Current as of: May 21, 2019 - 12:22 Valid for departures: From April 10, 2018 to December 31, 2019 Chateaux of the Loire Self-Guided Walk Trip Notes Ways to Travel: Self-Guided 9 Days Land only Trip Code: Destinations: Adventure Holidays in France Min age: 8 Leisurely Programmes: Walking & Trekking W08LR Trip Overview On this 8-night, self-guided holiday you'll enjoy wonderfully relaxed walking amidst the sublime architecture and picturesque landscapes of the famous Loire region. At a Glance 8 nights hotel-to-hotel 4 Days Walking Continental breakfast and 4 evening meals Services of your local Headwater Representative Headwater Wine Collection Service Route directions and maps Luggage transfers between hotels Countries visited: Adventure Holidays in France Trip Highlights Wonderful relaxed walking on flat, riverside routes and through poppy fields and parkland Beautiful Loire and Cher rivers; majestic chateaux including Amboise, Chenonceau, Cheverny and Chaumont Sleepy wine village of Chitenay; pretty Amboise with its boutique-lined streets Hotels full of character with delicious regional cuisine and excellent wines Is This Trip for You? Activity Level: 1 (Leisurely) Average daily distance on move on days: Terrain: As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. We have suggested that 8yrs is the minimum age for this trip, but as it is self-guided and you will be leading your own family we will ultimately leave this decision up to you. There may be others on the same departure date as you, but you will not be organised together. You are provided with route notes for each day, which begin with an overview of the walk and advice on lunch, followed by detailed instructions. The route notes contain a 24 hour emergency assistance telephone number should you need it and in emergencies, the local representative is normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge for this service. Group As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. A local representative is on hand to assist you and will meet you at the beginning of the week to go through the route notes and point out particular places of interest. Your luggage is transferred and route notes and maps are provided. Please note: the walking and luggage transfers included in this tour are subject to a minimum of 2 people (in total) booked on the departure. A supplement (payable in advance) to cover these transfers and sole occupancy of a room will apply if only 1 person travelling on a departure date. Adult min age: 13 Child min age: 8 Child max age: 12 Itinerary Land Only Start City: Chaumont End City: Chaumont Land Only Itinerary Day 1 Arrive at Chaumont Arrive at your riverside hotel in Chaumont. (Staying at Hostellerie du Chateau, Half Board) Meals included: Dinner Day 2 Chaumont to Chitenay Today's walk takes you alongside the River Beuvron into the sleepy village of Cande-sur-Beuvron before passing the Chateau de Frileuse on your way to Les Montils, a perfect place for a lunch stop. Heading out of town through open countryside, you arrive in the pretty hamlet of Seur, before crossing the river into Chitenay. Your hotel offers superb food; relax on the terrace overlooking the gardens and swimming pool and enjoy an aperitif before dinner. (Staying at Auberge du Centre, Half Board) Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner Distance covered: 14 km / 9 miles Activity (hours): 3 Day 3 At Chitenay The sleepy wine village of Chitenay is ideally placed to visit many of the Loire's finest chateaux. We particularly recommend picture-postcard Cheverny which has one of the region's largest art collections including a permanent 'Secrets of Moulinsart' exhibition, and also, just 3km further on, lovely little Chateau de Troussay with its rich furnishings collection, elaborately decorated ceilings and attractive landscaped gardens. (Staying at Auberge du Centre, Half Board) Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner Day 4 Chitenay to Chenonceaux Today a 20-minute transfer takes you to Bourre, where you'll begin your walk alongside the River Cher. You have the chance to visit the Caves des Roches - or 'mushroom caves' - on the way, a vast network of underground caves and tunnels which were formerly limestone mines. You'll also pass La Magnanerie de Bourre, the site of traditional cave dwellings and a silk-worm farm. Continue your walk alongside the River Cher to Montrichard, a traditional French town with its own riverside beach and a number of good restaurants to choose from for lunch, before heading along the GR41 through Chissay-en-Touraine to Chenonceaux. (Staying at Hotel La Roseraie, Breakfast only) Meals included: Breakfast Distance covered: 17 km / 11 miles Activity (hours): 3 Day 5 At Chenonceaux Today you can marvel at the impressive Chateau de Chenonceau, one of the best-known of the Loire chateaux