Flavors of the Loire Valley

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$4,298 USD *

(For One Person, Double Occupancy)

* Plus taxes. Tours sold on an availability basis.

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7 days | 6 nights

Epicurean Adventures through the Heart of France

Your culinary vacation is set in the heart of France and The Touraine Province is without question the home to European Renaissance which brought with it a rich and diverse culinary history and depth. You will enjoy four hands-on (English-speaking) cooking classes that will provide insight into this fascinating region, and you’ll be able to visit one of the most famous chateaus in this region of France (Château Chenonceau). This tour is designed as an introduction to the Loire Valley, seen through the eyes of an epicurean – great food, world-class wines and immersive experiences.

Flavors of the Loire Valley

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Itinerary Accommodations Map FAQ

VACATION HIGHLIGHTS

Please note: Our tours are designed with flexible itineraries to accommodate seasonality and desired dates of travel.

•Deluxe Hotel Accommodations

•Round-Trip Private Train Station Transfers

•Breakfast Buffet Every Morning

•Four Lunches with Wine

•Three Dinners with Wine

•Four Hands-On Cooking Classes

•Guided Tour of Château Chenonceau

•Guided Food Market Tour

•Tour of Goat Cheese Producer with Samples

While our tours are designed as soft adventure experiences, walking, climbing stairs, and in rare cases mild hiking may be required. If you have mobility issues, you should speak with one of our culinary travel specialists to determine if this tour is appropriate for your situation.

AVAILABLE DATES

Select weeks throughout the season between April and November.

SAMPLE ITINERARY

Please note: Actual itineraries are subject to change due to seasonality.

(click item for details)

Day 1

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Welcome to Touraine | Taste of the Loire Valley Buffet Dinner

On your day of arrival, check into your hotel and enjoy a Taste of the Loire Valley Welcome Dinner. Complimentary shuttle is available for those arriving at the Chatellerault TGV Train Station.

Day 2

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Morning Breakfast Buffet

Each morning you will enjoy a full French breakfast before the day’s activities begin. The hotel serves fresh fruit and juices, yogurts, freshly baked pastries and bread, cheeses, homemade jams, charcuterie and eggs to order.

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Hands-on Cooking Course | Lunch | Free afternoon | Interactive Dinner

After breakfast, you will be taught the art of butchering, cooking and working with poultry and duck. For lunch, you will enjoy a dish you helped prepare this morning followed by French artisanal cheese and freshly baked bread. The afternoon is yours to explore the area, cycle, walk along the river, play boules in the village square, or spoil yourself with a relaxing massage, or spa treatment at La Roche Posay’s renowned spa (spa treatments are optional, and at an additional cost). Tonight, you will enjoy a fun dinner demonstration at the cooking school.

Day 3

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Morning Breakfast Buffet

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Visit to Château Chenonceau | Free afternoon | Dinner

After breakfast, you are taken to Château Chenonceau, built in 1513, this castle was loved, administrated and protected by women, who were all extraordinary, and who for the most part, have marked its history. For lunch, you have a choice between the beautiful Orangerie restaurant set in the gardens of Château Chenonceau or in a bistro in the charming village of Chenonceau (please note that lunch is on your own today). The afternoon is yours to relax or for exploring the area. Tonight, dinner will be at the cooking school.

Day 4

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Morning Breakfast Buffet

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Visit of Tours’ Market & Old Town | Lunch | Macarons Hands-On Pastry Class

After breakfast, you are taken to the historical city of Tours and its fine food market. You will be escorted through the indoor and outdoor markets where you will learn how to identify different products. You visit the old town which clusters around Place Plumereau, which today is the place for cafés and people watching during the summer months. The other historic area, the cathedral quarter on the other side of the main Rue Nationale, is dominated by the Cathédrale St-Gatien, a flamboyant Gothic building with 12th-century decorated stonework covering the outside. A traditional French lunch will be served at the cooking school. This afternoon you learn how to prepare one of the world’s most sought after classics, the Macaron, during a hands-on pastry class. The evening is yours for relaxation, or to stroll down the river. Enjoy dinner in the hotel or in a local restaurant (dinner this evening is open to your choice, and on your own).

