 
A day in the life of a B&R traveller Before we try to show you what a typical day on one of our trips might look like, you should be aware that there really is no such thing. Yes, our trips are meticulously well organized. But they’re also designed to be as flexible and unstructured as possible. That means smelling the roses, tasting the wine, indulging in a siesta, chatting with locals, enjoying the views and checking out the sights.
No two trips are ever the same. Which is, we suppose, the only typical thing about it: they’re typically atypical. One thing you can be sure of? Once you read what a typical day might look like, you’ll really start to “get it.”
What does a typical day look like? Click on one of our four main types of trips— Biking, Walking, With the Kids or Grand Journeys—to get an hour-by-hour account of what a typical day might look like.
Diana Beattie
Holland Biking 2011
"The trip was fabulous and highlighted many of the Netherlands' wonderful attributes. Holland is so much more than tulip fields in bloom; it's also cosmopolitan cities, beautiful landscapes and historical sites. Our extraordinary guides and the hospitality of the Dutch people really completed the experience."
Elena Zahorik
Tuscany Walking 2011
"It's the mix of expert guidance and freedom to break away that really makes B&R trips special for me. They make me feel like much more of a "traveller" than a tourist. I feel like I can allow myself to get lost in these unfamiliar parts of the world, while still enjoying all the perks of being superbly well-taken care of."
 Nothing typical about it
Whether you want longer, more challenging routes, or the time to linger over lunch, the day is always yours to discover. We provide the options, you make the choices.
Depending on your choices, your day might look like this:
Provence Biking
8:02 am I roll out of bed in Le Couvent des Minimes. This was a 17thC convent? Talk about transformation. Torture myself with the Herald Tribune crossword and café au lait in bed.
8:37 am Dive into scrumptious poolside breakfast. Half-listen as guide tells me about the day's options. I am on holiday, after all.
9:18 am Guide is waiting with my bike. It has my name on it, route suggestions are in the handlebar bag, water bottle has been filled, seat has been adjusted. I feel like Lance (until I start riding).
9:34 am On my bike, following the route suggestions. Rather, following my wife following the route suggestions.
10:27 am Arrive at the small town of Forlcalquier, a sleepy village that today is bustling with its weekly market—Aix and St-Rémy have nothing on this place.
Noon-ish Say “mooo” to cow. Most traffic I've seen all day.
1:11 pm Just as we’re starting to get hungry we round a corner and we can’t believe it. The guides have (THIS SECTION CENSORED BY B&R STAFF). Incredible!
2:14 pm Drastic measures: I remove the battery from my wife’s BlackBerry. Enough already... the firm can survive without her!
2:25 pm Back in the saddle; my wife jumps in the van and heads to the hotel for pool time. Glimpse the Lure mountain rearing up in the distance. To Century Ride or not to Century Ride, that is the question—for tomorrow.
3:38 pm Catch up to the couple from Brooklyn. She runs a hedge fund and he’s a designer. Go figure. We dive into French café culture when we stop for a pression—that’s French for draft beer. She tries on barkeep’s beret.
4:22 pm Home, sweet home... er, château.
4:40 pm My wife heads off for Swedish massage. I massage backs of eyelids.
7:05 pm Join the group for drinks. Have an interesting chat with the two docs from Chicago before a game of boules breaks out.
8:23 pm Dinner at an auberge that’s tucked away on a plateau—only a local could find this spot! The stunning view of the Luberon mountains prompts me to order another bowl of the soupe de poissons. And a third dessert.
11:03 pm Tuck into crisp white sheets with John Irving’s latest. My wife grabs the book and throws it under the bed. She says there’ll be plenty of time for reading tomorrow. Hello!
Iain Philip
Catalonia Biking 2011
"The guides were absolutely fantastic and looked after us with the greatest care and attention.
This was possibly the best combination of hotels and meals of any of our trips. Magnificent scenery, wonderful downhills, interesting events and a notably eclectic group."
Gary McCallister
Peru Walking 2011
"The introduction and insights into the local culture, the Inca heritage, the local villages, the majesty of the Andes and their ecosystems provided us with a view of the area we would not have garnered elsewhere. The arrival through the sun gate into Machu Picchu was magnificent–and the ability to stay at the park was special and very rewarding."
