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Walking In The Loire Valley |
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A Self Guided: Relaxed walking and beautiful chateaux in the picturesque countryside by the rivers Loire and Cher |
Ref: EX-DFK
8 days
from £685 (minimum 1 passengers)
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Destination:
France
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Self Guided: Relaxed walking and beautiful chateaux in the picturesque countryside by the rivers Loire and Cher
The Loire, and one of its main tributaries the Cher, flow through countryside of leafy forests, green valleys and charming villages. This beautiful landscape was the hunting grounds and rural retreat of the French kings and noblemen between the 15th to 18th centuries. Along the lower reaches of the rivers the hunting lodges grew into extraordinarily ornate chateaux, fuelled by a desire of each of the nobles to surpass the extravagance of his neighbours; the result is a magnificent collection of architectural masterpieces, the best of which punctuate our walking route. The Loire valley is also famous for its wines, collectively known as vins de Touraine; flourishing vineyards thrive on the fertile soil around the river and its tributaries, and many producers are well-prepared to receive visitors and are more than happy for them to try a glass or two. This holiday is a relaxing and relatively gentle walk; distances are long enough to allow a satisfying exploration of the area, but short enough to leave time to visit chateaux en route.
The walking routes will take you past various chateaux, but entry is optional and not included. You have the choice whether to just follow the suggested route for each day or to devise your own diversions to places of particular interest to you. The suggested walking in the gently rolling countryside is mainly on good footpaths or tracks, some of which are waymarked. The days are undemanding with an average of 15 kilometres covered each day in an estimated average time of 4.5 hours, and the longest walk is 19km, (unless you opt for the longer route of 27km on that day). There are no significant ascents or descents along the entire route. We walk through villages, farms, fields, vineyards and woodland, and alongside rivers with many a shady spot for a rest.
Extend your stay:
extra accommodation can be booked for you in Amboise at the beginning or in Chenonceaux at the end of your trip. Prices are £41 per single room, £55 per twin/double room on B&B basis, plus a £5 booking fee in each case.
Travelling by car/ferry:
if you wish to drive to the Loire from the UK exodus can provide ferry crossings or Eurotunnel. Fares depend on season and timings (please call for details, see below).
Further Information
Special equipment required:
small rucksack, waterproofs, walking boots.
Extra Expenses:
Allow about €75 for your lunches. Two dinners are not included: €20 will buy a good 3-course dinner, but if you want the full gastronomic experience expect to pay up to €50 a head. Entrance fees to the various sites we pass/visit are not included, and most cost €5-10 per person.
Meals Included:
7 breakfasts and 5 dinners
Children:
are accepted: as a guide we suggest they are aged 10yrs or over.
Joining locally:
if you book a land-only package the local starting point is the hotel in Amboise, and the end point is the hotel in Chenonceaux.
Reduction for third and fourth person sharing a room £28
Group & Staff:
Min 1, self guided; luggage is transferred and telephone contact numbers are supplied.
Accommodation:
The hotels are chosen to give a balanced walking itinerary; where possible we use typical French hotels with character. In Sauvigny de Touraine we stay in a delightful watermill with a magical waterside garden. Chaumont sees us in a 3-star hotel with swimming pool for two nights and in Fougeres-sur-Bievre the hotel is in the picturesque village opposite a little mediaeval chateau. In total four nights in 2-star and three nights in 3-star accommodation. All are comfortable with twin, double or single rooms with en-suite facilities.
Food:
All breakfasts are included, are continental in style and taken in the hotels. Lunches are not included and we recommend you carry a picnic, which can sometimes be bought along the way or you may order a packed lunch from the hotel. 5 dinners are taken in the hotel restaurants where you will be served the 'demi pension' menu. Two dinners are not included so on your second night in Chaumont dine either at the hotel or at one of the two other excellent restaurants in town, and in Montrichard there are several excellent restaurants from which to choose.
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Day 1 | Travel by Eurostar from London Waterloo to Paris Gard du Nord, transfer across Paris on the Metro to Gare d’Austerlitz (ticket not included) and then catch the train to Amboise. It is a short walk from the station in Amboise to the hotel. Those booking land-only arrangements start the trip in Amboise. | Day 2 | Crossing the Loire, there is time to visit the Chateau Amboise and Leonardo Da Vinci's museum before heading out into the surrounding countryside. This is a gentle introduction to the week's walking with only 10km across open farmland dotted with small woods between Amboise and the delightful Moulin de Vandon in Souvigny de Touraines. Your hosts at the 'watermill' are Ingrid, Dominique and Pierre - enjoy meeting their menagerie! | Day 3 | The walk today is generally to the northeast, through fields, vineyards and woodland with one small château en route and one larger one at the end. There are no serious ups or downs and plenty of pretty villages, before a final descent to Chaumont, the Loire and your hotel for two nights, which has a swimming pool – a walk of 17km. | Day 4 | Explore the Chateau and the extensive grounds, relax by the hotel pool, lunch at the 'Lion d'Or' restaurant in Cande-sur-Beuvron - a gastronomic delight or spend the day sightseeing in Blois, a 15-minute train journey away. | Day 5 | The 19km walk takes you along the banks of the Loire and then up the Beuvron river before heading into more varied countryside, on the way south to the Château in Fougères sur Bievres and your home for the night, the aptly named Auberge du Chateau. | Day 6 | Probably the most varied route of the week and certainly the longest if you are up early and opt for the full 27km walk, otherwise take a taxi to Choussy and start from there (19km). Pretty lanes and alleys will take you past the 'cave houses' of Les Vallees, but most of the route is through open countryside beside the River Cher and through several villages and farms, with the cafes and patisseries of the bustling mediaeval town of Montrichard at the day's end to spur you on. | Day 7 | The final walk of the week is only 11.5km so a leisurely breakfast is definitely on the cards. The walking is relaxed and unhurried as you follow the course of the river Cher. Perhaps the very best chateau – Chenonceaux - is saved for last. Only a 5 minute stroll from your hotel, a full promenade of the formal gardens may prove a step too far but the flower beds are awash with colour and the chateau must be viewed from every angle. | Day 8 | Catch the train to Paris, cross town on the Metro (ticket not included) and then take the Eurostar to London. Those with land-only arrangements end the trip in Chenonceaux.
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Departures Between | Price from | 13 Mar 04 - 24 Oct 04 | *£685 | | *Prices subject to confirmation |
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FLIGHT INCLUSIVE PRICE
Prices are based on two people sharing a twin room.
Single room supplement £120
Insurance £25
This holiday is operated by Exodus Travels Ltd. ATOL 2582.
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Walking In The Loire Valley
A Self Guided: Relaxed walking and beautiful chateaux in the picturesque countryside by the rivers Loire and Cher
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