May 8-14, 2016

Gourmet food, delicious wine, and daily adventures await you in the Heart of France’s Loire Valley

About your experience…

How will you spend your days? Our Adventure is full of the magic of the Val de la Loire, but enjoyment is key! We offer you six nights of accommodation in a wonderful Manor House right in the middle of its own vineyard and working winery. The mornings begin at a reasonable time with a lovely breakfast of fresh and local ingredients prepared by your hosts, Kim, Walter and Glenda. Then we board private vans (no big buses here) to reach our daily destinations. We may make stops along the way to stretch and experience the surrounding countryside.  Or perhaps we will enjoy a gourmet picnic on a lush riverside overlooking a working watermill.  After a fulfilling and fun day, we leisurely dine at a local restaurant or we return to our Manor home for local wine and homemade appetizers then a gourmet dinner prepared by ‘chef’ Walter and followed by casual conversation on the front lawn overlooking the Chateau of Chinon (of Joan of Arc fame). We have so much in store for you, we can’t list it here! Chateaux exploration, wine tastings at small private family-owned wine domains, visits to the local market, sailing on the Loire River and so much more! So join us and see the France ‘outside’ Paris-get to know France like a local!

Your Loire Valley Experience provides ample time for experiencing the beautiful landscape and characters of the Loire Valley in central France. Walter, a *PPA Certified Master Photographer, is available to assist you in creating memorable photographic images as well. If you are not a photographer, then the scents, sights and sounds of Chateaux country will refresh your spirit and soothe your soul.

2016 Adventure

  • $3600 pp single occupancy
    • $200 off! If Adventure Paid in Full by January 1, 2016
  • $3450 pp double occupancy
    • $200 off!  If Adventure Paid in Full by January 1, 2016

     

  • The Adventure cost covers rail by high speed TGV train originating at CDG airport or central Paris to and from Chinon station, ground transfers to and from the Chinon rail station, daily ground transportation by air conditioned van, all breakfasts, most lunches and most dinners, accommodations and wine and soft beverages with meals at our accommodations.  
  • Tour cost is included.
  • Airfare is not included.  
  • Airport meet and escort by host is available for additional fee of $500 per group.  
  • Travel Insurance is HIGHLY recommended.  
  • Nonrefundable deposit of $750 pp due upon booking.

 Itinerary

Accommodations

Thank you, Walter and Kim, for planning an unforgettable experience with AGA!  Your expertise, patience and personal extra touches planned every day, combined to make this one of the most enjoyable travel experience of our lives!  We especially would like to comment on how much we enjoyed the
variety of our daily itineraries:  the delightful gourmet picnics, the interesting and fun wine tastings and boat tour, the epicurean lunches at Le Tasting Room and in the troglodyte cave in Beaumont en Veron, and the outings to the historical sites at Chinon, Fontevraud Abbey, Angers and Chenonceau.  The value of your services was well worth the cost and, in fact, saved us a lot of headaches and money overall!  We would have never been able to stay in a beautiful Chateau and experienced its grandeur and
elegance.  We will always appreciate the care and tenderness you put into our Adventure!  You made our trip to the Loire Valley a dream vacation!
Regards, Jackie and Rusty

Where is the Loire Valley?

small-map-loire

 The Loire Valley  French: Vallée de la Loire, spanning 170 mi, is located in the  middle stretch of the Loire River in central France. Its area comprises about  310 sq mi. It is referred to as the Cradle of the French and the Garden of France   due to the abundance of vineyards, fruit orchards (such as cherries, apples and  pears), and artichoke and asparagus fields, which line the banks of the river. You  will find historic towns, architecture and wines, the valley has been inhabited  since the Middle Palaeolithic period.  In 2000, UNESCO added the central part of  the Loire River valley to its list of World Heritage Sites.  For more information,  click here!

 

 

 

 

*Professional Photographers of America, the International Association of Professional Photographers
Why not precede or follow your adventure with Gourmet Cuisine and Cooking Classes at The Walnut Grove Cookery, in the beautiful Loire Valley? Experience the reality of gourmet cooking yourself. There is only one way to learn and that is to do it! Top English-speaking chefs, luxury accommodation, set in France – the home of gourmet cuisine; what more could you ask for? www.walnutgrovecookery.com