Renowned for its magnificent chateaux, stunning landscapes and award-winning wines, the Loire Valley is one of the most diverse wine producing regions in the world. This self-drive tour highlights the Middle Loire region, focusing on Saumur and Touraine. You’ll experience the region’s famed Cabernet Franc and Chenin Blanc grape varieties, and witness the best of the Loire chateaux.
Four nights’ accommodation in two authentic chateaux in Saumur and Touraine
Explore in style with two days of private chauffeured wine tours around the Saumur and Touraine wine regions
Explore the chateau and outstanding gardens at Villandry, the last of the great Loire Chateaux built during the Renaissance
Drink in local history and magnificent architecture with a tour of the Renaissance chateaux at Amboise and Chenonceau
Savour the local cuisine of the Loire Valley with a special lunch at L’Etape Gourmande
Self-drive to Saumur, an elegant city in the heart of the Loire Valley, famous for its turreted chateau, fine dining and sparkling wine cellars. Your accommodation for the first two nights is a beautifully renovated 19th century chateau, wrapped in several acres of landscaped gardens.
Unwind after your journey with a dip in the heated pool or relax in the sauna and whirlpool, then enjoy an introduction to Loire Valley wines with a wine tasting at a superb winery a short walk away.
After breakfast, your private guide will collect you for a full day chauffeured wine tasting tour around Saumur and Chinon. During the day, you’ll learn about the unique climate, soil and grape varieties of this region, with a particular focus on Loire Cabernet Franc.
You’ll visit a 50-acre domaine in Saumur-Champigny, Domaine des Roches Neuves, to learn about biodynamic viticulture and taste the world-class Cabernet Franc and Chenins produced here.
In the afternoon, it’s on to Couly-Dutheil in Chinon, where you’ll discover the influence of the different terroir in this region, and sample the reds, whites and rosés that excel here.
After breakfast, it’s time to check out of your opulent room and drive to the Touraine region. The journey time is around an hour, but there’s plenty to see along the way. Savour the region’s traditional cuisine with lunch at L’Etape Gourmande, then spend time admiring the Renaissance architecture and sublime landscaped gardens and maze at Chateau de Villandry, reputed to be the finest of all Loire Valley gardens.
Your accommodation for the next two nights is a boutique hotel in an exceptional chateau surrounded by serene wooded parkland, a short distance from Tours and many of the region’s magnificent chateaux.
After breakfast, your private guide will whisk you away for a full day chauffeured wine tour of the Touraine region. Your day begins with a visit to the birthplace of Cabernet Franc, Bourgueil, where you’ll enjoy a private tour of the estate and cellars of a highly rated producer, before sampling these award-winning reds.
Next you’ll move on to Vouvray, a predominantly Chenin Blanc producing region renowned for its still, sparkling and sweet whites.
This region is resplendent in magical chateaux, and there’ll be time to explore Amboise and its Renaissance chateaux, including the Chateau de Chenonceau, whose unique architecture and bridge make it one of the most original and iconic chateaux in the Loire Valley.
Your wine tour of the Loire Valley concludes today, though there’s still time for a final dip in the pool or wander around the grounds before checking out and beginning your onward journey.
You might like to extend this tour for a few nights to explore the nearby area of Sancerre, renowned for its crisp, aromatic Sauvignon Blancs and delicious goats’ cheese, which is an excellent match for the local wine. Please ask for further details and we’ll arrange a bespoke extension especially for you.
All of the holidays we create are completely tailor-made to you
This sample itinerary is intended to give you a flavour of what we can do.
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