We leave Sunday for Amboise, Provence & Paris! I'd welcome feedback/advise on our Trip Itinerary, s'il vous plait.
Jun 1st, 2006, 09:26 AM
#21
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As near as I could tell they wanted clear weather and winds that were not so strong as to be unfavorable.
The balloon itself can be somewhat maneuvered once aloft but basically there is no rudder or steering mechanism and it can either go up or down and those movements are controlled by releasing air from the balloon and also by heating it up with the burner.
The day prior to our flight date I called their office and all they would say was that everything looked promising. When we arrived at the Chenonceau parking lot the next morning they sent up the small (as in the "normal" party-size)test balloon; on our day it basically went straight up. This was just as it was begiing to get light.
By the time we got to the adjacent field it was very much early daylight and it was completely clear that day..cloudless.
BTW...once the flight is over you get to brace yourself with heads below the basket rim for the "landing" which can be a bit bumpy. Then you get to help with the re-packing of the balloon after whci some bubbly and croissants are served...more photo opportunities!
The balloon itself can be somewhat maneuvered once aloft but basically there is no rudder or steering mechanism and it can either go up or down and those movements are controlled by releasing air from the balloon and also by heating it up with the burner.
The day prior to our flight date I called their office and all they would say was that everything looked promising. When we arrived at the Chenonceau parking lot the next morning they sent up the small (as in the "normal" party-size)test balloon; on our day it basically went straight up. This was just as it was begiing to get light.
By the time we got to the adjacent field it was very much early daylight and it was completely clear that day..cloudless.
BTW...once the flight is over you get to brace yourself with heads below the basket rim for the "landing" which can be a bit bumpy. Then you get to help with the re-packing of the balloon after whci some bubbly and croissants are served...more photo opportunities!
Jun 1st, 2006, 09:27 AM
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Thursday the 8th seems very full. Avignon, up to Chateauneuf, down to Pont du Gard, and then St. Remy. Avignon and Chateaunuf were one full day for us. St. Remy (combined with recoverying from arrival the day before) and Pont du Gard (combined with Nimes) were half days. With the driving involved, I think you are doing way too much By combining what I think is two days into one. You could do Avignon in the morning, St. Remy, and a wine tasting at Mas de la Dame just south of St. Remy on the road to Les Baux. If you want to be very agressive, because there will be pleanty of daylight, you could try to squeez in Pont du Gard, but I still think this would be too much.
Jun 1st, 2006, 12:13 PM
#24
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DanM-I wondered if adding Pont du Gard to the day w/ Avignon & C. d.Pape might be too much. Is it difficult to drive into, park, and drive out of Avignon? How about the drive to C.d. Pape?
Can you tell me more about Mas de la Dame? We really enjoy wine. Preferably red. If it's that close to St. Remy, we might want to add a visit there one of our days. Do they require advance reservations for tastings?
Intrepid1-I just love your detailed descriptions of the balloon experience. We are really excited now!
robjame-Thank you for the rest rec. in Amboise. The chateau where we're staying offers dinners some nights, but not while we are there. Not enough guests apparently.
Can you tell me more about Mas de la Dame? We really enjoy wine. Preferably red. If it's that close to St. Remy, we might want to add a visit there one of our days. Do they require advance reservations for tastings?
Intrepid1-I just love your detailed descriptions of the balloon experience. We are really excited now!
robjame-Thank you for the rest rec. in Amboise. The chateau where we're staying offers dinners some nights, but not while we are there. Not enough guests apparently.
Jun 1st, 2006, 01:00 PM
#25
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As your time in the Loire Valley is limited, really think about what chateaux you want to see. I would also skip Clos Luce, unless you're very interested in Da Vinci.
Chenenceau is one you hear about a lot, and the part going across the river is beautiful from the outside, but not as distinctive from the inside.
Chambord is great; there's a lot to see, some of the rooms are furnished; the parkland outside is beautiful (horses were being ridden from their stables when we were there); and the audio tour is good.
Cheverny is interesting because it was lived in until very recently.
I like Chaumont, which is very close to Amboise, because of the view of the river and the valley. It's smaller than some of the others.
When you first arrive in Amboise, buy or just take a quick look at the picture book "Chateaux of the Loire Valley" that's sold everywhere - you may decide that a particular chateau looks intriguing to you.
I also recommend Le Cheval Blanc in Blere; we've eaten there twice (it has a Michelin star), and had a wonderful time, with superb food, each time. Blere is a cute little town.
I also like the town of Amboise. Somewhat touristy, but good places to sit outside and have a drink of wine.
Chenenceau is one you hear about a lot, and the part going across the river is beautiful from the outside, but not as distinctive from the inside.
