Having done a sailing holiday before, I can certainly vouch for its charms. In today’s guest post, Kelly Girl Waterhouse shares her tips on why you should consider chartering a boat for your next adventure and what destinations not to miss.

For your next getaway, consider chartering a boat. Chartering maybe easier than you think. It can be as simple as:

• Selecting your destination.
• Packing light using soft sided luggage or a backpack for ease of stowing.
• Provisioning your boat with food

The chartering company can provide a captain and crew or, if you have documented sailing experience, you could operate the vessel yourself. They will also assist you with your provisioning and will have suggestions on which islands to visit.

Our sailing vessel

Once on the boat, you will have an experience of living like the sailors of old; sailing to new destinations, harnessing the power of the wind and leaving all your worries on land behind.  If this appeals to you, below are five boating destinations not to be missed.

Bay of Islands, New Zealand

The Bay of Islands, is a treasure with over 80 mystical islands containing rolling hills with lush green trees. Cool clear-blue water invigorates the soul when you go for a dip. Here you can find dolphins playing with a boat’s bow as it sails towards a new destination. Look to the rocks to find millions of mussels and oysters on shore-side rocks, ready to be harvested and served on the half shell with a lemon-wedge and hot sauce. Trek around an uninhabited island or visit a harbor town to mix with the locals or for a dinner out.

Nautical Note: Many of the islands are sheltered and close in proximity. This allows for protected anchorages and short day sails to each destination allowing enough time to enjoy your surroundings.

Marmaris, Turkey

Charter a traditional Turkish vessel, called a Gullet, or charter a modern-day sailboat to explore the historically rich and vibrant coastal towns of Marmaris Bay. In the city, haggle with vendors at the local bazaar, experience a Turkish bath or find the local coffee shop to enjoy a thick Turkish coffee and decadent baklava. Tour a Turkish rug gallery, walk over ancient roman fortresses or swim in the aqua blue waters of the Mediterranean.

Nautical Note:  In this region, the wind is brisk that can promise a lively sail to each coastal destination. Anchorages are well protected.

Vavau, Tonga

Named the “Friendly Islands” by the legendary Captain Cook, this Vavau island group in Tonga lives up to its name. The Tongans are reserved but friendly, keeping to their traditions. Don’t be surprised if you find men wearing a traditional woven Tongan mat around their waist, called ta’ovala. This island nation does not have large cities, just villages where you can hear the rooster crow, smell the floral incense of burning coconut shells or partake in an Umu–a Tongan feast where the local dishes are cooked underground. It is a laid-back destination with pristine anchorages. This is also a destination for humpback whales from Antarctica. These mystic creatures come to the warm Tongan waters to mate and give birth. This is a popular location for diving and kite surfing.

Nautical Note: The sailing is exhilarating with steady summer breezes and islands within an hour’s sail or full day-sail.

Phuket, Thailand

Thailand is diverse. Some examples include an aromatic spicy cuisine, majestic Buddhist temples, intrepid rock climbing, sugary beaches and gracious people.  Visit a fishermen’s stilt village, James Bond Island where “Man with the Golden Gun” was filmed, or Ko Phi Phi Leh Island made famous by the film, “The Beach.”  All these destinations are only accessible by boat.  Explore seaside caves or barter with the local fisherman that stops by your vessel to sell the day’s catch. The choices are endless.

Nautical Note: Most Islands are within a day’s sail or island hop to farther destinations. Winds can range from 5-20 knots.

Pacific Northwest, Washington, USA

When cruising the waters of the Puget Sound you may have the good fortune of spotting an Orca whale pod or Humpback whales. Whether or not you see whales, the San Juan Islands have it all, from quaint sea-side towns to uninhabited forest-packed islands. Go to town for a grilled salmon or Dungeness crab dinner or put on your hiking shoes for a walk in the woods.  While sailing, you will see the white-capped mountain peaks of Mt. Rainer and Mt. Baker as you steer clear of a Washington ferry making way for port.

Nautical Note: When sailing watch for strong currents. Protected anchorages and marinas are abundant.

What companies charter boats?

Sunsail and Moorings have charter boats in the locations I have mentioned.  Both are reputable and have chartered vessels for many years. Also check out local operators for price and service comparisons, which may have more of a local flavor.

Remember: when you are chartering a boat, be flexible with your schedule and be safe. Fair Winds my friends.

Bio: Kelly “Girl” Waterhouse, has sailed to over 30 countries, covering 35,000 nautical miles with her husband, Kelly on their 35 foot sailboat (yes, they have the same name). Read more about their adventures on their website, Sailing the Waterhouse.

Why You Should Plan Your Next Getaway On a Boat is a post from: InspiringTravellers.com - Travel the World

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Our time in Lyon and Bordeaux was just wonderful. We got to re-connect with the things that we love about France. Like…

Bikes

If I close my eyes, I’ll still know I’m in a French city from the sound of the motorbikes buzzing in the streets.

Markets

Wherever you are in France, there will be a market in your neighbourhood. You can chat with the farmers and pick up fresh produce there. Usually you’ll be able to do this more than once a week. I love the atmosphere of a French market: lively, interesting and most definitely local.

Food shopping

Even if you don’t go to a market, there are heaps of specialty food shops in each neighbourhood. It’s so relaxing to spend time in each one, picking up what you need for that special meal. My daily baguette run was a highlight when we lived in Paris.

Quirkiness

I’m never bored in France. The people fascinate me and individuality is strong there.

Romance

Love is always in the air in France. It’s easy to get caught up in it yourself.

Wine and Sweets

France has some of the world’s most delicious wine and I’ve yet to meet a sweet I didn’t like there. Be sure to try many varieties of both on your travels through the country.

Shabby Chic

France is old. You see its tired face in the buildings and on the streets. Things are not always shiny and new. Its quality, however, is impeccable. France is home to some of the most beautiful buildings I’ve ever seen, amazing food, pace-setting culture and exquisite clothing and crafts. French style and quality is unsurpassed. The mix of old and new, high-end and low-market, traditional and modern is at the heart of its charms.

Pharmacies

There’s a green cross on just about every corner. Inside you’ll find helpful staff and all sorts of health products. These have always been handy for me when filling prescriptions on the road because you don’t always seem to need one. I always feel like the pharmacy staff in France really care and try to help you.

Crepes

I can’t get enough of these. I prefer the savoury ones, filled with cheese, mushrooms, spinach and ham – or whatever you fancy. It’s fun to watch them being made and there’s no better treat when you’re hungry after exploring the city.

What’s your favourite thing in France?

I Heart France – Things I Miss is a post from: InspiringTravellers.com - Travel the World

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Drinking wine in France is heavenly and highly recommended, but no country can be accurately assessed until its beer is sampled. Being there just over a week gave me a chance to try just a few beers:

La Goudale (Les Brasseurs de Gayant, Douai) – 7.2%

One of the styles of beer known as Biere de Garde, which refers to a special brew from the 14th century. This is a blonde lager-looking drop that is easy-drinking, but with a decent kick given the high alcohol content. Absolutely loved that this not only comes in a 75 cL bottle, but with a cork to boot. I’ve seen corked bottles in Belgium before, but can’t really recall trying too many (I love my dark ales too much!) I like to think the use of the cork is also a characteristic of the wine country it’s famous for.

3 Monts (Brasserie De Saint Sylvestre, Flanders) – 8.5%

I’d seen 3 Monts on beer menus all over the world before and knew it was French, just never got around to trying it. So now it was time. This is similar to La Goudale as it’s also a Biere de Garde and comes from the Flanders region of France (and with a cork!) There is also a windmill on the label which is gives its origin away. I enjoyed this beer more than La Goudale, maybe due to the even higher alcohol content, but I think it just had more body to it and a little more pizazz!

Belzebuth (Brasserie Grain d’Orge, Ronchin)– 13.0%

Belzebuth…the devil you drink. After a morning walk in Lyon, I called time out for the first drink of the day. Ooh, that little bar on the corner looks OK! Perusing their beer list, I selected this “extra forte” drop purely on the massive alcohol content. When it was delivered to our couch upstairs, I noticed the 25 cL bottle. The message there is “you only need this much, Mister!” Every malty mouthful is too be cherished and I was even more delighted when I read the label to see it was indeed a French beer.

Mont Bugey (Maison de Brasseur, Ain) – 6.6%

Walking through the old town of Lyon, I stumbled upon this awesome bottle shop called La Chope de Lug (9 Rue du Boeuf, www.lachopedelug.fr) I wish we had a fridge and were able to stock up on the amazing selection of beers here. I didn’t know where to begin, so the owner told me that all the beers were from local regions and he basically goes around to each microbrewery to pick up their offerings to stock his store. Awesome! He suggested this red ale which absolutely hit the spot. Delicious with a nice, creamy head and lingering aftertaste. I will be back there one day for sure.

Kronenbourg 1664 (Brasseries Kronenbourg, Obernai) – 5.5%

Not to be confused with its inferior cousin, the simple Kronenbourg, that extra 1664 makes all the difference. I know it’s the stock standard beer of France, but that doesn’t mean it’s not good. I’ll drink a Kronenbourg 1664 any day of the week, because the perfect mix of bitterness and smoothness makes it a great lager. Add the fact that it’s a slightly higher alcohol content than your average brew and you’ve got yourself a winner!

