Trip Highlights: Attended Keukenhof (six week annual flower festival celebrating Holland's bulb growers). We had a beautiful sunny day and the flowers were incredible. There are both indoor and outdoor exhibits.
Spent two days driving along Mosel: Weingut-Gausthaus Brachtendorf in Alken (good food, wine, and quiet rooms) and old Roman Winepress in Piersporter.
May Day holiday in Alsace. Very festive.
Tour of Moet & Chandon Champagne caves. Very informative and reasonably priced.
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Week in Beaujolais: RCI Partner Cottages in France property Pruzilly was beautiful and larger than expected. Well-equipped, beautiful pool, private terrace, and convenient to market, bakery, and butcher. Wonderful viticulteur hosts with lovely wines. May 4th: Fete Grand Cru Beaujolais (wine festival to launch new releases of Grand Cru) Wine festival that has been held for 23 years for industry and opened to public for four years. Moves around in region, but held in Saint Lagier/Brouilly this year. Five euro entry fee provides glass and access to all 10 Grand Cru representatives and all the wine you wish to taste. Huge event with food, fun, and music! Town decked out in tissue paper flowers to look like it was in full bloom! We had an unbelievable time and we just stumbled into this!
Other places of interest: Le Hameau en Beaujolais (Romaneche-Thorins)-museum of winemaking including animation and artifacts, Moulin-a-vent, La Madonne (Fleurie)-best views from high above, Abbey at Cluny-ruins and remaining buildings of 11th-century Romanesque Abbey, l'Hospice de Beune.
Quick Tips:
Make sure to have reservations for April 30th and May 1st early in Alsace.
Places fill up fast in Champagne region
Know basic French, Pruzilly hosts speak little English, but are patient and kind. We managed to communicate in the region with our rudimentary French because the people are so gracious.
Best Way To Get Around:
Holland: trains, buses, trolleys, walking.
France: rental car.