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A biking vacation is a unique and wonderful way to
visit a destination. You see things along the way that you would not
if you were riding in a car or bus. And, if you carry a camera you
probably see even more things because you want to capture that perfect
picture.
A sport that you can do alone or with another person,
experiencing Europe on a state of the art 21 or 24-speed bike is one
of the most exciting experiences that you can have. Exploring
interesting regions by bicycle or on foot, you experience the local
culture and enjoy great hotels, food and wine.
In the business for more than 30 years, Butterfield
and Robinson specializes in biking and hiking, creating one-of-a-kind
trips for active people who treasure freedom. B&R offers a
combination of biking, hiking and bike-and-walk trips in France, Italy
and many other European countries.
B&R recently added a list of new itineraries, one
that includes expeditions in Costa Rica and Australia.
With the main focus aimed at making sure that the
client is well-cared for, the tours are limited to a relatively small
number of participants, the average number ranging from 16 to 22
people.
B&R's 135-page trip guide provides wonderful
information about each destination, with specific detail on activity
levels pertaining to each trip, dates of departure and -- for the
family that travels together -- information on excursions that permit
children as young as three years old.
A typical day in Burgundy, for example, begins with a
fabulous French breakfast. The guides, all experienced and well
educated in the region and the language, give each traveler a three or
four-page itinerary, which really is more of a list of numerical
directions to lunch.
Like a scavenger hunt, the directions are very
detailed from the time you leave the hotel "turn right out the
door, turn left at the stop sign, etc." You follow 30 to 40
numbered directions until lunch, at which time you arrive at a
charming town filled with hanging baskets of local flowers draping
from the light poles.
Lunch is served at an outdoor café and you may
possibly find yourself enjoying a burgundy from a local vineyard and
meeting other travelers interested in slowing the fast-paced life we
all seem to live with. After lunch, you have the choice of riding back
to the 16th century chateau in a van, or continuing on by bike with 25
more numbered directions until the end of the afternoon.
When dinner is included, it often is in unusual
restaurants, possibly in 14th century underground caves, or Michelin
star- rated eateries. A detailed list of local restaurants is given to
you at the start of the trip. Each restaurant is fully critiqued and
the list is categorized by degrees of formality (Michelin- starred,
semi-formal, bistro style or casual "fast food").
And, what would a trip to Burgundy be without tasting
the wine? An introduction to the wine regions of Burgundy is included,
as well as wine tastings to educate you on the various grades of wine
in the Cote D'Or.
Indulging in the local foods of Burgundy -- like Dijon
mustard, Cassissiines (a fruit jelly made with cassis fruit and laced
with liqueur), Anis de Flavigny (white sugar candy with anis grain in
the middle) and, of course, the various flavors of cheese -- is a
great way to spend a leisurely afternoon.
Happy Travels!
Arlene Brenner is a Pinecrest resident, a CTC-certified
travel agent and a frequent contributor to the Pinecrest Tribune. For
More information about adventure travel, please call Brenner at
Vacation Express, 305-279-7677, or contact her by email at ArlsTravel@aol.com.
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