What’s your favourite French beer?

Beer In France: A Taste Of the Country is a post from: InspiringTravellers.com - Travel the World

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Aside from being France’s wine capital, Bordeaux is also a premier gourmet city. We found so many restaurants on offer that it was difficult to choose. Not to mention the fine food shops and gourmet staples like canelé cakes, lamb, oysters, foie gras and cured meat. It’s just as easy to get excited about the food in Bordeaux as it is the regional wines. Here’s a quick guide on where to eat well in Bordeaux (it won’t be difficult!)

Roasted veal from Cafe Lavinal in Medoc

What To Eat

If it’s authentic dishes from the region you are after, be sure to enjoy a rib steak (entrecote) with Bordelaise sauce or any of the fresh fish and shellfish on offer. Near Bordeaux are important meat producing regions like Bazas (for beef) and Pauillac (for lamb). Traditional French fare like snails, tripe, foie gras, duck confit and, of course, cheese are plentiful and everything is fresh. Vegetable lovers are also catered for with delicious Blaye asparagus, truffles and mushrooms (cepes). Local specialties continue with eel, chicken, Medoc pork belly, canelé cakes and macaroons.

Lobster cooked in fricassee; mashed potatoes with vanilla and Sauternes stock juice at Les Pavillon des Boulevards

On the far right are canelé cakes, ubiquitous in Bordeaux. Their caramelised shells give way to a tender centre with custard, vanilla and rum flavours.

Where To Eat

Start your day as the French do and (if you choose not to take breakfast at your hotel) enjoy a simple coffee and croissant at a café or bakery. Save that appetite for lunch where you can linger over a three course meal.

Oeufs meurette at Cafe Lavinal

Oysters at Le Bordeaux

If you’re hungry in between, or trying to eat cheap, you’ll have no trouble on your holidays anywhere in France. Simply head to one of the supermarkets, which will have plenty of fresh ingredients for a picnic, including ready-made sandwiches and salads.

Le Pavillons des Boulevards amuse bouche

Dinner in Bordeaux is usually between 7.30 and 9pm and it will be difficult to choose a venue. From brasseries to Michelin-starred restaurants, Bordeaux is full of delicious places to dine. Le Bordeaux brasserie has incredible dishes in an unbeatable historic atmosphere, or tuck into Cote de Boeuf for two and a well-priced bottle at La Brasserie Bordelaise (50 rue Saint Rémi, www.brasserie-bordelaise.fr) – be sure to book ahead as this place is always packed. For a fine dining experience, we recommend Le Pavillon des Boulevards (120, rue de la Croix de Seguey, 05 56 81 51 02).

Tarragon biscuit, lemon cream and yuzu sorbet at Le Pavillon des Boulevards

Where To Shop

Don’t miss the many gourmet food shops around town for your picnic along the quays or souvenir shopping. Bordeaux also has quite a few markets, the main one being Le Marche des Capucins at Place des Capucins (every day except Monday).

Chocolate sphere Fôret Noire inspiration at Le Pavillon des Boulevards

For cheese, Baud et Millet (19 Rue Huguerie) and Fromagerie Deruelle (66 Rue du Pas St George) both have excellent selections. Bread lovers must visit Fabrique Pain et Bricoles (47 Pas St Georges) while those with a sweet tooth will enjoy Palais des Saveurs (69 Rue du Palais Gallien) and Antoine (19 Cours Portal). You’re sure to find more of your own favourites around town. For spices, check out Dock des Epices (20 rue Saint-James). We were hard pressed to walk a street that didn’t have some sort of shop offering exquisite edibles, so just use your senses and explore.

Pair your selections with a bottle from any of the fine wine shops around town and just enjoy the day!

What do you like to eat in Bordeaux?

Don’t Forget the Food In Bordeaux is a post from: InspiringTravellers.com - Travel the World

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You can’t drink wine all day every day during your stay in Bordeaux. Okay, maybe you can, but be sure to take a wander around town in between sips. Here are some activities to keep you busy.

Explore the Old Town

Vieux Bordeaux is both beautiful and historical, with grand squares, fountains, statues, bridges, churches and bell towers. Grab your camera and just get lost there.

Visit a Museum

Bordeaux has over 20 museums and galleries, covering art, history, carpentry, science, technology, wine and more. Some of them are quite small, but still worth a visit if you have a particular area of interest.

Take a Cruise

Enjoy the views along the riverbanks from the Garonne River. It’s possible to have a lunch cruise, visit a vineyard or just enjoy the beautiful facades of Bordeaux in a relaxing way. The Bordeaux Tourism Office lists several different cruise companies and can assist you in booking a journey based on your interests.

See the Grand Théâtre

Whether you take a tour or enjoy a show at this incredible theatre, this is a must-do on a visit to Bordeaux.

Eat

Bordeaux is close to several important gourmet food producing regions and the city has a wide range of restaurants, brasseries and fine food shops. Be sure to try the Bordeaux specialties: foie gras, cepes, oysters, caviar, grilled meats and canelé cakes.

Shop

You’ll find excellent shopping here and it can be less expensive than Paris. Whether your tastes lean towards the triangle of luxury shops in the Les Grandes Hommes district or you’d rather look for bargains at the Quaides Marques factory outlets. Bordeaux has something for you. Don’t miss the Cours de l’Intendance with its beautiful townhouses, luxury boutiques and fine food shops, or the Passage Sarget, which is a 19^th century shopping arcade. Hit the Rue Notre Dame for antiques and bric-a-brac shops, or its Thursday morning organic market. The main food market is Le Marche des Capucins at Place des Capucins (every day except Monday).

If you’re after interesting women’s fashion, I highly recommend a visit to Peppa Gallo (24, rue Vital Carles, peppagallo.fr) for an authentic French shopping experience. The concierge at the Grand Hotel recommended it when I told him I was looking for clothes and it turned out to be the perfect place for me.

Visit St Emilion

This pretty World Heritage Site boasts interesting wines and a Monolithic Church. The most convenient way to visit is by taking a tourist bus from Bordeaux city. The train station is about a mile from the town and the stop can be difficult to find.

Check Out a Market

If you’re in town on a weekend, do not miss the Sunday country market on the quays for a real local experience. There are organic food markets on the Rue Notre Dame Thursday mornings and at Place Meunier on Friday mornings.

People Watch

Bordeaux is a lively, bustling city with plenty of outdoor cafés for relaxing and taking it all in. If you prefer a student atmosphere, stick to the areas around Place de la Victoire and on the quays. The Jardin Public is an English-style garden with plenty of places to walk and enjoy an experience with the locals.

Hire a Bike

This is the perfect way to see the city of Bordeaux and there are plenty of options (see this great round-up from Experience France by Bike)

What do you like to do when you’re not drinking wine in Bordeaux?

Special thanks to the Office de Tourisme de Bordeaux for their hospitality during our visit.

10 Things To Do In Bordeaux Besides Drink Wine is a post from: InspiringTravellers.com - Travel the World

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In Bordeaux, it pays to be rich, bold and unique. As beautiful as the city is, to truly experience its magic one should venture out into the surrounding wine regions, where these characteristics are embodied. Here much is on offer to lovers of the great grapes, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with their cousins, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec lending a hand. Those preferring white wine should stick to the Graves area, where Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon and Muscadelle are produced.

It is impossible to cover the whole of Bordeaux in one day on a wine tour. Distance will thwart you and, really, this is not a place where one wants to rush. Nor can you just hop into the car and drive around to open cellar doors on a whim, where awaiting winery staff are happy to pour you glasses of whatever you would like from the range of wines on offer. This is very much the culture in new world markets like Australia and the United States (and what we’re used to). Most Bordeaux vintages sell out two years in advance and so the châteaux don’t have to worry about receiving guests. They will happily receive you if a request is made, but be sure to plan this in advance and, most likely, during the week.

Château Rauzan-Segla

Because it was our first time in Bordeaux, we chose the Medoc region for our day out. This is the most famous of them all, home to many of the prestigious labels that command remarkable prices around the world (Lafite, Latour, Mouton Rothschild, etc). French rules are fussy. The appellation d’origine contrôlée (AOC) certifications dictate the manner in which certain products may be produced, the ingredients that may be used and where they may be aged. Napoleon’s 1855 Classification ranks the importance of the wines, distinguishing them by growth (first to fifth). But France’s classifications are old and times have changed – if you live by the classifications when it comes to choosing wines, you’ll miss out on many excellent, well-priced bottles. There are, perhaps, 10,000 châteaux in Bordeaux but only 500 are classified.

As with anything that is a matter of taste, there is no general rule when it comes to what is the best wine to drink. It’s all about what you like. But it is fascinating to learn about a wine region and why those particular wines are special. All wines are special because of the terroir, which takes into account things like the soil and microclimate, the age of the vine and, of course, the growing and winemaking process itself. Here the different terroir make the Medoc a unique place. There is no one particular style of wine that is characteristic of the region. Another reason it is a good choice for a tour.

