Chateaux & the Loire Valley

Join us on this holiday based in Tours and explore the enchanting Loire Valley famous tor its chateaux and wine.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Hotel for 4 nights with welcome drink, breakfast and dinner (excluding dinner on 1st evening)
• Included excursion to Chateau Chambord & Blois
• Included excursion to Chenonceaux Chateau, Amboise, Roche Corbonne & Vouvray
• Optional Tour of OrleansDAY 1 Departure: A morning departure to Dover and our ferry crossing to Calais, we continue south by-passing Paris and on to Orleans and the lovely Loire Valley.

DAYS 2-4 At leisure in Orleans with one optional* and two included excursions.

Optional* tour of Orleans: A guided tour of this river side city which was always a strategic point on the Loire, as it was sited at the river’s most northerly point being the closest to Paris. There are many things to explore in Orleans including five bridges that cross the river Loire, Saint Croix`s Cathedral, Joan of Arc’s house and equestrian statue and the floral Park of La Source. During the Liberation in the Second World War, Orleans was heavily bombed by the American Air Force but was one of the first areas to be rebuilt after the War.

Chateau Chambord and Blois: Departing after breakfast we head southwards and to the chateau of Chambord standing in 14,000 acres with no less than 365 chimneys in ornate Renaissance style.We then continue on to the riverside town of Blois with its steeply winding streets, lined with half timbered medieval buildings, little alleys, and hidden courtyards, all of which have preserved both the architecture and the atmosphere of the town`s illustrious past.

Chenonceaux Chateau, Amboise, Roche Corbonne & Vouvray: Today we head to the most romantic and celebrated chateau Chenonceaux, which is beautifully built across the River Cher with magnificent gardens which were originally laid out by two remarkable women, Catherine de Medicis and Diane de Poitiers.We continue onto the town of Amboise, a favourite residence of French Kings, and it was here that the art of the Renaissance first came to France from Italy.We return to Orleans via Roche Corbonne and Vouvray for an optional* visit to a local wine cellar.

LAST DAY Travel home: We depart for Calais and our ferry crossing to Dover, arriving home during the evening.Mercure Tours Sud, Tours

Offering countryside views this hotel has an open bar, a restaurant, indoor swimming pool, sauna, solarium and steamroom. Each of the 75 en suite bedrooms has satellite TV, hairdryer, air conditioning and tea/coffee making facilities. There is a lift to all floors and porterage is included.