LOIRE VALLEY CHATEAUX OF THE LOIRE Cycling 7 Days
Great Explorations 2 LOIRE VALLEY Only one hour south of Paris lies a region that since the Renaissance has been a favorite of kings and the aristocracy; the Loire River valley is dotted with fine chateaux, vineyards, and some of the most beautiful (and gentle) cycling routes in France. Our tour visits the most magnificent chateaux, the extraordinary gardens of Villandry, but also leaves time to explore the subtler aspects of a region that has much to offer. ITINERARY Getting there Tours Located just one hour south of Paris there are frequent train connections Day 1 Your hotel is included on arrival day on this tour; we have a walking tour of the historical district planned at 4:00 and then dinner at a favourite bistrot at 7:00. Day 2+3 Amboise Cycling from Tours, we ll ride east along a quiet road winding through vineyards to Amboise, with its impressive castle and charming village. Leonardo da Vinci lived here and we ll visit the museum in his former home. On our second day we ll cycle to Chenanceaux where we ll enjoy a guided visit of one of the most magnificent chateau in France. Day 4 Veigne Riding west we ll stop for lunch at a curious castle whose owner has a passion for growing tomatoes (his garden has 500 varieties); we ll enjoy lunch here before continuing on through forests and sun-flower fields, making our way to Montbazon. Here we ll stay at a former mill that has been turned into a charming hotel, with a restaurant that is outstanding. A long option on this day will offer a chance to ride to the gardens of Villandry. Only Great Explorations Small groups, extraordinary guides, and authentic experiences. Ride the bike path along the Loire River, a ride you will never forget. A sumptuous picnic on the grounds of one of the grand chateau. Order off the menu at restaurants you won t find in guidebooks. Distinctive, charming hotels too small for larger groups. We design and operate our own trips so there are only good surprises. Trip Dates 2017 May 22-28 Jun 7-13 Jun 12-16 Jun 18-24 Jul 23-29 Aug 14-20 Aug 28- Sep 3 2018 May 21-27 Jun 11-15 Jun 17-23 Aug 13-19 Aug 27- Sep 2 Self-guided and custom trips also available and can start any day.call or email for details. Trip Size 8-16 participants Total Days 7 days/ 6 nights Arrive/Depart Tours/Chinon
7 AV. FOCH 9 1 11 12 13 11 2 6 3 RUE MARCADET BD ARAGO 5 BD DE LA CHAPELLE 4 10 8 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Eiffel Tower Louvre Montmartre 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. hôtel Galileo Great Explorations 3 Brehemont Chinon FINISH Day 5+6 Chinon Azay le Rideau LOIRE RIVER Following one of the tributaries of the Loire, we ll enjoy some of the best riding in the region, stopping to visit Château de Sache, where the writer Balzac resided. In Azay-le-Rideau we ll visit the impressive château that is the jewel of the Loire Valley followed by a sumptuous picnic nearby. In Chinon, we ll stay in the medieval center at a hotel that is warm and welcoming. On our last day of cycling there are options to cycle past popular vineyards along quiet cycling roads or a longer option to Richelieu. As on all of our trips, we ll have a celebratory feast at a distinctive restaurant near our hotel for final night. Tours START Montbazon Day 7 Veigne TOURS Paris PARIS Amboise Chenonceaux Depart at your leisure from Chinon train station.onward travel. Temperature in Tours, France (Avg. Daily High) C F April 14 57 May 20 68 June 24 75 July 25 77 August 25 77 September 22 72 October 17 63 Activity Level Moderate 20-40+ miles daily Van supported Terrain 3 days flat, 3 days are gently rolling What s included in cost? Services of one or more experienced Great Explorations guides and support vehicle 6 nights lodging All breakfasts, 2 lunches, and all dinners but 1 Entrance fees for selected historical sites and museums Detailed map and route instructions All baggage transportation All transportation from initial meeting point to final drop-off (see arrive/depart cities) City Guide Paris First 12 AV. ACHILLE PERETTI ALLEE DE LONGCHAMP VOIE GEORGES POMPIDOU 0600 Atget-Style Get up and out before sunrise and take yourself and your camera down to the Seine for a sunrise vista the envy of Hallmark. Capture street cleaners washing the cobbles, old men taking their first quiet cafe au lait, the famous Paris mist enveloping the Seine and the yellow haze rising behind the Eiffel Tower that Eugène Atget would be proud of. 0900 Return to your accommodations for a last homemade Parisian breakfast. AV. VICTOR-HUGO BD VICTOR BD DE GRENELLE RUE DE LA CROIX NIVERT Recommended artists to the Left of Me 0900 Check out! Leave your bags in your chosen accommodations and check out the streets of Paris. 