For the single best day in the Loire, consider this plan: Visit Amboises sights the afternoon of arrival, then sleep in or near Amboise. About five miles from Chinon, a 30-mile bike path runs along the Loire River, passing by Uss and Langeais. Minivan excursions from Tours are the best option for most nondrivers staying in Chinon. Rick Steves Snapshot Loire Valley - amazon.com Steve owns a restored farmhouse in rural Burgundy where he hangs his beret in research season. Your bike rental company will be able to advise you as well. We may contact you to ascertain the damage or defect in the product prior to issuing refund/replacement. See here. When you need a break, rise above it all in a hot-air balloon or get a feel for the countryside by renting a bike. The main train station is Tours SNCF, and the smaller, suburban TGV station (located between Tours and Amboise) is St-Pierre-des-Corps. To recharge, Rick plays piano, relaxes at his family cabin in the Cascade Mountains, and spends time with his son Andy and daughter Jackie. With Rick Steves, the Loire Valley is yours to discover! Chteau Hotels: If ever you wanted to sleep in a castle surrounded by a forest, the Loire Valley is the placeyou have several choices in all price ranges. Rick produces a best-selling guidebook series, a public television series, and a public radio show, and organizes small-group tours that take over 30,000 travelers to Europe annually. Chambord Epic grandeur (440 rooms) and fun rooftop views in an evocative setting surrounded by a forest. Rick Steves Snapshot Nice & the French Riviera, Rick Steves Provence & the French Riviera, "The country's foremost expert in European travel for Americans. A day trip from Paris to the Loire is doable. Deluxe trips add a gourmet picnic, making it a four-hour event. Your voice matters. Rick Steves' Snapshot Loire Valley | Bookshare ", "Pick the best accommodations and restaurants from Rick Stevesand a traveler searching for good values will seldom go wrong or be blindsided. Amboise has minivan service to area sights, and drivers appreciate its small scale and easy parking; Blois has better train connections from Paris and better low-cost transportation options to nearby sights in high season. The serene town of Chenonceaux works for drivers and hardy bicyclists. If youre driving to the Dordogne from the Loire, the A-20 autoroute via Limoges (near Oradour-sur-Glane) is fastest and toll-free until Brive-la-Gaillarde. When a valley address became a must-have among 16th-century hunting-crazy royalty, rich Renaissance palaces replaced outdated medieval castles. The Loire Valley, about two hours southwest of Paris, offers France's greatest array of chteau experiences. Since 1973, Rick Steves has spent about four months a year exploring Europe. Shuttle bus and minivan tours make getting to the main chteaux a breeze (see here). Items marked as non-returnable on detail page are not eligible for return. The key chteaux in this area are historic Chinon, fairy-tale Azay-le-Rideau, fortress-like Langeais, and garden-lush Villandry. Then you can start reading Kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required. Chaumont-sur-Loire Imposing setting over the Loire River, notable for its historic connections to America and impressive Festival of Gardens. See here. Brief Summary of Book: Rick Steves' Snapshot Loire Valley by Rick Steves Here is a quick description and cover image of book Rick Steves' Snapshot Loire Valley written by Rick Steves which was published in 2007-10-1 . Rick Steves' Snapshot Loire Valley by Rick Steves is available in these Chteau Hotels: If ever you wanted to sleep in a castle surrounded by a forest, the Loire Valley is the placeyou have several choices in all price ranges. While the sumptuous dining room and family apartments are a treat to stroll, my favorite part of a visit here is the once-daily feeding at the chteau's kennel, where the marquis' 100 hunting dogs show off their strict training before being treated to troughs stacked with raw meat. You can rent a car most easily at the St-Pierre-des-Corps TGV station just outside Tours; rentals are also available in Amboise (see here). Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet or computer no Kindle device required. Two full days are sufficient to sample the best chteaux. Shuttle bus and minivan tours make getting to the main chteaux a breeze (see here). Heres a quick summary. : By Minivan Tour: Tour operators Acco-Dispo, Touraine Evasion, Loire Valley Tours, and Olaloire Tours offer half- and full-day itineraries from Amboise and/or Tours that hit all the main chteaux (see Amboise Connections on here). Today, this region is still the dividing line for the countryfor example, weather forecasters say, north of the Loireand south of the Loire. The region is also under some development pressure, thanks to TGV bullet trains (also called InOui trains) that link it to Paris in well under two hours, and cheap flights to England that make it a prime second-home spot for many