Great Daytrips From Bordeaux - France

Mention Bordeaux to anyone and they automatically think of high quality wine. The region of Bordeaux has been making fine wines for centuries and has become internationally renowned thanks to the efforts of the city of Bordeaux and its trade routes.

Although known primarily for its wine, the city is full of history and has some of the best architecture in France. Recently UNESCO added three of Bordeauxs religious shrines to its World Heritage site list. These are the Saint-Seurin, Saint Andr and the Saint- Michel cathedrals. Before the excellent wine slightly obscures your vision, make sure you check out all the city has to offer.

Wine connoisseurs and culture junkies alike will be amazed with what the surrounding areas have to offer. Basing yourself in the city and venturing into the peripheral areas for daytrips from Bordeaux is easily the best way to really get to know and love this beautiful southwestern corner of France.

Firstly, lets talk wine! Before jumping feet first into the Bordeaux wine experience, why not take a daytrip to Maison de Vin de Bordeaux and gain the knowledge needed to fully make the most of your wine adventure. At the Maison, you will be given an introduction into the many grape varieties and discover how the climate and soils of the region influences the taste of the grapes.

Learn how the masters find the perfect equilibrium and harmony through the making and ageing of their wines. Everyones favourite part of the day is the finale, the tasting! See how different techniques can help you to describe what youre tasting. Now youll be ready to give those TV wine buffs a run for their money.

For a great daytrip from Bordeaux, take the infamous Fortified Towns road to discover a fascinating wine route. Sandwiched between the Garonne and Dordogne rivers, this region is by far the largest and most diverse in Bordeaux. Here youll find fruity, lively reds; clarets and ross; crisp and young whites; and sweet whites.

The area is littered with wineries open for tasting and because youre in Bordeaux, you can be sure the quality is second to none. Found a wine you like? Take advantage of the amazing prices by buying direct from the winery where you find your favourite drop.

Need to burn off some calories from last nights over indulgence? Hiring a bike and cycling to the Dune du Pyla makes a great daytrip from Bordeaux. The journey takes about 2 hours and covers a distance of 30 miles (50kms), as you meander through fragrant pine forests on your way to the dunes and the ocean. At three miles (five kilometres) long, the Dune du Pyla sits wonderfully between the sea and the forests. Dont forget your camera!

The Bassin dArcachon is a mecca for locals and tourists who love seafood, in particular oysters. The place to see and be seen in this area is Cap Ferret beach. Taking a daytrip here from Bordeaux will revitalise your senses. The seafront location, the glorious food and the unparalleled views will send your mind into overload.

Taking a daytrip from Bordeaux will really let you experience French life and culture that little bit more. The region is like its wine; the more you drink, the more you want!

Travel website reviewer Andy Burrows loves Bordeaux and the surrounding wine-making region. His recommendation for the most convenient online service: http://www.comparecarrentals.com/ and http://www.comparecarrentals.co.uk/

Having Car Accessories in This Decade

Automotive accessories have come a long way since cars started being seen on the highway. Fuzzy dice and bumper stickers used to be the extent of the accessorizing options.

These days, people have a huge amount of choices when it comes to automotive options.

The most exciting car accessory as far as I can see is the Global Positioning System. The reason I like the GPS system is because I can't find my way when driving. I hate not knowing where I am. I don't feel like a man when I'm not in charge of the directions. A GPS system would change all that for me.

If I had GPS in my car, I wouldn't have to swallow my pride and ask anyone for help-I would have the help right there in my car. Not only that but I would be able to plan cross-country trips without ever looking at the map. My GPS system could just explain to me the next place to go. Who needs a navigator when you have a GPS system? I'm sure my GPS wouldn't talk nearly as much and wouldn't need nearly as many bathroom breaks.

Car DVD players are another vital accessory. They work wonders for keeping the kids entertained on long road trips. What a cool feature! I wish I could have had one of those when I was a kid. I might have actually behaved myself when my parents made me climb in the car for the long trip to visit Aunt Vivian.

Another really great car accessory is satelite radio. You may never have to listen to bad local stations or AM radio. No matter where you are, you can listen to satelite radio on whatever station you want: from alternative to nouveaux punk. This is defintely a futuristic technology.

Don't forget the outside of the car. Glowing undercarriages, flashing licence plate liners and rotating rims are a few exterior car accessories I've noticed. They really make your car stand out. I always spend just enough to attract attention to my car while still being subtle enough to not embarass the lady I'm taking out on the town in it!

Auto accessories make me want to spend tons of money on my car just like I do on my home! I have to be careful to not get car-poor. After all, I still want to be able to afford fuel to take people out in my vehicle.

Technology in the automotive accessory business is really advancing fast.

Rusty Humboldt is a writer who finds writing on many subjects fun. To him, this is a worthy challenge. workshop for inspiration. Everyone in his circle of family and friends are amazed at his vast knowledge and his seemingly infinite output. You can find still more of Rusty's articles about automobiles at http://www.carshqs.com.