The best part of our recent trips were the farmer's markets in Provence and in Lisbon. I just used up the tapenade I bought in Provence.
I agree, Shooting Star. I also like to learn about local culture, even while on a bike trip. That's why things felt a little "off," on our trip to Provence. The cycling was all we hoped for, the scenery outstanding, and the food/wine, the best. But, we didn't really get to explore a lot in the 2 towns we stayed in. Some was because when we got back from riding, we wanted to chill out from riding in the heat; others did walk into town. But this was built in much more to our other trips. Having espresso at a cafe in a tiny little Portuguese village while riding was something you could not replicate in any other way. We even had to avoid a donkey that had broken lose from its owner and was running down the street, as we cycled out of the town!