Saturday 10th April – Saturday 17th April 2010

Because of a late cancellation, a place has just become available.
Contact Paul Krebs (07941 823664) for details.

A week in Région Centre, combining time on the Loire Valley path, in the wooded hills of the Loir and the heath and forests of the Sologne. We plan to stay in some larger towns, mediaeval villages and perhaps some country gites too.

The tour will be of 'two star' grade and starts one week after Easter. Accommodation will be simpler (2*) hotels and gites. Our itinerary is as follows:

Day 1 - Saturday

We will catch the Eurostar to Paris arriving in the early afternoon. We cycle across town to the Gare d'Austerlitz and take the Corail Intercités service to Orléans, the regional capital situated on the Loire river, arriving late afternoon/early evening. Hôtel Escale Oceana in Orléans.

Day 2 - Sunday

In the morning, we follow the Loire Valley cycle trail downstream as far as the Chateau of Chambord. After lunch, a choice of visiting the Chateau or cycling the circular trail through the royal forest. We continue to the town of Blois for the night (Hôtel Anne de Bretagne).

Day 3 - Monday

We cycle north to the wooded valley of the Loir, which we follow, with a stop in the old town of Vendôme. Overnight at a gite on a farm near the village of Saint Martin des Bois (close to Montoire-sur-le-Loir).

Day 4 - Tuesday

We continue through the villages and small towns of the Loir valley as far as Chateau-de-Loir. In the afternoon we ride through the woods and landscapes of Touraine to the city of Tours (Hôtel du Cygne ).

Day 5 - Wednesday

In the morning a choice of staying in Tours for sightseeing, or cycling out to the gardens at Villandry. After lunch we move on, along the valley of the Indre, to the medieval city of Loches (Hôtel Le Luccotel).

Day 6 - Thursday

We cycle to the River Cher, which we follow, via the Chateau and Gardens of Chenonceau, continuing to the Chateau of Mareuil-sur-Cher, now a riverside gite, where we stay.

Day 7 - Friday

We spend the day in the heathland of the Sologne, on flat straight roads and tracks by lakes and through forests, ending at the small town of Lamotte-Beuvron (Hôtel de L'Étrier d'Argent).

Day 8 - Saturday

Morning cycle to Orléans. Train to Paris, cycle to Gare du Nord, then back in London by evening.

Because of a late cancellation, a place has just become available.
Contact Paul Krebs (07941 823664) for details.