Chambord is great; there's a lot to see, some of the rooms are furnished; the parkland outside is beautiful (horses were being ridden from their stables when we were there); and the audio tour is good.
Cheverny is interesting because it was lived in until very recently.
I like Chaumont, which is very close to Amboise, because of the view of the river and the valley. It's smaller than some of the others.
When you first arrive in Amboise, buy or just take a quick look at the picture book "Chateaux of the Loire Valley" that's sold everywhere - you may decide that a particular chateau looks intriguing to you.
I also recommend Le Cheval Blanc in Blere; we've eaten there twice (it has a Michelin star), and had a wonderful time, with superb food, each time. Blere is a cute little town.
I also like the town of Amboise. Somewhat touristy, but good places to sit outside and have a drink of wine.
Jun 1st, 2006, 01:19 PM
#26
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Thank Lexma90, the feedback is much appreciated. Chenonceau is the only Chateau we had particulary picked to visit and thought we would decide on others depending on recommendations and what time we had available.
I will email our hotel and ask them make a reserv for us at Le Cheval Blanc. Sounds just right.
I will email our hotel and ask them make a reserv for us at Le Cheval Blanc. Sounds just right.
Jun 1st, 2006, 04:48 PM
#27
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Here are some photos from Le Cheval Blanc. I don't think you will be disappointed.
http://tinyurl.com/lqato
http://tinyurl.com/lqato
Jun 1st, 2006, 06:13 PM
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I think adding Pont du Gard is too much. I was merely trying to think of a way to do it. I love wine too, but would visit Pont du Gard over Chateauneuf. Pont du Gard is one of the grandest places in France.
Mas de la Dame, like many wineries in Fance, offers merely a tasting. Their reds are fine, but the rose is better. After all, it is Provence. If you like reds and are not familar with rose, try it out. If your heart is set on wine, go with Chateauneuf and forget Pont du Gard.
As for parking in Avignon, it is hard, but not impossible. Be patient, be prepared to take a little while finding an underground parking garage with spaces, and all will be well. Expect the worse, and, becuase it will not be as bad as feared, you will feel better about it. It was not a problem for us in the middle of July last year.
Have fun. I wish I was going with you.
Mas de la Dame, like many wineries in Fance, offers merely a tasting. Their reds are fine, but the rose is better. After all, it is Provence. If you like reds and are not familar with rose, try it out. If your heart is set on wine, go with Chateauneuf and forget Pont du Gard.
As for parking in Avignon, it is hard, but not impossible. Be patient, be prepared to take a little while finding an underground parking garage with spaces, and all will be well. Expect the worse, and, becuase it will not be as bad as feared, you will feel better about it. It was not a problem for us in the middle of July last year.
Have fun. I wish I was going with you.
Jun 2nd, 2006, 11:52 AM
#30
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robjame- The food looks delicious at Le Cheval. I will certainly try to get a resv there.
DanM- Thank you for the driving/parking info for Avignon. Sounds like we'll be fine. We've driven in and out of Siena 4 times, and Florence twice. With some patience we should be able to handle this too. There's more of a language barrier here though. I can speak and understand a decent amount of Italian but hardly any French. I'm working on the basics, but I am finding French very challenging.
I hope we can find a way to fit in a visit to the Pont du Gard. But alas, if it doesn't work out, I'm sure we'll be back.
I had read there are more White and Rose wines in the Provence region, which is fine. We enjoy a wide variety of wines and are certainly eager to try new regional ones.
Thank you everyone for all the helpful responses. I'm finishing up the 'detail' stuff that always complicates getting away from home and start the packing tonight. Au Revoir!
DanM- Thank you for the driving/parking info for Avignon. Sounds like we'll be fine. We've driven in and out of Siena 4 times, and Florence twice. With some patience we should be able to handle this too. There's more of a language barrier here though. I can speak and understand a decent amount of Italian but hardly any French. I'm working on the basics, but I am finding French very challenging.
I hope we can find a way to fit in a visit to the Pont du Gard. But alas, if it doesn't work out, I'm sure we'll be back.
I had read there are more White and Rose wines in the Provence region, which is fine. We enjoy a wide variety of wines and are certainly eager to try new regional ones.
Thank you everyone for all the helpful responses. I'm finishing up the 'detail' stuff that always complicates getting away from home and start the packing tonight. Au Revoir!
Jun 3rd, 2006, 09:46 AM
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Suziem - I'm jealous! We had a wonderful trip to the Loire Valley a couple of years ago and did much of what you are doing. One fun addition, if you have a moment to go shopping for a book today, is to bring a book called The Road from the Past: Traveling through History in France by Ina Caro. She writes historical vignettes of many locations in France (lots in Loire) that we found very useful in imagining what life was like in the many castles, keeps, and towns we visited.
Bon voyage!
Bon voyage!