1000 Sidewalk Bits and Bites The centuries-old Parisian tradition of the pavement café has blown up exponentially since the smoking ban in Paris. Iconic red and green canopies shelter tables pregnant with chatting friends, people-watching singletons, sipping businessmen and kissing couples. Enjoy a coffee and pastry at any you stumble across and you ll see what the hype is all about, but we like Café de Flore, simply for its historic allure. Since it opened as a café in 1887, it was the classic haunt of an emerging artisan society; Oscar Wilde, Appolinaire, Sartre, Beauvoir, Picasso and Hemingway have all sipped, drank and evinced the spoils and endowments of existence, within the al fresco confines of Café de Flore. HOTELS Hôtel du Petit Moulin, Marais 33-(0)1-42-74-10-10 www.hotelpetitmoulinparis.com This 4-star bohemian chic enclave has been colurfully designed by Christian Lacroix, in bold and daring individuality. The building used to be a boulangerie where Victor Hugo bought his daily bread. Hôtel de Lutèce, Marais 33-(0)1-43-26-79 www.paris-hotel-lutece.com This welcoming house is steps from Notre-Dame, Saint-Germain s cafés and Bastille. The 17th Century house retains the Louis XIII atmosphere with antique furniture, period panelling, beamed ceilings and terracotta tiles. It s the centre of village life, right in the heart of Paris. BD DU MONTPARNASSE E info@greatexplorations.com W www.greatexplorations.com QUAI BRANLY AV. KLEBER AV. MARCEAU RUE JOUFFROY D ABBANS E info@greatexplorations.com W www.greatexplorations.com AV. GEORGE V AV. BOSQUET BD PASTEUR BD RASPAIL BD DE PORT-ROYAL QUAI DES CELESTINS city guide paris in 48 hours - Hôtel Prince de Condé, Saint-Germain 39, rue de Seine 33-(0)1-43-26-71-56 www.prince-de-conde.com This a narrow 18th Century townhouse on the oldest part of the rue de Seine in the heart of the Saint Germain des Près. It s been beautifully converted into one of the city s smallest and most stylish hotels. The street dates back to the 13th Century and was once home to La Reine Margot and d Artagnan, one of the Three Muskateers. Hôtel Armour, Pigalle 8, rue Navarin 33-(0)1-48-78-31-80 www.hotelamourparis.fr Hotel Gabriele From here you can stroll along the river, towards the omnipresent Eiffel Tower, providing a magnificent view of the city s greatest monuments. 172, boulevard St Germain 1200 Ever been in Shakespeare s Company? Shakespeare AND Company to be exact. In the words of its (now deceased) owner, it s a socialist utopia masquerading as a bookstore. It was named after the original 1919 bookstore, gathering place for the likes of Ezra Pound, Hemingway and James Joyce. Even the new owner s daughter was named after the original owner, Sylvia Beach. Today it s a unique blend of co-op housing for young writers, a teahouse and book shop. The only stipulation for these young and penniless writers is that they must read a book a day. Every Monday night they host a free reading by published writers and writers-in-progress can read their RUE D HAUTEVILLE PARiS A nouveau-chic hotel is the brainchild of a graffiti artist and Thierry Costes (of the Costes hotel-family fame). It s full of moody corridors, red walls, genius light fixtures and graffiti walls. It s way cool, man. Musée d orsay Montparnasse hôtel Brighton hôtel Concorde Hôtel Galileo, Champs-Elysées 54, rue Galilée 33-(0)1-47-20-66-06 www.galileo-paris-hotel.com Just steps from possibly the world s most beautiful street, L Arc de Triomphe, the haute couture boutiques and world-renowned museums, you ll find the polished atmosphere of the Hôtel Galileo. With its glassed-in verandas, flower-filled balconies and chic flair, this charming hotel is the epitome of French elegance. RESTAURANTS Le Meurice 228, rue de Rivoli 01-44-58-10-10 www.lemeurice.com paris hôtel du petit Moulin arc de Triomphe hôtel de Lutèce, place de la Concorde Jardin des Tuileries work in the library. 37, rue de la Bûcherie 1400 - Orsay, you say? Paris is a city of beautiful and historical bridges and we think the Pont des Arts is a must for any walking tour. En route to the Musée d Orsay, this pedestrian bridge offers a supreme panoramic of the city. Seen during the latter end of the day with the dimming light, it s one of the most romantic spots in the city. You ll see many artists with their easels and lovers with their picnics hoping to capture the moment forever. Combine a stunning conversion of the Gare d Orsay with the giants of Impressionism and you have the Musée d Orsay. Lose yourself Degas ballerinas and nudes, Manet s Luncheon, Cézanne s fruits and Van Gogh s Starry Night. 1, rue de la Légion d Honneur, closed Mondays. If you re looking to plurge out on a bit of French fancy then look to the, ornate cornices, crystal chandeliers and heavy curtains of Le Meurice for a dose of gastronomic grandeur. Be
