The Loire Valley and Paris:

“Paris is always a good idea.” - Audrey Hepburn

The valleys of the Loire region are a special reserve of French delights. The kings and their nobility first came here to hunt and gradually made the valley the favorite playground for royals. Palace-chateaus of stunning opulence are nestled beside ravishingly pretty villages, old stone manors, and intriguing medieval towns. We will visit world-class wineries and castles in the Loire Valley where wine lovers will be amazed as we travel through some of the world’s hallowed vineyards. Gardeners will be enchanted by the beauty and variety of floral displays, and all travelers will be thrilled by what nature and humankind have fashioned to delight the senses. In 2000 UNESCO added sections of the Loire Valley to the list of World Heritage sites and cited the area as "an exceptional cultural landscape, of great beauty, comprised of historic cities and villages, great architectural monuments - the chateaus - and lands that have been cultivated and shaped by centuries of interaction between local populations and their physical environment, in particular the Loire itself." You are welcome to join us as we explore the Loire Valley and conclude the tour with a three-night visit to Paris.

Tour highlights include:

• In Chartres visit the world-famous Gothic cathedral, renowned for its astonishing stained glass.

• Visit the elegant Chateau de Chenonceau, a jewel of Renaissance architecture.

• At the Royal Chateau of Amboise, visit the chapel’s memorial to Leonardo da Vinci.

• View Chambord Castle, Loire’s largest Chateau, built in the 16th century by King Francis I.

• Enjoy a cooking class at a winery.

• Enjoy an international garden show.

• Explore the Palace of Versailles and its extraordinary gardens.

• Visit the splendor of the renovated Notre Dame Cathedral.

To receive the detailed trip itinerary, email goedventures@gmail.com

This small group tour will sell out quickly so be sure to reserve your spot soon!