Europe’s largest river cruise operator, CroisiEurope, is introducing a brand new extended Loire River itinerary for 2018: Chateaux of the Loire Valley. This new 7-day cruise program features their popular Loire cruise combined with a trip to the Châteaux of the Loire Valley and an overnight stay in Paris. Prices for this 7-day program start at $2,417 per person with multiple departures dates available from April to October 2018.
Beginning with an overnight at a four-star hotel in Paris, guests will spend their first full day taking in the extraordinary Château de Chambord. Built by King Francis I as a hunting lodge, the Château de Chambord is one of the most recognizable in the world thanks to its distinctive architecture blending traditional French medieval forms with classical Renaissance structures. After a tour of this majestic castle and its grounds, it’s on to Chenonceau for lunch in a local restaurant followed by a visit to the Château de Chenonceau, once home to a number of aristocrats including Thomas Bohier, Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medici. One of the best-known and most-visited châteaux in the Loire Valley, it spans the Cher River and is a fascinating mix of late Gothic and early Renaissance. Guests will then head to Nantes to board the MS Loire Princesse for the start of the cruise.
The six-day cruise is round-trip from Nantes and visits Saint Nazaire, Ancenis, Angers and the Châteaux of the Loire Valley with highlights including:
- A full-day excursion through the Loire-Château d’Ussé, Château d’Azay-le-Rideau and the gardens at the Château de Villandry
- A helicopter ride over the Loire Valley
- Wine tasting in the cellar of the Château de Brissac
- Exploring Nantes and its secret courtyards and passages
- A tour of the Saint-Nazaire shipyard
- The Muscadet Wine Route
The cruise takes place on CroisiEurope’s unique premium paddlewheel ship, the MS Loire Princesse, which features 48 en-suite cabins, a lounge/bar with large picture windows and dance floor, patio, spacious restaurant, vast sun deck with deck chairs and a gift shop.
There are 12 departures between April and October 2018 with cruise only prices starting from $ 2,417 per person to include the one-night/two-day extended trip to the Châteaux of the Loire Valley with overnight accommodation in Paris and dinner in a typical French brasserie and the six-day cruise with all on-board meals and drinks, excursions and all port fees.
For reservations and further information call CroisiEurope on 1-800-768-7232 or visit www.croisieuroperivercruises.com.
