Family Reunion - part two - cycling The Wine Route of Cote d'Or, France


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Europe » France » Burgundy » Beaune
August 9th 2008
Published: August 26th 2008
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1: bike riding in Burgundy 48 secs
under the cloudsunder the cloudsunder the clouds

and between the vineyards, of Cote d'Or
Cote d'Or - "Hills of Gold"

The hills of the Burgundy region of France, that we saw in this, the first week of August, were very green. But the hills were also colored with fields of golden wheat, and the bright gold of the sunflowers.
Just when I was getting tired of pedalling my bicycle up another hill, our handsome guide, Matthieu ( or - our beautiful guide Christen!) would inform us that around the next hill we would be stopping for a break. And the scenery would be incredible! Sunflowers bowing their heavy heads to the overcast sky, or the next day, young plants with their heads searching out the sunny skies. Just the photo opportunity we were hoping for!

After all the "teenage" years we spent telling the kids not to drink and drive, here we spend a week "biking under the influence"! We averaged a leisurely 30km / 19 miles each day, winding through vineyards and small towns. This sort of sight seeing is a welcomed change from the manuvering Keith usually does to guide us around the hectic cities. It was a fabulous tour, a once in a lifetime experience. The hotels we stayed in were not the usual places we've been checking into! These were classy places, former chateaus! Each evening Katie and I were looking forward to discovering the details of our room! I was the "Queen" for the day, and she was the "Princess"! Our meals, were feasts, literally spread out before us! Especially the night we ate out of doors under a rustic terrace at Le Hameau De Barboron! It was our group's first night together and we got to know each other over wild boar and delicious appetizers! And, yes, of course, the wine!

In case you haven't checked out Hank's descriptions of our trip, (look at my previous entry, for links to his)- let me tell you that the hotels and the food, and of course the wines, were as close to perfect as we have encountered on our incredible journey through Europe. Yet, Keith and I know that what made it perfect for us, was the simple fact that our little family was together. The kids are adults and live their lives away from us, so time spent with them is worth more than all of Burgundy's Grand Cru's real estate!





Additional photos below
Photos: 24, Displayed: 23


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field of sunflowersfield of sunflowers
field of sunflowers

with a background of hills
riders in the landscaperiders in the landscape
riders in the landscape

Lori and Kristin
the hunting lodgethe hunting lodge
the hunting lodge

Le Hameau De Barboron
siblingssiblings
siblings

big sister and little brother
flowers in the window boxflowers in the window box
flowers in the window box

from our room in the Hotel Le Cep, Beaune
stained glassstained glass
stained glass

inside Beaune's Notre Dame
photo opportunitiesphoto opportunities
photo opportunities

Bob, Erica, Scott, and Keith
"canaries" at the end of the rows"canaries" at the end of the rows
"canaries" at the end of the rows

rose bushes act as a barometer, if a fungus or insect attacts this, then the vines may be in trouble
ahhh, breakfastahhh, breakfast
ahhh, breakfast

every meal is served with flair, this one at Chateau Andre Ziltener
at a wine tasting at a wine tasting
at a wine tasting

i love this picture! Lori, Lori, Keith, Hank, Kristin, Katie, Erica, and Christen
Matthieu and ChristenMatthieu and Christen
Matthieu and Christen

they guided and educated us
ComtesseComtesse
Comtesse

her stories and knowledge were a highlight of the tour
"take our picture!""take our picture!"
"take our picture!"

other tourists passing by during our lunch break


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