Day 5

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Morning Breakfast Buffet

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Hands-on Cooking Class | Lunch | Free Afternoon

Fresh caught fish are delivered by boat to the Atlantic port of La Rochelle. Orders are then filled, and delivery made to the cooking school promptly at 4 AM in the morning, ensuring that you will be cooking and eating the freshest product possible. Your instructors will teach you the proper techniques for handling and preparing your fish. Your reward for paying attention in class is the lunch you will enjoy at the conclusion of your instruction. This afternoon is yours to enjoy with a stroll along the riverside, exploring the village, or simply relaxing. This evening you might consider dinner at the hotel, or one of the local restaurants (dinner this evening is on your own).

Day 6

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Morning Breakfast Buffet

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Visit to local Goat Cheese Producer | Soufflé Cooking Class | Orchard Lunch | Free Afternoon | Dinner BBQ

After breakfast, you will visit a local goat cheese farm producer where you will taste and experience what has come to be known as the best goat cheese in the world. Then it’s back to the cooking school where you will enjoy a hands-on cooking class, learning the art of soufflés. Lunch will be held in the cooking school’s own orchard. This afternoon is yours to enjoy with a stroll along the riverside, exploring the village, or simply relaxing. This evening, you return to the cooking school for a certificate presentation and flute of champagne, followed by a “Taste of Africa” BBQ. Your instructors visit Africa each year, and will provide stories of their adventures to sweeten the evening’s culinary commentary.

Day 7

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Morning Breakfast Buffet

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Check Out and Departure

Time flies when you’re having so much fun, but alas…it is time to check out and depart this Loire Valley oasis. Transfers to the Chatellerault TGV Train Station will be provided. May your future travels come from sweet dreams, and create tasty memories!

Les Loges du Parc

Les Loges du Parc is a charming hotel situated in the centre of the pretty spa town of La Roche Posay. The hotel with its imposing 'Belle Epoque' façade, surrounded by its rose garden and pivoineraie, thermal pool and a large terrace with linden trees creates a unique and exceptional place in the village. Completely renovated in a chic country spirit with a hint of a "British Touch", it offers tastefully large hotel rooms and suites where each room has its own identity: wood, amaranth, coriander, green countryside. The exterior has kept its Art Nouveau charm with its architectural frieze. The hotel offers a relaxing pool and bathing area where guests can soak up the French sunshine. Inside there is an atmosphere of peace and authenticity with the solid wood floors and a fireplace in the lobby. It is comfortable, with character and charm. Les Loges du Parc is part of the prestigious Châteaux & Hôtels Collection (Alain Ducasse Group).

Yzeures Sur Creuse, France

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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What Currency is being quoted?

The Currency Code is listed directly after the published amount. If it states USD, then the quoted price is in United States Dollars. If it states CAD, then the quoted price is in Canadian Dollars. If it states EUR, then the quoted price is in European Union Dollars…etc. However, please note that all charges are processed in USD, and Epitourean’s Merchant Bank automatically calculates the currency conversion on the day of the charge.

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What does Double Occupancy mean?

Two persons traveling together, and staying in the same room. Tour prices are normally quoted as “per person, double occupancy” in case two people are traveling together and staying in the same room, but paying separately. The cost of the lodging is also shared by two people, thereby reducing costs. This could be a married couple, two friends or relatives.

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What is a Single Supplement?

Whenever a person travels alone, the cost of their lodging cannot be shared by another person. When tour products are priced, they are normally stated as “per person, double occupancy.” Whenever a guest occupies a room as a solo, the whole cost of the lodging must be incurred by that one individual. Tour companies accommodate this by charging a Single Supplement. Epitourean does its best to keep the single supplement as low as possible, but it is a real cost that tour companies must absorb, and must pass along to the single traveler.

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If I am a Solo Traveler, will I be paired with another person?

Epitourean never pairs a solo traveler with another person without a special request. If you book Single Occupancy, you will have a room entirely to yourself. However, should you wish to be paired with another solo traveler to save on the single supplement, you may make this request. We cannot guarantee that we can accommodate such requests, since it would take another solo traveling on the same tour for the same dates. But if requested, we will certainly try.

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Is a Deposit required to book a tour or getaway?

Yes. We require a 30% refundable deposit for all our domestic (USA and Canada) getaways and tours, and a 50% refundable deposit for international destinations outside of the USA and Canada. Reservations made for destinations within the USA and Canada must be paid in full 30 days prior to departure. Reservations made for destinations outside of the USA and Canada must be paid in full 60 days prior to departure.

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Are flights included in the tour price?

No. Flights are never included in the price of our land-only tours. Epitourean does not provide air, rail or sea travel, unless expressly noted in the itinerary.

