Your Day By Day Itinerary:
Day 1 - Arrive in Chaumont
We collect you at Blois station and take you (20 mins) to Chaumont where the lovely riverside Hostellerie du Chateau oozes real mediaeval charm - beamed dining room, minstral gallery, grand fireplace. There's a lovely pool if you fancy a dip after your journey.
Day 2 - Chaumont to Blois 17km/11mi or 22km/14mi
Masses of wildlife - herons, hen harriers, roe deer - this morning as you cross the Loire and head north following the course of the Cisse to the pretty C13 Abbaye de la Guiche.
Lunch in Coulanges - the C12 church is worth a detour. From here it's on through the Royal Forest of Blois until you reach your hotel opposite the famous chateau.
Day 3 - At Blois
The small town of Blois sits on a small hill overlooking the Loire, and is very easy to explore on foot: C16 chateau, Museum of Fine Arts, C17 St Vincent de Paul church and Maison de Magie - House of Magic - are all worthy of a visit.
Have lunch on the lovely square below the chateau, or you can take a river trip on an original flat-bottomed toue sailing boat and view the town from the water.
If you want to explore further afield, local buses run from Blois to the chateaux of Chambord and Cheverny, or you can take the train (20 mins) into Amboise.
Day 4 - Blois to Chitenay 17km/10mi
You leave Blois via the shady banks of the river Cosson and enter the Forest of Russy - look out for nut hatches, woodpeckers and tree creepers.
Lunch in the village of Celettes where you must visit the stunning C15 Chateau de Beauregard - set in impressive parkland, this gem is an absolute must! Of particular note is its rare C16 kitchen, portrait gallery and recently restored Gallerie des Illustres featuring 327 portraits of different kings, queens and politicians.
Your final stretch takes you on through acres of well-tended vineyards - lots of places to pop in for a spot of tasting - and poppy fields to the elegant village of Chitenay.
Our ivy-clad hotel here has a pleasant garden terrace - an ideal setting for pre-dinner aperitifs!
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Essential Information:
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Location: |
The Loire, France. |
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Holiday type: |
Independent walking, hotel-to-hotel.
Managed locally by Headwater employed rep. |
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Activity level: |
1 boot |
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Duration: |
7 days (6 nights) |
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5 days (4 nights) option available. |
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Hotels: |
Mid range/good value. |
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Meals: |
Continental breakfast and 4 evening meals. |
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Prices from: |
$1,870pp. Please contact us |
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Departs: |
Every two days from 11 May '12 to 20 Sep '12 |
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Standard transfers are included to connect with these services. Transfers at other times are at additional price. |
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Hotels: |
***(4), **(2) |
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Note: |
This holiday may be adapted to a 4 night version from $1583*. Please ask for details. |
Following a triangular route, you'll first head north crossing the majestic Loire river and on through the royal forest of Blois.
It's then down through vineyards and poppy fields to the elegant village of Chitenay and back via the peaceful hamlets of Seur and Les Montils.
Highlights en route include some of the Loire's most famous chateaux: Blois, formerly known as 'Versailles of the Renaissance', has developed around its massive chateau, which has enjoyed a long connection with royalty and nobility.
The fairytale chateau of Chambord, set in the heart of the huge Foret de Boulogne, reflects the lavish and ostentatious tastes of its original owner, King Francois I.
And the white stone facade of Cheverny, one of the most perfect examples of French architecture, houses one of the largest art collections in the region.
The places you'll stay in have been hand-picked for their superb locations, atmospheric charm, excellent cuisine and warm, friendly owners.
We've included evening meals everywhere except in Blois - with so many restaurants on your doorstep, we thought you'd appreciate having a choice.
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0800 00 3463