Great Explorations 4 HOTELS Maison Jules Maison Jules Tours This charming property is more chambre d hote than hotel. This quiet hotel is our favourite in Tours; the rooms are very large, the lounges are wonderful. The owner, Alexandra, is a bon vivant and a wonderful host. Breakfast was superb! Le Clos d Amboise Le Moulin Fl This 16th century manor house is situated in a large French-style landscaped park with a pool and fountain, enclosed by ancient stone walls in the heart of the old town. The spacious rooms offer the highest standards in comfort and ambience with original wood flooring, fireplaces and ancient paneling. Enjoy breakfast in the Rabelais room boasting period woodwork and a unique 18th century Versailles wood floor. euri Amboise mboise Le Clos d A Le Moulin Fleuri Veigne Stay in a sixteenth century mill, situated in the centre of a large park, on the Indre River. Each room has exposed beams, rustic furnishings and boasts river and garden views. The restaurant here is one of the best in the entire region, using fresh produce from the market in traditional ways. Hôtel Diderot Chinon This charming hotel, built in the 15th century and located in the historical center of Chinon is distinctive with friendly owners. Recommended by Guide de Charme and the top-rated Chinon hotel of Trip Advisor. Hôtel Diderot
Great Explorations 5 OUR GUIDES Our guests tell us time and time again that our guides are what set us apart from other companies. Caring, knowledgeable, athletic, articulate and fun-loving, each one is a natural leader Here at Great Explorations, we are tremendously proud of our guides. A diverse group of passionate and charismatic professionals, they have the local know-how and expertise to make your vacation incredibly rewarding. Whether it s fitting your bike, arranging a one-of-a-kind activity or being your personal interpreter, our guides wear many hats with ease. They are intimately familiar OUR BICYCLES with their travel regions, having either lived or traveled there extensively. Comfortable speaking the local language and knowing all of the off-the-beaten track secrets, our guides ensure you ll have the journey of a lifetime. Our website features detailed bios on some of the more than sixty guides who lead trips for us worldwide. The majority of our bicycle fleet are Cannondale bikes; Cannondale is the premier bicycle manufacturer in North America and Europe. Cost Land Cost (current year): US $2550 Includes 6B/2L/5D Single Supplement: US $640 Bike Rental: $180 Ready to reserve? Call or email Travel Advisor with any remaining questions and to reserve your space 1.800.242.1925 Reserve your flights to and from the region Book your night before hotel, if necessary Consider travel insurance Please note: Final itinerary is subject to revision; any changes made are done so in an attempt to provide the best possible trip given route conditions and available services. Due to the nature of our business and exchange rates, prices are subject to change. All prices quoted are U.S. dollars but we gladly accept payment in Canadian dollars also. Due to cancellations and waiting lists, trip availability fluctuates daily. If you have any questions or would like to confirm space on this trip before making your reservation, please contact us at info@great-explorations.com or by telephone at 604.730.1247 Our Cannondale hybrid bikes in the Loire Valley are new Quick Speed 2 performance hybrids with components as follows: Frame: aluminum; carbon forks Crank: Shimano 105; 5700 50/34 Rear Derailleur: Shimano 105 5700 Tire: 700 x 28C Saddle: Cannondale Quick Speed Ergo Racing bikes (dropped handlebar) are available on request ; if your preference is for racing bikes, please indicate on the registration form and we will let you know if availability exists for your dates. All bikes come with pump, tire levers, spare tube, water bottle carrier etc. Hybrid bikes come with handlebar bags and rear racks; racing bikes, come with map case but not a rear rack. We tune each bike prior to your arrival so that it is ready to ride for you.
Great Explorations 6 ACCOLADES The Loire Valley trip was absolutely spectacular. The guides were very professional and all aspects of the trip exceeded my expectations. I ve already referred Great Explorations to other friends and hope I have an opportunity to book again and return Leslie S. Vancouver BC We knew that it would be a good trip but we were blessed with our incredible guides, Veronika and Adrien who knew the terrain so well, who went that extra bit to ensure that everything was ideal for us, and we had fabulous weather. Elaine T. Belleville ON Thoroughly enjoyed it. Having never been on anything like this before, didn t know what to expect. A great way to see a country. Dan P Toronto ON For additional testimonials, please visit www.great-explorations.com/testimonials.