LOIRE VALLEY GARDENS EXPERIENCE

4 days, 3 nights

Arrival at: Saint Pierre des Corps () departure from: Saint Pierre des Corps (Tours)

Highlights of the route :

 Landscapes registered in the UNESCO World Heritage  The most beautiful castles and gardens of the Valley in a single trip  Experience the French “art de vivre” in  A sensory exploration

Day 1: Chambord Castle and its forest • Arrival in Saint Pierre des Corps station. Meet and greet with your guide, a Loire Valley expert.

Early afternoon, short transfer to Chambord Castle and its unique park.

Arrive in Chambord and enjoy a private guided tour of this Renaissance masterpiece. Today, this glorious symbol of history is featured on the UNESCO World Heritage list. The double-spiral staircase forms the centerpiece of the décor. However, this cultural treasure also offers chimneys, terraces and an incredible nature preserve. Explore this historical pièce de résistance, from its view of the Grand Canal to the wealth of its local flora and fauna.

• Late afternoon, your driver will drop you in your 4* Hotel in , Hotel Choiseul. Your hotel is located in the town centre, overlooking the Loire river. For your dinner, we would suggest to explore the quaint little town, you will have the choice from french typical bistros to gastronomic restaurants all accessible by foot from your hotel. Or if you prefer, stay in the comfort of your hotel and enjoy dinner in your hotel restaurant. (dinner not included).

Day 2: Chenonceau, Chaumont Garden Festival and

Meet your driver guide at your hotel reception to enjoy a full day guided tour.

Start with the visit of Chenonceau castle and its gardens.

This Castle reminds you why you admire . Arching over the River , it is one of the most romantic Chateau of the Loire Valley

Continue with the visit of Chaumont Castle and gardens. Château de Chaumont stands in a prize position overlooking the Loire and is best seen from the other side of the river. From April to October, it hosts a wonderful garden festival with a different theme each year

Your driver will then take you to an authentic family run wine estate in Vouvray region. You will visit the cellar and enjoy a wine and cheese tasting.

Following your visit, your driver will drop you back off to your Chateau hotel in Amboise. Free evening.

Day 3: Azay le Rideau gardens, Villandry and Rivau

• After your breakfast, meet your guide for your transfer to Azay le Rideau.

Guided visit of the Castle, one of the purest gems of Renaissance architecture in the Loire Valley. The Castle is delicately placed on an island on the Indre river and offers beautiful English style gardens, a jewel case of greenness for what is considered today as one of the most beautiful stone diamonds in Touraine.

• On your way to stop at Villandry Castle and enjoy a visit of its magnificent worldwide reputation gardens.

• On the outskirts of Chinon, picturesque medieval town, discover a hidden castle and its enchanting gardens: Chateau du Rivau. The castle is a beautifully restored French chateau set in the heart of Touraine. Discover is fairytale gardens and its collection of more than 450 different kind of roses!

• Free evening in Hotel Choiseul 4* in Amboise.

Day 4: The Clos Lucé and the “Gardener Prince “

• After your breakfast, meet your guide for your last day in Loire Valley.

Enjoy the visit of Clos Lucé. This beautiful pink brick building is where Leonardo da Vinci spent the last three years of his life. Visit the large Renaissance hall, the bedroom, the kitchen and enter the private world of this genius to discover his ingenious models. Discover canvases and giant machines in the heart of a beautiful green park.

• Later in the afternoon, enjoy a last, but not least, visit to Chateau de la Bourdaisière. A unique Chateau where the Prince has turned his Château in Touraine into a high-end destination with its National Conservatory of Tomatoes (650 varieties) and historical vegetable and medicinal gardens..

Following the tour, transfer to Saint Pierre des Corps train station (transfers to Paris can be arrange).

End of services

We reserve the right to change the program depending on our partners’ availability.

Add one (or more) option to your tour:

- Private Lunch Cruise on the Loire - hot air balloon flight

This tour includes based on 2 people sharing the tour: • Driver-guide expenses during your stay • Entrance fees to visits & places mentioned in the program • Private wine tasting mentioned in the program • 3 nights’ accommodation with breakfasts in a 4* Hotel Choiseul in Amboise Room TRADITION Don’t hesitate to ask a table reservation in one of the fabulous 1*to 3* restaurants of the region..

This tour does not include: • Transport to and from Loire Valley (St Pierre des Corps) • Lunches and dinners • Personal expenses • Travel insurance

All our suggested packages are completely flexible and designed to give you some ideas and inspiration of what we can offer. We can tailor make the tour for you adding more nights or activities.

Price subject to availability at time of booking

CANCELLATION POLICY

Any cancellation, either partial or total, made by the client (except force major as specified in paragraph 4), involves the application of the following charges.

Clients and Company will be notified of any cancellation charges applied by service providers above the percentage level specified below which will be deducted from all refunds except from the 10% OF fees 5.1 TOTAL PROGRAM CANCELLATION (EXCEPT SPECIFIC CONDITIONS GIVEN BY SUBCONTRACTORS) D= starting date of program Basis = total amount of services as it is listed on the ORDER FORM

 Between 45 &30 days = 20% of total amount of the services as it is listed on the ORDER FORM  From D-30 to D-21 = 25% of total amount of the services as it is listed on the ORDER FORM  From D-20 to D-15 = 50% of total amount of the services as it is listed on the ORDER FORM  From D-14 to D-09 = 75% of total amount of the services as it is listed on the ORDER FORM  Less than 8 days = 100% of total amount of the services as it is listed on the ORDER FORM

In case of total cancellation of a program for any reason including “ force majeure ” more than 46 days before arrival the supplier’s will be entitled to claim an amount of 10% administrative fees above supplier’s cancellation penalties. These 10% will be calculated on the total amount of services as it is listed on the ORDER FORM to cover time spent on development of the program.

5.2 PARTIAL CANCELLATION-Penalties charged except special suppliers’ conditions (applying only to individual costs per person and not lot cost due in total whichever number is) EXCEPT SPECIFIC CONDITIONS GIVEN BY SUBCONTRACTORS

 Cancellation up to 60 days before the first day set for the performance of service:  The client may cancel 20% of the amount of the service without penalty. Beyond this percentage, compensation equal to 50% of the cancelled budget will apply,  Cancellation between 59 and 30 days before the first day set for the performance of service:  The client may cancel 10% of the amount of the service without penalty. Beyond this percentage, compensation equal to 60% of the cancelled budget will apply  Cancellation less than 30 days before the first day set for the performance of service:  The client may cancel 5% of the amount of the service without penalty. Beyond this percentage, compensation equal to 80% of the cancelled budget will apply  Cancellation less than 8 days before the first day set for the performance of service Compensation fees equal to 100%.