Having enjoyed the architecture, food, and sites of Paris but not the people we wanted to give France one more try. So we headed off to Bordeaux a few weeks ago to see wine country. Bordeaux is described as "little Paris" and does have a number of beautiful limestone buildings but beyond that there was little there to remind me of Paris. The people in Bordeaux were much friendlier but it did not have the sites or the food of Paris. However, it is worth a trip for to be in wine country is quite romantic and fun.
After flying into La Rochelle we hopped a train to Bordeaux. On the way we passed many sunflower fields and a few vineyards. Once in Bordeaux we found the city center and were surrounded by shopping and restaurants. There are a number of huge beautiful arches around the city and one right by our hotel had a small fruit and veg market just below it. The second day we were there we took a one day wine tour which started out at an old chateau in the chateau district of Bordeaux. Here we learned about wine making and had a tasting. Then we walked through more of the old chateau district before heading off to a hole in the wall French restaurant for lunch. This was the kind of place a tourist would hope to find but never be able to on their own. The restaurant owner greeted us and was quite welcoming. We were given wine, bread, and a dish of hot goats cheese to start. The main course was duck with potatoes and salad. This was followed by a different wine and an opportunity to go downstairs to the cheese room where we could try as many of the 150 cheeses there were. I have never seen a cheese room and did not even know they existed. It was a cold wet room down in the cellar. I couldn't believe people were eating the cheeses that were hairy and moldy! After eating the best brie cheese I have ever had we were served apple pie (totally different than American apple pie) and cafe. The food was authentic and terrific as was the atmosphere.
After lunch we took a bus out to a working vineyard where we took a tour to learn how the wine is made. This area was so beautiful as there were vineyards in every direction as far as the eye could see. After the tour we had more wine tasting and then visited the medieval town St. Emillion which is in the middle of all the vineyards. Surprisingly enough this day long tour was only 52 euro per person- the best value of anything we have done so far! If you enjoy wine a visit to Bordeaux is definitely worth it!
After flying into La Rochelle we hopped a train to Bordeaux. On the way we passed many sunflower fields and a few vineyards. Once in Bordeaux we found the city center and were surrounded by shopping and restaurants. There are a number of huge beautiful arches around the city and one right by our hotel had a small fruit and veg market just below it. The second day we were there we took a one day wine tour which started out at an old chateau in the chateau district of Bordeaux. Here we learned about wine making and had a tasting. Then we walked through more of the old chateau district before heading off to a hole in the wall French restaurant for lunch. This was the kind of place a tourist would hope to find but never be able to on their own. The restaurant owner greeted us and was quite welcoming. We were given wine, bread, and a dish of hot goats cheese to start. The main course was duck with potatoes and salad. This was followed by a different wine and an opportunity to go downstairs to the cheese room where we could try as many of the 150 cheeses there were. I have never seen a cheese room and did not even know they existed. It was a cold wet room down in the cellar. I couldn't believe people were eating the cheeses that were hairy and moldy! After eating the best brie cheese I have ever had we were served apple pie (totally different than American apple pie) and cafe. The food was authentic and terrific as was the atmosphere.
After lunch we took a bus out to a working vineyard where we took a tour to learn how the wine is made. This area was so beautiful as there were vineyards in every direction as far as the eye could see. After the tour we had more wine tasting and then visited the medieval town St. Emillion which is in the middle of all the vineyards. Surprisingly enough this day long tour was only 52 euro per person- the best value of anything we have done so far! If you enjoy wine a visit to Bordeaux is definitely worth it!
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