Family trip where French content matters

June 23- July 7/2012

Evelyne Dufau hosts your family for 2 weeks, on the Basque coast, from Saturday June 23 until Saturday July 7/2012 . This program is geared to 6 to 8 families whose children study IN French back home and who wish to have their children or teenagers fully immersed in French, and in the local culture while vacationing and enjoying life in France.

Vision for the trip:

Enjoy the privacy of your own vacation home that Expérience Authentique has selected with and for you on the Basque coast. Families travelling with friends might consider sharing a villa rental. Join a small group of families for unique experiences with rich content during your stay. Each family has its own vehicle for total independence.
Surround your child(ren) with diverse opportunities to engage with locals, in French, through child and youth focused activities. Doing so helps avoid the common trap of English being spoken by children most of the time when interacting primarily with family members, and missing out on the linguistic opportunity that vacationing in France can give.
Enjoy experiences with rich content made possible because your family is part of a small group, with fixed costs being shared. Activities are adult, child/youth or family focused.
Experience where French living is at its best in Southwest France. Vacation like many generations of returning French families, who favour this part of France to relax and enjoy life. Lots to do on your own and with the group.
Benefit from the background and work experience of your host and organizer: Evelyne Dufau. Evelyne is keen to showcase the strengths of her region of birth and its culture, and has done so since 2003 for many families and all ages. As an organizer of French camps in Canada, she can identify meaningful linguistic experiences for children and youth. She is also well versed in the service expectations of her North American clientèle when vacationing in France. Check out this video of testimonials from Ladies Golf Club of Toronto about a recent custom trip, hosted by Evelyne.

Let’s talk budget… and first your “MUST HAVE” layer of services

Flights aside, the estimate below includes your accommodation combined with personalized hosting services that Expérience Authentique includes to make your family comfortable in your vacation home and town. I will refer to this layer of hosting service as your “MUST HAVE” level of hosting, to which you can then add your “FRENCH CONTENT” layer of services that will be presented and priced separately further below. The Selection page of villa and apartment rental options provides a full range of accommodation options priced for mid-season. The timing for this group trip requires to blend mid season prices, ie for the June week, with higher season July rental prices. Once a budget range and type of homes are defined by your family, Expérience Authentique will finalize the specific cost for each of the homes you wish to evaluate. To lead you through that, refer to the table below to help you with budgeting. Families who share a friendship and have compatible vacation styles can share a home to lower their cost and hopefully add to their fun.

ESTIMATED BUDGET in euros for home + 1st level hosting services / FAMILY ( 2 adults & 2 kids) June 23- July 7/2012	Mid-range	Upper range	Luxurious
	Apartment w/ central location or comfortable small home on the Basque coast	Larger home, often with a swimming pool, located in or or within a 15 minute drive of St Jean de Luz/Biarritz	One of a kind property, spacious enough to accommodate multiple guests in high quality surroundings and living conditions
1 family/ per home	3,400 to 5,500e	6000 to 9000e	10,000e & up
2 families sharing	1,700 to 2,750e	3000 to 4,500e	5,000e & up
3 families sharing	NA	2000 to 3000e	3,500e & up

Above budgets include key hosting services to make you feel at home right from the start, and go far beyond what a normal rental program offers: 2 week rental PLUS welcome by bilingual local host and 24h emergency contact, a stocked fridge /pantry for the 1st 24 hours, 2 private guided walking tours of historic towns near your home, your Expérience Authentique personalized travel log with maps, a cleaning of your home at check out, linen supplied, beds made, some cleaning during the stay for some properties. At the time of booking, a detailed rental contract is issued and signed listing all included services and the features of the selected rental property. Terms and conditions (T&Cs) are also included to specify the responsibilities of all parties: the client, the owner of the vacation property, and Expérience Authentique. Standard rental contract terms and T&Cs are available for review upon request.

Optional: the “FRENCH CONTENT” layer for your children & for the entire family

The program below is established and priced making the assumption of having 12 adults and 12 children fully enrolled in all proposed activities. Final content and pricing will be finalized by May 1/2012 once we know how many interested families we have and the associated adult/child/youth mix. No deposit is required upon pre-registration for the “FRENCH CONTENT” layer until the final content is established. If we have less than 12 children/ 12 adults, some content will be either removed or offered at a higher price point as the trip experience needs to be economically viable to Expérience Authentique and its local partners. An update to pre-registred families will be sent out as soon as we have reached full enrollment and no later than MAY 1/2012.

Program outline

Unless specified, each family is independently responsible for its own transportation to get to the various activities. Driving directions will be supplied for drivers and navigators to know where to meet. Expérience Authentique can arrange for your pre-paid car rental at competitive rates.Saturday Day 1- June 23:
Settle in your home after a welcome by your local host ( Evelyne or an Expérience Authentique local representative). For travellers who are not jet-lagged, head out in the evening into the streets of St Jean de Luz for the local fiestas that are in full swing that weekend. Join the locals in the streets where everyone, dressed in black and red, is in party mode. Very family friendly fiestas!

