Self-drive or fly-drive tour exploring the châteaux of the Loire valley

9 nights and 8 days
Enjoy this tour to the Loire Valley in central France, a region that is renowned for its gentle countryside, vineyards, forests, rivers and numerous châteaux.

Suggested itinerary for this touring holiday:
This leisurely touring holiday of the Loire Valley gives you ample opportunity to explore the famous corners and hidden gems of this delightful region, bursting with Renaissance châteaux, mediaeval strongholds and vineyards. If you choose the self-drive option, arrive at Calias by ferry and collect your hire car before driving onwards, and fly-drive travellers will enjoy a flight into Paris. The first of your three hotels is the Château de Noirieux, a superbly restored edifice set in extensive parkland and overlooking the River Loir, a short distance northeast of Angers. Capital of the Anjou and cradle of the Plantagenet dynasty, Angers and its famous Apocalypse Tapestry makes for an interesting excursion. From here, drive through tranquil landscapes punctuated by stately châteaux and fields of vines of the Parc Naturel Régional Loire Anjou Touraine en route to your second hotel set just south of Chinon. Stop off perhaps in the delightful town of Saumur, set between the Loire and Thouet rivers and renowned for its famous vineyards and Cadre Noir riding school. The Château de Marçay is an enchanting building, dating back to the 12th-century, and is the perfect setting from which to visit mediaeval Chinon, birthplace of Richard the Lionheart. From Marçay, drive north, past the stunning château of Azay-le-Rideau and towards the cathedral city of Tours and the heart of châteaux country – Amboise, Cheverny, Blois, Chenonceau among others. Your last hotel is an elegant property situated in the town of Amboise. With gourmet restaurants accompanied by the finest local wines, your stay in the Loire is certain to delight.

Driving times for this touring holiday:
Calais to Angers: 4 hours 45 minutes
Angers to Marçay: 1 hour 15 minutes
Marçay to Amboise: 1 hour 15 minutes
Angers to Amboise: 1 hour 45 minutes
Amboise to Calais: 5 hours

For this touring holiday, we include:
•Three nights’ bed and breakfast at the Château de Noirieux near Angers
•Two nights’ bed and breakfast at the Chateau de Marçay near Chinon
•Two nights’ bed and breakfast at the Le Choiseul in Amboise
•Self-drive with P&O return ferry crossing from Dover to Calais for car and passengers
•Or Fly-drive with British Airways scheduled flight London to Paris return and hire of a group A car for the holiday

From £1067 per person self-drive, or £1095 per person fly-drive.