Brits, including Sir Mick Jagger. Most balloon companies charge about 25 more for a bad-weather refund guarantee; unless your itinerary is very loose, its a good idea. Rick Steves Snapshot Loire Valley - amazon.com By Minivan Tour: Tour operators Acco-Dispo, Touraine Evasion, Loire Valley Tours, and Olaloire Tours offer half- and full-day itineraries from Amboise and/or Tours that hit all the main chteaux (see Amboise Connections on here). "TIME Magazine, "Steves is a walking, talking European encyclopedia who yearns to inspire Americans to venture 'beyond Orlando. Budget travelers with one day can catch the public bus, shuttle van (high season only), or train from Amboise to the town of Chenonceaux, tour Chenonceau, then return to Amboise in the afternoon to enjoy its chteau and Leonardos last stand at Clos-Luc. He does all of this with the help of more than 100 well-traveled staff members at Rick Steves' Europe in Edmonds, WA (near Seattle). Please keep the item in its original condition, original packaging, with user manual, warranty cards, and original accessories in manufacturer packaging for a successful return pick-up. This Snapshot guide, excerpted from my guidebook Rick Steves France, is all about the Loire Valley. These three can be visited in a day by car or minivan tour. Capture a web page as it appears now for use as a trusted citation in the future. Snapshot guides are a great choice for travelers visiting a specific city or region, rather than multiple European destinations. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. This slim guide excerpted from Rick Steves France includes: Rick's firsthand, up-to-date advice on the Loire Valley's best sights, restaurants, hotels, and more, plus tips to beat the crowds, skip the lines, and avoid tourist traps You can even paddle a rowboat under a fairytale chteau that gracefully spans a lazy river. ", "[Rick Steves] laces his guides with short and vivid histories and a scholar's appreciation for Renaissance art yet knows the best place to start an early tapas crawl in Madrid if you have kids. Dont go overboard. This item is eligible for free replacement, within 7 days of delivery, in an unlikely event of damaged, defective or different item delivered to you. : A later resident, King Henry II's mistress Diane de Poitiers, added a bridge across the river to access the hunting grounds. For first-time visitors, Amboise is the better choice. on March 2, 2022, There are no reviews yet. The "Valley of a Thousand Chteaux" moniker may exaggerate the count, but the range of options is indeed formidable. "Forbes"Steves is an absolute master at unlocking the hidden gems of the world's greatest cities, towns, and monuments. Shuttle services and minivan tours offer affordable transportation to many of the valleys chteaux. RICK STEVES SNAPSHOT LOIRE VALLEY - Amazon.in Its not cheap, but its unforgettablea once-in-a-lifetime chance to sail serenely over chteaux, canals, vineyards, Romanesque churches, and villages. The chteaux of Amboise, Blois, Chenonceau, Chaumont (via the town of Onzain plus a long walk), Langeais, Chinon, and Azay-le-Rideau all have train and/or bus service from Tours main SNCF station; Amboise, Blois, Chenonceau, and Chinon are also served from the St-Pierre-des-Corps station. These days, the Loire Valley poses a challenge for its many visitors: how to choose among its castle thrills. With frequent, convenient trains to Paris and a few direct runs right to Charles de Gaulle Airport, the Loire can be a good first or last stop on your French odyssey. It meets the Cher River at Villandry and continues along the Cher to Tours and beyond. Villandry Average palace boasting the best gardens in the Loireand possibly all of France. Search the history of over 806 billion The best gardens are at Villandry, while Cheverny has the most impressive furnishingsand a fun daily feeding of its hunting hounds. This item is eligible for free replacement, within 10 days of delivery, in an unlikely event of damaged, defective or different/wrong item delivered to you. Wind instruments and items marked as non-returnable on detail page are not eligible for return. Most of these services depart from TIs (who can book them for you) and can save you time (in line) and money (on admissions) when you purchase your chteau ticket at a discounted group rate from the driver. He drives a Deux Chevaux car and has restored a farmhouse on the Burgundy canal where he hangs his beret in the spring and summer. Get recommended reads, deals, and more from Hachette, By clicking Sign Up, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to Hachette Book Groups Privacy Policy With Rick Steves, the Loire Valley is yours to discover! Tap on the category links below for the associated return window and exceptions (if any) for returns. Highlights inside include its second-floor coffered ceilings and an intriguing double-helix staircase. Azay-le-Rideau Set on a romantic reflecting pond, with a fairy-tale facade and beautifully furnished rooms. Amboise and