Minotel Saint-Hubert Chalon-sur-Saone

Yes it is true. We worked our way up to Beaune, and just like in the Rhone, have not been dissapointed at all. We explored the tiny towns of Pommard, Volnay, Mersault, and Satenay, and got to try some amazing wine from all places. We even tried a place in Pommard and then headed over to his son's winery in Mersault (the son's was actually better than his Dad's stuff!) The only word of caution if you come wine tasting ...

... 15 different wines we drank somewhat conservatively. About half way through we needed a water break! We finished the rest of our tasting before referring to our score card we had been keeping to decide which bottles to buy. I picked my favorite and hope to bring it home and drink it with everyone on Christmas.

For the remainder of the afternoon we walked in and out of a few shops before it started to get dark. Once the sun started going down we headed back ...

... Taize is more like Outward Bound than a week in the French countryside. For example, you have the tight living quarters in the barracks, the ladled serving at mealtime on a plastic plate, the one utensil (a spoon), the seats on wooden benches, and the unforgiving cold.
The Bus
I did discover a way out -- there is a bus that cuts through the campus. Today, like several days ...

... Cube' we had left Belgium for ran out, leaving us with a fridge only functional when on the move. This time we had a much longer drive to France than previously -some 350 miles. Off we set, stopping on route at Frankenberg/Eder and Thalfang, reaching Clermont-En-Argonne (49.07'15"N 5.02'13.8"E). For 5eu on a spotlessly clean aire we have electricity for 24hrs, as muc water as we want, toilets and showers. The only drawback being no cafe/bar within ...

Today we left Paris and headed for Burgundy. Our first stop was the historic project Le Chateau Guedelon. It is a medieval castle, built using medieval tools and tradesmen, but started in 1997. It is an active construction site as stone masons, rope markers, carpenters, tile makers, and laboureres all work to build this castle. It was fascinating. Our guide explained the different techniques in building an ...

The journey from Dunkirk went well. Soon we were on the A25 to Lille and soon enough after on the A26 to Reims; the miles smoothed away. We stopped occasionally at services - which the French do better than anyone else - and came off the motorway for a short while at Chalons en Champagne to fill up more cheaply. This little excursion was made especially interesting by a brief attempt on my part to drive on the left - it ...

... come up with some better designs...so Great wine is this region, we sampled afew reds and had a day trip to Beaune as recommended by Walty's friend Caralyn who lives in Grasse. 

Beaune is awash with beautiful 4 star hotels. antique shops and wine boutiques. We spent at least an hr with our faces pressed up against various enticing windows...I was then pulled away by Lauren in search of "la ...

... the steering wheel on the left side over curbs, under awnings, and around screaming French people. First of all I have become very used to driving with a steering wheel on the right . And this whole changing sides thing is confusing. Secondly, I have only driven a manual car for 6 months of my life in Korea and that was a year and a half ago. Thirdly, I am not known to be the best driver. However, after reaching the dead end of this ...

... iseenesest oli huvit*v: käid ringi j* proovid nii p*ljusid eri veine. L*hkusime se*lt v*id ühe s**gig*: Crème de C*ssis (mustsõstr*siirup, mid* seg*t*kse v*lge vei**** j* sed* segu nimet*t*kse kir, v*huvei**** seg*des on nimetuseks kir roy*le – ig*l juhul täielik n*istek*s :)). Ed*si v*lisime ühe veinipoe j* degusteerisime se*l k* erinev*id tooteid, seeg* sellel päev*l s*i kokku m*itst* ligi 23 erinev*t veini! J*h, õhtul tuli uni k* v*r*, tän*n küsim*st :) Poes p*kut ...

... in an entertaining environment. The name of his chalet in The Grande Palanger and funny enough it's built like a 1970's bachelor chalet. It overhangs the slope and probably breaks all the building codes and rules of today, but comes complete with fur rugs and huge windows overlooking the valley and mountains. As well it is complete with its own ghost, the owners mother. I've heard the stories and wasn't sure if I believed it, but sitting on the overhang I felt the pulse of ...