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Day 1
Overnight in Paris, Meet Your Culinary and Wine Expert Guide
Guest may check in at our 4-Star Paris hotel after 2.00 PM. Guests arriving to the hotel prior to check-in may store their bags at the hotel until check-in in order to begin exploring the city. The hotel is located near the Paris shopping district and the Champs Elysees. At 7 PM: Your expert wine and cuisine Guide welcomes Guests in the lobby of the hotel for an introduction, to discuss the details of the itinerary for the week and to answer in detail any questions Guests may have.
Dinner: Independently in Paris this evening.
Day 2
Royal Chateau of Amboise, Matured Loire Valley Wines - B, L, D
Breakfast. 9.30 AM: Transfer to the Loire Valley. We will make a short stop on the way to Amboise. The first visit and wine tasting of our tour is in the Royal town of Amboise. We are welcomed to the Caves of Duhard established in 1874. ItŐs owner and wine maker, Daniel Gatay, is specialized in matured Loire Valley wines. Guests will discover a large range of vintages, from 1959 to present day. Originally, the caves were carved in the 12th century. Many of the stones extracted from these caves where used for the construction of the Chateaux and Cathedrals of the region. Lunch will be served in a private room next to the cave. Lunch is comprised of a selection of local specialties (Rillons de Touraine, charcuterie) salads and an outstanding selection of local cheeses. Rodolphe Meunier 2007 France Master Cheese Affineur "Refiner" and 2007 World Champion Cheese Affineur "Refiner" will present a selection of his best cheeses of the moment. All wines are selected by Daniel Gatay to match perfectly the local dishes and cheeses. Guests will taste wines dating back to 1960; an exclusive and unique food and wine experience guaranteed!
Afternoon: We visit the Royal Chateau of Amboise. Delight in the splendid beauty of the Royal Chateau of Amboise. Built on a spur overlooking the Loire River, historical evidence supports the existence of a fortress inhabited by the Gauls in the early 6th century. The existing buildings were later converted into a monastery. During the Middle Ages the castle was pillaged by the Normans and Feudal Wars. The castle, as we know it in present time, officially became a royal castle in 1434 during the reign of Charles VII. Though Charles VII spent very little time here, preferring Loches to Amboise, his son, Louis XI, who succeeded him to the throne, favored the castle as an ideal place to protect himself from assassination attempts and other complots. Louis XI son, the eventual Charles VIII, was born at Amboise in 1470 and later succeeded his father as King of France in 1483. Once crowned, Charles VIII, having made the Castle of Amboise his permanent residence, built the royal logis in a typical gothic-flamboyant style. During his crusades to Italy, Charles VIII fell in love with the Italian Renaissance style and on return from Italy was responsible for introducing the beauty and art of this Italian style to the Loire Valley. Leonardo Da Vinci rests in the Chapel St. Hubert located on the Chateau grounds. At the end of the afternoon, check-in at "Chateau de Pray", a 4-star, 13th century castle hotel property overlooking the Loire River. The hotel is located near Amboise. Chateau de Pray presents a charming Renaissance castle transformed from a 13th century fortress.
Dinner: At the Castle's Michelin star restaurant and overnight.
Day 3
Chateau of Blois, Chocolate Demonstration & Visit, Gourmet Culinary Class - B, D
Breakfast. Morning: Guests transfer to Blois after breakfast to visit the Chateau of Blois. The Chateau de Blois is unique in itsŐ combination of four architectural styles: Gothic, Flamboyant, Renaissance and Classic. Built by Counts of Blois, Louis XII, Francois I and Gaston d'Orleans, the brother of Louis XIII. This chateau holds the secrets of many well-known historical events, including a visit by Joan of Arc in 1429 while enroute to Orleans to push the English out of the Touraine, the assassination of Henri the Duc de Guise by King Henri III in 1588, the mariage of King Louis XII and Anne of Brittany in 1498 and the death of Anne of Brittany from kidney stones in 1514. This ancient city with a rich history also merits a detour. In the 17th century, Blois was the capital of France, under the king Louis XII. Enjoy a stroll through the old town, along its paved side-streets. Free time, shopping and lunch at your leisure in Blois.
