Loire Gastronomic Self-Guided Cycling - Short Break
Loire Gastronomic Self-Guided Cycling - Short Break
Loire Gastronomic Self-Guided Cycling - Short Break
5 Days Starting in France and ending in Loire
Visiting: France
Tour operator:
Tour code:
C04LR
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Physical rating:
Leisurely
Age range:
12 to 99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Activities:
Tour Overview
This gentle and unhurried gastronomic cycling holiday follows a triangular route through the heart of the great Loire Valley. Highlights include the majestic chateaux of Amboise and Chambord, and the rich Renaissance splendour of Chenonceau. You'll pass vineyards, sunflowers and pretty, sleepy villages, before pedalling gently along shady riverbanks and out through open countryside abundant with wildlife. On each cycling day, you'll have the opportunity to taste dozens of different wines - stopping at big wineries or village vineyards as the mood takes you - in a wine region more varied and diverse than any other in the world.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive At Chissay
Meals Included: dinner
Arrive at Chissay and take some time to enjoy a swim before dinner. *(Staying
at Chateau de Chissay, Half board)*
Day 2 : Chissay To St-Ouen-Les-Vignes
Meals Included: breakfast, dinner
Gentle pedalling along the banks of the Cher will bring you first to the
superb Chateau de Chenonceau with its famous arches majestically spanning the
river. Described by Flaubert as floating 'on air and water', it's arguably
the most beautiful of all the Loire landmarks. Lunch here perhaps on the
terrace of the Orangerie restaurant before heading off through the shady
Amboise forest and on to Amboise. Don't worry if you don't have time to
explore properly today as you can easily come back tomorrow. Your final
stretch leads to the elegant village of St Ouen-les-Vignes and Jacques and
Odile Arrayet's bijou hotel beside the river. Odile is a professional
sommelier, and Jacques artistic chef de cuisine, so you're in for some treats
here! *(Staying at Hotel L'Aubiniere, Half board)*
Day 3 : St-Ouen-Les-Vignes To Chitenay 37Km/23.5Mi Or 43Km/27Mi
Meals Included: breakfast, dinner
Lovely peaceful cycling today with a choice of routes depending on how
energetic you're feeling! The shorter option takes you via the sleepy village
of Limeray (with a lovely white church with an impressive collection of
statues) or you can head north through open countryside to Autreche - there's
masses of wildlife so keep the binoculars handy! All cyclists then go on to
Chaumont - the chateau here once belonged to Catherine de Medici and is quite
spectacular. Between May and October, it hosts the International Garden
Festival with a different theme each year. A final, shady riverside stretch
takes you via the pretty villages of Les Montils and Seur and on to Chitenay.
*(Staying at Auberge du Centre, Half board)*
Day 4 : Chitenay To Chissay
Meals Included: breakfast, dinner
Head south past well-tended vines and sleepy hamlets surrounded by fields of
sunflowers Perhaps enjoy lunch on the terrace beside the fortified chateau of
Fougeres-sur-Bievre, before free-wheeling downhill to the River Cher. Here
you'll find the charming old quarter of mediaeval Montrichard, huddled
beneath the 11th century keep, with lots of open air cafes and splendid
half-timbered houses. A final flat cycle follows the Cher back to Chateau de
Chissay for a well-earned dip in the pool! *(Staying at Chateau de Chissay,
Half board)*
Day 5 : Leave Chissay
Meals Included: breakfast
*Please note that cycling helmets are compulsory in France for children under
12. As we are unable to provide these, we strongly recommend that you bring
your own.*
What's Included
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GPS route directions and maps
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/RideWithGPS/ navigation app
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Luggage transfers between hotels
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Meals
4 breakfasts, 0 lunches, 4 dinners.
What's Not Included
Food
The Loire prides itself on it's cuisine. It is 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, which demonstrates the quality of the produce. These all provide delicious accompaniments to the duck, venison and wild boar dishes (all hunted locally) and served in sauces using wines from the local vineyards. Fish also features in abundance. With three wide, gently flowing rivers passing through the region, freshwater fish appear on most menus. 'Sandre' (pikeperch) and breme (bream) are especially popular and are usually served in a beurre blanc sauce - made with shallots, butter, dry white wine and vinegar. The majority of the cheese found in the region is goat's cheese. We suggest trying Selles-sur-Cher from the neighbouring Blesois region. Desserts are often based on the fruit from the local orchards. They include 'tarte tatin', a yummy caramelised upside-down apple pie - the invention of two absent-minded sisters in their attempt to salvage a dessert they had dropped on the floor. The Loire is undoubtedly one of Europe's finest wine producing regions with many of the separate wine areas producing red, white, rose and sparkling wines. Distinctive whites include Sancerre, Pouilly-Fume, Vouvray and Muscadet; for reds, try Chinin, Bourgueil and Saumur. Anjou is by far the most popular rose.
Accommodation
Check out our Q&As
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
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