Loire Gastronomic Cycling

• Easy, flat cycling and short distances - perfect if you've not been on a bike for years!
• Shady riverside cycling paths, lush forest trails, wonderfully quiet country lanes
• Superb hotels - swimming pools at most - including a bijou waterfront inn and a luxurious **** chateau
• France's finest chateaux - Amboise, Chambord, Cheverny, Chenonceau - all within easy cycling
• Truly outstanding local cuisine; world-famous wines - tasting opportunities galore!

This gentle and unhurried gastronomic cycling holiday follows a triangular route through the heart of the great Loire Valley. En-route highlights include the majestic chateaux of Amboise and Chambord, and the rich Renaissance splendour of Chenonceau. You'll come across many hidden-away delights too and make lots of personal discoveries as you pedal gently along pretty 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.

The places you stay in are pretty special too and all offer extensive gardens and fine dining. Regional menus are refined and delicate, relying largely on freshwater fish from the rivers, and game - supplemented with rich wine and cream sauces - from the great hunting forests. There are lovely swimming pools at Chissay and St Ouen-les-Vignes.