Afternoon: Visit of Max Vauche "Chocolaterie". Mister Max Vauche is a Master Chocolate Maker and travels around the world to select the best quality coco to create outstanding chocolates. Guests assist in a chocolate demonstration with the Chocolate Master Chef. We end our visit and demonstration with a chocolate tasting. Each participant also receives a nice selection of Chocolates to take home. At the conclusion of our chocolate demonstration, guests return to Chateau de Pray for a private cooking class with Michelin star Chef Ludovic Laurenty. Ludovic Laurenty is both Chef and Owner who took over the Chateau in 2000. His outstanding training with the "Creme de la Creme" of French Chefs guarantees guests a unique gourmet experience. Ludovic has worked with the Pourcel Brothers (3 star Michelin), Alain Ducasse (3 star Michelin) and JM Lorain (3 star Michelin). Guests will prepare a complete three-course menu consisting of gourmet recipes based on seasonal ingredients. During the lesson, the chef shares some of his secrets and tricks to reproduce a perfect French recipe. Guests participate at leisure in the creation of these gourmet dishes.
Dinner: Cooking class is followed by a gourmet dinner with regional wine.
Day 4
Tours market, Clos Luce, Culinary Class, Private Renaissance Dinner Party - B, D
Breakfast. After breakfast Guests transfer to Tours. Tours is a fascinating city. We still can see today traces of the Roman Empire, Middle Ages fortifications, Renaissance architecture and Napoleon buildings. We will meet Stephan Sausin, Master Chef specialized in Renaissance cuisine. The Chef joins us in Tours at the indoor market to select the best and freshest ingredients that we will use in our recipes during cooking class later in the day. We will prepare a Renaissance dinner in cooking class in the evening. Mr. Sausin has years of experience in Renaissance Cuisine, and has appeared on TV shows in the past. He will present the preparation of authentic Renaissance dishes. The recipes from the 15th-16th centuries contained many spices brought from America (recently discovered). All of these exotic condiments were a novelty for the Old World. Imagine that the price of an ounce of cinnamon was equal to that of gold! Thanks to the Renaissance Chefs and Epicurean Kings, France is today an outstanding country for gourmet amateurs. After the market, lunch is at your leisure in Tours. Visit the old city and enjoy free time in Tours for shopping at the Christmas market (French handcrafts, artisan products and art).
Afternoon: guests transfer to Amboise to visit the Prestigious Clos Luce. Chateau du Clos Luce was the final residence of the Genius Leonardo Da Vinci where he spent the last three years of his life. Discover inside the Manor and in the gardens some of his inventions like the helicopter, the parachute, the mobile bridge, the tank. Leonardo da Vinci was a great painter, architect, engineer, scientist and philosopher. Discover many citations of Leonardo on the walls of the Clos Luce. Following the visit at Clos Luce, Guests participate in the Renaissance cooking class at Leonardo da Vinci's Chateau. This cooking lesson takes place in Le Prieure of the Manor du Clos Luce. Le Prieure is the ancient priory house from the 16th century located in the gardens of the Manor du Clos. The Chef Stephane Sausin welcomes us to the modern kitchen of the Prieure. Guests are welcome to participate in the elaboration of the menu.
Dinner: The private Renaissance dinner party takes place in the original dining room of the Prieure. We recreate the warm ambiance of a "Taverne", and a Renaissance artist joins us to entertain our festive evening. (music, songs, stories...). Return to the hotel after dinner.
Day 5
Chateau of Chenonceau, Chateau of Chambord, Cour Cheverny Wines - B, L, D
Breakfast. After breakfast guests transfer to Chenonceau to visit the Chateau of Chenonceau. The unique architecture of the Chateau makes it one of the most exquisite castles of the Loire Valley. Chenonceau is related to important French Renaissance women, and was offered by King Henry II to his mistress Diane de Poitiers who was also simultaneously the mistress of Henri II's father, Francois I during the last 10 years of his reign (while Henri was still the Dauphin). Upon the death of Catherine de Medici, wife of Henri II and owner of the chateau following her husband's death, in January of 1589, Catherine's daughter in-law, Louise de Loraine, inherited the chateau. However, being forced to repay the hefty debts of her mother-in-law or risk Parliament seizing the castle, Louise, having little money of her own, gave the castle to the illegitimate son of Henri IV, Cesar de Vendome, who ultimately saved this prize possession from potential destruction by the French state. Lunch in a traditional restaurant of Cheverny.
