eBon Voyage News
France Update
Greetings from Port Chalmers.
Covid19 – pushing the pause button on travel
A few weeks ago, we were getting ready to update our website, but the global pandemic has made that rather pointless for now. The EU countries have closed their borders to non-EU citizens, and the French government is telling its people to stay home. The Louvre is closed, as are many other museums, and restaurants, theatres, etc. Most canals are closed across the country now though rental boat companies are hoping that they will be open again in June. So are we, but nobody knows at the moment – and nobody knows when they’ll know!
As soon as we have positive information from the providers we work with in France, we’ll put it up on the website.
In the meantime, take care and stay well –
Barbara & Robert
and some information about cycling, from Robert – from March 19 –
February update – walking & cycling
“Hi Robert, Well, if you ever want ringing endorsements and loads of superlative-laden reviews of our Dordogne walking tour, then come to us!

Happy New Year from Port Chalmers


Season’s Greetings


Scotland – France 2020 – update November 25



Scotland-France 2020 escorted tour – update November 11


Labour Weekend newsletter – cycling, walking & calendars
Scotland – France 2020 – update
Bonjour from Port Chalmers.
We are back from our tours in Aquitaine, where we had fabulous weather, good company and some wonderful meals. The highlight was a five course tasting menu at MILES in Bordeaux. They call it a surprise menu based around the best produce of the season and every course was a delight; both inventive and delicious. The price (55€) was also a surprise, being significantly more than on their web site, but it was worth every Euro and we cannot recommend this restaurant highly enough. An added bonus was finding Domaine Templier’s Bandol rosé on the wine list. This is a wine we have wanted to taste for many years and it was so gorgeous that we ordered a second bottle – with food and wine this good, who cares about the budget?
Our next stop was Scotland, where the weather was cooler and more varied, but we relaxed with old friends on a rental boat and cruised up the Caledonian Canal to Inverness. No Nessy; only glorious landscapes and lots of conversation.

We also visited the luxury 27 cabin cruise ship, Lord of the Glens (above), before continuing our research for our 2020 tour, which is now finely tuned. The main change is a six night stay in Collioure (instead of four) and our last night in France will be in Perpignan, allowing us to enjoy the tasting menu at a Michelin starred restaurant.

After a night in Edinburgh, we fly to France for a six nights at a rambling old house with fabulous views (above) in the centre of Collioure. We’ll explore the Mackintosh Trail by foot, minibus, boat and the Petit Train Jaune, as well as relaxing in this charming village and sampling the unique local wines and cuisine. The price for the 20 day tour is 8695 Euros per person share twin, so send for your brochure and secure your place on this unique small group tour.

6 MAY from Sillery to Chateau Thierry
23 SEPTEMBER from Sillery to Dormans (5 nights only)
30 SEPTEMBER from Chateau Thierry to Sillery.
Phone or email for more information on the above or any of our holidays in France.
Cordialement,
Robert & Barbara
BESPOKE FRANCE
Robert Buchanan & Barbara Keen
52 George St, PORT CHALMERS 9023, NZ
ph (64) 03 472 7856, freephone (NZ) 0800 147 856
email info@bespokefrance.co.nz