Paris Cityrama Loir valley tour
 

My husband and I want to take a one day bus trip from Paris to the Loir valley in March. Anyone familiar with the Cityrama tour. I believe it is expensive - it is worth the money or are there cheaper alternatives?

I looked into the same tour for our upcoming trip, and after doing the math, I finally decided for two people it would be cheaper to simply rent a car, not to mention more convienent. The price difference was not great (like somwehere around $50), but the car will provide you with so much more flexibility. <BR> <BR>There are other tours available through touringscope. Check out http://www.touringscope.com/index.html for a list of all their tours, complete with prices.

I just drove in the Loire last Oct. Picked up the car in Chartres and drove to the Amboise area. If I had it to do over, I would just take the TGV from Gare Montparnasse to Tours and get a car there. The TGV station is just outside the city so you don't have to get stuck in confusing traffic if you stay out of Tours. The drive down was kind of boring -- all the same scenery. Rolling fields and big farm trucks. IJust my opinion.

<BR>Thank you for your replies. We have decided to stay with a one day bus tour. I have done some searching in the mean time and for my fellow travellors' sake, the following addresses for tours from Paris (day/night/Loir/Mont St Michael etc): <BR>http://www.parisvision.com <BR>http://www.touringscope.com <BR>http://www.cityrama.com

Dayle: <BR> <BR>My plans had been to take the train to Chartres and rent the car there for my day touring the chateaux!! I am distressed you suggest doing otherwise. What made you wish you had started in Tours instead? Not enough chateau time? I was interested in touring Chartres... is it not worth the visit? <BR>Thanks!

I took the ParisVison one day tour of the Loire Chateaux (Chenonceau, Cheverny & Chambrod) while in Paris for vacation. I think the Cityrama tour is similar..but I think it was worth it for a one day trip. No hassle with cars & driving, & lunch at a pleasant country inn was included. The tour guides were friendly & informative, and of course the chateaux were breathtaking. The one day tour & riding through the countryside & the small villages in the Loire Valley via bus makes you want to rent a car, stay in the local inns, wander around and visit the wineries & more chateaux as an entirely separate vacation. But for one day & an overview of the Loire Valley..yes, the bus tour was worth it.