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Mention Bordeaux to anyone and they automatically think of high quality wine. The region of Bordeaux has been making fine wines for centuries and has become internationally renowned thanks to the efforts of the city of Bordeaux and its trade routes.

Although known primarily for its wine, the city is full of history and has some of the best architecture in France. Recently UNESCO added three of Bordeauxs religious shrines to its World Heritage site list. These are the Saint-Seurin, Saint Andr and the Saint- Michel cathedrals. Before the excellent wine slightly obscures your vision, make sure you check out all the city has to offer.

Wine connoisseurs and culture junkies alike will be amazed with what the surrounding areas have to offer. Basing yourself in the city and venturing into the peripheral areas for daytrips from Bordeaux is easily the best way to really get to know and love this beautiful southwestern corner of France.

Firstly, lets talk wine! Before jumping feet first into the Bordeaux wine experience, why not take a daytrip to Maison de Vin de Bordeaux and gain the knowledge needed to fully make the most of your wine adventure. At the Maison, you will be given an introduction into the many grape varieties and discover how the climate and soils of the region influences the taste of the grapes.

Learn how the masters find the perfect equilibrium and harmony through the making and ageing of their wines. Everyones favourite part of the day is the finale, the tasting! See how different techniques can help you to describe what youre tasting. Now youll be ready to give those TV wine buffs a run for their money.

For a great daytrip from Bordeaux, take the infamous Fortified Towns road to discover a fascinating wine route. Sandwiched between the Garonne and Dordogne rivers, this region is by far the largest and most diverse in Bordeaux. Here youll find fruity, lively reds; clarets and ross; crisp and young whites; and sweet whites.

The area is littered with wineries open for tasting and because youre in Bordeaux, you can be sure the quality is second to none. Found a wine you like? Take advantage of the amazing prices by buying direct from the winery where you find your favourite drop.

Need to burn off some calories from last nights over indulgence? Hiring a bike and cycling to the Dune du Pyla makes a great daytrip from Bordeaux. The journey takes about 2 hours and covers a distance of 30 miles (50kms), as you meander through fragrant pine forests on your way to the dunes and the ocean. At three miles (five kilometres) long, the Dune du Pyla sits wonderfully between the sea and the forests. Dont forget your camera!

The Bassin dArcachon is a mecca for locals and tourists who love seafood, in particular oysters. The place to see and be seen in this area is Cap Ferret beach. Taking a daytrip here from Bordeaux will revitalise your senses. The seafront location, the glorious food and the unparalleled views will send your mind into overload.

Taking a daytrip from Bordeaux will really let you experience French life and culture that little bit more. The region is like its wine; the more you drink, the more you want!

Travel website reviewer Andy Burrows loves Bordeaux and the surrounding wine-making region. His recommendation for the most convenient online service: http://www.comparecarrentals.com/ and http://www.comparecarrentals.co.uk/Pspfanboy

The first line of defence is to keep them out, sounds simple enough but in practice it can be tricky:

1: Thoroughly check the exterior of your property for rodent access points. So you think it looks OK ?

LOOK AGAiN ! Mice can access your property through a gap the width of an inch and the diameter of a standard biro a Rat can enlarge any gap by gnawing. Pay particular attention to air vents, under doors and around pipes entering your home any gaps need to be filled with cement or crushed chicken wire and expanding foam .Doors will need brush strip fitted. Air vents with large vent holes will need wire mesh fitted to deny rodent access.

2:Thats great but they are already inside my property:

Rats and for that matter Mice need the same things in general terms that we do,food,warmth and somewhere safe to live. So we need to restrict their options by keeping all loose foods in sealed containers, by not leaving spilled food available and don't forget the garbage, overflowing bins are Rat heaven. Rats also need water more if their food source is dry so it's a good idea to identify where they are potentially getting food and water and as best as possible restrict these sources. If it's not possible to restrict these sources as can often be the case it is still important to identify them so a strategy can be formed for stage three.

3:The final option is to Poison, Trap or ask them to leave!

A variety of poisons are available from your local Farm Suppliers Store: If you have identified that their food source is dry ie.grain then use a liquid bait would you need more food if you had Plenty or would you need something to wash it down with? Conversely use grain bait if water is not an issue. So far so good ? What if they have access to water and food sources that can't be restricted by you. Trapping is a viable option using conventional traps or sticky boards. Rats are neophobic which means they have a fear of new objects in their environment so conventional traps will take time on the other hand sticky boards which lay flat on the ground and can be placed along their runs are both quick and effective however they are not for use by the sensitive as being faced with a live Rat stuck to one of these boards is not a pleasant experience also there will be legislation in most countries to ensure best practice on there use.

Dave Swanborough is the founder and webmaster for http://www.rats.me.uk/ You will find FREE information about Pest control methods for rats using poison and ultrasonic devices.Movie Gadget Friday Johnny Mnemonic