An
incomparable journey through the vineyards of Touraine and Saumur, passing via many
sumptuous châteaux and medieval towns dotted along the way. Enjoy a walk through an
authentic rural environment along typical countryside lanes that the only Loire Valley
area can offer.
ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrival in Tours: Take some time to visit the heart of the city, especially the
old quarters including the famous 'Place Plumereau' with its half-timbered house and the
gothic cathedral.
Day 2: Villandry - Azay le
Rideau (15 - 20 km). Transfer by taxi to Villandry. Do not hesitate to visit in Villandry
the famous Gardens 'à la française', matchless in Europe and composed of 3 superposed
terraces. This stage will bring you to the Indre Valley passing via Azay le Rideau and its
Renaissance château : a jewel in a wonderful setting of water and green.
Day 3: Rigny Ussé - Chinon (about 15 km): Transfer by taxi to Rigny Ussé. From
Ussé and its château, which inspired Perrault to write his famous story, 'The
Sleeping Beauty,' departure through Chinon Forest to the medieval city of Chinon built on
the edge of the Vienne river and famous for its red wine, well appreciated by François
Rabelais.
Day 4: Excursion around Chinon (12 - 17 km): Full day to wander through the vineyards of
Chinon where you will have the opportunity to enter and visit numerous cellars, without
forgetting to taste this famous red wine of course!
Day 5: Chinon - Fontevraud (about 15 km): Leave Chinon following the Vienne River to reach
Fontevraud, well-known for its amazing Abbey which is the largest monastic city remaining
in Europe and burial site of Richard the Lionhearted and other famous members of the
Plantagenet family.
Day 6: Excursion to Montsoreau (11 - 13 km): Montsoreau is a charming village on the Loire
River, where you will have the possibility to visit its fascinating troglodyte sites, once
part of a quarry but now used as mushroom beds. Return to Fontevraud for overnight.
Day 7: Turquant - Saumur
(about 15 km): Transfer by taxi to Turquant. From Turquant hike through the vineyards of
'Saumur' and 'Saumur-Champigny' towards Saumur, a nice historical town overlooked by its
imposing château.
Day 8: Departure from Saumur.
Trip includes:
- accommodation in 2** hotels, all rooms with private facilities
- daily breakfast
- 4 dinners
- 3 transfers by taxi : on Day 2 from the Tours hotel to Villandry, on Day 3 from Azay le Rideau hotel to Rigny Ussé, and on Day 7 from Fontevraud hotel to Turquant
- luggage transfer from hotel to hotel
- maps, route descriptions & tourist literature
- emergency support
- local VAT
Level: easy. The region is hilly but there are no prolonged ascents or descents and few steep gradients.
Prices & Departures for 2006
| Available March-October | 8D/7N Daily |
| Per Person in Double | $850 |
| Per Person in Single | $1125 |
| Extra Night Accommodation in Tours | Includes breakfast, VAT |
| Per Person in Double | $90 |
| Per Person in Single | $140 |
 |
|
(Subject to change)