Sunday Day 2 – June 24:
Noon welcome meeting with Evelyne for all families, at the St Jean de Luz beachfront. Come afterwards for an aperitif of sangrias & diabolos (diabolos are a favourite drink of French kids) while enjoying Basque dancing on the main square. Afternoon walking guided tours of St Jean de Luz in small groups. The visits are led in English by a professional guide for the adults, in French for children organized in age appropriate groups (8 children to one local host, teenagers have their own group) and led by kid-friendly locals who know the town well to make the tour interesting to a young audience. Get to know your surroundings, the history, the culture, and the places to hang out. The festive atmosphere keeps on throughout the day into the evening with an opportunity to run after the toros de fuego, wooden structures in the shape of bulls, from where fireworks get launched.

Monday Day 3 – June 25
Half day outing to nearby la Rhune mountain (900m height) for a 3 hour long kid friendly hike led by a certified mountain guide who will share stories and secrets of this region. At the top, savour the great view, enjoy a snack before rewarding yourself with a ride down the mountain on an old fashioned wooden train. The guide will share his time between the children/youth ( speaking in French) and the adults ( speaking in English) and the children will be further escorted by Evelyne and local young hosts ( 8 children to one French speaking host). Younger children hike more easily when part of a group of children, so do not let the duration of the walk discourage them, it is a long but easy hike.

Tuesday Day 4 – June 26
Tuesday is market day in St Jean de Luz. AM: Adults join local chef Paul for a tour of the market, a drink and tapas. Children further test their orientation/history knowledge skills in town with a treasure hunt combined with the tasting of local sweets they will have to source from local shops. (8 children to one local host ratio, all activities conducted in French, youth might do an exploration on a bike instead). Free PM.
Evening at a cider house or if the number of guests and the access to one the rental home allows for it, we would get our own lamb roast catered for the entire group at one of the homes.

Wednesday Day 5 – June 27
Explore the trendy and larger resort town of Biarritz , surfing capital of Europe. Children ( need to know how to swim, 6 is the minimum age), youth and keen adults are invited to take part in a surfing workshop ( French and English). Less adventurous adults can join a guided walking tour of the town. A cooking workshop (possibly on chocolate) is proposed in parallel to non surfing children; the nearby region`s port, Bayonne, is known for introducing the cocoa beans into France right back to the 16^th century, making the area the home of fine chocolatiers for centuries. Lots of time left on your own to explore the town, its attractive coast line and trendy shops and cafés.

Thursday Day 6 – June 28 :
Head out mid morning into the interior of the Basque country, 25 minutes from the coast. Guided visits of prehistoric caves in 2 groups ( in English for adults and in French for the children & youth). Then hike for an hour the Pyrénées foothills to an old fashioned shepherd’ house in a beautiful country setting. A rustic and tasty lunch is the reward waiting for you at the top. Children are accompanied by French speaking local hosts who will keep the children engaged in French ( ratio 8 to 1 French speaking local host).

Friday Day 7 – June 29
AM: Consider enjoying the beach town of Hendaye on your own. PM: Children take part in a nature oriented workshop led by park office staff at Domaine d’Abaddia, a beautiful park set on a cliff by the ocean. Meanwhile, adults can hike along an attractive section of the protected coastal path or explore the château set within the park. Local hosts to the children join Evelyne at the time when children and parents regroup for the evening adventure (8 to 1 ratio). Everyone travels for 15min by boat into Spain, cars are left on the French side. Explore the fishermen’s quarter and the medieval part of the charming town of Fuentarrabia. Make time for tapas & drinks at a couple of bars. Head back by boat to your car in Hendaye on your own time.

Saturday Day 8 – June 30
Discover the sport of Basque pelota. AM meeting at the basque pelota museum near St Jean de Luz, followed by a pelota workshop open to both genders and all ages. Coaching in French for the children, in English for the adults. Find the Basque athlete in you!

Sunday Day 9- July 1
Free day to possibly drive on your own to Bilbao and the Guggenheim museum 1h30 away and explore one of the fishing villages on the way back. Canada Day evening get together as a group: organized picnic on the beach of St Jean de Luz to watch the sun set . Finish the evening at the main plaza where each Sunday night, throughout July and August, you can expect to find live music, street dancing and fireworks.

Monday Day 10 – July 2
Full day outing into the interior : head to the region around St Jean Pied de Port. This town is the last stop in France on the medieval pilgrimage path of St James prior to a tough crossing into Spain. Experience the town’s rich architecture, land and history through a local story teller and get a closer insight into Basque culture. Drop in by some farms & wineries to taste local ewe cheese, Irouleguy wine and cured meat, and learn how they are made. In St Jean Pied de Port and when visiting the specialty food producers, age and French/English appropriate groups are defined to maximize the interactions with local hosts. Wrap up the day and come and watch the traditional market day pelota game at 5PM.