Château Lafon-Rochet

Our day began before it began, with a note from our guide, Bogdan, left in our room at the Grand Hôtel. We had been looking forward to this tour for weeks, having booked with his company, Bordeaux Vertigo. He had crafted a plan just for us, with visits to a different winery from each of four appellations and across different growths. Driving into the country, we chatted about the region, its history and the wines we would taste. Bogdan recommended that you don’t need to go over 100 euros to get a good bottle of Bordeaux wine. He also illustrated some of the absurdities of Bordeaux wine pricing, like how 2000 and 2001 were both great years but the millennium vintage costs more because it is from that particular year.

Photo by John Spirov

A château visits always consists of a tour followed by a tasting. The producers want you to learn about their wines, not just stop in for a taste and then leave. This reminded us of our time in Mendoza, where they seem to follow this approach. It is possible to make appointments on your own and visit the different wineries with your own vehicle, but we much prefer to relax and let someone else do the driving. A good thing too because these wines are powerful!

Château Rauzan-Segla

Château Rauzan-Segla wine vats

Our first stop was in the appellation Margaux at the second-growth Château Rauzan-Segla, which is owned by same family that owns Chanel. Margaux is a more feminine classification, delicate and elegant, medium to full-bodied, and grown mainly in gravel, limestone and clay. This is a splendid property and we enjoyed the grounds as we walked around. After a visit to the stainless steel wine tank storage room, we proceeded to look at the barrels and then headed into a room where we tasted glasses of Château Rauzan-Segla. This is a deep ruby red wine that is meant for ageing.

Château Rauzan-Segla

Château Rauzan-Segla tasting

I should note that it really helps to know about the style of wines you taste in Bordeaux and to be able to use your imagination. What you taste will not be the aged incarnations of the wines when they are at their best. The open bottles are usually only a few years old and will need time to develop; young Bordeaux wines are often quite tannic and haven’t softened yet. Personally I find it a little more enjoyable to taste not only a wider variety of wines on a tour, but also to taste more mature cabernet sauvignons. John, on the other hand, was in heaven. Bordeaux is his favourite style and I think he was a little better prepared for this process than I was. That said, it was easy to see already that the Château Rauzan-Segla would develop into an exquisite wine. It was quite fruity with nice texture and a fragrant bouquet.

Bogdan, Andrea and John at Château Rauzan-Segla

Château Gruaud-Larose

Château Gruaud-Larose wine vats

Next we headed to appellation Saint-Julien, where what they lack in first-growths they make up for in consistency. Our visit was to Château Gruaud-Larose, a second-growth producer that actually has a reputation for being somewhat inconsistent. But these are still outstanding wines. We enjoyed our tastings of Château Gruaud-Larose 2007 and Le Sarget de Gruaud Larose 2004 so much that we picked up a bottle of Château Gruaud-Larose 1989 to have over the weekend.  Most of the châteaux have a second wine that is made from the vats not selected for the first label wine. These will be more affordable but still profitable for the château.

Château Gruaud-Larose barrels

Château Gruaud-Larose

An interesting aspect of the châteaux is all the high-tech equipment on-site. Gruaud-Larose has, for example, a hail cannon that can be used to dissipate hail when it is detected. I found it interesting that what happens on the ground is tightly controlled by French standards, but when it comes to weather modification, they stay out of it. And with all the technology used at many of the wineries, nothing is really left to chance. Consistency is another reason that Bordeaux wines can command such high prices. But as one of our Château guides mentioned at the end of the day, this also takes a lot of the romance out of winemaking.

Château Gruaud-Larose

Château Gruaud-Larose

Château Gruaud-Larose tasting

After this we stopped for a delicious lunch near Pauillac at Café Lavinal (Place Desquet in the Bages hamlet). This is a modern restaurant with typical local dishes and an excellent selection of wines by the glass. Here we enjoyed foie gras and oeufs (eggs) meurette with red wine sauce, diced bacon and mushrooms, along with roasted veal and duck. The portions were delicious and very generous, perfect for a day out wine tasting.

After lunch we proceeded to Château Lafon-Rochet in appellation Saint-Estèphe, where we were greeted by the biggest boxer I have ever seen. This is one of my favourite dog breeds and he was certainly a friendly ambassador for the property. Basile Tesseron, manager of the property, joined us shortly after that, explaining that this was his father’s dog, a treasured present and constant companion who had grown a bit larger than anticipated. We couldn’t get enough of the dog, but finally began our tour of this 120 acre, fourth-growth estate.

Château Lafon-Rochet

The vines of this family-owned and run château go back to the 17^th century and the wines attract a discerning audience of real connoisseurs, who appreciate their power, density and smoky aroma. We really enjoyed them, tasting both the Château Lafon Rochet and the second label, Les Pelerins de Lafon. This is another label that will do well aged for a couple of decades.

Finally, we reached our last château of the day: Lynch-Bages. This is a very popular fifth-growth estate producing a number of wines, including white. The current winemaker is Jean-Charles Cazes (since 1934); he is known for being the last to harvest in Pauillac. In contrast to  Lafon Rochet, Lynch-Bages is a very large producer. The property is very nice, with an interesting wine museum that we toured as part of our visit. Our last tastes of the day were the Château Lynch-Bages 2006 and Château Ormes de Pez 2006. The Château Lynch-Bages in particular is a very powerful, masculine wine, with both smoky and rich fruity flavours. Once again, these wines require quite a bit of ageing to really reveal themselves.

Château Lynch-Bages label machine

Every aspect of our day was a learning experience. I never knew, for example, that magnums provide the optimal bottle conditions for ageing. Or that egg whites are sometimes used to improve wine quality during the fining process. There was an added element of excitement and anticipation in the air as well, for the châteaux employees were all buzzing about futures coming up in two weeks – where buyers, journalists and critics come to taste the new vintage.

We highly recommend booking a tour with Bordeaux Vertigo as well. Bogdan is very friendly and extremely knowledgeable about the region and its producers and he will create a day based around your interests, whether you wish to see Medoc or another region. He even does tours to Cognac, which is already penciled in on John’s schedule for our next visit. If time or costs prohibit you from taking a wine tour to the châteaux during your stay in Bordeaux, be sure to do a tasting in the city. Bar a Vin (angle allee Tourny et cours du XXX julliet, vins-bordeaux.fr) offers wine tasting with an excellent selection of wines by the glass. It is also possible to take a wine class or sample wines at one of the many restaurants with good lists around town.

The Red, Red Wines Of the Medoc is a post from: InspiringTravellers.com - Travel the World

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“Bonjour, Mr. and Mrs. Spirov. Welcome!”

The doors of our car opened and suddenly we were whisked away to 18^th century glamour. Originally a private residence built by Victor Louis in 1779, the former buildings of the Hôtel de Roly are now the Grand Hôtel de Bordeaux and Spa. The current incarnation has kept every bit of its original charm and we felt as though we were guests in a palace.

Such a feeling can only arise from the thoughtfulness of your hosts and the attention to detail found in Jacques Garcia’s design. He oversaw the 2007 renovations here, ensuring that every touch is luxurious and elegant. Wherever the eye falls, one beholds rich fabrics, stonework, marble, handsome furniture and dazzling floral displays. And as you’ll quickly learn, a city like Bordeaux is the perfect place to indulge in such finery.

L’Orangerie

It’s difficult to know where to begin when describing this expansive property. Do I tell you about the brasserie, Le Bordeaux, where Victor Hugo and Toulouse Lautrec used to hang out? Or the pretty L’Orangerie, an inviting winter garden that makes a perfect social centerpiece for the hotel? The staff certainly deserves both a mention and kudos, for their constant attention and personable service. We never once felt like just faceless guests as we were always addressed by our names and with a warm smile.

Perhaps I should start with our room. If you can call it a room. We stayed in one of the five 65 sq metre Prestige Suites, complete with its own bar and separate living room. Overlooking the Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux, also built by Victor Louis, with its imposing statues and columns is just one of the delights of this room. Every possible amenity is accounted for, but should you desire something else, the fine concierge team, headed by Julien Manuello is on speed-dial. As members of the Leaders Club, a program of The Leading Hotels of the World, we are treated to upgrades, a welcome bottle of champagne, early check-in and late check-out considerations and special attention. Be sure to sign up if you stay at one of their properties.

It was difficult to tear ourselves away from our room sometimes, but this is a hotel for exploring.  We were eager to check out the hotel’s signature spa, Les Bains de Léa Spa Nuxe. Styled after the Roman baths, this is a haven for relaxation. Guests have access to the indoor counter-current swimming pool, fitness center, sauna and spa services in 10 treatment rooms. When the weather is nice, a favourite activity is to enjoy a dip in the Jacuzzi on the rooftop terrace. The panoramic views are not to be missed and in summer it is open for drinks. The spa uses exclusively organic Nuxe products and also offers a Turkish bath. The pool is especially marvelous at night when it is dark outside and little stars illuminate the ceiling. We made a habit of this activity in the evenings, followed by visits to the sauna.

The Le Bordeaux brasserie was the scene for a luscious lunch featuring traditional French dishes and local ingredients. We began with a selection of fresh raw oysters from different regions and spider crab ravioli with a ginger and mandarin oil emulsion, followed by mains of hake from French Basque country and tripe sausage with Espelette pepper. Desserts looked too good to pass up: profiteroles with vanilla bourbon and chocolate sauce and a chocolate and coffee cream cake. The brasserie is very historical and important to Lyon. It has been open since 1850 and is the only remaining restaurant of the Old Bordeaux.

