Upon arrival make your way to your hotel and check-in. The rest of the day is yours to relax and explore the city. Blois is steeped in history with some truly awe inspiring architecture. Explore the narrow streets, paved squares and winding pathways running through this attractive town. Be sure to visit ‘Château de Blois’, once occupied by King Louis XII, a perfect example of how French architecture evolved between the Middle Ages and the 17th Century. Also take a stroll along the banks of the River Loire to the 18th Century stone bridge for a panoramic view of Blois.

Leaving Blois behind, easy cycle paths lead you downstream alongside the Loire River into The Land of Castles. You will pass a succession of small riverside villages before arriving at the impressive 15th Century ‘Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire’ which enjoys a commanding position on a hill overlooking the river. Continue along the ‘Loire à Vélo’, a well-signposted route through glorious wild-flower meadows and vineyards. Your destination today is the charming town of Amboise, famous for the ‘Châteaux d’Amboise’, where the greatest kings of France resided, as well as being the place where Leonardo da Vinci lived, and ultimately died.

Our Châteaux Visit package supplement includes entry to Château Chaumont-sur-Loire and garden festival

This day is omitted if you opt for the 5 night holiday.

Today’s route leads you away from the river for a while to explore the picturesque Vouvray vineyards, famous for producing some superb white wines. In Vouvray itself you can marvel at the troglodyte houses carved out of the hillside. During the ride you’ll also pass the Renaissance Château de Valmer and the enchanting Château de Jallanges. Stop at one of the vineyards to sample the local produce before completing the circle back to your hotel in Amboise.

Our Châteaux Visit package supplement includes entry to the Leonardo da Vinci Park in Amboise.

This morning you will set off through the serene ‘Amboise Forest’, home to many rare species of plants and wildlife, to ‘Château de Chenonceau’. This stunning Château enjoys an idyllic setting straddling the River Cher. It was the scene of a famous love feud between Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medici, one the mistress the other the wife of King Henry II of France. Currently owned by the Menier family, famous for their chocolates, it is the second most visited château in France after the ‘Palais de Versailles’. Stroll through the beautiful gardens, one named after Diane de Poitiers, and of course the other after Catherine de Medici. You’ll spend the night in the charming village of Chenonceaux nearby.

Our Châteaux Visit package supplement includes entry to Château de Chenonceaux.

Today’s ride leads you along the banks of river Cher to the medieval town of Montrichard. You then pedal through the Touraine vineyards to the medieval ‘Château de Fougeres sur Bievre’. This hidden gem, which is a bit off the beaten track, attracts fewer crowds but doesn’t disappoint as it’s a perfect example of 15th Century architecture. Continue on to the ‘Château de Troussay’, a Renaissance style chateau with wonderful landscaped gardens. The final destination is the sumptuously furnished ‘Chateau de Cheverny’, which was an inspirational backdrop to the Belgian comic book creator Herge, for scenes for his Tintin stories. Spend the night in Chitenay or Cheverny.

Our Châteaux Visit package supplement includes entry to Château de Cheverny and "The Secrets of Marlinspike Hall" exhibition.

This day is omitted if you opt for the 5 night holiday.

Today you have an enjoyable ride on quiet lanes through the enormous ‘Russy Forest’, a protected woodland area, to ‘Chateau de Beauregard’. This 16th century chateau, besides being a very attractive building, houses a notable collection of portraits depicting the great and good of France between 1328 and 1643. The route then leads you into the rich and mysterious ‘Sologne’. With its vast expanses of forest, moors and lakes, this region of the Loire Valley has a small private chateaux hidden behind vineyards, giving the area special character and charm. Return to Chitenay or Cheverny where you will spend a second night.

On this penultimate day you are in for a treat as you will be visiting a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ‘Château de Chambord’. This masterpiece of French Renaissance architecture, was built during the reign of King François I, and has over 400 rooms, 282 fireplaces and 84 staircases. It is one of the best known chateaux in the world, and was the inspiration for the Beast’s castle in the 1991 animated Disney film ‘Beauty and the Beast’. After exploring the Château you have a short ride to Blois where you will spend the last night of your tour.

Our Châteaux Visit package supplement includes entry to Château Chambord and gardens.

After breakfast it’s time to check-out and head home or onto your next adventure.