Dear Kavey, <BR>To further tip the scales towards your choosing the Loire Valley, here's my two-cents' worth. Many châteaux have "sound and light" shows in the summer. They recreate the glory days of the châteaux and it's awesome to see lovely ladies and gentlemen of the court parading before you in their most elegant outfits and headdresses. According to a guide I have for this year, the following châteaux have a "spectacle son et lumière" in August: Chenonceaux, Amboise (I loved it!), Loches, Blois (multimedia), Villeprevost, Valençay. These shows are after sundown and are a much more exciting way to experience a châteaux. As for my favorite châteaux, Cheverny, Chambord, Chinon, Amboise, Blois, Chaumont-sur-Loire, Azay-le-Rideau all leap to mind. Be sure to visit some small, some grandiose castles, to get a different feel. I lived in Orléans for a year a while back, was just there in April this year. Can't help you with restaurants, always ate chez la famille. Don't shy away from packing a loaf of French bread and a hunk of cheese and some fresh fruit and picnicing for lunch. You'll have company for sure. I know you'll enjoy your trip. Regards - Angela

When we were setting out plans for a family trip to Spain and France this summer (which, owing to the Brazilain currency crash in January has been unfortunately postponed to next year), I asked my ladies (wife + daughters aged 17 and 19) the same question. Having already been in Tours (we stayed there last time) and having visited Blois, Amboise and Loches the answer was unanimous: Blois (plans called for a 2-night stay). <BR>I just asked them today what if they were to stay for a week instead of two days? The answer, once again, was unanimous: Tours (within walking distance to the center) ... with one evening/dinner in Blois and another one in Amboise coinciding with sound and light shows. <BR> <BR>I guess Kavey, that choosing where to stay in the Loire region is a question of personal taste/interest. Are you intending to have most dinners at the chatteaux that will lodge you? Do you mind driving to the hotel dinner each night or do you prefer to stroll back whenever possible? Do you care to do some window shopping? ... The answers to these questions my be relevant once I guess that most Relais & Chatteaux properties are somewhat retired from town centers. <BR> <BR>Paulo <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>