If you’re merely thirsty, a drink at the dark and elegant Victor Bar, named for the two Victors, writer Victor Hugo and architect Victor Louis, is in order (we simply ordered night caps to be sent to our suite). The hotel is also the home of the exclusive Black Diamond night club, with its cigar cellar, smoking room and champagne cellar. No doubt this has been frequented by the many French and international celebrities staying at the hotel. If you are a guest of the Grand Hôtel de Bordeaux and Spa, you will feel like one too.

Le Grand Hôtel de Bordeaux and Spa is a post from: InspiringTravellers.com - Travel the World

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Our first attempt to visit Bordeaux back in 2005 was thwarted by an even more exciting opportunity: the chance to live in Paris. We always wanted to see the region eventually, so when deciding where to go on our trip to France this year, this beautiful city in the southwest was at the top of our list. We paired it with Lyon, which is quite a contrast. Yet the two have many things in common, including remarkable food, beautiful architecture and a rich history.

Along the Garonne river

Were it not for the language, ubiquitous cafes and delicious smells wafting out of the boulangeries and pâtisseries, Bordeaux is one of those places in France where you may stop and wonder if you are still in the country.  Here France suddenly feels capitalistic. Conversations shift to business and big money, château owners talk about Porsches and Bentleys and celebrity names are casually dropped. Likewise we never felt ashamed to live it up.

The city itself is beautiful. While rain is frequent, the sun also shines, bringing the locals to their favourite  squares and cafes. Bordeaux is very walkable, perfect for shopping or just taking in the classical, neoclassical and contemporary architecture: 350 buildings are listed or registered as historical monuments. Much more than just a wine hub, Bordeaux has been historically important to France (head to the Bordeaux Monumental exhibition near the Porte Caihau if you want to know more).

On our first morning we took a bus tour provided by the tourism office. Along the way we got a look at the port, which was crucial to the development of the city. Bordeaux was especially prosperous in the 18^th century through its direct trade with the West Indies. During this period the city’s merchants raced to build ships, rapidly growing the commercial fleet. Bordeaux became a port long before then in 100AD, when the city was known as Burdigala. Remnants of the city’s ancient past can still be seen at the Palais Gallien, the Gallo-Roman amphitheatre from the first and second centuries.

Of course, no essay on Bordeaux is complete without a mention of the main reason most visitors flock here: the wine. Just mention the words ‘Bordeaux red’ and the mind drifts to dusty cellared bottles worth thousands of dollars. Wine that must be carefully aged, savoured and sipped with your closest amis. Bordeaux has around 120,000 hectares of vines, 57 wine appellation d’origine contrôlée (AOC), 8,500 châteaux (producers) and many terroirs.

So for the next couple of weeks we look forward to bringing you along on our tour of this magical region. Bordeaux is truly a joy that must be discovered, tasted and experienced with your loved ones, much like the fine wines it produces.

Special thanks to the Office de Tourisme de Bordeaux for their hospitality during our visit.

La Vie de Bordeaux is a post from: InspiringTravellers.com - Travel the World

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Getting There

Lyon is close to several other major cities. By car it will take only an hour and a half to reach from Geneva, three hours from Marseille or Turin, four hours from Paris and six hours from Barcelona. If travelling by train, the journey to Paris is just under two hours with frequent trains departing. The two stations in the city are Part-Dieu and Perrache. Direct flights are available to 120 destinations.

From the Airport

While the city centre may seem small and compact, greater Lyon is actually quite large and the Saint Exupery airport is 25 km away from the heart of town. This makes taxis from the airport quite costly at around 70 euros with baggage and tip. The cheapest way to get to the city is to take the Rhonexpress tramway line, which connects to the Part-Dieu station in 30 minutes. Note that the station is in the city’s east and you will likely then need to take a taxi to your accommodation unless you are travelling light or with a backpack and don’t mind the walk.

Getting Around

Lyon has a variety of transportation modes once you reach the city centre. The system is clean and efficient, whether you travel by metro, tramway, bus or funicular. The Vélo’v system, with 4,000 bicycles and 343 pick-up and drop-off points in Lyon and Villeurebanne, is another way to get around. Lyon has 440km of cycling paths. Alternatively you can try the Cyclopolitains, electric tricycles with a driver that cost the price of a bus ticket.

Lyon City Card

We found our City Cards to be so handy for easy access to everything the city has to offer. Available for one to three days, the cards provide free admission to 22 museums, the planetarium and Guignol programmes, along with unlimited use of the public transportation system and free tours and visits. Discounts are also provided on the hop on hop off bus tour, the opera and theatres, guided excursions, bicycle and electric taxi tricycle hire, France Adventures and the aquarium. These can be purchased online or from the Lyon Tourist Office (Place Bellecour, 2^nd arrondissement).

Photo by John Spirov

Sweets at Mere Brazier

Events

There’s always something going on in Lyon. Some events coming up in 2013:

Les Nuits Sonores – Electronic Music Festival (7-12 May)

Vintage Fashion Market (13-14 June)

National Music Festival (21 June)

Fourviere Nights Festival – Concerts and plays in the Gallic-Roman Theatres (June-July)

Tout l’monde dehors Festival (Everybody Out!) – free outdoor arts events (June to Sept)

Jazz Music Festival (June)

Biennial of contemporary art (12 Sept – 5 Jan ’14)

Photo by John Spirov

National Monuments are freely open to the public (Sept)

Lyon marathon (Oct)

Lyon Festival of Cinema (14-20 Oct)

Festival Label Soie – homage to the silk tradition and silk market (Nov)

Beaujolias Nouveau Day (3rd Thurs of Nov)

Christmas Market – Place Carnot (Dec)

Festival of Lights (6-9 Dec, annual)

Shopping

French cities are amazing places for unique items and fabulous fashion. Lyon offers incredible new designers along with all the traditional luxury and high street brands. It’s also a great place to buy crafts and silk (such as at the Atelier de Soierie). Here’s a quick guide to the city’s shopping districts. Much of the action happens in the Presqu’île and I highly recommend a visit to My Presqu’île for a detailed look at the offerings of that district, some of which are included here.  The site publishes a handy guide with detailed maps of the various streets and shops.

Shopping areas

Carré D’Or – Find luxury brands between the Place Bellecour and the Place des Cordeliers.

Passage de l’Argue – This 19^th century glass-covered passage is one of France’s oldest arcades. Interesting shops can be found here including some with traditional charm.

Rue de la République – Lyon’s main shopping street with a wide variety of shops.

Auguste Comte quarter – This district is the place for antiques. Check out Rue Auguste Comte and the Rue de la Charité

Croix-Rousse – If you’re looking for something really special, head to this delightful neighbourhood, where young designers get their start at Le Village des Créateurs (19 Rue René Leynaud). Browse for vintage and designer clothing, books and other unique items. Streets of particular interest include Rue Romarin, Rue du Griffon and the Grande Côte.

Other shopping streets to note: Rue Gasparin, Rue Emile Zola, Rue Confort

Having fun in the Croix-Rousse

We hope you’ve enjoyed our tour of Lyon over the last few weeks. If you have any further questions about the city, feel free to leave them in the comments or visit www.lyon-france.com.

 Our time in Lyon was hosted by Rhône-Alpes Tourisme and ONLYLYON Tourisme et Congrès. All opinions, however, are always our own.

Visiting Lyon: Practicalities is a post from: InspiringTravellers.com - Travel the World

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As you may be able to tell by now, we absolutely loved Lyon. And while the city may seem small, rest assured there is more than plenty to do during a visit. Here are some of our favourite ideas:

Get Your Art Fix

Lyon oozes creativity. From its various art museums to the fashionable designers of the Croix-Rousse, you can find something to inspire you all over the city. Don’t miss Rue Auguste Comte and the surrounding streets of the Auguste Comte district, with their galleries, shops and antiques. Another must-visit is Les Subsistances if you enjoy the performing arts.

Go Wine Tasting In Beaujolais

Located just 30km, Beaujolais is home of light, fruity red wines that are great for daytime drinking. Hire a car and do it yourself, or just relax on a guided tour of the region.

Become a Foodie

If you don’t already love food, Lyon may just be the place to whet your appetite. Considered by many to be the gastronomic capital of France, the city is home to France’s most interesting cuisine. You’ll be tempted by the lively atmosphere of the city’s many bouchons (traditional restaurants) but it’s the meals you enjoy there that will leave lasting memories. For a more comprehensive exploration, look no further than the Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse food hall (102 cours Lafayette, hallesdelyon.free.fr).

Discover Ancient History

Lyon is over 2,000 years old. Whether you enjoy a wander in a place like the Gallo-Roman museum or a less structured exploration of the Renaissance facades in Old Lyon, the terribly old and romantic side of Lyon never shies from view.