Afternoon: Visit of the Chateau of Chambord. Chambord was THE VERY FIRST Chateau of the Valley to be proclaimed by UNESCO as a world heritage site. It was ordered in 1519 by King Francois I who requested that his good friend Leonardo Da Vinci and his architects design the castle. Later in the afternoon, visit and wine tasting in Cour Cheverny, Domain Desoucheries "Christian Tessier". Mister Tessier wins awards every year for the quality of his wines. The Cour Cheverny wines exist today thanks to King Francois I. On his way back from Italy, Francois I stopped in Burgundy. He brought back 80,000 vines from Romorantin. Today, the Cour Cheverny is the only appellation in the world using the Romorantin grape variety.
Dinner: Return to Chateau de Pray for dinner at the Castle's Michelin star restaurant and overnight.
Day 6
Chateau of Azay le Rideau, famous Chinon and Bourgueil wines - B, L, D
Breakfast. Guests transfer to visit the Chateau of Azay le Rideau. Pure French Renaissance architecture, Azay le Rideau presents a nice collection of tapestries. Lunch is booked in a traditional brasserie in Chinon.
Early afternoon: The Chateau de Ligre welcomes us for a visit of its vineyard in Chinon. Guests are welcomes in the land of the lovely Chateau de Ligre built in the 19th century and praised by the famous French writer Rabelais. Since 1971 this domain belongs to Pierre Ferrand, a keen wine maker, who will share with us his love for Chinon wines. His family has been Wine makers for three generations. To end the day, we go to Bourgueil to the Domain de la Chevalerie in Restigne. Established in 1640, this Domain has always remained in the same family. Mr. Caslot is a 14th generation wine maker. The family property is 32 hectares and elaborates fantastic red wines made of cabernet franc. His best vintage is made from 70 years old vines.
Dinner: Return to Chateau de Pray for dinner at the Castle's Michelin star restaurant and overnight.
Day 7
Tour Conclusion, Return to Paris - B
Breakfast. Check out of the hotel. Guests transfer back to Paris or Charles de Gaulle Airport.
This Exclusive Christmas Season Tour Price Includes:
--Full time chauffeur
--Professional Off the Beaten Path Culinary and Wine Expert
--All transportation during the tour by minivans
--1 night in Paris 4-star hotel
--5 nights in a 4-star, 13th Chateau (castle) Hotel, Chateau de Pray
--Breakfast daily
--5 gourmet dinners
--3 lunches
--Drinks included (1/2 bottle of wine per person per meal)
--1 chocolate demonstration
--2 cooking lessons with Master Chefs
--Tours indoor market with Chef Sausin
--Renaissance dinner party
--Cheese tasting with 2007 World Champion cheese "Affineur" Rodolphe Meunier
--Cultural visits of the Chateaux (castles) of Amboise, Clos Luce, Blois, Chenonceau, Chambord, Azay Le Rideau
--Christmas shopping in Tours
--Winery visits and VIP wine tasting in Amboise, Cour Cheverny, Vouvray, Chinon and Bourgueil
--This exceptional Holiday Small Group Tour is limited to 12 guests
--This tour does not include: personal purchases, extras at the hotels and optional tour guide/leader gratuities
ACTIVITY LEVEL: 20% Moderate, 80% Easy (leisure walking at the castles, in local villages and at wine producers)
TOUR BEGINS:
Meet and greet by your Tour Guide at your Paris Hotel on November 30.
TOUR ENDS:
Group drop-off : Your Guide drops your group off on December 6 at 11 AM at St. Pierre des Corps Rail Station in Tours, France. If you need an earlier return to the St. Pierre des Corps rail station, please let us know in advance so that we may accommodate your request.
Return to the 2008 Tour Schedule
Book our Loire Valley Holiday Tour Now
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