Blois have handy car or bus/minivan access to these important chteaux: elegant Chenonceau, urban Blois, epic Chambord, canine-crazy Cheverny, royal Amboise, and garden-showy Chaumont-sur-Loire. You can also return the product within 10 days of delivery for full refund. "The New York Times Magazine"[Rick Steves] laces his guides with short and vivid histories and a scholar's appreciation for Renaissance art yet knows the best place to start an early tapas crawl in Madrid if you have kids. Rick Steves Snapshot Loire Valley - mc3.ecampus.com We will not process a refund if the pickup is cancelled owing to missing MRP tag. New Englands biggest city, Boston is both a hotbed of innovation and bastion of history, home to world-class museums and historic Harvard University, a buzzing food scene, and cosmopolitan performing arts venues. "Society of American Travel Writers, "Pick the best accommodations and restaurants from Rick Stevesand a traveler searching for good values will seldom go wrong or be blindsided. To recharge, Rick plays piano, relaxes at his family cabin in the Cascade Mountains, and spends time with his son Andy and daughter Jackie. With Rick Steves, the Loire Valley is yours to discover! : has spent about four months a year exploring Europe. Healing is hardly a singular upwards track and in fact, there are multiple ups and downs. The construction of today's chteau wrapped up in 1634 after a relatively short 30 years, resulting in a harmoniously unified architectural style. If youre coming from Burgundy, dont miss the one-of-a-kind Chteau de Gudelon. Since 1973, Rick Steves has spent about four months a year exploring Europe. Tour the Leonardo da Vinci park and go wine-tasting in Vouvray. Diane enjoyed her lovely retreat until Henry was killed (pierced in a jousting tournament) and his vengeful wife, Catherine de Mdici, unceremoniously kicked Diane out into the chteau of Chaumont. See here. The importance of this river and the valleys prime location, in the center of the country just south of Paris, have made the Loire a strategic hot potato for more than a thousand years. This item is eligible for free replacement, within 7 days of delivery, in an unlikely event of damaged or different item delivered to you. This item is non-returnable due to hygiene and personal care/consumable nature of the product. [PDF] [EPUB] Snapshot Loire Valley, 6th Edition Download ", Every country-specific travel guidebook from the Rick Steves publishing empire can be counted upon for clear organization, specificity and timeliness. To travel smartly, read this little book in its entirety before you go. Its my hope that this guide will make your trip more meaningful and rewarding. Share via email. Rick Steves' Snapshot guides consist of excerpted chapters from Rick Steves' European country guidebooks. We may contact you to ascertain the damage or defect in the product prior to issuing refund/replacement. ", "His penchant for creating meaningful experiences for travelers to Europe is as passionate as his inclination for making ethical choices his guiding light. - If your return is due to an Amazon error you'll receive a full refund, else the shipping charges (onward & return) along with import fees will be deducted from your refund amount. ", "Travel, to Steves, is not some frivolous luxuryit is an engine for improving humankind, for connecting people and removing their prejudices, for knocking distant cultures together to make unlikely sparks of joy and insight. Rick Steves Rick Steves' Snapshot Loire Valley Paperback - March 6 2012 by Rick Steves (Author), Steve Smith (Author) 9 ratings Paperback $44.11 3 Used from $22.71 4 New from $28.87 You can count on Rick Steves to tell you what you really need to know when traveling in the Loire Valley. ", "Steves is a walking, talking European encyclopedia who yearns to inspire Americans to venture 'beyond Orlando. Chteaux-holics and gardeners can stay longer and sleep in both towns. The toast of the Loire, Chenonceau, is a 16th-century Renaissance palace arching elegantly over the Cher River. Clos-Luc (in Amboise) Leonardo da Vincis final home and gardens, with models of his creations. After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. ", "His guidebooks are approachable, silly, and even subtly provocative in their insistence that Americans show respect for the people and places they are visiting and not the other way around. Azay-le-Rideau Set on a romantic reflecting pond, with a fairy-tale facade and beautifully furnished rooms. , ISBN-10 A visit to the garden of France confirms why the Loire Valley was royaltys number-one getaway. The return timelines for seller-fulfilled items sold on Amazon.in are equivalent to the return timelines mentioned above for items fulfilled by Amazon. Rick Steves Snapshot Nice & the French Riviera, Rick Steves Provence & the French Riviera, "The country's foremost expert in European travel for Americans. See here. Your bike rental company will be able to advise you as well. And now in the 21st