Loire Wine and Chateaux
For the lover of food, wine, and fine scenery, this luxury break is a true treat. You will spend two nights in the lovely Loire Region, savor fine wines, and dine in chateaux worthy of true royalty. Influential kings lived in the Loire Valley since the Middle Ages. Charles VII resided in Amboise, and his cousin, Louis XII, in Blois. Francis I lived at Blois and Amboise, hunted at Chambord and Chenonceau, and brought back many artists and artisans from his Italian campaigns who would transform France’s medieval landscape into a vibrantly-colored Renaissance tableau of sculpture and exquisite art.
Savor three of the finest varieties of wines from the region – including a Saumur sparkling wine, a light and tasty red Chinon, and a hearty Bourgueil. Relish the fabulous food the region is known for – including wild game and mushrooms beyond comparison. You can even enjoy a helicopter ride or balloon trip over the chateaux and visit a medieval troglodyte home. Optional night(s) in Paris after the break can be arranged, or you may combine this with another French regional luxury break.
INCLUDES
- Two nights in a lovely castle-hotel (deluxe room or junior suite accommodation)
- Breakfast (two mornings)
- Gourmet lunch with wine (two days)
- Wine and cheese chateau tours (two half days) with an English-speaking guide with visits to three wineries and two castles
- A helicopter or hot-air balloon overflight of the region
- First-class rail transfers to/from Paris to the Loire region
- Limousine transfers to/from your hotel to the railway station
Loire Wine & Châteaux Itinerary
Day One. Upon arrival late morning at the Tours TGV station, you’ll have the opportunity to sample wines from the prolific Loire region. You may finalize your choices, based on personal taste, with your driver guide. A priori, we would recommend:
- A passionate small producer of Bourgueil wine
- A stop in the town of Saumur where you’ll have time for lunch. Saumur is famous for its sparkling wines, and you would be treated to a tasting of the finest bubbles along with an explanation of the “methode traditionelle.” Your stop can also feature a visit to troglodyte homes in caves dug out of rock
- A third wine visit to the Chinon wine growing area. Chinon wines are red, light and tasty
Enjoy a multi-course gastronomic dinner at your fabulous chateau-hotel’s renowned restaurant.
Day Two. After a balloon or helicopter trip in the morning (optional and weather-permitting), enjoy visits to several of the region’s most stunning chateaux with your driver-guide. Our recommendations for a day visit would definitely include:
- Chenonceau – the favorite chateaux of women – it owes its heritage to Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medecis.
- Chambord – the largest of the hunting castles in the region whose grounds are larger than the city of Paris.
- Amboise – perched atop a hill overlooking the river in the heart of a charming town, this castle has lovely renaissance rooms and is close to Leonardo da Vinci’s last home – le Clos Luce. Enjoy dinner in Amboise or at your Chateau-hotel.
Day Three. After a leisurely breakfast, our driver will take you to the TGV station or Tours airport for your onward journey.
France Experience Reservations