Carolyn Zaslaw
Provence Biking 2010
“There are so many things I would like to say about the trip. First and foremost, Thilo was amazing in just about every way! There are so many wonderful things to say about him. The design, plan and execution of the trip were flawless. We loved all the activities Thilo had planned. The trip to the observatory and perfumer were things we would not have had a chance to experience in our normal lives! He is also an amazing planner regarding hotels! La Coquillade was one of the most beautiful hotels I have ever been to. My husband and I are planning a trip back there as soon as we can go! Annik was also an excellent guide. She was a pleasure to me with and very helpful in answering so many of our questions. This was our fourth B&R trip and it was magnificent. Provence was the most beautiful landscape yet! We are busy planning next year’s trip as we are always so pleased with the quality of the guides, the food and wine, the activities and of course the cycling. Thank you once again B&R!”
Check out these featured B&R bike trips:
 Nothing typical about it
Whether you want longer, more challenging routes, or the time to linger over lunch, the day is always yours to discover. We provide the options, you make the choices.
Depending on your choices, your day might look like this:
Amalfi Coast Walking
8:02 am Roll over in bed for a little spooning. Unfortunately, bedmate has left for the Herald Tribune and cornetto downstairs. Life on Capri is a bowl of cherries, despite the lack of spoon.
8:37 am Private launch from Marina Piccola to mainland. Acqua minerale, sea air and sunshine make every day a good hair day.
9:18 am Shuttle from Marina Grande to another world. It’s called the Pathway of the Gods (Sentiero degli Dei) and here the aforementioned sea air is scented with lemon (groves).
9:34 am Take in mountain views that surely the gods themselves crafted. Remind yourself how fortunate you are.
10:27 am A plaque points out that an economist named Giustino Fortunato named the pathway. Remind yourself how Fortunato you are.
12:32 pm Salvatore’s salsiccia, bocconcini and pane rustico next to a tiny stone hut. Doze off under lemon tree.
2:14 pm Awake to see Salvatore’s hand-penned (in Italian) salsiccia recipe tucked into your shirt pocket. It seems as though you were raving about it.
2:25 pm Faced with a fork in the road, you take the path more often travelled. It makes no difference— they’re both stunning.
3:38 pm The path finished, an awaiting vehicle whisks you to the Hotel Le Sirenuse in Positano. Bellini? Molto buono!
5:11 pm Partner heads off for Swedish massage. You pull off a truly impressive cannonball and soak up sun poolside.
7:05 pm Have a view-inspired chat with the two architects in the group about building on hillsides. Talk about steep learning curves!
8:23 pm Adjourn to dinner under the candlelight of true chandeliers, the sparkling lights of the town and yachts below. Sip grappa and share a laugh with owner Antonio, whose noble ancestry vacationed in this very room a couple of centuries ago. A setting fit for a duke indeed.
11:03 pm Read three paragraphs under fresh white sheets. Bedmate displays that in Italy spooning is nocturnal. Bellissimo.
Diana Cooney
Piemonte Walking 2009
“The hikes were perfect for my ability. The views were spectacular and the food and wine were beyond words. I can’t wait to plan my next trip. I would not consider going with any other travel company. B&R provides the perfect balance between outdoor physical activity and luxurious hotel experiences.”
Elaine Hoffman & Larry Miller
Peru Walking 2009
“This trip far exceeded our expectations. From the food, lodging and special events—to of course all of the fabulous hikes planned—it was exceptional, breathtaking and beyond memorable! (We took over 1000 photos)”
Mary Anne Boyer
Amalfi Coast Walking 2010
"The trip was an outstanding experience—we are already looking forward to our next one—the big problem is picking which one! Our guides were exceptional—there was nothing that was left unattended or not dealt with very professionally. Hard to pick the most memorable (I took 800 pictures) but I would say our lunches the first two days were my favorites times—very rustic, yet exceptional food."
Check out these featured B&R walking trips:
 Nothing typical about it
With the Kids family trips are all about balance. You want quality time together, of course, but you also want to relax and explore on your own. All parents need a little time without the kids. And vice versa!
That’s why we structure these trips so that mornings are for the whole family, while in the afternoons and evenings we whisk junior travellers off for fun, supervised activities. The kids might explore a castle while you try the spa. While you enjoy a Michelin-starred meal, they might hit a pizzeria. Or maybe you’ll decide to spend the entire day together. It’s up to you.
Depending on your choices, a typical day might look like this:
Loire Valley Family Biking
7:56 am Still waiting for mom and dad to get out of bed. What’s so great about coffee and croissants anyway? Sarah says she’s Sleeping Beauty.
8:38 am Last chance to run around the castle. This place is totally like a fairytale. It even has towers! Definitely the coolest place ever. A real queen stayed in the same bedroom as mom and dad.
9:26 am We leave ma mère and mon père (that means mom and dad) behind while we get to go canoeing. So cool! Mom and dad are doing something for grown-ups.
10:27 am The guide says mom and dad are riding to some famous goat cheese place. Yuck. Splash Sarah with my paddle.
