WHY CHOOSE US?

When we first planned our escorted tours in the Loire Valley we knew there were many other companies offering the chance to explore this beautiful region of France. So we knew we needed to offer something unique and special which would earn our place in the market.

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First we thought about what had attracted us to the area – first as holiday makers ourselves, then as a place to live when we moved here 20 years ago. Of course there are many wonderful chateaux and plenty of delicious wines, but that’s only part of the story. The region is full of lively towns and sleepy villages, it’s criss-crossed with rivers - each with their own character, there’s a thousand years of history, great local foods and – perhaps most of all – there is the warm welcome of the local people.

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We wanted to capture this essence of the Loire Valley in our tours and share with our guests the wonderful places and experiences that we have enjoyed. But we didn’t want to offer an ABC tour  (Another Blinking Chateau!), where you see many things but don’t have enough time to really appreciate them.

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So we took great care to choose the right mix of visits: a number of the most special chateaux, each picked for its unique attributes, some great vineyards which best showcase the region’s varied appellations, and the hidden gems of the Loire Valley, which may not appear on the large group tours, but which are an essential part of the region’s highlights. In addition, we add little extras to your holiday – such as a guided visit to a troglodyte village and a private tour of a sparkling wine makers, plus other surprises along the way.

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We also added in flexibility – we know some guests prefer to visit attractions, whilst others are happy meandering through the back streets of the historic towns – so each day incudes options to suit everyone. And because we keep our numbers really small, a maximum of 8 guests on any tour, there’s always time for an extra photo opportunity or a pause for an unscheduled coffee or ice cream stop.

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We don’t just look after your touring days, we want your entire stay to be a pleasure. So we offer a choice of accommodation – all hand-picked by us with owners that we know personally and can rely on to provide a warm welcome. The properties are carefully chosen to offer our guests an authentic experience of this rural part of France, but still with all modern comforts. We have both bed and breakfast and self-catering options in our range, all simple but charming.  But, if you wish to stay somewhere more elaborate, we can usually find that too.

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We are on hand for your whole holiday – we greet our guests in person including a free pick up from the local station, help you settle into your accommodation and surrounding area and answer any queries you might have. We recommend local restaurants for your evening meals; we know all the local restaurateurs – many are our friends – and so can be sure you’ll enjoy authentic cuisine featuring fresh local produce, great local wines and a convivial evening.

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All this local knowledge and attention to detail is key to understanding what we offer. Small-scale, knowledgeable and passionate is how we hope you will remember us – if you remember anything other than simply a great, fun escorted tour of the Loire Valley.

If that’s what you want for your Loire Valley tour -  you should choose us.