Loire Valley - France
This is the historic centre of France, where much of Frances royal history resides. Along the Loire, Frances longest river, you visit incredible Chateaux, vineyards and historic sites on a leisurely walking pace. This is a relaxed pace trip, designed to allow lots of sightseeing, wine sampling and partaking in rich, gourmet french meals. Truly the best of all worlds - culture, arts, scenery and gourmet delights. Follow history's footsteps on this trip into the heart of France.
Our route takes in the chateaux at Amboise, where Leonardo da Vinci spent his twilight years, Chenonceau where the castle spans the river Cher, and Azay le Rideau, so delicate it was surely not built for war. At Fontevraud Abbey you can visit the tomb of Richard the Lionheart. On the way, is the fortress of Chinon and the medieval town beneath it. As a break from visiting Chateaux, you can visit the troglodyte caves, or explore the vineyards and taste the wines of Touraine, Chinon and Anjou or visit the Gardens of Love at Villandry. The walks in the valleys of the Indre, the Cher and the Vienne are as gloriously peaceful and rewarding as the man-made attractions of the Loire valley. The terrain is gentle, altitude ranging from 150 feet in the river valleys to 400 feet on the intervening plateaus. This is one of the more northerly wine producing areas in France so the best vineyards are on south facing slopes. Elsewhere the soft chalky rock has been excavated for wine caves or troglodyte dwellings. Along the river banks are water meadows shaded with willows and poplars and away from the rivers glorious old forests.
Detailed trip dossier<Picture>
ACCOMMODATION & MEALS: Bed and breakfast plus 5 evening meals included at the hotels.
ARRIVAL: Between 4pm and 7pm on the first day at Amboise. A transfer from the station can be arranged by the hotelier on request. Eurostar also available from London Waterloo to Lille, then TGV to Tours (thus avoiding Paris) and local train to Amboise.
END OF TOUR: After breakfast on day 8 in Saumur. By train to Angers (30 mins) or Tours (1hr) for onward TGV connections to Paris. Return also to Lille and Eurostar to Waterloo.
Self Guided Inn to Inn 8 days
CODE: SLV
GRADE:
* This tour is also available as an ESCORTED DEPARTURE
Code: SLVE
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