Tuesday Day 11 – July 3
9AM to 1PM: Children 4 to 12 yr old spend the time they want at the local beach club and mingle with other French children for games and swims under the supervision and leadership of a well trained staff. Older children might opt for surfing lessons or other fun water sport activities while younger ones are at the beach club. PM: Guided tours of the medieval town of Bayonne in small groups organized by age, and English/French language. The tour for the children is interactive, more along the lines of a treasure hunt and possibly some activities at Musée Basque. Possibly an evening to schedule a cooking class with chef Paul in his professional kitchen for up to 8 adults at a time while children are babysat at home.

Wednesday Day 12 – July 4
PM : Drive 20min to the Spanish border, leave your car there and hop on a commuter train to Pasaia, a Basque fishing village in Spain. Evelyne and your children’ hosts ( 8 to 1 ratio) guide you along a spectacular coastal path for a 2.5 hour walk into buzzing and attractive San Sebastian, a world capital for gastronomy. Adults join a low key gourmet walking tour to explore the town and savour traditional tapas ( called pinxos in the Basque country). Meanwhile, the younger crowd, under the care of the local hosts, can enjoy a swim at the beach, an ice cream and a shortened tour of the city. San Sebastian streets and its life loving people are hard to leave, its bar counters overflowing with tapas are extremely tempting. On your own time, hop back on the commuter train from the center of San Sebastian right back to your car ( without forgetting your children!).

Thursday Day 13 – July 5
9AM to 1PM: 2^nd morning for 4-12 yr-old children to hang out at the beach club among French children. Older children can take more surfing lessons instead. Possibly an evening to schedule a cooking class with chef Paul in his professional kitchen for up to 8 adults at a time while children are babysat at home.

Friday Day 14 – July 6
FAREWELL evening: regroup late afternoon in an upscale Basque farm house owned by a wonderful chef in the interior of the Basque country. Opt for a drink in the gardens or a take a leisurely walk around the home while your children take part in a workshop on Basque instruments and Basque music. Music and singing are at the heart of Basque culture and fun to explore. Gather all together for a fine farewell dinner to the Basque country. Transportation to the restaurant and back home is done by a chartered bus so everyone gets to relax and enjoy the good food and wine.

Saturday Day 15 – July 7
Check out -

Estimated budget for the “FRENCH CONTENT” layer

720 euros per participant : This is a blended rate for adult and child, established with the assumption that 12 children and 12 adults are enrolled in the trip. This cost estimate includes all of the hosting, guiding, ticket entrances, workshop fees, meals, group transportation ( boat & train, & 2 chartered bus transfers) associated to all activities presented in the itinerary. Cost/content to be finalized once the number and mix of registered families is known and no later than MAY 1/2012 . Terms and conditions will be issued at the time of booking all local hosting services.

Add-on options:

Car rental to be added as it is a requirement to get to the activities unless you prefer to hire a chauffeur. Budget between $CDN 420 ( insurance out) to $CDN 720 ( insurance in) for a mid-size vehicle for the 2 wk stay, on a pre-paid basis. Expérience Authentique can set up the rental for you.
Access to chauffeured & guided outings in 3rd party vehicle ( advanced notice is needed).
Access to mini-bus transfers for your children when you wish to relax in a different place than where your child might be ( advanced notice is needed).
Access to baby-sitting service during the day and on evenings ( advanced notice is needed).
Optional sport and cultural activities can be arranged during free times: + surfing, golfing, high rope/zip-lining, horse riding in the mountains, biking, fishing outing, rafting, tickets to Basque pelota games, tickets to concerts etc…
Meal preparation and grocery shopping coordination.

NEXT STEP if your family wishes to proceed:

Pre-identify your budget and criteria with respect to the “MUST HAVE” layer of services.
Consider sharing vacation property with another family who has a compatible vacation style to yours.
Share all of your criteria with Evelyne Dufau of Expérience Authentique who will narrow down for you the best property options. Evelyne’s frequent on-site inspections of the properties and intimate knowledge of the region help you develop a top 3 list based on pre-defined criteria.
Receive a June 23- July 7/2012 budget for your top 3 choices under review.
Validate your intent to work with Expérience Authentique by signing an authorization to pay for a $300 research fee should you change your mind and no longer hire Expérience Authentique ‘s services after suitable properties are sourced.
View the detailed slide shows of the top 3 properties to reach the optimal decision.
Availability is then checked with vacation home owners.
Make a final selection and proceed with the admin/payment steps for the “MUST HAVE” layer.
Make a call on optional cancellation insurance.
Pre-register your family for the “FRENCH CONTENT” layer.
Receive an update by MAY 1/2012 on the final French content itinerary
Spread the word about the trip to other like-minded families; everyone benefit from enjoying great content at shared prices!