Visit a Market

Like any French city, Lyon has several markets of interest. Shop for food alongside the top Lyonnais chefs at the Saint-Antoine market (Tues-Thurs, 6am to 12.30 pm and Fri-Sun 6am to 1.30pm along the banks of the Saône near Place Bellecour). The Croix-Rousse food market operates at the same times at Place de la Croix Rousse. If you don’t mind heading just a little out of town, you have the Sunday flea markets at Villeurbanne (take the Rhone Express T3 tram to the commune of Villeurbanne) and Les Puces du Canal (1 rue du canal, end of the T1 tramline).

Meet By a Mural

Incredible, life-like murals can be found all over the city and you’ll likely see the locals meeting up with their friends in front of them. Whether you need a meeting place or not, these tremendous creations must be examined on a tour of Lyon.

Check Out a Museum

In Lyon, beautiful buildings house the history and culture of the city. Whatever you fancy, there will be a museum for it. Constantly changing exhibits mean there will be something new to see every time you visit Lyon. And don’t forget the grandest museum of all: the city itself.

Enjoy the Outdoors

If the weather is nice, don’t miss the remarkable Tête d’Or park with its botanical gardens, lake, zoo, rose garden and events. This is a great place to mix with the locals. The Île Barbe is also a nice place for a walk.

Relax At Place Sathonay

This is probably the most popular square in the city, great for people-watching over a drink or getting involved in a game of boules.

Place Sathonay

Open Your Wallet

Lyon has fabulous shopping, from luxury brands and franchises to cutting edge designer boutiques with items that you won’t find anywhere else. The major French department stores, Printemps and Galleries Lafayette are also represented (bring your passport for 10% off). See our next post on practicalities for a guide to the shopping.

See a Show

The Lyon National Opera is world-famous and the Lyon Auditorium also has its own National Orchestra. The Maison de la Danse is the place for dance buffs, while Théâtre des Célestins offers drama. You can even see puppet shows across three different theaters. You should definitely get your culture on in Lyon.

Count Your Lucky Stars

Michelin that is. Lyon boasts 14 Michelin-starred restaurants. So if you’ve ever had a hankering for a high-end meal, this is the place to splurge.

Foie gras at Le Gourmet de Seze

Tour the Traboules

The most beautiful way to get from streets A to B is through a fancy historic passageway that you can only find in Lyon. Grab a map and discover the city’s hidden beauty.

Enjoy the Views

Lyon has two hills, which make excellent vantage points. On a clear day take the ‘ficelle’ to the top of Fourvière Hill, where you can gain extra height at the top of the Fourvière Basilica. The Croix-Rousse neighbourhood with its terraced slopes also allows for excellent viewing.

Take a Walk In the Dark

Lyon is simply gorgeous when night falls. Light bounces off the rivers and illuminates 325 of the city’s monuments and sites. If you really want to see the city at its brightest, come for the annual Festival of Lights in December

What’s your favourite thing to do in Lyon?

Our time in Lyon was hosted by Rhône-Alpes Tourisme and ONLYLYON Tourisme et Congrès. All opinions, however, are always our own.

15 Things To Do In Lyon, France is a post from: InspiringTravellers.com - Travel the World

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If Lyon’s lively murals captured your imagination, you might like to wander down to the Etats-Unis district for a visit to the Tony Garnier Urban Museum (4 rue des Serpollieres, mutg.org), where 25 unique murals celebrate the works of this Lyon architect and town planner.

Garnier was responsible for several important structures in Lyon’s east. The old city slaughterhouses, Halle Tony Garnier, are now an auditorium used for shows and exhibitions. The Gerland Stadium, Edouard Herriot Hospital at Grange Blanche and the Tony Garnier public housing development are all creations that he worked on.

The slaughter-house of La Mouche: a covered market that is part of the ‘City of meat’ covering over 61 acres. Cattle were sold here.

Les annees 1900 – the 1900s, the time in which Garnier evolves. The top half depicts the industrial area while advertisements tell a story of the progression of time.

He may not have become as well known had it not been for his partnership with Edouard Herriot, who was the mayor of Lyon during the 1920s when their utopia came into existence. Herriot announced his plan to create a “plan for the extension and embellishment of the City of Lyon” in 1912. He foresaw the creation of an industrial boulevard that would co-exist with the workers’ housing. This was a natural fit for Garnier, who had been hard at work on his project of an ideal “Industrial City.” Because the United States had entered into the world conflict by 1917, Herriot thought it would be fitting to give the industrial boulevard the name “Etats-Unis Avenue.”

The station

Garnier studied in Italy and it is possible to see Mediterranean influences in his work. He favoured simple and functional shapes for the interior of the houses.

It would be in the area where the museum is now situated that this grand idea would be born. Prior to the construction of the public housing estate, the area was rural with only a few cottages and farms dotting the fields. Small country housing estates sprang up around 1900. In between the wars, shacks were built alongside inexpensive public housing. The housing and employment crisis brought many people to this area seeking factory work and a place to live. Garnier’s council houses weren’t fully realized until around 1921, with the first tenants moving in 12 years later. These buildings underwent renovations from 1985 to 1997. Later it was decided to paint the windowless walls with murals as homage to the complex’s creator, a project that was undertaken by CitéCréation, who are also responsible for many of the murals around Lyon.

A hospital in utopia. The Eduoard Herriot hospital is built along the same principles as this drawing: residential, isolated, peaceful.

The Clock Tower

The museum itself is an open-air museum. Pick up a guidebook when you buy your ticket for an explanation of the various panels. The neighbourhood’s 4,000 inhabitants are also part of the exhibit in a way, as you’ll be passing through their parks and corridors, and perhaps visiting their local shops as you enjoy your tour.

The museum also includes a section of murals called “Ideal Cities of the World.” These have been imagined by international artists. This one is the Ideal City of India.

The Ideal City of Mexico by Marisa Lara and Arturo Guerrero

The Ideal City of Russia by Gregory Chestakov

The Ideal City Of the Ivory Coast by Youssouf Bath

There are several other murals on display in the Etats-Unis District that are technically not part of the museum. Here, for example, is the Ideal City of Quebec.

Getting there: Take the tram T2 east to the T4 (direction porte des Alpes; the change is at the Jet d’eau/Mendes France stop). Take T4 direction hospital Feyzin and stop at Etats-Unis/musee Tony Garnier.

Our time in Lyon was hosted by Rhône-Alpes Tourisme and ONLYLYON Tourisme et Congrès. All opinions, however, are always our own.

Tony Garnier Urban Museum And the Etats-Unis District, Lyon is a post from: InspiringTravellers.com - Travel the World

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Wandering the streets of Lyon, the city’s incredible murals are difficult to miss. These huge, beautiful paintings adorn buildings and walls, capturing the essence of life in this vibrant city.

The La Fresque des Lyonnais captures the images of all of Lyon’s most famous residents from ancient times to the present day.

The frescoes have been created by many different artists, including Cité Création, which is also responsible for murals in many other cities. Along with Berlin, Lyon is one of Europe’s most famous mural cities.

Photo by John Spirov

It’s easy to see the murals with or without a guide. Turn a few corners and you’ll likely encounter one – Lyon has around 100! If you don’t want to leave it to chance, it’s possible to take a guided tour by bus or to use the new Lyon Tourism and Conventions iPhone app (look for “Murs Peints”).

The Mur de Canuts (or “Silk Weavers’ Wall”) was the first to be painted in Lyon. This 1200 square metre painting tells the story of the Croix-Rousse district and is updated every decade.

For a museum of murals, head out to the Tony Garnier Urban Museum, which is an open-air museum dedicated to this iconic architect that will help you learn more about the city of Lyon as well. More on this in our next post.

Our time in Lyon was hosted by Rhône-Alpes Tourisme and ONLYLYON Tourisme et Congrès. All opinions, however, are always our own.

Murals Of Lyon is a post from: InspiringTravellers.com - Travel the World

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If you’re looking to step just a little bit away from the hustle and bustle of Old Lyon and the Presqu’île, a great hotel to check out is the Warwick Reine Astrid. Located across the Rhône in the prestigious sixth arrondissement, this all-suite hotel offers a perfect location overlooking the beautiful Tête d’Or park. Guests still have easy access to the Presqu’île (about a 15 minute walk or short metro ride) but can retreat at the end of the day to a roomy suite in a beautiful, quiet neighbourhood.

Our favourite thing about this hotel was our huge room, which is pretty much an apartment. Like all the suites at the Warwick Reine Astrid, our Premium Suite had its own fully equipped kitchenette, separate bedroom, cable television, free wireless internet, a mini-bar, lots of closet space and a separate toilet. We had two televisions, a comfortable desk, fantastic views of the park and plenty of space to spread out. The hotel has lots of amenities, including a business centre, fitness centre, sauna and steam room, spa services, an outdoor terrace and a restaurant.

This is a great part of town with access to some lesser-visited attractions. The location is perfect if you have meetings in the Part-Dieu business district, where you’ll also find a major shopping zone, the Auditorium (home of the Lyon National Orchestra), the ‘pencil’ building and the new train station. The latter is great for easy access to the airport trains as the Lyon airport is quite far from the city.

Tête d’Or park

A must-visit is the Tête d’Or park, one of France’s largest (105 hectares) and most beautiful city parks. Beautiful tree-lined pathways divide sprawling lawns with beautiful flowers everywhere. Visit the African Plain for a look at 130 animals and a wonderful cultural experience on the weekends when families gather to enjoy the outdoors.

