My husband and I are going to Paris for 6 days. We would like to take a day trip to the Loire Valley. I have found full day tours on the internet, visiting castles and wine tasting... They are ather pricey though for two people they are about 350 per person. Has anyone used one they they loved. I would love to do the trip but I don't want to lose my money or not have want I expect. Any advice out there???

I really enjoyed the Loire Valley in the Spring of 2001. 350 a person!? Euros or USD that’s a lot of money. Use www.sncf.com to look up train schedules and take the train yourself to Amboise.<BR><BR>It’s a lovely town on the Loire with a great chateau, the Clos du Luce where Leonardo da Vinci spent his last few years and a quirky toy museum. The town is small and very walk-able. You’ll spend way less than 350 total and have the fun of exploring all on your own. <BR>

My husband and I travelled with another couple to the Loire Valley this past June. In my opinion it would be a shame to go for just a day and try to see anything worthwhile. You could train down from Paris and spend an afternoon exploring, have an enjoyable dinner and overnight there, explore a little more the next day and leave in the afternoon. <BR><BR>As the last poster noted, Amboise is a good base if you are only there for a short time. You can visit the castle there where Leonardo DaVinci is laid to rest; visit his last home (which is like a museum and also showcases his many inventions); easily visit Chenonceau, which is one of the most beautiful of the Loire chateau and has its own surprisingly good wine.<BR><BR>Le Choiseul is a lovely hotel with a one-star Michelin restaurant (you might want to have a special dinner there even if you decide to stay overnight elsewhere). We had a wonderful lunch (one of the best out of many great meals on that trip) at Le Parvis, a tiny restaurant down a little alley right across from the entrance to the castle at Amboise.<BR><BR>A few days in Paris and a day or two in the Loire -- Just typing this makes me want to jump on a plane and go back there. Have a wonderful time!<BR>

Rent a car. Stay at the hotel st. michel at Chambord.

Six days is not a long time, and you will be spending quite a bit of time going to and from the Loire valley. The TGV does go directly to Angers, with a splendid castle, but not one that evokes the images of the L&lt;oire valley castles (Chambord, Blois, Amboise etc.). I would consider the alternative of going to Fontainebleau for a day, butr remember that it is closed on Tuesdays.

I understand there are some troglodyte homes in the Loire Valley that one could stay in. They are suppossed to be in the Angers/Saumur area. Does anyone have any knowledge of them?<BR><BR>Bob

Bob,<BR><BR>I think you may be referring to the Domaine des Hautes Roches near Tours. They have rooms built into the rock that look very cool on their website!

Here you go:<BR>http://www.leshautesroches.com

Bob,<BR><BR>We stayed at Domaines Des Hautes two weeks ago. I would recommend a large room and dinner in the dining room. Our meal was magnificent!

make sure to check out Chinon. We bought the most incredible wines there for so so cheap. We only had a day, so we stayed in Orleans (at a wedding), then rented a car for the day and ended in Tours. Get a map of wineries and guide yourself. It is very easy and you have control of your own schedule. Many are quaint houses off the beaten path...I would imagine a tour would take you to the more commercial, larger wineries. We had a blast going from place to place and trying wines. Spend the money on a car (maybe 50 euros for the day?) and then just set your own agenda!

Two years ago I took a tour of the Loire Valley with a friend in a rented car over a weekend. I saw a lot and am glad I did it. In your case you have only one day. I agree, 350 per person is a little pricey, but I am reminded of the following quote: "When traveling abroad, if you see something you yearn for, if you can afford it at all, buy it. If you don't you'll regret it all your life." With only one day it is most likely the only way you will be able to see as much.<BR><BR>Another post mentioned the city of Angers. You could take the TGV from Montparnasse early in the morning and within two hours you would be in Angers and the Chateau of Angers is only about 3 blocks from the train station. The tour of the chateau should only take a couple of hours and the rest of the day you could walk the old streets of Angers, do some shopping, have a nice lunch and take a late TGV back to Paris in the early evening. You also mentioned some wine tasting. Across from the Chateau of Angers there is a wine store that handles "Vin de Anjou". You could do some tasting and maybe buy a couple of bottles. I liked and purchased four bottles of an aperitif called Coteaux du Layon last year.