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May I give a culinary tour as a gift?

Yes. Epitourean has a special program designed specifically for this purpose. Our Gift Packages come with features such as special messages to the recipient, gift box option, gift link (without pricing), and floating dates (should you not know when the gift recipient wants to travel). Contact a Culinary Travel Specialist at 800-390-3292 or customerservice@epitourean.com to receive additional information about this unique offering.

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May we request separate beds if sharing a room?

Yes. In most cases, Epitourean can accommodate a request for two beds to be placed in one room. Just make sure to make this request in the comments section of the reservation process.

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Does each guestroom have a private bathroom?

Yes. Epitourean partners with the best lodging options in each destination, and private (en suite) bathrooms are a requirement. However, you should inquire as to the configuration of bathrooms should you have a special need. For example, some tours include accommodations in medieval villages, where either a shower or bath(but maybe not both) are present.

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Can your tours accommodate my dietary restrictions?

In almost all cases, Epitourean can accommodate dietary choices and restrictions. But we do request that you ask a Culinary Travel Specialist prior to making your reservation so that we can assess your individual situation.

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What is your Cancellation Policy?

Generally, you may cancel any tour or getaway package within 30 days of making a reservation, and receive a full refund of any deposit or payments made, as long as the cancellation is made at least 31 days in advance of departure for domestic tours or 61 days in advance of departure for international tours. Cancellations made 30 days or less in advance of departure for domestic packages (60 days or less for international packages) cannot be refunded due to loss of inventory.

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If I am unable to use a portion of the tour, can I get a partial refund?

Unfortunately, due to vendor and supplier contracts, we are unable to provide partial refunds for unused portions of any tour or tour component.

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Are Transfers included in the Itinerary?

Round-trip transfers from the airport or train station are normally included in our international tours. Transfers to the destination (for both international and domestic tours) are not included in the tour price. Please see the Sample Itinerary. If it mentions that transfers are included, then yes, transfers are included at no additional cost.

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What meals and excursions are included in the tour?

The Sample Itinerary should be your reference. If the meal or excursion is described in the Sample Itinerary, then it is included at no additional charge. For those days where it expressly notes Free time, then any optional activities you elect to participate in might have an additional cost. In addition, if the itinerary states "evening on your own," it would imply that you have the opportunity to visit a restaurant of your own choosing, and at your own expense. If you have any question about inclusions, please submit an inquiry by clicking on the blue "Ask Us a Question" button under the price section.

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Is it possible to book pre or post tours or stays through Edible Destinations?

Yes, we often do have optional 2 and 3 night excursions that are priced separately from the tour. We can also assist with pre and post night stays in a hotel if you choose to come in early before the tour starts, or stay on after a tour ends. The price of those hotel stays are not included in the price of the tour, but we would be happy to provide a quote. Simply ask your Culinary Travel Specialist, or submit an inquiry by clicking on the blue "Ask Us a Question" button.

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Are Guide or Host Gratuities included in the price of the tour?

Since tipping guidelines and customs vary widely between countries, we do not include gratuities in the price of the tour. Your Culinary Travel Specialist can provide you with recommendations. But the general rule is to tip modestly when you are pleased with a guide’s services, either at the end of the tour, or at the conclusion of a specialty day excursion where you will only be with that guide (or chef) on that day.

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Should we plan on any personal expenses during the tour?

All lodging, meals, transfers, classes and excursions mentioned in the Sample Itinerary and Vacation Highlights are included in the price of the tour. However, we highly recommend taking local currency for purchasing personal items, souvenirs, tipping, etc. You can either get the local currency at an airport exchange service, ATM or from your local bank prior to travel. However, you should note that many hosted destinations do not accept credit cards for personal purchases.

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Do you recommend Travel Protection?

We recommend that you purchase a travel protection plan to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. Travel protection plans can include coverage for Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption, Emergency Medical and Emergency Evacuation/Repatriation, Trip Delay, Baggage Delay and more. For more information on the available plans or to enroll, click on the link below or contact Travelex Insurance Services at 800-228-9792 and reference location number 06-0248.

The product descriptions provided here are only brief summaries and may be changed without notice. The full coverage terms and details, including limitations and exclusions, are contained in the insurance policy. Travelex CA Agency License #0D10209. All products listed are underwritten by, Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company (formerly known as Stonewall Insurance Company), 1314 Douglas Street, Suite 1400, Omaha, NE 68102. 11.17 E7N

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