Castles & Gardens of the… (trip)
Castles & Gardens of the Kings - Loire Valley
- Airport near Amboise, France
- Active & Adventure
| from €2,175* per person | 6 Days | Year-round |
| Boutique accommodations | Exertion level: 4 | |
| Operator: Pure Adventures | 24 people max | |
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!
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Locations visited/nearby
France, Europe
0 testimonials about this trip.
3 testimonials about the provider, Pure Adventures:
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Reviewer: Andy C.
'The trip was great! I lived in France for 5 years and took many great trips around Europe, but this may well have been the most memorable!'
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Reviewer: B. Van Hook
The trip exceeded my expectations in just about every way. It was awesome and challenging to be alone on a bike in a foreign country. I would recommend it to anyone with a sense of adventure who is in good health.
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Reviewer: Heidi Ray
located in
CO
USA
Costa Brava Explorer - This is a WONDERFUL tour. Bo was amazing and helpful, as were his directions and additional information in the hand-outs of things to see and recommended stops and restaurants. I will recommend Pure Adventures to my bicyclist friends, and will certainly return to you for our next European bicycle adventure!
Special information
- This is a custom departure, meaning this trip is offered on dates that you arrange privately with the provider. Additionally, you need to form your own private group for this trip. The itinerary and price here is just a sample. Contact the provider for detailed pricing, minimum group size, and scheduling information. For most providers, the larger the group you are traveling with, the lower the per-person cost will be.
- You need to form your own private group for this trip. It will be scheduled for a date you arrange with the provider. The itinerary here is just a sample.
- Self-guided (includes hotels, maps, luggage transfer, etc but no guide).
- Offers some solo-only/singles departures.
Itinerary
DAY 1: August 13, 2012: : Arrive in Amboise and the hotel Le Choiseul just near the castle of Amboise. Settle in and visit the village and sites. A guided visit of the castle will be arranged. Amboise is a small town with much to see and do; among which is the Clos Luce (Leonardo daVinci) and the chateau. Meet your guide at the end of the afternoon, orientation, and welcome drink to start the week together. Gastronomic dinner in the hotel chateau tonight. (D)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)
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)
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)
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).
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)
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