A Weekend in Burgundy: Wine and Family Adventures
As you know, Paolo is a huge fan of wine, so we spent a long weekend in Burgundy, the home of his beloved Meursault. Four days dedicated to wine and family, and we even discovered an amazing Crémant for just €10!
Our first stop was Beaune, where we had a lovely lunch at Le Bistrot de l'Hôtel de Levrnois. We have a no-devices rule at the table, so while we enjoyed traditional French food, the kids found other ways to stay entertained. They were so happy just being together.
Châteaux, Cedars, and Future Memories
Our main event was visiting Château de Meursault and Château de Pommard for a tasting. Outside the Meursault castle, the kids found a massive cedar tree and gave it a big hug. It was one of those moments you want to freeze in time. I hope that in 20 years, when they're all grown up, they'll agree to go back and take the same photo.
After all the day's adventures, we were so glad to return to our farm hotel, Hôtel de Rymska. Our stay was truly exceptional, from the incredible food to the impeccable service. The kids absolutely loved the farm and had a blast feeding carrots and apples to the horses.
We also made a trip to Dijon, a stunning city, but getting around with a big car was a challenge! The parking spots were few and tiny, which made navigating the city a bit of an adventure in itself.
The Unspoken Challenges of Family Travel
We didn't get to do everything we wanted on this short trip, but we'll definitely be back. The towns of Beaune and Dijon and the little villages around are so beautiful and we want to see more. However, we'll probably wait until the kids are a bit older.
Here’s the honest truth: finding places to eat was incredibly difficult. As soon as restaurants saw us with two toddlers, it was as if all their tables suddenly became "fully booked," even when they were clearly empty. Our strategy became for Paolo to go in first without us to ask for a table for four. Miraculously, a table was always available then. Once, a place said they had a table and then quickly "made a mistake" when we walked in with the kids. It’s a real shame that some places are so unwelcoming. Our kids eat from the adult menu and are usually well-behaved, and it's a pity to be judged simply because you're a family.
Despite these few frustrations, the trip was wonderful. It was a reminder that the best part of traveling isn't just about what you see, but the memories you make, even the messy ones. And we'll be back soon, hopefully with our kids in tow, to finish our adventure.