon. Once back at Villa Mathilde you can relax with a nice cup of tea and make yourselves ready for the evening’s Gourmet Dinner – ingredients are local and seasonal. We will start with tasting some aperitifs then move on to the 6 course “Taste of Provence” Dinner. Claire will lead you through the local wines, specially chosen to accompany each course and she will discuss their grape varieties and properties. You will be given tasting notes to take away.

Day Three: After breakfast, you will be driven to St. Tropez. We will supply you with a local map of St. Tropez and give you some guidance of the wonderful sights to visit. Saturday is local market day there, so a visit to this is a must. Lunch is not included on this excursion as you will want to take the town at your own pace, however, as you would expect, there are a number of wonderful cafés and restaurants for a snack or light lunch. You will be left to your own devices here but the driver will be on hand for advice. Once back at Villa Mathilde, relax with a cup of tea and make yourself ready for the evening five course dinner including local wine.

Day Four: After breakfast you can visit the local market in La Londe les Maures, take a trip to the 12^th century village of Bormes les Mimosas, the seaside town of Le Lavandou or visit the historic town of Hyéres. Lunch will be served at Villa Mathilde. In the afternoon, perhaps a walk through the countryside or just relax in Villa Mathilde. A five course dinner will be served in the evening with a selected local wine.

Day Five: Breakfast will be served prior to your departure from Villa Mathilde for your return or onward journey.

Book your place now!

Gourmet Break Comments…from Jenny & Jeff

aiwood — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 16:07:19 +0000

“Ian and Gill were the perfect hosts during our stay at their beautiful villa. It’s hard not to eat wonderful meals in France, but the food that Gill prepared was the best we had on our trip, which also included 10 days in Paris. The accommodations were very comfortable and attention was paid to every detail. Because Claire, our sommelier, had a long history with the vineyards in the area, she was able to provide us with a very personalized and informative tour. We wanted to do something special to celebrate our 40th anniversary and our “Taste of Provence” experience was definitely that.”

Jenny & Jeff Perry, Lac Le Jeune, British Columbia, Canada

Praise indeed of Villa Mathilde…

aiwood — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 11:46:32 +0000

Our recent guest Pierre Pourveur emailed to say…”After our excellent holidays, we are back at work in rainy Belgium. We will remember these holidays as a period of ultimate wellbeing and absolute relaxation. This is mainly due to the almost perfect convenience and the intelligent aesthetics of your house: Villa Mathilde. We thank you for this”.

“Simply Breath-taking” Sonia said…

aiwood — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 12:07:59 +0000

Sonia Leslie, a recent guest emailed to say…”We all had a fabulous time – and the Villa was, quite simply …. ”breath-taking”. I would like to thank you sincerely for all of your help – we had a very special holiday”.

The best area in Provence…says Anthony Peregrine of the Telegraph

aiwood — Thu, 13 May 2010 11:38:59 +0000

Hyères-les-Palmiers

Around this time last year, I had lunch at a beachside restaurant just outside Hyères. On the table before me was a plain-grilled John Dory and a bottle of rosé. Beyond the terrace, the sands sloped to the sea under a sky full of spring light so clear you could detect infinity. There was nobody about because the rest of Europe was having sandwiches in the office.

The waiter came across to clear my plate. “Would you mind if I lingered over the last of the wine?” I asked. “For the next 25 years?”

The Provencal coast in the Var départment is one you come across with both a leap in the heart and the deepest satisfaction. The Massif-des-Maures mountains edge the Mediterranean in a last burst of rocks and forest, here and there granting creeks, paths and innocent beaches.

In summer, they’re splendid. In spring, they’re better. You may get out of the car, throw off your cardigan and pretend they’re all yours.

Unravelling down their hillside, the old stones of Bormes-les-Mimosas are overwhelmed with multi-hued horticulture.

And there’s more startling spring gardening yet, east along the corniche at the extraordinary Domaine du Rayol (www.domainedurayol.org) Staggering steeply to the sea, the domaine’s 48 acres are coated in abundant exotica from every region of the world sharing a Mediterranean climate. I took my green-fingered wife there a while ago, and had to return a couple of months later to find her.

And Hyères is, I reckon, the best spring base for this exceptional region. For a start, it’s full of palm trees. These are always reasons to be cheerful. Climbing up and over itself, the warren of old streets is as feisty as a Provencal town should be. Take a table on Place Massillon and you’re at the centre of a Mediterranean life that’s been boisterous since the Greeks. Let me suggest the Bistrot de Marius (0494 358838, www.bistrotdemarius.fr, menus from £17.50)

Then there’s the fancier town of frothy villas created when Hyères caught the eyes of the 19th-century fashionable. Queen Victoria was here. So were Robert Louis Stevenson and Tolstoy. So don’t hesitate. The airport’s next door. Hyères is terrific. Buses will get you along the coast, and also to the ferry for the Hyères isles.

These are barely touched and car-free, the French Riviera as it was before it became The Riviera. Right now, forest and fauna are reawakening. Walk or cycle out to Plage Notre Dame on Porquerolles island. You’ll agree: 25 years is a minimum.

Thanks for your help and support…

aiwood — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 12:58:31 +0000

“Thank you very much, we have had a great time – the villa is lovely and has worked out very well for us all…..weather has also been gorgeous …not too hot – thank you for your help and support”……Judith 05.09.09

NB: Judith’s husband who is wheelchair bound managed very well at Villa Mathilde - using the lift and wide doors throughout the property and into the pool!

Provence Rose – 30+ vineyards in La Londe…

aiwood — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 09:47:02 +0000

Anthony Peregrine, celebrated journalist of the Times and Telegraph, wrote this weekend…”As lovely as any, though, is Château de Léoube, down on the coast. This is pure Provence, where vines and olive trees, rocky hills, forest, huge sky and sea conspire to make the rest of the world damned jealous. More annoying still, the Secret de Léoube rosé was among the most irresistible I encountered”.

Visit: www.chateauleoube.com

Everything was…perfect!

aiwood — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 09:11:36 +0000

I can tell you that it was a great moment and we have liked the house very much…The view, the pool, the comfort of the house and the weather, everything was…perfect. I hope I can rent it later.

Didier Haegel – 24. 08. 09

“Stunning!” our last guests said…

aiwood — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 10:08:42 +0000

Dear Ian and Gill – “A beautiful villa with excellent facilities in a stunning location with wonderful views every day”…. The mix of contemporary living in a provencal location ticked all of our boxes, and the location enabled us to lunch in St Tropez, beach in Port Grimaud, visit the market in Bandol or otherwise lounge by the good sized pool with cool drinks at arms reach.

The quality of your purchasing for the kitchen and other white goods (Miele etc) did not go unnoticed with everything working well and the integrated sound system and satellite TV were especially enjoyed in providing music both inside and out which added to the social environment and made sure those in the kitchen did not feel left out.

Alan and his wife were very helpful and the information and instructions left in the property clear and concise.

Kind regards

Matthew & Annelise Baldry - from Qatar