Hello All, <BR> <BR>Firtly thanks to all of you for your replies to my previous questions about Loire/ Bougogne. They really helped me to focus my plans, though I am still not as clear as usual. (This is a first for me, as I am usually the one who helps all my friends plan their holidays, and I work in the travel industry!!) <BR> <BR>I noticed some of you have stayed in some of the Relais and CHateaux and Fodors Country Inns properties such as Domaine des Hauts de Loire, Chateau de Chissay, Chateau d'Artigny to name a few. <BR> <BR>I would like to ask a few questions to those of you who have stayed in such places. <BR> <BR>1) When prices for rooms _start_ at 680 francs did you stay in these price rooms or opt for the more expensive rooms? Did anyone see the rooms which would cost 680 francs? How specific where you about which room you wanted and how much you could afford when you booked? E.g. Did you say "I want a room for up to 750 francs" or did you just ask for whatever was available? <BR> <BR>2) Some people have recommended staying in Tours, others in Amboise and others in the countryside between towns. Obviously this is a personal preference but here are my main interests which might prompt a few more thoughts from you: We enjoy wondering through an area with a choice of restaurants in the evening where possible, and choosing on the spur of the moment. This means we need to either stay in a town or be within close driving distance but makes me lean towards staying in a town. However we dont tend to stay up late in local bars in the evenings, rather we get up early to sightsee. This makes me lean towards quiet countryside places again. I am a light sleeper and traffic disturbs me, this makes me lean towards the countryside.... <BR>You see my dilemma. I have never been this indecisive before regarding a holiday, EVER!!! <BR> <BR>3) Can I email you guys privately to pick your brain for info on your individual hotels? <BR> <BR>4) How long before travel should I think about booking somewhere (I am travelling end Aug, beginning Sep 99 which I assume is faily busy). <BR> <BR>5) WHY can't I seem to decide where to stay?! <BR> <BR>Any advice will be greatly appreciated, as you can see I am losing sleep over this... a definite first. <BR> <BR>Thanks in advance for your help, <BR> <BR>from a very confused and yet excited Kavey

Well, answering your first question last, my guess about your indecisiveness/loss of sleep has to do with the fact that IT'S HARD to decide! As you point out, people have varying preferences, and you can make yourself crazy deciding whose advice to follow. (But what do I know? I'm no therapist.) I have one idea for making the decision easier: pick the top 4 or 5 lodgings, and put them in a hat. If you pick one and feel disappointed that it's not one of the others, there must be a reason. As for your other request- we stayed at a B&B in the country, across the river from Chaumont, in Onzain. We found it very comfortable a reasonably central to the places we wanted to visit. It's listed in Fodor's and Karen Brown. If you want details, feel free to e-mail me at the above address.

I FAXed the Chateau d Chissay with my travel dates and asked what they had around the amount I wanted to spend. Their response was within 24 hrs that they had such-and-such. Their number is in the hotel guide Ralaix & Chateaus. If you can't find it I'll dig out my copy (its from '94 or so.) I just stumbled upon restaurants as we were touring various towns and castles. If the restaurant looked interesting I would ask to see a menu (most were posted anyway) ans we would make a reservation and return that evening. It was quite spur of the monent and romantic to just happen upon somewhere lovely. Once, I was just chateaued-out and my husband parked me at a restaurant while he ran up a hill to photograph a chateau at dusk. The restaurant ignored me until his return...I was unchaperoned! They are a bit provincial, I think. I didn't mind. Try it. You'll have a great time.

I stayed in Tours and thought it was an ideal location for exploring the area. It is centrally located, attractive, just the right size for walking, has great train connections to other cities, and has a good selection of restaurants and you can easily walk from one to the other and see what looks good. This is not a huge city and it doesn't have a lot of noise or traffic or boisterous crowds or anything so I wouldn't worry one bit about not being able to sleep there. I can't remember the name of the small hotel I stayed in but it was a fairly basic one, nice but nothing fancy -- but it didn't matter because we weren't in the hotel much anyway. At the train station in Tours we got some information about group tours of the chateaux in the area and were glad we did a couple of those (even though I am not usually big on organized tours) because we learned a lot from the guides and we didn't have to do the driving and could relax and enjoy the scenery. The gardens of some of the chateaux were unbelievable. Another interesting thing to see in the area is Balzac's house. As a previous poster alluded to, it is easy to get "chateaued out" -- if you see too many in too little time, they start to run together and it's hard to remember how remarkable they are. The countryside is really lovely. The restaurants in Tours were very good and we ate extremely well for relatively little money (compared to Paris). On the TGV from Paris, I remember fields and fields of sunflowers... <BR>Have a great trip.

I just got a fantastic parcel in the post today - when looking through one of the Loire web sites it offered the chance to order complimentary guides to accomodation - and I have just received less than a week later several books, one is called Hotels and includes for example places like Chateau D'Artigny, another is called Gites de Frances for Central Loire, another is Bienvenue au Chateau, Western France. <BR> <BR>I am going to follow advice and make a list of my top 5 from all the sources I have (or 8 if I cant narrow it down) and then if I can put them in order just start faxing and take the first which has a suitable room whuich matches all my requirements! <BR> <BR>Also - I have today realised that a book I picked up for £3 from one of thoise publishers outlet bookstores when I saw it a few months ago before even thinking about this holiday is none other than the 2nd Edition Fodors Rivages guide to hotels etc which is great as it is a book many of you have mentioned. <BR> <BR>Feeling happier!!!!! <BR> <BR>Any more answers about how you approached booking the rooms you wanted would be gratefully received, i feel much calmer today. <BR> <BR>COuld be beacuse I have just had a very good Italian meal in central London with some good friends and have just got home feeling quite satiated! <BR> <BR>Thanks all, and for the patience!!

I have stayed in the Loire Valley twice . Both times at B&B's recommended in Karen Brown's books. She thoroughly researches each location personally and I highly recommend her suggestions. I always fax the place I am interested in to see if the dates I need are available. The two places I stayed at 2 years ago were excellent. Feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions. No need to stress out! Just look forward to enjoying a wonderful trip to one of the most beautiful places in France. <BR>