Your Own Space: Warwick Reine Astrid, Lyon is a post from: InspiringTravellers.com - Travel the World

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If you do only one thing in Lyon, be sure to eat. Eat a lot. Spare no expense. Try everything, even if you’ve never heard of it before or it falls outside your normal gastronomic comfort zone. Just eat.

Lyon is home to 2,000 restaurants, 14 of which have been awarded Michelin stars for 2013. The tradition of incredible cuisine in Lyon began in the late 19th and 20th centuries with a group of women called the ‘Mère Lyonnaises,’ or “Lyon mothers.” Wealthy families at that time had to let their cooks go and some of these women went on to find work in local restaurants or to start their own. And so began the ‘bouchons,’ which are the small traditional restaurants of Lyon that serve up local specialties in a convivial atmosphere. You’ll often be eating at long tables with family-sized portions of at least some of the dishes to be shared.

The region is known for its excellent produce. So what you’re eating didn’t come from very far away. It doesn’t matter where you eat or at what price range; the food will be fresh and local. We had dinners at both a bouchon and a brasserie, and one lunch and one dinner each at Michelin-starred restaurants. Perhaps I’ll stop talking now and just do a little show and tell about what we ate. We paid for these meals on our own, by the way, so there is no bias here. The food was absolutely sensational.

Beginnings

A long dégustation lunch at Mère Brazier (12, Rue Royale, lamerebrazier.fr, two Michelin stars) is a foodie must. Just relax as we did and ask them to choose some wines to pair with each course and you cannot go wrong. Long lunches are a French birthright and you can rationalize away the bill by reminding yourself that this isn’t just a meal, it’s a cultural mainstay.

Snails and frogs on watercress with raw and cooked asparagus and a garlic emulsion at Mere Brazier

I have been enjoying my review of these photos and the menus that accompany them (don’t forget to ask for your ‘copie du menu’ as you leave) because I speak enough French to get around and I really try hard to speak as much of the language as possible when I’m in the country. It’s particularly helpful in France because even in the large cities you will encounter many people who don’t speak much or any English. Of course, in the finer restaurants English is almost always spoken and you can often get an English menu. But I am stubborn! Anyway, sitting here now translating the menu at home, I had no idea there were frogs accompanying the snails in this dish but it was absolutely delightful. As were the two seafood dishes that followed.

Crustaceans with a citrus emulsion at Mere Brazier

Scallops with lemon, green pepper and fennel at Mere Brazier.

At a bouchon, the first course may be a trio of salads, as we found at the wonderful Le Bouchon des Filles (20, rue Sergent-Blandan, 04 78 30 40 44). Typical bouchon dishes include (in English): chitterling sausage, dumplings, different chicken dishes, roasted pork and all kinds of offal. I had actually never seen a “triperie” until visiting Lyon.

Salads at Le Bouchon des Filles included a traditional ‘salade Lyonnaise’ (right), one that was like a coleslaw with spicy mustard and another with lentils. They’re all delicious but don’t fill up!

Our second Michelin-starred experience was at Le Gourmet de Sèze (129, Rue de Sèze, le-gourmet-de-seze.com, one star). Here I had one of my most memorable dishes in Lyon. Again, I did not know what it was and could not figure it out with the waiter due to a language barrier but I should have known it was one of my all-time favourite things to eat: sweetbreads.

Veal sweetbreads with a creamy Port glaze, creamed peas and glazed carrots at Le Gourmet de Seze.

Main Dishes

Main dishes are always a bit heartier, even more so at the bouchons…

A large quenelle (ground fish dumpling) at Le Bouchon de Filles

Blood sausage with apples in a crispy puff pastry at Le Bouchon des Filles

Move over Argentina. This blood sausage was the best I’ve ever tasted and the pairing with warm baked apples in a pastry was divine. The blood sausage (boudin noir) is traditionally served with apples (pommes). Look out for it. Back at Mère Brazier, we were enjoying pigeon during the main course, which I’ve never had before but thoroughly enjoyed.

Pigeon breast with glazed turnips; the puff pastry sits atop a portion of giblet consomme with wasabi and lime – at Mere Brazier

Mère Brazier is an important historical restaurant in Lyon. Mère Brazier was the first woman to receive three Michelin stars. It was here that France’s most famous chef, Lyon-based Paul Bocuse, did his apprenticeship. Since 2008 the executive chef here is Mathieu Viannay – and he is doing a spectacular job.

Tender delicious roasted lamb with a cauliflower tart at Le Gourmet de Seze

Endings

We really should skip the cheese course but that is impossible for us when in France – we love it too much. At least if you are eating so much at lunch you have the evening to recover…

Cheese plate at Le Gourmet de Seze

The reason to skip the cheese becomes apparent when you realize how seriously the French take dessert. The sweets never stop coming, each one more beautiful and decadent than the last. The French are also obsessed with chocolate fondant, which is great because we are too.

Chocolate fondant with caramel ice cream at Le Bouchon des Filles

Chocolate fondant at Le Gourmet de Seze

The best madeleine I’ve ever had at Mere Brazier, with other sweets

My beautiful lychee and grapefruit dessert at Mere Brazier

Three more desserts at Le Gourmet de Seze

It’s also fun to try new things when dining in a foreign country. Our big discovery in Lyon was a drink called Chartreuse. It’s green.

And it’s 54%. Something I would only try after already having an aperitif and sharing a bottle of Pinot Noir with my husband.

It’s made, surprisingly, by monks from Grenoble with 130 different herbal extracts. If you’re thinking a medicinal taste, I might say yes but that would be doing this liqueur a tremendous disservice. It’s pretty delicious, starting out very sweet in your mouth but with a powerful, extremely complicated finish. I couldn’t have more than one or two sips, albeit big sips. But I couldn’t believe how much I liked it.

Bon appetit!

What is your favourite French dish?

Lyon: Gastronomic Paradise is a post from: InspiringTravellers.com - Travel the World

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A major attraction for visits to Lyon is the city’s famous traboules, which are simply corridors through buildings and their courtyards. During the Middle Ages there were only a few parallel streets in Old Lyon between Fourvière Hill and the Saône river, so the first of these passages were built to connect one street directly with another.

Each traboule is unique in its architectural style, with different points of interest. They are at once secret passageways, galleries and windows into the life of the people in Lyon. Spiral staircases and balconies are interesting elements to admire here and you can peek at the different mailboxes and windows as you pass through.

Traboules exist not just in Old Lyon, but also in other parts of the city. It is possible to find them in the Presqu’ile and also in the Croix-Rousse, which is a fascinating district that should be explored all on its own. This is the historical silk weavers’ neighbourhood, where live-in workshops were constructed in the 19th century. There the traboules were used to transport silk yarn and cloth bolts and were also used as gathering places for the workers. This is how the area got its name of ‘the workers’ hill.’

When exploring the traboules it’s important to be as quiet as possible because people are living in these buildings. This is especially important if you visit on a weekend morning. Some traboules are officially open to the public all the time, while others are open in the morning for service, providing access to all. To open the doors, press the service button at the entry keypad. You should not visit the traboules at night.

All of Lyon’s traboules and courtyards are marked on a free map and guidebook from the Lyon Tourism and Conventions Bureau. There is also a new iPhone app called “Traboules” available from the iTunes store, which will help visitors discover the traboules around the city. Should you like a little more guidance and information, you can organize a two hour tour of the traboules, either in Vieux (Old) Lyon or in the Croix-Rousse. We took a general tour of the Old Town with our guide, Jérôme, and it was fantastic. He showed us several gorgeous traboules as well as many other points of interest in the city.

After a morning exploring the traboules, it’s nice to take a drink somewhere and watch a game of boules (not that you would want, or be able, to confuse the two). In Australia we have the game of lawn bowls but in France it’s all about the boules, also known as pétanque. You’ll find boules courts all over the city, especially in parks and gathering places.

One afternoon, after visiting the Lumière Museum, we encountered a few lively games of boules in the 8th arrondissement. It was fun to stop and watch the games and we found that most passers-by were drawn into the action.

The object is to get your balls as close to the  smaller object ball, either by throwing the ball close to it in the first instance, or by striking the small ball to move it closer to your own balls. Sounds easy enough…

Our time in Lyon was hosted by Rhône-Alpes Tourisme and ONLYLYON Tourisme et Congrès. All opinions, however, are always our own.

Boules and Traboules In Lyon is a post from: InspiringTravellers.com - Travel the World

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Did you know that the cinema was invented in Lyon?

During the 19th century, two smart and talented brothers began to experiment with animated pictures under the suggestion of their father, photographer Antoine Lumière. The pair had already discovered several new photographic processes and, in 1895 registered their first patent for the cinematograph and made the first ever film. While Auguste and Louis Lumière did not continue to make movies (they went on to invent colour photography), their invention spread to the rest of the world and provided the first seeds of the movie industry as we know it today.

A miniature airship at the Miniature Museum in Lyon.

