On arrival in Tours make your way to your hotel and check in. The rest of the day is yours to explore this charming, vibrant old town. Take a stroll through the atmospheric streets to ‘Place Plumereau’, a lovely old square graced with fine old half-timbered town houses. This is the perfect place for a meal and /or a drink at one of the open air restaurant/bars. You must also take in the grandeur of the gothic Saint-Gatien Cathedral and also the nearby Olivier Debré Contemporary Art Centre.

Your first ride leads you along the banks of the beautiful and meandering Cher River, a tributary of the Loire. In the village of Savonnieres where you may wish to take a break and descend underground to the "Les Grottes Pétrifiantes" (Petrified caves). Then it’s on to Château de Villandry and its impressive terraced gardens before following the River Indre to Azay-Le-Rideau and its lovely Renaissance Château. You will overnight in the village.

Our Châteaux Visit package supplement includes entry to Château de Villandry and gardens as well as Château d'Azay Le Rideau.

The Loire valley is of course famous for its many châteaux, and today’s ride showcases two more fantastic fortresses. Riding north you meet the Loire River at Langeais, a pleasant village with a stunning castle at its heart. A little further downstream you arrive in Ussé and here you can visit an even more impressive castle. This one may look slightly familiar as it is said to have been the inspiration for the fairytale ‘Sleeping Beauty‘. From here its a relatively short ride to the charming town of Chinon on the River Vienne. Be sure to visit a wine cellar to taste the very good red wines produced around this area. Overnight in Chinon.

Leave Chinon cycling west along the Vienne River. Cross the river at the pleasant village of Candes-Saint-Martin and ride on quiet lanes to the beautiful Abbey of Fontevraud where Richard the Lionheart is buried (longer ride only). The route leads you back to your old friend the Loire River and after following its course on lanes and cycle paths you reach the lovely town of Saumur. The old town’s narrow streets are lined with half-timbered buildings and the views from the hilltop Château de Saumur are definitely worth the climb.

Our Châteaux Visit package supplement includes entry to Fontevraud Abbey.

More scenic riverside cycling for your last day in the saddle as you follow the Loire River north west to Angers. You will be cycling past the Anjou vineyards – famous for producing a variety of high quality wines – and a succession of small pleasant riverside towns and villages. Angers is the regional capital and this small historic city is dominated by its huge Plantagenet castle, which houses the famous Apocalypse Tapestry.

After breakfast it's time to head for home or your next adventure