Loire Valley

Tour type

Self-guided

Departures

SA 18.04 - 19.09.2020

Seasons
Season 1: 18.04 - 19.09.2020

Price per person
535 € in double room, Cat. B: 3* hotels (with swimming pool in Amboise and Chitenay; Hotel in Blois is in the outskirts)
685 € in double room, Cat. A: 3/4* hotels with swimming pool

Included

• 6-nights hotel accommodation
• Breakfast buffet
• Welcome briefing in English
• Travel guide, Maps, Roadbook
• Luggage transportation
• Hotline service
• Hotel taxes

Not included

• Everything not mentioned in the section “Included”

Supplements per person
210/315 € single room (Cat. B/A)

Extra nights in Blois on request

Girolibero rental bikes including insurance against theft and damage:
85 € Touring bike
195 € E-bike
85 € Child bike
170 € Family Tandem

Additional bike accessories on demand:
85 € child trailer
15 € helmet (head circumference from 54 to 61 cm)
Free of charge: child seat and FollowMe-Tandem

Reductions
100 € 3rd person in room

Children reductions
The reduction for the 3rd/4th child in room will be calculated on the basic price according to the following table:
100% 0-4 years (baby cot to be paid on site)
50% 5-12 years
25% 13-15 years

1. Blois
Individual arrival.
 
2. Blois – Amboise (45 km)
We saddle up for the start of a magical ride that today takes us along the River Loire as far as Amboise. Steeped in history, the atmospheric market town is celebrated for its château and the Clos-Lucé manor, where Leonardo lived for three years (and died) and where some of his remarkable inventions are on display. The 19th-century turtle fountain (topped by a teddy bear figure), the Clock Tower and the 7-level Chinese Pagoda all add to the town’s interest.
 
3. Amboise – Chenoncheaux (35 km)
We start the day cycling through the magnificent Forest of Amboise and into fields of wheat and barley. Our destination is the Château de Chenonceau, its gardens fabulously landscaped against the meandering River Cher. What better way to enjoy today’s exploration through verdant landscapes than astride our two-wheeled steeds. Expect some ups and downs shortly before Chenoncheaux (it is always possible to return by train).
 
4. Amboise – Chitenay (45 km)
Fields of wheat and poppy meadows scattered with centennial oaks: welcome to the fertile farmlands of Touraine. The scenery is dotted with delightful hamlets such as Fougères and Vallières-les-Grandes, and towered by majestic castles – among them Fougères-sur-Biévre – all awaiting your discovery. The picturesque route takes us largely along quiet roads and the only challenging climb is a 1km stretch right at the start.
 
5. Chitenay – Blois (35 km)
An easy ride takes you from Chitenay to charming Cellettes, a commune bathed by the placid River Beuvron, for a visit to the Renaissance Château de Beauregard. After traversing the enchanting Forest of Roussy, we come to the Loire and the town of Blois, which welcomes you with its elegant bridge, monuments, works of art and narrow alleyways tangled around its castle.
 
6. Blois – Chambord (45 km)
Today’s stage leads us to one of the most famous and majestic of all Loire castles: Chambord. Leaving the hotel, we head for Saint-Dyé-sur-Loire, an ancient hamlet perched on the river. From here we continue southwards into the heart of the countryside until we reach the castle’s surrounding forest.
 
7. Blois
After breakfast, end of tour.

Due to organisational reasons, weather conditions or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during your holiday. For example, along the way you may find temporary deviations caused by roadworks, which cannot be foreseen; in this case please follow the indications you will find on site.

• Total length: 205 km
• Total vertical up: 440 m
• Terrain: 90% tarmac, 10% unpaved
• Train connection among the overnight stays: day 2
• Possibility to shorten the itinerary by taking the train: day 2 and 3

Routes are devised with the younger travellers in mind and are predominantly on cycleways and quiet roads.

Leisure cycling in mostly flat areas, with only a few short ups and downs. Little effort required, suitable for everyone.

Blois is connected with the following airports:
Tours: 60 km, Paris: 140 km.

For further information on train timetables and prices you can consult the following website: www.sncf.com.

We personally choose all the hotels mindful of your comfort as well as the proximity to cycling paths and any relevant local sites.

According to your category of choice you will be accommodated in:
- Cat. A: 3/4* hotels with swimming pool
- Cat. B: 3* hotels (with swimming pool in Amboise and Chitenay. Hotel in Blois is in the outskirts).

 All rooms have en suite facilities.

When you book the tour please specify the type of room requested:
- double room is a room with one double bed
- twin room is a room with two single beds
- triple room is usually a room with one double bed and a single bed or a sofa bed
- a family room could be converted into two double/twin rooms next to each other, according to availability

Girolibero bikes are available in different sizes and frames:
- Touring bike 27-gear Shimano Deore
- E-bike 9-gear Shimano

Features:
- aluminium frame
- mudguard
- rear rack
- comfort gel saddle www.selleroyal.com
- anti-puncture Schwalbe tyres
- ergonomic bicycle grips
- Speed Lifter system

You can also rent:
- Child bikes | 20” wheels | 24” wheels
- Child seat | max 22 kg | 0-4 yrs
- Child trailer | max 30 kg | 0-4 yrs | 1 seat | www.croozer.com
- Follow-me tandem for 20” child bike | max 27 kg | 4-7 yrs | www.followmetandem.co.uk
- Family tandem | 1 adult + 1 child 4-12 yrs
These accessories can only be mounted on unisex 27-gear Shimano Deore Touring bikes.

Bike insurance
An insurance against theft and damage is included in the rental bike price. In cases of careless or improper behavior the insurance will not cover the costs.

Accessories
All rented adult bikes are equipped with:
1 cycle computer  
1 Ortlieb one-sided saddlebag
1 front bar bag or 1 map holder
1 water bottle (0.75 l)
1 repair kit per room: 1 spare inner tube, glue, patch, a pump, 2 allen keys and tyre levers
1 combination bike lock

At the moment of booking you can also rent helmets suitable for head circumferences from 54 to 61 cm. All our helmets have a certification mark according to the DIN EN 1078 (CE) European norm.

The Information Pack (one per room) includes:

- final hotel list: due to overbooking or organizational needs your hotel list may be changed just before your arrival
- luggage labels to be attached to each piece of luggage to be transported
- hotel vouchers to be handed in to the hotel reception upon arrival

Girolibero Greens booklets:
1) Travel guide with valuable information about the history, artistic heritage, landscapes and places of interest of the areas you pass through during your tour.
Plus: local events, fun facts, suggestions on how to make the best of an extended break along the route, and tips on local wining and dining.
2) Detailed Maps of the itinerary: in colour and scaled 1:75.000/50.000, an altitude profile chart and maps of any historic city centres you will visit.
3) Roadbook describing the cycling route, stage by stage. Great on its own or in conjunction with the maps.

In Blois you will meet our representative who:
- will illustrate the tour
- will deliver your bikes
- will be available (about 30 minutes) for any questions you may have.

The exact time and place of the meeting will be specified in the Final Tour Details. We kindly ask you to advise if you cannot attend the meeting.

For the whole duration of your bike tour, you can contact us as follows:
- office +39 0444 1278430 from Monday to Friday 8:30-13:00 and 15:00-18:30
- emergency phone number every day 8:00-20:00. The number will be specified in the Final Tour Details.