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Tours > Loire Valley Castles & Gardens

Castles & Gardens of the Kings - Loire Valley

This Loire Valley Cycling Tour -- the luxury hotel option to visit the charming Loire Valley by bicycle -- offers the perfect itinerary for rejuvenating both mind and body. The tranquil waters of the Loire, Indre, and Cher rivers flow through the heart of this scenic region known for its vineyards, orchards, and magnificent castles. The flat-to-rolling terrain is perfect for cycling and is filled with trees and colors.

For many visitors, the Loire Valley conjures images from the fairy tales of childhood. This tour starts in Amboise, an important cultural town with both a castle and historical sites. The cycling will take you to chateaux that are visiting such as Chenonceau and Azay le Rideau, and also the kind you stay in such as Chateau d'Artigny - one of the most famous in the whole of France. You will also cycle through some important wine regions and have the chance to explore some well known gardens. All the best of the Loire Valley by bicycle!

I cannot begin to tell you what a postive and beautiful experience we had. The logistics ran like clockwork, leaving us free to enjoy bicycling, the lovely French people, food, wine and countryside. Accomodations were better than expected and hotel staff were all delightful! I want to go back...now!
- A. Urso

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Maps & Profiles

LOIRE_Trip map_Europeds

Itinerary

Click on a day to see that days itinerary.

DAY 1 DAY 2

Day 2: Ride To Chenonceau: Today is a perfect way to get started; you have a loop tour out to the Chateau of Chenonceau and back to Amboise. Along the way you will cycle some quiet back country roads and drop into the hamlet of Chenonceau and the stunning castle there which is famously perched over the Cher River. This famous castle is where Henri II and Catherine de Medicis and Diane de Poitiers played out their love stories. 40km. Your guides will prepare a delicious picnic lunch so you can enjoy the magical outdoor setting. Upon return to Amboise, your guide will plan a chocolate tasting. Option: add a hot air balloon flight in the morning - supplement 250 euros per person. Dinner included again tonight.(B,D)

LE CHOISEUL

4

Amboise

DESCRIPTION OF HOTEL: On the outskirts of the town of Amboise, Le Choiseul is composed of th...

DAY 3

Day 3: Ride through the vineyards. Depart for vineyards of Montlouis where your guide will organize a wine tasting. Before leaving Amboise, first take the option to visit the strange Pagode de Chanteloup near to Amboise. The tour continues on through the vineyards of the region to Montbazon just south of Tours and your deluxe lodging at the Chateau Artigny, gastronomic dinner included. 45km. (B,D)

CHATEAU D'ARTIGNY

4

Montbazon

DESCRIPTION OF HOTEL: (16k Tours) A magnificent 18th century style edifice built by the famo...

DAY 4

Day 4:Ride to Azay le Rideau: You start with a nice rolling ride toward Sache (home of Balzac) and on to the site of the castle of Azay le Rideau. Here, alongside the Indre River, this is one of the more classical chateaux from the Renaissance period. After a visit you will start cycling toward Luynes with a nice and relatively long countryside ride at 55km. Arrive at the deluxe Domaine de Beauvois for the night with gastronomic dinner. (B,D)

DOMAINE DE BEAUVOIS

4

Luynes

DESCRIPTION OF HOTEL: (Tours 10km) This 16th and 17th century manor house, surrounded by 350...

DAY 5

Day 5: loop ride to wine country: today starts with a vehicle transfer; this time to the wine town of Chinon. Chinon is famous for its castle as well; dating back to the sagas of Joan of Arc and medieval times. From Chinon, after a visit you will have a leisurely ride toward our hotel with some chateau stops on the way including Sleeping Beauty castle Usse! 49km. Gastronomic dinner tonight.(B,D).

DOMAINE DE BEAUVOIS

4

Luynes

DESCRIPTION OF HOTEL: (Tours 10km) This 16th and 17th century manor house, surrounded by 350...

DAY 6

Day 6: Departure. After breakfast, you can depart at your leisure. Trains from nearby Saumur to Tours and Paris are possible. Added nights can be arranged. (B)

General Tour Information

Loire Valley - Castles & Gardens
5 Nights / 6 Days

Dates 2012
August 13-18, 2012 and any other dates on request for any group of 6 or more.

Level - Level: 2 Moderate
Flat to rolling countryside throughout.

Details - Arrival city is Amboise, which accessible via train from Paris or Paris CDG airport. 1 hour by TGV to St Pierre des Corps and then taxi to Amboise. Taxi from rail station to hotel is approx. 20 euros.

Book a Hotel in the Loire region
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Misc Info - Triples and larger rooms are occasionally available, but rates are not available except by request.

Tour Map

	Total Distance: km Total Uphill: m Total Downhill: m Level: 2

Optional Services:

Travel insurance, Paris museum & metro passes, Paris day tours, Lido shows, and other services. Cell phone rental and luggage storage services.

Note: A deposit of 250 euros/person secures your spot in this tour. See Booking Terms and Conditions.

What's Included

The trip includes

BEST 4 star chateaux lodging in the region in Prestige category rooms, all breakfasts, all dinners, 4 lunches, guides, support vehicle(s) with roof mounted bike carriers, lunches on ride days, water/snack packages, baggage handling and transfer, welcome meeting at first hotel, road book with detailed maps and directions, GPS - 1 for 2 persons, site/visit information, fully equipped Scott hybrid bicycle available with a supplement. We also provide travel planning to add Paris hotels, car rentals, France hotels, trains, airport transfers, trains, and more. guide ratio of 1:8, wine tasting, chocolate tasting. Additional Night Amboise: 349 euros/double including breakfast and dinner.

Tour Rates

Price

Upgraded - 4 star hotels
Double Occupancy	2175 €/person
Single supplements with 2 or more travelers: contact us.

(convert from euros)

Photos & Videos

Virtual Tour

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Bike Info

Bike Rentals: Scott Hybrid Bikes

105 euros supplement for duration of the tour. See details and technical specs. Scott Sportster P3/P4 & P40 hybrids; see link for full details and picture. Helmets and add on materials included.

Scott Sportster P3/P4 & P40 hyrid rentals - the best rental bike available in the region.

Click here for more info on Loire Valley

You are important to us; so we make you thoroughly prepared and include:
Pre-trip travel documents: you will receive extensive information as a customer prior to your departure. Upon confirmation we will send you some general information about preparations including passport info, training tips, and reading lists. As a customer you can also Purchase product from Hammer Nutrition, and much more!

Upon final payment, we will send to you a complete list of documentation by email including Hotel List, contact numbers, itineraries, sites to see and information about sites and culture of the region. We include road signs, packing lists, travel tips, language phrases, holiday info, tour details, culture and customs tips, and much, much more!

Recent Feedback on this trip: "We had a wonderful experience! We, often times, would take our own route, 'just a little road', and found many quaint, small villages! Our reception at each hotel was kind and cordial. Great memories -thanks!"

Optional Services:

Travel insurance, Paris museum & metro passes, Paris day tours, Lido shows, and other services. Cell phone rental and luggage storage services.
Note: prices subject to change based upon currency fluctuations. See Booking Terms and Conditions.

Bicycle Tour Regions
Alsace	Burgundy	Dordogne/SW	Loire Valley	Rhone-Alpes
Brittany	Champagne	Languedoc	Normandy	Provence