Greetings from Robbi and Jim

A warm welcome to all of the members of our Aroma Tours Newsletter in over 30 countries around the world.

Aroma Tours in Provence with Robbi Zeck and Jim Llewellyn

Robbi and I are excited to be finalizing the details for the beginning of another wonderful season of Aroma Tours adventures which start this May in the beautiful Spanish spring with our Flavours of Spain Tour and Spanish Gourmet Pilgrimage and it always delights us to begin the mental journey that leads up to our actual departure.

Robbi and I feel truly blessed to once again be sharing our passion for the fabulous places and experiences that we love, with delightful people from around the world.

This year is all set to be another fabulous tour season with all of our tours now either sold out or down to the last few places!

  • There are still a few places available for our beautiful tours in Spain, Provence and Italy and if you would like to "seize the day" and journey with us this year, we invite you to visit our tour information page for more details or our make a reservation page to reserve your place.

Spanish Gourmet Pilgrimage - a Michelin Star Studded Journey

Our wonderful Spanish Gourmet Pilgrimage begins in the Basque country, one of the world's fine food capitals with the highest concentration of Michelin starred restaurants in the world.

We then weave our way along the fabled Camino de Santiago through a succession of glorious vistas and cuisines with more star studded dining, until we reach the magnificent world heritage city of Santiago de Compostella in the seafood paradise of Galicia; and you guessed it - 2 more Michelin stars!

There are now only 2 places left for this gourmet extravaganza - time for some delicious Carpe Diem anyone?

Our Current Booking Status

Next year's Aroma Tours are almost sold out, however there are still a few places available and we invite you to join us for one of our delightful journeys in 2024.

  • If you would like us to hold your place(s) for a few days so that you have time to comfortably make your other arrangements please let us know at jim@aroma-tours.com
List of Tours for 2024
Flavours of Spain 13 - 20 May 2024 1 vacancy
Spanish Gourmet Pilgrimage 20 - 27 May 2024 2 vacancies
Flavours of France 3 - 10 June 2024 2 vacancies
Heart of Provence 17 - 24 June 2024 2 vacancies
Essential Provence 24 June - 1 July 2024
Treasures of Provence
(ladies only special event)
5 - 12 July 2024 1 vacancy
Aromas of Tuscany 3 - 10 September 2024 2 vacancies
Flavours of Italy 10 - 17 September 2024
Bali Women's Retreat 7 - 14 September 2024
Bali Women's Retreat (private event) 16 - 23 September 2024

We thrilled to see that our 2025 tour season is continuing to receive strong enquiries and healthy early bookings with all of our tours now at least half full.

List of Tours for 2025
Flavours of Spain 12 - 19 May 2025 8 vacancies
Spanish Gourmet Pilgrimage 19 - 26 May 2025 7 vacancies
Flavours of France 9 - 16 June 2025 4 vacancies
Heart of Provence 23 - 30 June 2025 3 vacancies
Essential Provence 30 June - 7 July 2025 9 vacancies
Treasures of Provence
(ladies only special event)
11 - 18 July 2025 4 vacancies
Aromas of Tuscany 9 - 16 September 2025 6 vacancies
Flavours of Italy 16 - 23 September 2025 4 vacancies

Please note

  • Our up-to-the-minute booking status is available via our calendar page

Chianti and The Gallo Nero

The Chianti region is located between Florence and Siena, who, in the late middle ages and early renaissance, were in continual conflict with dirty tricks the order of the day and the story of  how Chianti was largely "acquired" by the Florentines in the fourteenth century is a great example of this skullduggerous behaviour.

In order to define the borders between the two city states, it was decided that one knight from Siena and one from Florence would depart on a designated morning "at cockcrow" and ride towards each other at the highest possible speed. Where they met would be designated the agreed border between Florence and Siena.

The citizens of Siena chose a white rooster that they had fattened up, thinking that such a robust rooster would ensure an early start time close to dawn. However, the wily Florentines, chose a black rooster - a "Gallo Nero", that they starved to make it skittish and prone to crow, even before dawn.

As planned, the lean black rooster awoke well before the plump white rooster and Chianti came under the control of the Medici dynasty.

As a result of this association between the Gallo Nero and Chianti, the black rooster was adopted as the symbol for the Chianti Classico region.

[sic] The wine region designated as "Chianti" was greatly expanded in the 1930's to include its neighbours such as Colli Arentini, Colline Pisane, Montalbano and Rufina.

At the same time, the original region, circa the 14th century was given the name "Chianti Classico" and only wines grown and produced in this specific sub-region of modern Chianti are entitled to use the Gallo Nero symbol on the neck of their bottles.

A nice story but what about the contemporary wines of Chianti you ask!

In the 1970s Chianti producers started a collaboration to improve the quality, character and prestige of their wines by eliminating the use of white grapes, reducing yields ( thereby enhancing flavour intensity ) as well as changing the structure of their wines.

This resulted in two main movements:- the traditionalists who began to produce wines from 100% Sangiovese grapes and those keen to experiment with the introduction of French grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah to create a more "international" style which over time became spectacularly successful and are known by the inspiring name, "Super Tuscans".

We most certainly enjoy some of these lovely wines from Chianti, including 100% sangiovese Chianti Classicos and lush "Super Tuscans" during our Aromas of Tuscany Tour

Memorable Photos of Provence

We have collected some lovely photos of the colourful markets that we visited during our Provence tours last year for your viewing pleasure.

Flavours of France

Robbi and I are very excited to be continuing to offering this fabulous gourmet tour experience, exploring the beauty, culture and rich gastronomic traditions of eastern France.

Experience the fascinating heart of Lyon, the gastronomic capital of France and enjoy journeying through the beautiful vine clad countryside of Burgundy and Alsace with their enchanting hilltop villages, medieval towns, lush vineyards, spectacular chateau and gardens.

Elegant 5 star small luxury hotels and spectacular gourmet cuisine and wines are a feature of this tour and your taste buds will be tantalized in some of France's finest restaurants, from hidden gastronomic treasures, to spectacular 3 Michelin star fine dining; with a total of 7 Michelin stars during our week together.

Travelling Solo in a Group

As well as couples and friends travelling together, we are regularly joined by solo travellers - mostly women, who appreciate being able to journey with liked minded people from around the world, without the need to do all the planning and take on the daunting task of touring by themselves.

Joining one of our small group tours is easy and we have already made all of the arrangements on your behalf to ensure that you have a delightful, stress-free holiday with the focus on having fun.

Having a ready-made group of friends to travel with, and us to take wonderful care of you is the way to go!

  • There is no extra charge for solo travellers who are willing to share a room with another same gender guest from our group.

We have carefully crafted off-the-beaten-path itineraries that are the perfect balance of structure, experiences, details and free time to enjoy in your own way.

Our Invitation

Robbi and I look forward to welcoming you to one of our delightful Aroma Tours in 2023 or 2024.

Glorious lavender flowers in Provence France

  • For detailed information about any of our tours please visit our tour information page and if you would like to join us please visit our make a reservation page.
  • As always if you have any questions or if you would like us to assist you personally with advice about your travel arrangements or with any other details please contact us at info@aroma-tours.com

Warmest regards,

Jim and Robbi


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