century, Chenonceau is a delight to explore. Chenonceau delights with its dramatic setting atop a river, while the kings hunting lodge at Chambord astonishes with 440 roomsand almost as many chimneys. For details, see Blois Connections on here, and Amboise Connections on here. Rick Steves and Steve Smith cover the essentials of the Loire Valley, including Amboise and Chinon. The best map of the area is Michelin #518, covering all the sights described in this chapter (the TIs free map of Tourainethe area surrounding Toursis also good). Dtours de Loire can help you plan your bike route. You'll get Rick's firsthand advice on the best sights, eating, sleeping, and nightlife, and the . Rick Steves' Snapshot Loire Valley : Steves, Rick, 1955- : Free Cheverny Intimate-feeling chteau with lavish furnishings and daily feeding of the hunting dogs. Catherine died before completing her full vision, but not before turning her chteau into the local aristocracy's place to see and be seen. Given that millions of people have encountered the work of Steves over the last 40 years, on TV or online or in his guidebooks, and that they have carried those lessons to untold other millions of people, it is fair to say that his lifes work has had a real effect on the collective life of our planet. Hours: Daily April-Sept 9:00-18:30 plus July-Aug until 19:00, Oct until 18:00, Nov-March 9:00-12:30 & 14:30-17:30. *A NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW EDITOR'S CHOICE* See here. Eco Shuttle runs similar excursions from Blois (see here). Return the speakers in the original condition in brand box to avoid pickup cancellation. *A PEOPLE MAGAZINE BEST NEW BOOK* Chaumont-sur-Loire For its imposing setting over the Loire River, historic connections to America, and impressive Festival of the Gardens. Hours: Daily July-Aug 9:00-19:00, April-June and Sept-mid-Nov 9:30-18:30, mid-Nov-March 10:00-17:00. "The New York Times"His penchant for creating meaningful experiences for travelers to Europe is as passionate as his inclination for making ethical choices his guiding light." Most open at about 9:00 and close between 18:00 and 19:00. Precious jewellery items need to be returned in the tamper free packaging that is provided in the delivery parcel. Shuttles connect Amboise, Tours, or Blois with key chteaux in peak season (6-20), and minivan tours combine several chteaux into a painless day tour (about 40/person for scheduled half-day itineraries from Amboise or Tours, 60 for all day; allow 150/person for all-day guided tours that include wine tastings, chteaux visits, and lunch; figure 240 for custom groups of up to 7 for 4 hours, 400 for 8 hours). Claim your home and get an email whenever there's an Villandry Average palace boasting the best gardens in the Loireand possibly all of France. Cycling options are endless in the Loire, where the elevation gain is generally manageable. This one is very good as are all of his travel books. This is free Return pickup facility is not available for these items. Because of its history, this region is home to more than a thousand castles and palaces of all shapes and sizes. Reviewed in the United States on 25 February 2022. Which chteaux should you visit and why? Today, this region is still the dividing line for the countryfor example, weather forecasters say, north of the Loireand south of the Loire. See here. This is a big, unwieldy region, so Ive divided it into two halves: east and west of the sprawling city of Tours. Steve Smith has had one foot in France and one in the United States for 55 years. When a valley address became a must-have among 16th-century hunting-crazy royalty, rich Renaissance palaces replaced outdated medieval castles. The serene town of Chenonceaux works for drivers and hardy bicyclists. Give us a call today to receive a free estimate, schedule an appointment to . This date is subject to change due to shipping delays beyond our control. It's surrounded by Europe's largest enclosed forest park, a lush game preserve teeming with wild deer and boar. As an 18-year-old, Rick began traveling on his own, funding his trips by teaching piano lessons. Famous chteaux are least crowded early, during lunch, and late in the day. With Rick Steves, the Loire Valley is yours to discover! '"Forbeshes become the unofficial guide for entire generations of North American travelers, beloved for his earnest attitude and dad jeans. Repetitive and not very informative. From outside, Chambord's most striking features are its enormous towers on all corners, a pin-cushion roof of spires and chimneys, and a 100-foot tall lantern tower supported by flying buttresses. You can return if you receive a damaged, defective or incorrect product. Hours: Daily mid-March-mid-Sept 9:00-19:30, July-Aug until 20:00, closes earlier off-season. Tour the Leonardo da Vinci park, go wine-tasting in Vouvray, and wander the gardens of Villandry. Trains, buses, minivan tours, taxis, and bikes allow those without a car to reach the well-known chteaux. Thanks to this uncrowded