LOIRE VALLEY CRUISE Blue-Roads | Europe

Take in the beautiful scenery as you drift past stunning Berry and the incredible Sologne region on this magnificent Loire Valley cruise. Along the way we'll tick off impressive architecture, historic cities and prestigious vineyards - making for a truly memorable (and quintessentially French) experience.

TOUR CODE:

BERLVPP-0 Thank You for Choosing Blue-Roads

Thank you for choosing to travel with Back-Roads Touring. We can’t wait for you to join us on the mini-coach!

About Your Tour Notes THE BLUE-ROADS DIFFERENCE See the Briare Aqueduct, one of the most prestigious waterways in France These tour notes contain everything you need to know Visit the medieval town of Sancerre before your tour departs – including where to meet, and indulge in a cheese and wine what to bring with you and what you can expect to do tasting at a traditional goat farm on each day of your itinerary. You can also print this Explore the romantic town of Nevers document out, use it as a checklist and bring it with you after dark on a lantern-lit walking tour on tour.

TOUR CURRENCIES Please Note: We recommend that you refresh this document one week before your tour + France - EUR departs to ensure you have the most up-to-date accommodation list and itinerary information available. Your Itinerary

DAY 1 | PARIS - BRIARE

After meeting the group in Paris, we’ll leave the city behind us and make our way to Briare, a small village in the Loiret region, where we’ll board our private barge this evening. After settling into your cabin, there will be plenty of time to get to know the crew and your fellow travellers over cocktails and dinner – with a cruise through the Briare Aqueduct (one of the longest navigable aqueducts in the world) to round off the day. Accommodation: MS Jeanine

MEALS: Dinner

DAY 2 | BRIARE - LERE

First today: a sightseeing train ride through Briare aboard ‘Le Petit Train’. As we make our way through the village, we’ll see the likes of the impressive Château de Trousse-Barrière, the Church of Saint-Étienne and plenty of locks, lock-keeper houses and quaint bridges. Then: we’ll move on to the Deux Marines Museum, which documents the history of the Loire and its canals, before cruising onward to Léré, where you’ll be free to spend the evening at your leisure after dinner. Accommodation: MS Jeanine

MEALS: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

DAY 3 | LERE- MENETREOL SOUS SANCERRE

We have an exciting day ahead of us today, with a visit to Sancerre – a historic medieval hilltop town overlooking the Loire Valley – on the agenda. After following the Fil d’Ariane (a red line painted on the streets that takes us past old wine-making neighbourhoods, bakeries and art galleries), we’ll visit an authentic goat farm, where we’ll have the chance to taste some delicious cheeses and local Sancerre wine. And later this afternoon? We’ll continue our journey to Ménétréol-sous-Sancerre: our home for the night. Accommodation: MS Jeanine

MEALS: Breakfast Lunch Dinner DAY 4 | MENETREOL SOUS SANCERRE - HERRY

This morning we’ll take a tour of Pouilly-sur-Loire, where we’ll visit the impressive Tour de Pouilly- Fumé – a local winery with a mesmerising backdrop. Here, we’ll stroll the extensive vineyards, see the wine cellar and enjoy a delectable wine tasting session before we climb back aboard the barge. Later, we’ll make our way to the humble village of Herry, where the evening will be yours to do as you please. Accommodation: MS Jeanine

MEALS: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

DAY 5 | HERRY - MARSEILLES LES AUBIGNY

We’ll start the day with a tour of La Charité-sur-Loire and its beautifully restored, UNESCO World Heritage-listed priory. Afterwards, we’ll visit a farm deep in the countryside, where we’ll experience the rustic charm that can only be found in France. The afternoon will see us moving on to the town of Marseilles-lès-Aubigny, where we’ll don our finest outfits for a gala dinner aboard the barge. Accommodation: MS Jeanine