Because of these prolific inventors, Lyon has always had a strong connection to film. The Grand Lyon Film Festival is in its fifth year (visit 14 – 20 October 2013 to attend that) and from June to September annually the city explodes with open-air cinemas. The city is also home to film and television studios as well as a few museums dedicated to the subject. These include the Model and Cinema Decor Museum, Musée Lumière and Musée Miniature et Cinéma. Let’s look at the latter two, which we visited.

The Musée Miniature et Cinéma (60 rue Saint Jean, Vieux Lyon, www.museeminiatureetcinema.fr) is home to two different collections. The first is a collection of 300 film artefacts, including models, costumes, props, set pieces, masks and robots from movies made in Europe and the United States. The second collection is of miniatures, not only the 100 miniature scenes but also over 1,000 miniature items that could keep you busy for an entire day if you looked closely at each one.

A tiny set at the Miniature and Film Museum.

This is an awesome museum spread over several floors. We loved checking out all the different exhibits – it’s like a behind the scenes tour of popular films that lets you understand just how they make such complex visuals appear on screen. There’s a real artistry and craftsmanship involved in the creation of everything in the museum. The miniatures are unbelievable. I couldn’t stop thinking about the tiny tools and dexterity that would be required to create such tiny scenes and items. The museum also has quite a few puppets and figurines, also with exquisite details. This is a great activity for families as well; any sensitive exhibits are clearly marked and placed in separate rooms.

Masks from Being John Malkovich and other films.

Another excellent museum to see if you’re interested in film and photography is the Musée Lumière (25 rue du Premier-Film, Lyon 8er, www.institut-lumiere.org). This is more of a historical museum, housing a collection of old film apparatus such as the “No 1″ Cinematograph, which was used to show the first 33 people to ever watch a movie, an event that occurred in the Grand Café in Paris in 1895.

The museum building is actually the Lumière family mansion and it takes visitors through the history of film and the various stages in its creation. It also explores colour photography. The museum also has a reading room, film archives, exhibitions on the Lumière family, a library and park. At the First Film Warehouse, visitors can see the first ever film set and, every evening, a film screening.

Early 3D at the Lumiere Museum

Our time in Lyon was hosted by Rhône-Alpes Tourisme and ONLYLYON Tourisme et Congrès. All opinions, however, are always our own.

Movie and Miniature Magic In Lyon is a post from: InspiringTravellers.com - Travel the World

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It is always a pleasure to spend time in France. John and I had not visited the country since 2005, which is way too long. So we were delighted to have four wonderful days to explore Lyon last week.

Streets of Old Lyon

Lyon is a historic city, with 2,000 years under its belt and a dramatic range of architecture, historical sites and cultural attractions as a result. It is also a gastronomic powerhouse, which is what drew us to the city to begin with. We were so pleased to learn that there is so much more to Lyon than just its cuisine (although a visit for the food alone will not disappoint you). We encountered friendly people, fascinating neighbourhoods, a variety of excellent museums and a shopper’s paradise.

Inside a bouchon, the traditional restaurants of Lyon

One of Lyon’s many murals

Sunday farmer’s market in Lyon

The city centre of Lyon is made up of nine different districts, or arrondissements as they are known in French. 500 hectares have been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1998 and four of the districts are of particular interest. These are Fourvière hill, with its Gallo-Roman heritage, mediaeval and Renaissance Old Lyon (‘Vieux-Lyon’), the Presqu’île (which means ‘peninsula’), and the Croix-Rousse, which is famous for its historical importance in the silk trade. We found that we could have easily explored the city for weeks because Lyon has plenty of other neighbourhoods of interest in addition to these.

Fourviere  hill

Lyon’s famous traboules

Roman ruins in Lyon

At night, 325 sites and monuments are lit up, which makes it just as nice a time to explore the city as during the day. We enjoyed a number of fine meals across all price ranges and made new discoveries at every turn. Lyon is one of France’s largest cities yet it feels quite small. That said, there are heaps of events to be experienced across the city and throughout the year and the many university students add a fantastic vibe.

These photos are just a preview of what’s to come as we explore Lyon in-depth over our next several posts.

Many thanks to Rhône-Alpes Tourisme and ONLYLYON Tourisme et Congrès for hosting us during our time in Lyon.

Exploring Lovely Lyon, France is a post from: InspiringTravellers.com - Travel the World

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Flying. We’re not fans, but it’s a necessary evil for the frequent traveller. Today we have a guest post from the author of Flights And Frustration with a look at a very important question to consider when booking your ticket on an airplane.

When you book your trip away you consider all the important details such as hotel, transport and insurance; yet somehow you can be thrown by the question “Would you like a window or an aisle seat, sir?”

This fairly standard question at check-in may often be taken lightly by some who just opt for their immediate preference. Yet if we look at the pros and cons of this decision would you decide differently?

Boarding

Amid all the clamour to get onto the aircraft, irrespective of flying economy or business class there can be mayhem at boarding. Everyone pushing and shoving and generally impatient even though the cabin crew are waiting until you are all seated.

If you opt for the aisle then it is relatively easy to get to your seat. On the downside, however, you just sit there and get clobbered by the bags of everyone else as they pass by to get to their seat.

Choosing the window seat here is a good way to protect your head and shoulders from the bruises caused by that backpacker’s rucksack, however you may have to ask the person already in an aisle seat to move so you can get to your seat.

View

Sitting by the window is a clear winner in this category as you get to enjoy the great views on a relatively clear day for a flight, unless of course you are seated over the wing where your view could be obscured. The poor guy in the aisle seat, keen to see where we are has to sneakily peer over shoulders on either side to catch a glimpse through the window.

On the other hand if you are afraid of flying it maybe easier for you not to be near the window at all.

Going to the toilet

Okay so this can be critical, especially if you have a weak bladder or are ill. On the one hand, if you are in the aisle seat you have quick and easy access to the toilets. On the downside, if the person in the window seat has to keep climbing over you to get to the toilet you’ll soon become annoyed and won’t be able to sleep.

This really comes down to your tolerance and how long you think the flight will be.

Length of flight

Like the bathroom issue above, the length of flight could be a big factor in the decision you make. Should it be a short haul trip of an hour, then maybe you’ll tolerate not getting your preference. But if you’re like me, you’ve made numerous long haul flights from the UK to Australia and you really want to be in your preferred choice for around a day’s length of flying.

Comfort

You really have to consider your comfort here, especially in light of the length of time for the flight. If you get claustrophobic, for example, then being crammed in by the window could cause a mild panic attack.

Sitting in the aisle provides more comfort as you can at least stretch one, if not both legs out into the aisle. You also have more scope for elbow room on at least one side. There’s nothing worse than no elbow room!

Emergencies

Thankfully I’ve never experienced one of these, yet we are always told about them before we take off. Should the worst happen, then the aisle seat has a lot of appeal. A quick release of the seat belt and you get in the queue to exit asap.

If you are stuck by the window, then tough luck really; you have to wait your turn. There is one big potential plus here though with the window seat. If you get an emergency exit seat you are right by the door and can be the first off the plane!

The overhead bin

This is pretty much like the toilet issue. You’ve brought lots of accessories or need to work on something during the flight. Having to unpack after take off, then pack away before landing is a real pain. Having an aisle seat gives you ease of access to bob up and down at your leisure.

However, poor Mr. Businessman by the window has to make frequent polite requests to get by so he can get to his luggage in the overhead bin.

Exiting the plane

The flight is over and all everyone wants to do is get off this plane. Poor old you stuck by the window, sorry you are not going anywhere for a while. You’ll have to wait your turn. If you are really eager to leave then you end up standing with a crouch as you can’t stand straight up whilst you wait for a gap in the queue.

As for the guy by the aisle, well, things couldn’t be better. As soon as that seat belt sign goes off he’s up and grabbing his bags. His place in the queue is already pre-set and he knows when he is likely to leave the plane.

So how about you? What is your seat preference when it comes to flying? Do you choose a different type of seat depending up which flight you are on? I know I do. However one thing is for certain, it is very rare to see someone ask to be seated in the middle of a row of three seats.

Bio: The Guy has been a frequent business traveller for more than a dozen years. The number of flights he has taken falls into the thousands whilst his frequent flyer miles are in the millions. Read more of his experiences on his blog Flights And Frustration – the rants, ramblings and ruminations of a frequent traveller. You can follow The Guy on Twitter or on Facebook.

Would You Like A Window Or An Aisle Seat, Sir? is a post from: InspiringTravellers.com - Travel the World

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At the end of last year I mentioned that we would likely make a change in residence this year. So perhaps a few of you are waiting for an update on that…

We are always in search of that ideal situation. John’s career allows us to travel and experience different cultures by living as expatriates. The more we move around, the more I appreciate the ways that a location has such a variety of unique positives and negatives that makes it more or less desirable as a place to live. And those can really change depending on the life stage of the person considering them. Global shifts also make it appealing for us to stay flexible — one place may be very attractive for a few years and then that can completely change because of world events.

Baku, Azerbaijan Рphoto by Sefer̤ik from Flickr

All that said, we are at a point where we don’t want to be moving to a new country every year. John is in search of the best move for his career and we both look to places that are the most appropriate for raising a young family when we have one. Our time in Norway has been completely frustrating. Have you ever moved somewhere or undertaken a project where it felt like at every step forces were working against you? Where every move you made was met with opposition or strife? That pretty much sums up our time here. With a few (a very few) exceptions, it’s been almost as if the universe is saying: “Get out…” (Remember Eddie Murphy’s poltergeist voice in Delirious? Yeah, that’s become kind of a running joke in our house).

