Preparing For Your Biking Vacation In France

Traveling to Europe is an enriching, exciting experience. France is a beautiful country full of history and culture and should be on any traveler's list of places to see. A biking vacation in France is an excellent way to truly experience the charm and warmth of this magnificent country. Once you have chosen a tour group and booked your biking vacation getaway to France there are several things you will want to do to prepare for this unique journey.

You will want to start your preparations by making sure you have a passport and that it is up to date. These days, you can apply for your passport at your local United States Post Office. They have the applications there and can even take your passport photo in most places. It takes at least 6 to 8 weeks to get your passport approved and that is if there are no problems. If you are traveling with a child under the age of eighteen, it may take considerably loner especially if there is a divorce involved (you have to have a signed affidavit from the other parent giving you permission to take the child out of the country).

While waiting for your passport you might begin to make a list of necessary items to take with you on your journey. You certainly don't want to over pack; on the other hand you don't want to be out on a bike on a deserted road, let along in a foreign country unprepared. You should pack a backpack or saddle bag in your luggage. Your luggage will be transported from location to location by the tour group and you will have just your backpack or saddle bag along with you daily while biking from city to city. If you are bringing your own bike you will also need to bring a small bike repair kit along. This should include the basics for repairing a tire or your chain. You should also bring a small first aid kit. Make sure to pack enough changes of clothing to last the duration of your trip including a lightweight weather-proof jacket.

You should also prepare your body for your biking vacation in France. You should be biking an hour or two each day with a variety of terrains to prepare for the trip. Also, make sure you are eating well with lots of vegetables, whole grains and lean protein. Even a novice going on a trip designed for beginners will benefit from some training beforehand. Six to eight weeks of eating well and training will make a big difference and keep you from dropping out during the trip.

Another way to prepare yourself for your biking vacation in France is to learn to speak French! While most people in France, especially those in the service industry, speak English it is very impolite to walk up to a French person and speak English. If you are polite, do your best to speak their language and then ask, "parlez-vous anglais?" ("Do you speak English?") you will find most French people more than willing to help you.

There you have it; some basic things you need to do in order to prepare yourself for your biking vacation in France. With a little planning and preparation you will find yourself enjoying the beautiful scenery, historical sites and delicious foods of France all while staying in top condition. Bon voyage!