| DEPARTURE DATES - (sundays) |
RATE |
ROUTE |
| June
26 |
Regular |
Loire
Valley |
| July
3, 10, 17, 24, 31 |
Regular |
Loire
Valley |
| August
07, 14, 21, 28 |
Regular |
Loire
Valley |
| September
4, 11, 18, 25 |
Regular |
Loire
Valley |
| October
2, 09, 16, 23, 30 |
Regular |
Loire
Valley |
MEETING
POINT
FRANCE - Loire Valley -
St Pierre des Corps TGV station at 4.30pm
(Charter groups can be met at their Tours Hotel at 4.50pm if preferred)
Nymphea
Barge Information
The 6 passenger Nymphea is a classic Dutch
design with shallow draft and is ideal for navigating the
incredibly beautiful yet somewhat sandy reaches of the
river Cher in the Loire valley. Refitted throughout, her
traditional ship interior features a warm classic decor
of rich varnished hardwoods, stained glass and a welcoming
country house atmosphere.
Nymphea has three comfortable cabins, two twin staterooms
and one twin or double stateroom, all with air conditioning
and en-suite facilities. Six bikes are always available
for you to enjoy rides along towpaths and trails. Her crew
of Captain, Chef and Housekeeper are most knowledgeable
about the history in this beautiful area and are excellent
hosts for your luxury cruise.
| Cruise
Highlights |
Cuisine
Aboard |
- All-inclusive
open bar, free
wines,gourmet cuisine, entry
fees to excursions
- Cruise
under the famed Château de Chenonceau
- Visit
a Troglodyte cave dwelling and see the silkworm
nursery
- Excursion
to the Château D'Amboise
- Private
tastings at Montrichard and Civray
- Château
visit to Valençay or Blois
- Experience
the colorful street markets
- Optional
Hot air Ballooning
|
Regional
Specialities
Filet Mignon de Veau à la Bière
et Moutarde,
Selle d'Agneau au Romarin, Saumon et Friture
|
|
Wine
Cellar
St Nicolas de Bourgueil,
L'Alliance des Generations, Sancerre, Vouvray
|
|
Cheese
Board
Valençay, St Maure de Touraine, Selles
sur Cher
|
Sunday MOULIN DE NITRAY
You are met at 4.30 pm at St Pierre des Corps TGV station
and transferred to Nymphea where a “Champagne Welcome” awaits
you at our mooring opposite the 17th century Moulin de
Nitray. Dinner aboard.
Monday, MOULIN DE NITRAY TO LARCAY
A morning cruise through two locks takes us to the quaint
town of Larcay where we moor
under the weeping willows for lunch. Afternoon excursion
to Chateau de Villandry, with its world-renowned renaissance
gardens. Dinner aboard.
Tuesday, LARCAY TO VALLET
After a morning cruise past no less that six private chateaux,
we tie up opposite the hamlet of Vallet, a cluster of
classic Tourangeau architecture grouped around its 18th
century mill. From there we leave for our excursion by
minibus to Amboise on the banks of the Loire, where we
visit the Royal Chateau D’Amboise and the Clos
Luce, Leonardo Da Vinci’s home. Dinner aboard.
Wednesday, VALLET TO CHISSAY EN TOURAINE
While cruising in the morning we may pull in to the tiny
landing stage next to Domaine de Chateau de Fontenay.
A two minute walk brings us to their courtyard where
we can taste their range of Touraine wines as an aperitif
before lunch moored at Blere. In the afternoon we cruise
under the 5 arch bridge of the impressive Château
de Chenonceau and moor at Chisseaux. From there we depart
by minibus to visit the Chateau. Upon our return we cruise
upstream to Chissay en Touraine. We take dinner tonight
in one of the local restaurants specializing in regional
cooking
Thursday, CHISSAY EN TOURAINE TO MONTRICHARD
A morning cruise takes us towards the troglodyte village
of Bourré. We tie up at the lock, a short walk
from which is one of the more unusual dwellings in the
Loire Valley, La Magnaneraie. The Coquillat family have
grown up in this hillside troglodyte habitation, which
has been in turn wine cellar, quarry for the tuffeau
stone, and lastly a silkworm nursery. After lunch we
drive east to Valencay, one of the most splendid chateaux
of the Loire and the home of Napoleon’s foreign
minister, Talleyrand. Returning to the barge we cruise
to Montrichard where we moor for the night. Dinner aboard.
Friday, MONTRICHARD TO NITRAY
Following breakfast, a short stroll takes us to the heart
of Montrichard, into the midst of one of the largest
weekly street markets in Touraine. There is much to explore
at the 12th Century Chateau of Foulques Nerra overlooking
the mediaeval town square. Before lunch we can visit
the local vineyard of the Meriau family, to taste the
regional Touraine vintages. After an early lunch, Nymphea
sets off downstream again, for another passage under
Chenonceau and arrives at the hamlet of Nitray in time
to visit the Chateau and rose garden of Nitray. Enjoy
a pre-Captain’s dinner aperitif from their vineyards.
Captain’s Farewell Dinner aboard.
Saturday, NITRAY TO TOURS
After breakfast disembark, and return to St Pierre des
Corps Station arriving there at 9.30am.
Itinerary is subject to change. |
