A growing apatite for gastronomic holiday experiences

The rise of gastro-tourism and travellers’ desire for authenticity is feeding the appeal of private holiday home rentals, as over 60% of holidaymakers now choose self-catering accommodation, according to industry analyst Mintel.

As Mintel observes, the traditional ‘you are what you eat’ mantle has taken on new resonance in terms of self-expression and self-definition and a large part of the holiday experience is now sampling local cuisine. By providing freedom, space, and the flexibility to eat in or out, private holiday homes cater for these needs, as well as providing an authentic setting for the holiday.

Over 40% of all self-catering holidays were taken in private holiday homes in 2006, with 27% booked directly with owners on sites like Holiday-Rentals.co.uk, and 13% staying with family or friends.

Recognising the demand for gourmet experiences, many holiday home owners on Holiday-Rentals.co.uk now offer chef services, cooking lessons, local market or vineyard tours. And of course by their very nature, private holiday homes offer fully equipped kitchens, so guests can experiment at ‘home’.

New for 2007, holiday home owners Tansy Forster and Martine Gouardo-Marsat are offering the following food-themed experiences in their properties in France:

GOURMET CHEF SERVICE AND COOKING LESSONS
Held at La Borderie de la Cole in the Dordogne
Holiday-rentals.co.uk/63662

Have you ever dreamt of having your very own chef at your holiday villa, or of being taught how to cook French cuisine – en français évidemment? The enchanting Borderie de la Cole has it all. This superbly renovated village farmhouse nestled on a beautiful riverside provides luxury accommodation near the unspoilt village of Brantome, the ‘Venice of the Périgord’. You can either relax completely and have chef Dimitri Bacou prepare local specialities for you at home, or for those who want to have a go themselves, tailor-made ‘cooking escapes’ can be booked. Dimitri will take you to the local market, show you how to choose the best produce, then teach you how to cook a range of French delicacies.

PRICE: Weekly rental rates (accommodation only) from €1,700 per week, plus €150 per meal for the chef service. Alternatively, 5-6 cooking escapes with everything included (inc. flights from London) from £900 per person.

GOURMET CLAY-PIGEON SHOOT WEEKEND 31st Aug to 2nd Sep
Held at the Chateau Bellenau in Normandy
Holiday-rentals.co.uk/75250

Chateau Bellenau, which offers 12 ensuite bedrooms and 4 spacious self-catering suites, is hosting a gourmet, clay-pigeon shooting weekend from 31st August to 2nd September 2007. Set in magnificent gardens that were created between 1830 and 1890, the chateau is steeped in history and offers top-class facilities including spa, sauna and tennis courts. Guests on the shooting weekend will enjoy a shooting competition, 2 breakfasts, a venison BBQ lunch, a ‘taste of Normandy’ banquet of local produce to include wild boar, lobster and oysters from nearby Utah Beach. Book now to avoid disappointment!

PRICE: €300 (c. £204) per person for the weekend

Other properties suitable for a ‘gastro-break’:

UMBRIA, ITALY
Holiday-rentals.co.uk/62237

Set in 300 acres of land, 700m above sea level, this luxurious country house provides an unbeatable standard of accommodation, as well as a huge swimming pool, tennis court and cook service. The vegetable garden is maintained for guests’ use, the larder is fully stocked, plus a welcome basked of meats, cheese, bread, milk, yoghurt, fruit, wine, champagne, beer and soft drinks is included in the price. £1,885 to £2,310 per week.

WESTERN LOIRE, FRANCE
Holiday-rentals.co.uk/72685

This 4 bedroom villa with pool is owned by a professional chef who is only too happy to act as a cook for guests on request. Le Prieure Ancien is a delightful 14th Century, exposed stone priory, situated next to the church in the hamlet of Pressigny in an enclosed garden with vines, fig trees and beautifully maintained lawns and flowerbeds. Furnished with antiques and many objects d' art, it retains many of its original features, such as the circular stone staircase, wooden floors and beamed ceilings. £1,545 to £2,550 per week.

TUSCANY, ITALY
Holiday-rentals.co.uk/63583

This beautiful Tuscan farmhouse provides fully catered accommodation (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and has six rooms that each accommodate between two to four people. ‘Podere Santa Teresa’ offers its own organic Maremma produce, including home-made jams, and the best of Italian cuisine in a welcoming family atmoshphere. Italian cooking courses and wine-tasting are also available. £267 to £286 per person, per week. 50% child discount.