No sooner had we landed in Italy, I was off to Bordeaux for a work trip. The annual team meetup: a week where our remote team picks somewhere in the world and actually shows up in the same place.
The timing was actually planned. Initially we were looking at mid-March to go to Italy, but we brought it forward when I found out that my work trip was early March. Rose and the girls stayed with Paolo and Graziella, so I knew they were in the best care.
The Setup
We’re a fully remote team scattered across different countries and time zones. Once a year we pick a destination, rent a place together and spend a week mixing real work with the kind of conversations and experiences that only happen in person — sessions during the day, shared meals in the evenings, a few activities woven in.
This year’s location was Arcachon, a seafront town on the Bassin d’Arcachon in south-west France. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday were the working days. Monday and Friday were travel.
Monday, 2 March – Getting There
Paolo dropped me at Carnate station early in the morning. Train to Milan Porta Garibaldi, then onward to Malpensa. Before the flight, I had what I can only describe as an exceptional coffee . The kind that reminds you why you moved to this country.
At Bordeaux airport I met Steve and Joern. We had a coffee together before sharing an Uber out to our Airbnb in Arcachon. The airport coffee did not come close to the one at Malpensa. Italy had already set a standard I wasn’t prepared for it to lose.
A few of us headed to the local supermarket to stock up on groceries and supplies for the week. That evening: a BBQ at the AirBnb, the whole group together for the first time. A good start.
Tuesday, 3 March – Cap Ferret
Morning run along the beach to keep the marathon training going and clear the head before the day’s sessions began. Pizzas at the Airbnb for lunch. I must say these pizzas were incredible, something I won’t be sharing back in Italy!
In the afternoon we caught a boat across the Bassin d’Arcachon to Cap Ferret – a narrow peninsula that sits across the water from Arcachon.
Oysters and wine, straight from the source, in one of France’s most celebrated oyster-farming areas. We walked around, explored, took in the views back across the basin, then returned by boat as the light started to soften.
Dinner that evening at Bistro Régent. A proper French bistro, exactly what you’d hope for.
Wednesday, 4 March – La Co(o)rniche and the Dune
Breakfast and work sessions through the morning, then out for lunch at L’Aillet. In the late afternoon, we caught Ubers to La Co(o)rniche – a restaurant perched near the Dune du Pilat, the largest sand dune in Europe.
Before dinner, we walked up it. The Dune du Pilat is one of those things you don’t quite believe until you’re standing on top of it. A wall of sand rising over a hundred metres above the coastline, with pine forest stretching away on one side and the open Atlantic on the other. The views were extraordinary. Dinner at La Co(o)rniche was excellent.
Thursday, 5 March – Bordeaux
Another morning run along the beach, then sessions through the morning. By lunchtime, we’d packed our bags and caught Ubers into Bordeaux for the final act of the week.
We dropped our bags off at Hote Konti, then walked for lunch at Kedem. After lunch, everyone had a couple of hours of free time. I went for a walk to explore and pick up some gifts for the girls at home. I wish I had more time here, it seems like a beautiful city to explore.
That evening: a food and wine tour of the city, ending at a restaurant for dinner. Bordeaux is a place that takes wine seriously in the most serious possible way, and the tour did not disappoint. Afterwards, a few of us found a pub to for a Guinness. A great way to cap off a great week.
Friday, 6 March – Home
Up early, Uber to Bordeaux airport. Flight on time back to Malpensa. A taxi from the airport to Paolo and Graziella’s. It was so nice to see all the family again. After lunch, Grazia and Mimmo came over and Grazia took us to the Merate Comune to submit some documents for my visa.
After dinner, Mimmo and Grazia took us from Paolo and Graziella’s to our apartment. They helped us with our luggage and even had donated some toys and other hand me downs for the kids. This was all very much appreciated. We were all tired, but also excited to spend the first night there.
The week had started with a team meetup in France and ended with us moving into our new home in Italy. Not a bad five days, all things considered.
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