Solo Summer 2025 Days 6–8: Wine, Waffles, and Wandering — From Châteauneuf-du-Pape to Brussels to Aachen
Day 6: Savoring the Southern Rhône
My last full day in Avignon was one to remember — a deep dive into the world-renowned Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine region. Nestled between Avignon and Orange, this historic appellation dates back to the 14th century when the papacy temporarily relocated to Avignon. The “new castle of the Pope” — Châteauneuf-du-Pape — became synonymous not only with papal presence but with rich, full-bodied red wines born of sun-soaked vineyards and stony terroir.
The region is known for its signature blend of up to 13 grape varieties, with Grenache typically taking the lead. The rocky, galet-covered soil retains heat and moisture, helping grapes ripen to perfection — and you can taste that intensity in every glass.
We visited three outstanding wineries:
Château de Vaudieu: A beautifully restored 18th-century château with a lineage stretching back to 1767. The name “Vaudieu” derives from Vallée de Dieu or “Valley of God,” and the setting lives up to it. Their wines are elegant and precise — a balance of tradition and innovation. I particularly enjoyed their nuanced white Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a rare gem in a region dominated by reds.
Domaine Pierre Usseglio: A smaller, family-run estate known for its rich, powerful reds. The Usseglio family immigrated from Italy in the 1930s and has become one of the region’s standout producers. Their wines reflect the strength and character of the terroir, especially their cuvées aged in foudre and concrete tanks that bring out complex fruit and spice notes.
Château La Nerthe: One of the oldest estates in the region, dating back to 1560, with a dramatic château and underground cellars. La Nerthe is certified organic and deeply rooted in tradition. Their wines are expressive and layered, with the kind of finesse that makes you pause after each sip. It was like tasting centuries of winemaking wisdom in a glass.
We capped the tour with a stop at a local wine shop for final tastings and souvenirs (12 excellent bottles of wine that’ll be delivered around October)! That evening, I enjoyed dinner at a cozy spot near my hotel in Avignon — a fittingly French sendoff with good food, good wine, and that golden-hour glow on the medieval walls. I packed my bags, already nostalgic, and turned in early for the travel day ahead.
Day 7: A Belgian Blitz
The alarm rang far too early, and by sunrise, I was on a northbound train to Belgium. I arrived in Brussels and checked into a hotel near the Brussels-MIDI train station. Convenient for travel, yes — charming, no. If you’re planning to stay more than a night or two, I’d suggest booking somewhere closer to the city center.
Once settled, I made a beeline for the historic heart of Brussels. I spent the day doing exactly what Brussels does best — café-hopping and indulging. Waffles crisped to perfection, cones of fries with tangy sauces, rich Belgian chocolate, and, of course, beer ranging from fruity lambics to bold Trappist brews.
While enjoying a late lunch in a restaurant just off the Grand Place — that stunning, ornate square at the heart of the city — I met one of those random characters who make travel so memorable: an elderly Dutchman who had clearly been sampling Belgium’s finest since morning. When he learned I was from Tennessee, he stood up, raised his glass, and belted out Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors in a thick accent, serenading me in front of a bewildered and highly entertained crowd. Sometimes you just have to roll with it.
I walked off the afternoon’s indulgences with a loop around the old town before calling it a night. One city down, another on the horizon.
Day 8: Delays and Detours
My morning in Brussels began with some quiet work time in the hotel — a travel day luxury — before heading back to the train station. The plan was simple: hop on a quick train to Aachen, Germany. Reality had other plans.
Due to rail staff shortages, multiple trains were canceled or delayed. What should have been a short journey turned into an all-day affair of platform-hopping and improvised routes. Eventually, I arrived in Aachen, tired but relieved. I checked into my hotel and grabbed a quick dinner in town, ready to shift gears from tourist to lecturer.
Tomorrow begins an exciting week guest lecturing at FH Aachen University of Applied Sciences. I can’t wait to meet the students and share some U.S. HR practices and cultural insights — but tonight, it’s early to bed for this road-weary traveler.
Three countries, countless memories, and one Dolly Parton song I’ll never forget.
