In mid-March, UTracks General Manager Kate Baker flew from Sydney to Europe. She split her time between England and France, where she spent a few days cycling along the Loire. We were keen to hear about her travel experiences.

 

 

Springtime is my absolute favourite time to visit France. Paris is a delight with flowers blooming and people enjoying the weather at outdoor cafes. 

 

Whilst cycling along the Loire, the wine farm workers were out tending to their vines, locals were hiking and cycling and our merry group enjoyed some wonderful scenery and hospitality. Being cooler in early Spring, particularly in the morning, we layered up but were soon shedding as the weather was unseasonably warm. The pleasures of cycling through France were all there to be enjoyed including the wonderful food, atmospheric hotels and well-marked cycle trails. 

 

 

Were the locals happy to see you?
 

Very - in some hotels I was their first Australian visitor in a while. I went to a tourist information office in Angers and they were excited to be speaking English again and sharing their knowledge with an Australian traveller.  During the past two years as they were largely dealing with domestic travellers, they hadn’t been speaking English.
 

 

 

It's funny because it was a bit anti-climatic. Practically everything I experienced was back to normal. People in London were getting the tube as usual. There were a few people wearing masks but they were in the minority.

 

During the flights between Sydney and London everyone wore masks on the plane. And before flying back into Australia I needed to test negative on a RAT. However, as of April 17, this will no longer be required by the Australian government.

 

 

 

Naturally, there was a lot of support for the people of Ukraine shown through displaying flags in house windows to monuments lit up with blue and yellow. 

 

The sentiment felt by the rest of the world is shared throughout Europe. It's heartbreaking to hear from our small local suppliers in Baltic and Balkan countries that are being indirectly affected by the war. They really could use more travellers in their region, which is quite safe. 

 

 
Lastly, and most importantly: what souvenirs did you bring for the rest of the team?

 

I've brought a box of chocolate pralines from the famous Maxim's restaurant in Paris as well as some other nick nacks; French mustard, jams, postcards.

 

 

 

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With many restrictions in Europe easing, demand for travel during peak season is high so we highly recommend planning sooner rather than later. Get in touch with our friendly team of active travel experts for further advice.