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World renowned perfume critic Luca Turin is set to co-lead—along with fragrance expert and journalist Victoria Frolova—a three-day crash course on smell as a part of the newly launched Science and Vacation program. “The idea is that small groups partake in lectures covering a field of science (and art) presented in such a way that no background (except a curious mind) is required,” he explained to Style.com/Arabia. “No other area in biology is more efficiently shrouded in nonsense, legend, and obfuscation than olfaction” added Turin, who aims to enlighten participants on smell from a scientific and empirical standpoint. “People who come for the science will take away a better understanding of perfume and vice versa.” The three-day lecture is to take place in the Luberon region, a rolling mountain range in the South of France.
During the 72-hour seminar, participants will have the opportunity to explore the spectacular hilltop villages nestled in the Luberon and get the rare chance to smell eminent perfumes in their original formulations, discover raw materials used by fragrance industry experts, and learn exercises to sharpen their sense of smell.
After exercising your nose, take a few days to explore the Luberon further on a bike tour. With more than 10 cycling circuits to choose from, immerse yourself in the scenery, which includes castles that date back to the 10th century. Or, head over to the Carrières de Lumières and feast your eyes on digitalized paintings of Marc Chagall (he of a Midsummer Night’s Dreams), screened against a backdrop of flat, quarried stone and accompanied by an equally triumphant soundtrack.
Courses for the Secret of Scent range from US $2,903-$4,193; from October 20th to 24th.
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