In every country they cross, cycle tourists can find lodgings with local people who offer bed, breakfast and, sometimes, veritable feasts. This type of accommodation allows travellers a glimpse into the daily lives of their hosts, who are often keen to show off their region’s culture and skills, as is the case of the farmers who have opened up their houses under the “Accueil à la ferme” scheme.

At the three-épi “Chez soi” (in France, épis, or wheatears, are the bed and breakfast equivalent of the hotel star system) visitors are immediately transported into an atmosphere where time is of little consequence and where life is enjoyed to the full. After a day on the bike, a riverside break in these peaceful surroundings is a well-deserved luxury: more expensive than camping, perhaps, but no dearer than a two-star hotel!

www.chezsoi.nl (cf. slide show)