Blogs from Bordeaux, Aquitaine, France, Europe - page 4

Wine country... read more

A treat, first class on the train to Bordeaux and thankfully so, because the train is full. Caroline and I arrive at Gare St Jean approximately 12.30 and find the trek to the car rental is rather long, especially in 35C heat. Unfortunately, I miscalculated on the car rental and was 2 days short at the beginning. Rather than change the rental (I had got a really great rate for a 32 day rental and was loathe to make changes resulting in a recalculation) I booked a separate rental for the extra 2 days. Anyway, all went smoothly and we drove away in a Toyota Yaris, Hybrid. After two days, I return to the rental company and am given the same car for the remainder of our time in France (why I had go back in ... read more

Friend got a great deal for an vacation apartment in Bordeaux, 30 Euro/day rent, so we took to the road and heading down south for a short vacation in the wine Sanctuary in France. A great surprise to find the apartment is armed with a small pool and a pantry stuffed full with food!!! What a bargain!!!! Bordeaux is the capital city in the Gironde area, with may vineyard and chateau spread out from both side of the Gironde River that leading out to the Atlantic Ocean, but on those high tide period, one could observe the unusual scene of sea water shuffling up river! Medoc certainly is the main wine production area in Bordeaux, especailly with the name Lafite Rothschild and Mouton Rothschild right inside the area near Pauillac. Almost on every mile whichever direction ... read more

Somehow this year feels different, although much so far has been familiar: I made the customary wrong turn after leaving the airport (having inadvertently left my directions in my luggage that was being transported in the van. Worse yet, I wasn't even positive I had the name of the hotel right), but according to Google the ride was a whopping 1.9 km so it didn't really affect anything. In fact the distance was so short I hadn't even bothered to don my cycling shoes (nor even take the traditional airport photo), and most of the group decided to walk it (toting the airport baggage dollies with them!). I wheeled into the lobby at 8:30 AM local time, only to discover that I had beaten the others there (no surprise) The hotel did not appear to be ... read more

Ryan Air flight to Bordeaux, good to be moving on but a fairly functional day. Bordeaux is a large port city as the front face of a major agricultural area. The most significant thing we saw was the Bordeaux train station, 14 platforms and all covered. But I must say the most striking thing straight up was the food. Even in the Mercure hotel the oven baked whole fish... Stay tuned, we are off to San Sebastian for some fun. Al & Tess... read more