RAIL-DRIVE
LOIRE VALLEY BY TRAIN HOLIDAY
7 nights / 8 days From £ 1,450 per person
Amboise on the Loire
LOIRE VALLEY • MONTLOUIS-SUR-LOIRE • AMBOISE
This holiday by train is a single-centre holiday to the Loire Valley where you can explore this region that is renowned for its ancient hunting forests, vineyards, wide rivers and numerous chateaux, both mediaeval and Renaissance. You have seven nights in one location as a base to explore the region by hire-car.
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DAY ONE London to the Loire Valley Take the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris, before changing stations for your high-speed TGV train to St Pierre des Corps. If you leave London just before 08.00 hrs you reach St Pierre des Corps just after 15.00 hrs. Collect your hire-car from the station and then it’ s a short drive to your hotel.
DAYS TWO TO SEVEN In the Loire Valley You have six full days at leisure to explore the Loire Valley. Explore the town of Amboise, on the banks of the river Loire, where you can visit the Château d’ Amboise, a 15th century residence of Charles VIII housing the tomb of Leonardo da Vinci. You can also visit Château du Clos Lucé where Leonardo Da Vinci lived. Another popular chateau to visit is Chenonceau, with an extensive art gallery and a collection of exquisite Flemish tapestries. You may wish to visit the capital of the region Tours, an ancient university town with narrow streets to explore as well as the 12th century Cathedral of Saint Gatien. Visit Chateau de Villandry, a 12th century castle and gardens to the west of Tours. Visit the 11th century Château de Saumur, formerly a fortress, manor house, town governor’ s residence, prison, arms and ammunitions depot, and now housing the museum. Nearby are the troglodyte caves the Loire valley is famous for. On the bank of the river Vienne sits Chinon, just over an hour from your base. Popular wine-tasting spots include La Cave Montplaisir, the Cave Painctes for specifically Rabelais wine, and the Château de Coulaine for the local speciality, Chinon Blanc. On the edge of the Chinon Forest, sits the Château d’ Ussé, so elegant in its architecture and positioning that it inspired Charles Perrault’ s‘ Sleeping Beauty.’ Nearby is the gem of a chateau at Azay-le- Rideau, built on an island in the Indre River, under the patronage of King Francois I.
DAY EIGHT Loire Valley to London Return your hire-car to St Pierre des Corps, take the TGV to Paris, with a change of stations, and then the Eurostar from Paris to London. There is a train that leaves Tours just after midday which means you arrive in London just after 17.30 hrs.
What’ s included
• Standard class Eurostar and second-class TGV from London St Pierre des Corps return
• 7 nights’ bed and breakfast in a Superior room at Chateau de la
Bourdaisiere, Montlouis-sur-Loire
• Hire of a group B car for 7 days
• Concierge service and Expressions Holidays regional helpful hints
What’ s not included
• Personal holiday insurance. This is essential and cover should be in place from when you book the holiday.
• Local tourist tax, usually between Euros 1 and 3 per person per night, and payable locally to the hotel
• Transfers in Paris
PRICES
Prices from £ 1,950 per person based on two people sharing a double or twin room.
Supplements
• Standard premier on Eurostar / first class on TGV £ 490 per person
• Stay at the Choiseul in Amboise £ 90 per person
Holiday code FRBR14
To speak to our specialist rail holidays team telephone 01392 441250 or see www. expressionsholidays. co. uk