12:18 pm Picnic at some lady’s house in a valley. Pretty nice I guess. She’s nice, too. All the guides seem to know her.
12:28 pm Done lunch. Mom and dad still eating. Kick around a soccer ball ’til some of the French kids join in—they’re GOOD. One guy, Louis, can juggle the ball with his feet over 100 times. Wait ’til my friends back home hear about him.
1:11 pm Holy moly—this whole place is built above CAVE DWELLINGS. House just got way cooler. We go down to look for troglodytes. (That means cave people, I had to teach my dad that.)
1:45 pm Ride our bikes with one of the guides. Sarah has this neat tandem bike attached to Dad. Mom and the other guide get a lift in the van. Sunflowers and real castles are everywhere.
3:20 pm Visiting some reeeeally old monastery. Richard the Lionheart was REAL? Practice our fencing moves from yesterday. En garde! I win again.
5:10 pm Ride to our “château.” It’s like our own private mansion only way bigger! A bunch of the other kids on the trip and me explore the grounds. They’re pretty cool, I guess. The guys from Boston are nice, even though they like the Red Sox.
6:30 pm A medieval feast! Eat like kings. Dad still won’t let me eat with my hands.
9:24 pm Can’t sleep. Sarah won’t stop talking about the horses tomorrow.
Marcia Lucas
New Zealand With the Kids 2010
“This trip is a perfect family trip! The landscape is spectacular, and biking is the best way to enjoy it at its most. There is a good variety of activities and the people of New Zealand are very nice. The highlights were the surprise picnic Rob prepared for us on a wonderful spot by the lake, the lunch at a local family's farm, the wine tasting followed by a scenic helicopter flight and the t-shirt delivered as a floating iceberg, and also the bungee jump for our three kids.”
 Nothing typical about it
Whether you want longer, more challenging routes, or the time to linger over lunch, the day is yours to discover. We provide the options, you make the choices. On our Grand Journeys, the only difference is it’s done on an epic scale, with an impossibly ambitious itinerary. Hey, it’s not called a Grand Journey for nothing.
Depending on your choices, your day might look like this:
Wine Grand Journey
8:15 am After enjoying an early morning breakfast, it’s time leave behind the big bold blends of Bordeaux, jump on our private jet and head to Piemonte; so get ready to encounter the mighty Barolo. Breakfast in Bordeaux, lunch in Piemonte. Not a bad start to the day!
10:15 am Got “the king of wines and the wine of kings” on our minds—we make a beeline to the Barolo appellation zone for a warm-up ride from the village of Roddi.
12:00 pm We will arrive just in time for a Sunday lunch at the delicious “Slow Food” restaurant l’Osteria del Vignaiolo.
1:05 pm A short pedal across the vineyards will take us to Elio Altare’s ezquisite family-run Barolo estate, where we are welcomed for a rare Sunday winery visit and tasting of some of their marvelously modern Barolo.
2:37 pm Prepare yourself for an event that is truly off the beaten path: a truffle hunt with our friend Beppe and his trusty truffle dog Diana. With any luck we will dig up some black or white deliciousness.
4:46 pm Onward we pedal the sublime regional routes, winding like ribbons through dramatic Nebbiolo vineyards and the occasional forest to the town of Barolo or Castiglione Falletto.
6:03 pm Head back to our hotel for a cocktail-hour tasting with Silvia, along with an informal introduction to the history and structure of Piemontese wines.
7:32 pm Dinner will be at the aptly named Rosa deiVini trattoria, where home-cooking meets marvelous castle views. From a good old home-cooked meal tonight to a longtime local favourite tomorrow…bring it on!
11:12 pm Drift off while daydreaming about truffle hunting, Michelin-starred dining, award-wining wineries, majestic views of vineyards and glowing castles in the twilight.
Françoise Girard
Wine Grand Journey 2010
“Some of the most memorable moments on this trip include George Butterfield sabring champagne bottles on the front steps of the hotel—the tasting at winemaker Elio Altare, who received us so warmly in his home on a Sunday afternoon—the stunning views of wineyards and small hilltop castles while biking on the ridges in Piedmont, and the cocktail at sunset in the medieval castle on top of the hill in Serralunga.”
Terry & Ron Paschich
Indochina Grand Journey 2009
“The entire trip was fabulous and we appreciate how much effort you put into making sure all of us had a wonderful time. We had the best trip of our life!! Thanks again for a wonderful experience.”
Stan Lindenfeld
Wine Grand Journey 2010
“This was the most memorable trip I have taken in many years, perhaps ever. The experience was like living a dream!”
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