Too bad we can’t stay, baby.

So we’ve been looking around. I thought it might be interesting to share some of the destinations we’ve seriously considered. I just came across the HSBC Expat Explorer Survey, which I had not seen before but seems to be very popular. Singapore and Thailand are the highest ranked overall. I am a little surprised by Thailand being second, not so surprised by Singapore, though for me it’s not so appealing because of the humidity and how far away it is from Europe and North America. If we were to go there we might as well just move to John’s hometown of Perth. Cayman Islands or Bermuda? Uh, yes please. Too bad those aren’t really an option for us work-wise. South Africa ranks higher than Australia? That’s interesting. I’ve never been to South Africa but I would not have picked that one just based on economic indicators. Norway isn’t even listed. I should note that if you tick the box for “Raising Children Abroad” (in addition to the other ones) you get a completely different list, with Hong Kong, Australia, Canada and the Netherlands leading the pack.

But never mind about everyone else’s opinion. Here are some of the places we’ve seriously considered:

Azerbaijan

A job opportunity in Baku came up at the end of last year. It was a rotational position, which would have meant that we spent eight weeks in the city and then had two weeks off (repeat). Very appealing for travellers. Not so much when the contract would require the selection of only one destination to fly in and out from every time. These packages are really geared towards workers who leave their families in their home country when they go away for the ‘on’ rotations. We don’t have one home city we would choose. And even if we did, going back there every two months is not appealing to us in the slightest. We didn’t want to fork out the extra money for onward flights so we had to let this one go.

I don’t know much about Baku. The culture would have been interesting to explore for a year or so and the location is pretty central. I liked the fact that there is a decent sized expat population and that I could potentially learn Russian and practice it there. More on that later.

Expat Explorer Survey says: Not listed

St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada – photo by natalielucier from Flickr

Canada

O Canada – why not? We’ve always wanted to travel there. I visited Vancouver and Victoria many years ago and enjoyed it. Canadians are friendly and we wouldn’t have a language barrier. They have a public healthcare system that is similar to that of Australia and Norway, so we wouldn’t have to deal with private insurance waiting periods and premiums, etc. Of course, the job was in St. John’s, which isn’t exactly Toronto or close to anywhere else in the country. Things would be expensive there as they are in most places that are presented to us. The weather would not be an improvement to Stavanger, in fact, it sounded slightly worse. In fact, the entire island sounded a bit like Stavanger based on things I read in a few expat forums. But Canada remains on our list as a potential place to live should the right opportunity arise.

Expat Explorer Survey says: #21 (#3 if you have kids)

Europe

I’ve lumped the European countries all together because that’s about the way we talk when we look at jobs anywhere in the EU. If you aren’t qualified to work in the European Union (either as a resident or because you have a UK passport), the visa restrictions can be a huge pain in the arse. An agent dealing with a job in France told us it can take six months for a work permit – just a preview of the French bureaucracy if we actually moved there, I suppose. Netherlands employers never seemed to get back to us, we assume for the same reasons. Ditto for Spain and Italy. These would be amazing places to live for the cultural experience, of course, but salaries are also lower, taxes high and languages would have to be learned. At least we have a head start with our Spanish and Italian.

Expat Explorer Survey says: Only Switzerland, Spain, Germany and Belgium make the top 20. If you have kids, the Netherlands ranks number four for raising children.

Qatar

Both Qatar and Oman have been on our minds for the last couple of years as potential places to live. The latter is the most appealing for us as a Middle Eastern destination but we have not seen a single job advertised there. Qatar looks good for salaries and taxes, good infrastructure for expats, cultural interest and location. Doha would be a smaller city compared to a place like Dubai. We are still considering both of these.

Expat Explorer Survey says: #16 (not enough data for those raising children)

Doha, Qatar skyline – photo by etnobofin from Flickr

Russia

I would absolutely love the chance to live in Moscow. Russian history fascinates me, both past and present. I’m also really keen to learn the language. Of course, Moscow is very expensive and I’m not sure how it stacks up when it comes to things like healthcare. But the salaries are high, taxes are low and the cultural experience factor tremendous. Unfortunately we’ve seen fewer and fewer job opportunities here as the months go by. Those that we do see are in places like Sakhalin, which doesn’t really appeal to us. If I’m going to a place like Russia, where the language barrier is going to be huge and the culture and politics completely different than places I’ve experienced before, I want to be in a major city.

Expat Explorer Survey says: Not listed

United Arab Emirates

Dubai isn’t exactly my idea of a fabulous travel destination but I think living there wouldn’t be so bad. The heat is, of course, a factor. But it’s a transportation hub with great airlines and affordable flights to anywhere in the world. It’s a middle point between the United States and Australia. The culture is very westernized, with more foreigners than locals as well, which means a depletion in cultural appeal but an increase in ease of lifestyle, including language and availability of goods and services. Healthcare services are also modern and widely available. Something that comes into play for us is the issue of private health insurance in a location. Not that we necessarily want it, but should our expat status make us ineligible for the government or public healthcare system, then concerns arise regarding things like waiting periods. More on this when I get to the United States.

Expat Explorer Survey says: #20 (#5 if you have children)

United Kingdom

Unless a company is willing to jump through the requisite hoops to sponsor John for a visa, forget it. The UK is currently killing itself with its oppressive immigration regulations. Salaries are also lower here than elsewhere, which doesn’t necessarily knock it off our radar. But we are looking to maximise earning potential and the UK isn’t a cheap place to live. I have not done too much research on other aspects of living there because the visa issue has never made it seem feasible to us.

Expat Explorer Survey says: #27 (#8 if you have children)

Moscow by night – photo by Alpert from Flickr

United States

And finally we have my home country. For as many things that I love and miss about the US that make me want to move back there (conveniences, diversity, travel opportunities, etc), there are probably just as many that give me pause. At the moment, the two looming largest are the situations with the economy and healthcare. Because Obamacare is on the horizon and will tightly regulate private insurance companies from January 2014, those companies have become very aggressive in their policy structures. This means that things like maternity riders and coverage for pre-existing conditions are unheard of for private insurance. Buying into a group plan is costly if the employer doesn’t cover it for spouse or family and waiting periods would apply to us. And unlike in many other countries, with the US there is no government health system to fall back on unless you have a very low income. For some people, their access to healthcare dictates everything they do – from staying in a job they are unhappy with to the quality of the care they receive in general. Considering the relatively lower salaries on offer in the United States, this makes it tough to consider.

Like the UK, the US also suffers from crippling immigration policies.  While some skilled worker visas do exist and can be quite easy to obtain, they may also be restrictive in some aspects. When you look, for example, at what happens if you lose or decide to leave your job in Norway as a foreigner (you get six months to find another one), versus what happens should the same occur in the States (you have to leave the country in 10 days), it’s hard to say that putting ourselves in such a situation is appealing. Getting John a Green Card on the basis of our marriage is easier said than done as well. I would need to move back to the US and re-establish my residency first. This would mean getting set up with a home and a job on my own. I would then have to sponsor him to come over. This could take many months. He has applied for the Green Card lottery, just to have another option should he be successful. This would simplify the process and allow us to apply from offshore without my having to become a sponsor with all that entails. We will find out in May if he got it.

Expat Explorer Survey says: #22 (#6 for raising children)

And then there’s the option of just staying in Norway. Not a bad one at the moment, though by no means ideal or long-term. John has work here for the foreseeable future in a job he’s happy with. Our visas are valid until sometime in 2014. We have healthcare. Of course, my experience with the public healthcare system here has been shocking so far, but, hey, at least if we have some kind of medical emergency we can be assured it won’t bankrupt us. Megan Starr and I covered some of the pros and cons of living in Norway in our posts about things expats should know before moving to Norway. We’ve given up the lease on our house so the biggest inconvenience for us would be having to move. Of course, locking ourselves into another year lease means that we lose that flexibility. It’s a tough call. At the moment we are seeing what the next several weeks bring in terms of job opportunities. We’ll keep you posted…

Are you considering an international move at the moment? What are some of your thoughts and feelings on the matter?

Stay Or Go? Our Survey Of Potential Places To Live is a post from: InspiringTravellers.com - Travel the World

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Today’s video post is brought to you by the Japanese Tourism Agency.

To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Visit Japan project, the Japanese Tourism Agency have launched the new Visit Japan site for potential visitors to explore the culture of Japan. The portal features over 160 videos offering insight into both the most popular but also lesser known sights and attractions across Japan.

The Japanese Tourism Agency sought to represent the core values of Japan as a nation in this campaign. They hope visitors to Japan will experience the unique, enigmatic character of the Japanese, encounter Japanese creations and ultimately enjoy the simple pleasures of Japanese lifestyle. Therefore instead of focusing on the many incredible sights of Japan the video features many people preparing for, and partaking in the famous ‘Awa Dance’ – the Japanese equivalent of Rio’s Carnival.

Discover the People Of Japan is a post from: InspiringTravellers.com - Travel the World

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