The Loire Valley trips run east to west, starting in Blois and finishing in Saumur on the longer itineraries. Blois is a riverside town with the Château Royal de Blois, a building that mixes Gothic, Renaissance and Classical styles, and a old quarter of narrow lanes and cafés. The operator gives you a self-guided walking tour and map so you can look around on arrival day.

On the days that include Chambord you ride through forest and quiet country lanes to the largest castle in the valley. Much of the route uses the Loire à Vélo path, a dedicated bike route, so the riding is flat and off busy roads. Chenonceau, the castle on arches over the river, comes with gardens to walk and the option of renting a canoe to see it from the water. Amboise has the Château d'Amboise above the river, the Clos Lucé museum in da Vinci's former manor house, markets and restaurants.

Further west the route follows the riverbank to Château d'Ussé, which is said to have inspired Charles Perrault's Sleeping Beauty, then down the Indre to the fortress at Chinon. Fontevraud Abbey, one of Europe's largest monastic complexes and the burial place of Eleanor of Aquitaine and Richard the Lionheart, is on the itinerary, as is Montsoreau with its riverside château and art galleries. The western end is Saumur, surrounded by vineyards, with the château on the hill above cobbled streets, wine cellars and cafés. Along the way you can visit troglodyte dwellings and mushroom caves, and try pommes tapées, the region's dried apples.

The format is the same on every version: you ride independently with detailed route notes and GPS maps, your luggage is transferred between hotels, and phone support is available during the trip. The operator does a face-to-face bike fitting before you set off. Because you choose your own dates and hotel comfort level, the trip is as relaxed or as full as you want to make it.

What's included

- Accommodation in handpicked local hotels for the number of nights in your chosen itinerary - Daily luggage transfer between hotels - Face-to-face bike fitting at the start - Detailed route notes - GPS maps - Self-guided walking tour and map for Blois - Self-guided walking tour and map for Tours - On-trip support by phone

What's not included

- Travel to the start point and from the end point - Bike hire (not stated as included — confirm with the operator) - Meals (meal plan not specified on the page) - Château and museum entrance fees - Canoe rental at Chenonceau - Travel insurance - Personal expenses