MEALS: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

DAY 6 | MARSEILLES LES AUBIGNY - NEVERS

After this morning’s breakfast, our first stop of the day will be the historic Fontmorigny Abbey. Then, it’s onwards to charming Apremont-sur-Allier, one of the most heart-stealing villages in France, for a photo opportunity or two. After we’ve had a look around the magnificent floral garden, we’ll return to the barge and continue our journey towards the romantic town of Nevers – where an atmospheric after-dark walking tour awaits. By the light of our lanterns, we’ll see the iconic Ducal Palace, stroll past the half-timbered houses of the old quarter and visit Nevers Cathedral, an impressive national monument. Accommodation: MS Jeanine

MEALS: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

DAY 7 | NEVERS - PARIS

After enjoying one last buffet breakfast, we’ll bid a fond farewell to our barge. Then, it’s all aboard the mini-coach back to Paris, where our tour will come to an end.

MEALS: Breakfast Tour Information

Meals Blue-Roads Travel App INCLUDED MEALS

Breakfast (B) is included daily. Why not check in for your tour using the Back- Some of your lunches and dinners are also Roads app? included, either in hotels or local restaurants. This handy tool allows you to view your These are indicated by (L) and (D) in the bookings, check your itinerary, see tour maps itinerary. and more – making it the perfect travel Please note that drinks will not always be companion for your Back-Roads trip. included. How to Download the Back-Roads app We will do our best to accommodate any specific dietary requirements you may have. 1. Launch the App Store or Google Play on Please ensure to make these clear to us your device before your tour begins so we can 2. Search ‘Back-Roads’ and click ‘OK’ communicate them to our hotels, restaurants 3. Select the Back-Roads app in the search and suppliers. results 4. Click the download/install button 5. The app should be installed in your device’s applications page

Other Information

Finances

CHANGING MONEY SPENDING MONEY CASH: Foreign money can be changed at Naturally, everyone’s spending varies. Many of banks, airports, railway and tube stations, and your meals are included in the price of your at major hotels (though at a less favourable tour, so this just leaves a few meals and your rate) personal spending to budget for. CREDIT CARDS: Visa and MasterCard are widely Tips for the Tour Leader and Driver are not accepted. American Express is only accepted in included. Tipping is entirely at your some larger establishments discretion; however, if you feel you have CASH MACHINES: ATMS are widely available received exceptional service, it is recommended that you tip £1-2/€ per day for Drivers and £4-5/€ per day for Tour Leaders.

Insurance Passports and Visas

You will need to take out full travel insurance We advise you either to carry a photocopy of before travelling with Back-Roads Touring. your passport (and visa, if applicable) with you Please ensure that you have adequate medical, while abroad, or to ensure that you leave a personal effects and cancellation cover. copy with relatives back at home. We recommend that you carry your insurance This will enable the local embassy or high details with you at all times. You may be asked commission to arrange a replacement if the to provide details of your medical insurance or original should be lost or stolen. a payment guarantee in some countries before If you do take copies with you on your trip, medical assistance can be provided. please ensure that you keep these separate Your insurance company may not assist you from your original documents. with your claim if the instructions given in the It is your responsibility to obtain any visas policy have not been followed. necessary to enable you to travel in Europe or Asia. Contact your local consular office for more information. Transport

We travel in premium mini-coaches equipped with comfortable seats, air conditioning and large windows for enjoying the view. With far more flexibility than a standard-size coach, we’re able to take the scenic route – winding through beautiful countryside to the heart of tiny villages and coastal towns. What to Bring

Suggested Packing List Wondering what to take with you on tour? Our packing list can be used as a guide. Please Note: What you pack will depend on the countries you’re visiting and the time of year you plan to travel. The following is a suggested clothing list only, based on our experience:

Sun hat Sunglasses Shorts/skirts Long-sleeved tops Short-sleeved tops Trousers Light jacket Waterproof jacket and Warm jacket umbrella Walking shoes/comfortable shoes Smart casual evening Sleepwear Swimwear and towel wear

Other things to pack:

Multi-use travel adapter Camera Batteries Phone Personal medication Sunscreen Paracetamol or aspirin

OPTIONALS TO CONSIDER:

Motion sickness tablets Anti-diarrhoea tablets Sewing kit Lip balm

That's it!

We look forward to seeing you on tour.