with its iconic arches over the river. This fairytale chateau has seen some famous figures from history, notably Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de'Medici - rivals for Henry II's affections - and Mary, Queen of Scots. The university city of Tours is an easy train ride away, home to a plethora of bars, cafes and restaurants, along with popular shopping centres and quirky independent shops in the old quarter. (Staying at Hotel La Roseraie, Breakfast only) Meals included: Breakfast Day 6 Chenonceaux to Amboise Take the train from Chenonceaux to Veretz-Montlouis and from there follow the back roads of the GR3 which run parallel to the River Loire. From Montlouis you'll walk through the Loire's sprawling vineyards, with the chance to stop and taste delicious wines on the way; don't forget - we'll carry any wine purchases for you! Continue your walk alongside the Loire and you'll arrive in the bustling market town of Amboise. (Staying at Hotel Le Pavillon des Lys, Breakfast only) Meals included: Breakfast Distance covered: 17 km / 11 miles Activity (hours): 4 Day 7 At Amboise Amboise has a charming mediaeval feel, with historical links to the French Royal Family and also connections to Leonardo da Vinci who spent his last few years at Clos Luce, now a museum which houses displays of some of the artist's original work. Da Vinci's tomb is housed in the majestic Chateau d'Amboise which also hosts the impressive Son et Lumiere display. Amboise offers plenty of restaurants and cafes in which to relax and sample the local wines and produce. (Staying at Hotel Le Pavillon des Lys, Breakfast only) Meals included: Breakfast Day 8 Amboise to Chaumont Head south-east today, following the GR3 trail towards the village of Souvigny-de-Touraine, before sauntering through open fields and vineyards, perhaps stopping off for a final tasting! You'll then join the Camino de Santiago trail as you make your way back to riverside Chaumont. (Staying at Hostellerie du Chateau, Half Board) Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner Distance covered: 21 km / 14 miles Activity (hours): 4 Day 9 Leave Chaumont Meals included: Breakfast All ascents, descents and distances listed above have been measured by our local partners or tour leaders. Please note that different GPS measuring devices can give differing results dependent on the barometric pressures at the time. Measurements stated throughout these trips notes are given to help you understand the types of terrain and distances you will encounter. Accommodation Hotels We've hand-picked friendly, welcoming hotels for your holiday, full of character and in some of the Loire's finest locations. You can expect mouth-watering food and wine, with meals included everywhere except Amboise where there's a wonderful selection of restaurants for you to choose from. Where a single supplement is available, paying for a single only guarantees a room for single use. It does not always mean a twin or double room will be provided for sole occupancy. Single supplement from $483.60 USD Food & Transport Eating & Drinking Continental breakfast and 4 evening meals. Standards of cooking in the Loire are consistently high. It’s civilised and refined country cooking, not heavy but rich in flavours and textures, drawing on the great garden of the Loire valley. Fruit and vegetables abound: asparagus, artichokes, button mushrooms, cherries and strawberries from the Loire are transported to kitchens throughout France. These provide succulent accompaniments to the duck, venison and wild boar dishes (all hunted locally) and served in sauces using wines from the local vineyards. Non-meat eaters have no need to feel left out though - with three wide, gently flowing rivers passing through, freshwater fish appear on most restaurant menus. Sandre (pikeperch) and brème (bream) are especially popular and are usually served in a beurre blanc sauce - the Loire fish dish, made with shallots, butter, dry white wine and vinegar. Weather & Seasonality Weather Information The Loire valley is blessed with fantastic weather for walking. The spring and autumn seasons experience mild climates with temperatures averaging 16-20 degrees Celcius. The summers are generally warmer with temperatures reaching the high 20s. There is always the chance of rain so it is best to be prepared for this with a waterproof layer, it is also good to have a warmer layer for the early mornings and evenings. Arrival Instructions Your trip normally starts at the hotel on the afternoon of Day 1 of the itinerary. Hotel check-in times are normally from around 4pm. Rail and station transfers are not included in tour price (inquire for details and prices). Fly to Paris CDG then rail Paris Charles de Gaulle to Tours St Pierre des Corps 11:19/12:58 and taxi (pay locally) or pre-booked private transfer to hotel 35 minutes.