Group Travel 2016

France Castles | Peaks GROUP TRAVEL
Chateaux and Gardens of the Loire
Enjoy the overwhelming beauty and extravagance of the chateaux
of the Loire, stroll through a sea of wildflowers, hidden labyrinths,
along moats covered with water lilies in the harmonic palace gardens,
and immerse yourself in fading memories of bygone love,
heartfelt friendships and fateful secrets.
Suggested programme:
Day 1:
Arrive at your hotel in the Tours area, your home for the next 5
nights.
Day 2:
Today travel to the Chateau de Chenonceau, one of the most
pompous castles of the Loire, and visit the multifaceted gardens
that belonged to the widowed queen Katharina de Medici and
the French courtier Diana de Poitiers. In the afternoon continue
to the Chateau de Valencay and let your mind wander between
peacocks and other exotic animals in the forty hectares of different
themed French gardens.
Day 3:
Enjoy an excursion to the Chateau de Chambord, the largest
of the royal châteaux and truly outstanding in every way. There
are delightful features to look out for at Chambord including the
double-return stairwell in the centre of the keep designed by
Leonardo de Vinci and the numerous turrets, spires and domes
©Atout France - M.Subervie
©Atout France - M.Angot
that adorn the roof terraces.
Spend your lunchtime in Blois,
home of the Chateau de Blois,
which was the main royal residence
until Henri IV moved the
court back to Paris, where you
have some free time to explore
this charming royal town. In the
afternoon, continue to the picturesque
Chateau de Royal Blois,
the residence of several French
kings, where the Archbishop of
Reims blessed Joan of Arc.
INCLUDED IN PRICE:
••
5 nights incl. HB in a middleclass
hotel in the Tours area
••
1 x Entrance to the
Chateau de Chenonceau
and its gardens
••
1 x Entrance to the Chateau
de Valencay (incl. audio
guide) and its gardens
••
1 x Entrance to the Chateau
de Chambord and its
gardens
••
1 x Entrance to the Chateau
de Royal Blois
••
1 x Entrance to the Chateau
d’Azay-le-Rideau
••
1 x Entrance to the gardens
of the Chateau de Villandry
••
1 x Entrance to the Chateau
d’Amboise
••
1 x Wine tasting between
Amboise and Tours
Day 4:
After a relaxing breakfast, we recommend visiting the magnificent
Chateau d’Azay-le-Rideau, which is set on a romantic island in
the middle of the Indre River. You then travel to the medieval village
of Chinon. The half-timbered houses, the royal fortress that
towers over the village centre and the surrounding vineyards there
will delight you. The highlight of this day will be the visit of the
gardens of the Chateau de Villandry, one of the most beautiful
gardens of Europe. You should not miss the sun garden, the water
garden, the gardens of love or the vegetable garden.
Day 5:
Start your day with a visit to Chateau d’Aboise. This emblematic
monument and its landscaped gardens offer one of the most remarkable
panoramas of the Loire valley. Your stay in the Loire area
would not be complete without a visit of one of the picturesque
vineyards to taste the famous Loire Valley Wine. In the afternoon
you will then have the possibility to explore the city of Tours with
its well preserved cultural heritage.
Day 6:
Departure.
from E 419.-
©Atout France - C. Bilboett
126
Price per person from: Double room Single room
January – April, July – August,
October – December 2016
Eurotours Ltd | Offices in Kitzbühel/Austria | Vienna/Austria | Munich/Germany | Krakow/Poland | www.eurotours-grouptravel.at
E 419.00 E 559.00