Have you been on a biking tour? A few years ago, Dave and I went on a wine tasting bike trip in France with our good friends, Iliana and Greg. We went with Backroads, an adventure travel company known for their well planned trips in exotic destinations. Our bike trip consisted of 5 days through the wine regions of Dordogne and Bordeaux.
This trip was indulgent. We were hesitant to book it at first due to the cost (it was about $4500 per person excluding airfare) — it seemed too extravagant. But looking back, we wouldn’t have done it any other way. It was such a wonderful way to see the countryside of France.
We rode about 20-30 miles each day with a beautiful picnic or restaurant lunch waiting for us en route. Dinners were usually held at Michelin star restaurants. Dave and I never experienced such good food and wine in our lives. The scenery was breathtaking. The hotels were 4 or 5 star.
I loved sharing special moments with my husband during this once in a lifetime trip. Spending time with our long-time friends made it even more memorable.
Below are pictures from each day of our tour.
Each morning, we were given a schedule of the towns we would ride through, our meeting points, where we would stop for lunch, dinner and breaks in between. Our days started around 7:30am and ended after dinner with a 2-3 hour break in the afternoon. It was a very active trip!
I loved that we didn’t have to think or make any decisions other than what was related to the road we were biking! I also loved that I could indulge on the food and wine after burning hundreds of calories biking.
Day 1: We started in Pontours and got geared up for our first ride of the week. 13 miles to Tremolat.
Ready for our adventure! We only did one “practice ride” before-hand from Manhattan Beach to Santa Monica and back, about 22 miles so we weren’t sure how we would do on the trip.
Flawless architecture
We stopped to have coffee in a charming town named Molieres.
Puling into first hotel, I was in awe of the beauty.
For the first two nights, we stayed at Hotel Le Vieux Logis: A 4-star hotel with beautiful grounds and large rooms.
Out little patio outside of our room
Day 2: 18 mile ride, picnic lunch at Maison Villatte Plassard, Grottes of Rouffignac and dinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant Le Bistro d’enface at hotel Le Vieux Logis.
Street market
Foie Gras? Geese and Ducks were everywhere.
Isn’t this what you would expect a local farmhouse market to look like? Just beautiful.
Even the cows were beautiful.
Yup, this was the normal lunch picnic spread. Can you imagine?
Our set up for Michelin Restaurant dinner at hotel
Day 3: 18 miles through Dordogne River Valley: Lunch of Duck Confit and mashed potatoes (a Perigordian feast) at Quatre B&B.
Hotel #2 Chateau Des Vigiers. Breathtaking.
Dinner with bike group
Day 4: Vineyards of Saussignac to St Emilion. Gallo Ruins of Montacaret, picnic lunch and wine school at Vignobles & Chateaux. Dinner at At Hotel – Les Fresques
St. Emilion
We attended a wine class
Best wines of the world on display. No, we were not able to taste.
Day 5: Hotel stay at Hostellerie de Plaisance, wine tasting at Vignobles & Chateaux, Premier Grand Cru Chateau de Beausejour Becot – tour of winery and tasting. Picnic lunch, shops in St. Emilion, home to great macarons. Dinner at Hostellerie de Plaisance.
Premier Grand Cru Chateau de Beausejour Becot tour and tasting
Vineyard visit – We were given history on the wine
Our guides. Not only were they in superb shape, they were very classy people.
Our Biking Group at the last night’s dinner.
So, what do you think? If you’ve ever thought of taking one of these bike trips, do not hesitate. Dave and I absolutely loved it and plan to do a bike trip again in another part of the world.
Flavor Your Life with an Ounce of Salt. A lifestyle blog by Jen Oliak.