freeway, sleepy Azay-le-Rideau is another good base for destinations west of Tours; it also works as a base for sights on both sides. LMFT. But starting in 1518, Franois I with the help of 1,800 workmen over 15 years made a few modest additions to create his "weekend retreat.". Rick Steves Snapshot Loire Valley (Sixth Edition) - Amazon.in Find out more about Rick at www.ricksteves.com and on Facebook. But even the less-famous chteaux are accessible: Take a taxi, arrange a custom minivan excursion (affordable for small groups), or ride a bike (great option for those with time and stamina). You can count on Rick Steves to tell you what you really need to know when traveling in the Loire Valley.Rick Steves covers the essentials of the Loire Valley, including Amboise and Chinon. Practicalities, near the end of this book, has information on money, staying connected, hotel reservations, transportation, and more, plus French survival phrases. Find Rick Steves' Snapshot Loire Valley by Steves, Rick; Smith, Steve at Biblio. This item is eligible for free replacement, within 10 days of delivery, in an unlikely event of damaged, defective or different item delivered to you. Most open at about 9:00 and close between 18:00 and 19:00. Fluent in French, he's lived in France on several occasions, starting when he was seven. Note: Please keep the item in its original condition, with MRP tags attached, user manual, warranty cards, and original accessories in manufacturer packaging for a successful return pick-up. Shuttles connect Amboise, Tours, or Blois with key chteaux in peak season (6-20), and minivan tours combine several chteaux into a painless day tour (about 40/person for scheduled half-day itineraries from Amboise or Tours, 60 for all day; allow 150/person for all-day guided tours that include wine tastings, chteaux visits, and lunch; figure 240 for custom groups of up to 7 for 4 hours, 400 for 8 hours). Because of its history, this region is home to more than a thousand castles and palaces of all shapes and sizes. The best map of the area is Michelin #518, covering all the sights described in this chapter (the TIs free map of Tourainethe area surrounding Toursis also good). They can also deliver rental bikes to most places in the Loire for reasonable rates. Youll need a car to get to most of these places. Refunds applicable only if it has been determined that the item was not damaged while in your possession, or is not different from what was shipped to you. Forbes"[Rick Steves'] neighborhood walks are always fun and informative. To get the free app, enter mobile phone number. Two full days are sufficient to sample the best chteaux. Please keep the item in its original condition, with brand outer box, MRP tags attached, user manual, warranty cards, CDs and original accessories in manufacturer packaging for a successful return pick-up. Sleep in Amboise and take a minivan excursion (see the next section). With Rick Steves, the Loire Valley is yours to discover! Terms of Service | Privacy, Upcoming Holidays and Festivals in France, Frances Loire: Chteau Country (episode), Amboise: Charming Visitors Since Leonardo da Vinci, Frances Loire: Valley of a Thousand Chteaux, Going to the Dogs (and Other Animals) in Europe, Chartres Cathedral: The Age of Faith in Stone and Stained Glass, Suggestions for Tours (the City, Valle de la Loire), South of France and Loire Valley Covid report. However, in the unlikely event of a damaged, defective or different/wrong item delivered to you, we will provide a full refund or free replacement as applicable. This item is a preorder. The key chteaux in this area are historic Chinon, fairy-tale Azay-le-Rideau, fortress-like Langeais, and garden-lush Villandry. For history readers, travelers, and scholars alike, an indispensable behind-the-scenes guide to the great cathedrals of Paris. You can count on Rick Steves to tell you what you really need to know when traveling in the Loire Valley.Rick Steves and Steve Smith cover the essentials of the Loire Valley, including Amboise and Chinon. Something went wrong. Any luggage items with locks must be returned unlocked. By Rick Steves The Chteau de Chenonceau has a dramatic history and striking setting, spanning the Cher River and surrounded by elegant gardens. and Terms of Use. If youve booked ahead and the weather turns bad, you can reschedule your flight, but you cant get your money back. Please try again. A network of nearly 200 miles of bike paths and well-signed country lanes connect many chteaux near Amboise. Amboise, Chenonceaux, Blois, Azay-le-Rideau, and Chinon all make good biking bases and have rental options (ask at TIs). '", hes become the unofficial guide for entire generations of North American travelers, beloved for his earnest attitude and dad jeans. Reviewed in the United States on 27 June 2021. Refunds will be issued only if it is determined that the item was not damaged while in your possession, or is not different from what was shipped to you.
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