This is Versaille take deux - it was booked in 2009 but thanks to a Metro delay, I never got there in time & the tour left without me. Not this time.

Without a doubt this has been one of my best days not just on this vacation, but all vacations before it - totally exceeded expectations in value, fun & experience.

Sadly another early start - I do NOT want to be on public transport with folks in suits with laptop bags & serious expressions - this is exactly what I escaped from. However I'm feeling like I'm rocking a cute outfit - it is a bike tour but I sport a just below the knee length coral linen skirt because I do NOT want to look like an American tourist. Morte.

I've taken Fat Tire Bike tours before & I was confident this would be a great day. The morning was pepped up with a quick telecom from ma little sister - so cute to make the call xx

So we are off, taking a bicycle pack of 22 people on a train - ARE YOU FOR REAL?! we rode through the streets for about 10 mins, on the train spaced out at intervals that would be sensible to embark the train & it actually worked well. On arrival to Versaille we peddled through the streets to the town centre - it really was a thrill & a lot of fun. Except for the Americans. I don't need to say any more.

On arrival to the meeting point we are told hey, hit up the boulangerie, fromagerie, cave - get yourselves hooked up with wine & food because we are gunna picnic! OMG - I am on my own. I can not drink NO wine, I can not drink a WHOLE bottle (well, not in public, midday, alone) so happen to be standing next to friendly CANADIAN couple who speak French - heck wait, are from Quebec - bon chance!

OK so what is all this American /Australian/Canadian dissing? Well, Americans, they are just so, um, American. Guide had to explain they would find more than just cheddar at the fromagerie - as Nancy the friendly Canadian said - 'we aint getting Velveeta people' - see why I was drawn to them?

Also, why do Americans need instructions more than once? or twice? or even frick, three times to get the message. Oh, its cos others speak English, not American English. Get the difference?

So it seems there is a compatible partnership for the picnicing trio so we scoot off for provisions - & it really is as desired. Upon meeting back at the meeting point, we cycle around the acres of Versaille - not the palais, not the jardin, the actual grounds - so wonderful, so much fun & truly a magnifique experience not usually enjoyed by the standard trip to the Palace.

Please see corresponding photographs of said experience.

Scoot to picnic - what a freaking treat - grounds of Versaille, lovely, fun, intelligent, interesting people with a common & genuine love of quality food & wine. Plus a common & open nonchalance to stuff ones face with a full chocolate eclaire with 2 minutes notice that the picnic was off & out.

why were we the last to finish? the last to pack? the last to get to the bicycles? The Americans. They breed & they have schedules - they're on a family timetable & don't give a sh*t if the wine needs to be finished or the desserts need to be demolished. Kids are impatient. The parents are uptight. we are half p*ssed & really don't care. C'est la vie.

Cycle for another 20 minutes or so throughout the grounds & wow, after the fortification of baguette, marvellous cheese & just over half a bottle of wine, we have speed! candor! this is wonderful!

Then its time for the Palace - if you have been there, you get it. It is, AMAZING. If you have not - you MUST. It is one of those amazing experiences you have to remind yourself - this is not Disney Land or any other tourist made attraction - this is a real life piece of history, a place of residence for a historical monarchy & keep in mind the absolute gross opulance, decadance & brazen display of wealth & vanity that even by todays standards would be so OTT, it would probably be admired by few in comparison to the complete lack & scarcity of resources for so many in need. Thats probably what p*ssed off the nation & caused the Revolution, ahhhhhhhhhh, it makes so much sense.

However despite those moral challenges, the art work is amazing, the craftmanship of the ateliers wonderous & the grandeur breathtaking.

So - great tour organisation + great insta-friends + super deeeeeeelicous food + totally wonderful surroundings = best day on vacation thus far.

C'est parfait.