Need Suggestions on a tour to Loire Valley Chateaux

Hi

I am planning a day trip to Loire Valley to visit the three chateaux in October. I found several tours such as Cityrama/Grayline (167 euro by motor coach), Paris Vision (recommended by Rick Steve, 147 euro), France Tourisme (105 euro), and TGV plus local tour guides. I lean toward France Tourisme but not sure if they are safe and reliable. Need your help. Thanks.

Deedoka411

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The France Tourisme one looks interesting - I would love to know which chateau they just blast through without really stopping. From door to door I figure it%26#39;s about 6 hours in the bus. If you allow only an hour for lunch (and no time for toilet breaks) there must be one chateau you only spend an hour at. My guess is that it%26#39;s not chenonceaux, and that lunch is in Bleré.

I favour no more than 2 chateaux in a day, with more time to explore inbetween - many visitors to the loire only see chateaux and after a while can%26#39;t remember which was which.

My favoured scheme is TGV plus local guides, but I am differently motivated :¬).

Catch the 7.50 TGV from Paris, which gets you to Tours at 9.00, you can have 10 hours in the Loire seeing a couple of chateaux, visit a farm to try the cheese, a winery (or even two) and a proper 2 hour long French workman%26#39;s lunch, and a light dinner in Tours before leaving at about 8.30 for Paris.

It makes for a longer (and slightly more expensive) day, but on a trip like that you get to call the shots about stops along the way, and to a certain extent the chateaux you visit. You do have to book early; leave it too late and the TGV ticket will cost 90€ or more return, doubling your costs.

Simon

http://daysontheclaise.blogspot.com/

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Thanks for the advice. After calculating the TGV ticket 77 euro (Paris-Tours), local guide Acco Dispo 50 euro (9:15 - 6:30, 3 chateaux, excluding entrance fee), and approximately 27-30 euro for 3 chateaux entrance fees. The total will be 154 euro.

France Tourisme...is out...not a good review or no review at all.

Cityrama is more expensive.

Paris Vision, 147 euro (including motorcoach, entrance fees at 3 chateaux, and guide) seems to be the best bet so far.

I still have time to decide. Open to suggestions.

Deedoka411

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I have found out why there are less %26quot;all inclusive%26quot; trips than there used to be:

Under some tax regeims the business owner pays 23% of turnover as tax, with no business deductions allowed. This means if you pay 20€ to your tour operator for lunch, they has to pay almost 5€ of that to the government. Same goes for chateau entries.

Are you looking at weekend or weekday travel? Weekday is cheaper, and booking at least 3 weeks in advance for the train will be cheaper too.