Photo of entrance of Chambord Castle in France with blue skies and white clouds

Castles & Wine: Heart of The Loire

April 5-12, 2027

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JOIN A ROMANTIC EXPLORATION OF THE VALLEY OF KINGS

Overview

Get ready for an unforgettable, women-only journey through the Loire Valley—designed for connection, beauty, and a little bit of magic.

We’ll begin our journey traveling from Paris into the heart of the Loire. Over 7 luxurious nights / 8 days, we will linger in storybook towns like Blois, Amboise, and Tours—wandering grand châteaux gardens, sipping local wines, and soaking up that easy, elegant French rhythm. It’s elevated, and relaxed… the kind of trip where you get the “wow” moments and plenty of time to actually breathe and enjoy where you are.

You can expect a mix of:

  • Signature Loire moments — iconic château visits (including the breathtaking Chambord pictured above) and the kind of scenery you’ll be talking about for years. See entire list of Chateaus below in the “What’s Included” section of this page

  • Immersive culture + charm — cobblestone towns, local markets, and that everyday French beauty that makes you slow down without trying

  • Art + story — visual feasts and connection to your creative spirit through a mini painting class, a wicker weaving workshop, ancient tapestries, and intricate formal gardens woven into our trip

  • Wine-country deliciousness — winery lunches, a picnics in the country, and on a boat as we float on the Loire—each day we experience a new vineyard or chateau’s wine which is part of the spirit of France

  • Slow, cozy evenings — at your leisure, after days filled with castles and wine, to enjoy a long dinner, and warm conversation with new friends, or spend some time alone to recharge and absorb all of our activities!!

This is for the woman who wants more than a vacation. You want to feel present, supported, and lit up—traveling with a small circle of women who get it. No pressure to be anyone but yourself… just a week of beauty, laughter, and coming home feeling more like you.

Ready to join us? E-mail Beth at the Link Below.

I WOULD LOVE TO COME TO FRANCE WITH YOU
I WOULD LOVE TO COME TO FRANCE WITH YOU

Highlights

  • Visit to Chambourd Castle

  • Daily Wine Tastings

  • Visit to Medieval Town of Loches

  • Visit Chateau Amboise

  • Explore the Stunning Gardens of Villandry

  • Visit to Château de Chenonceau

  • Wine Tasting with Painting Workshop

  • Explore Chinon and Her Connection to Jeanne D'Arc

  • Visit to Artisan Commune & Wicker Workshop

  • Visit to Abbey Of Frontevraud

  • French Flea Market/Brocante Experience

  • Cruise on the Loire with Picnic Lunch

Itinerary

  • Day One : Monday, April 5, 2027

    ARRIVÉ- PARIS

    Overview

    The journey begins when you land in Paris! Take a cab to your hotel and we can arrange for the earliest possible check in after your overnight flight. Choose your own adventure—meet with us out at a cafe or a museum or relax and rest after your long flight.

    The entire group will meet in Paris for an early evening walk in the Tuileries, and a viewing of the Eiffel Tower with a walk along the Seine.

    We will finish the day with a casual meal in a Brasserie on the early side for those who traveled to Paris today.

    Activities & Excursions

    Tuileries Walk, Eiffel Tower Viewing, Seine Walk

    INCLUDED:

    Dinner and walk

    NOT INCLUDED:

    Lunch

  • Day Two: Tuesday, April 6, 2027

    PARIS-BLOIS-CHAMBORD


    Overview:

    After an overnight to rest in Paris, the journey begins with a beautiful transfer into the Loire Valley. Along the way, there is time to ease into the rhythm of the region with a stop in Blois before an afternoon visit to the storied Château de Chambord.

    Highlights:

    Private transfer from Paris to the Loire Valley

    Stop in Blois for lunch and a first look at this charming royal town overlooking the Loire River

    Afternoon visit to Château de Chambord

    Time to admire the château’s grand French Renaissance architecture, including its famous double-helix staircase

    Continue on to accommodations in Amboise or Tours

    INCLUDED:

    Accommodations

    Transportation

    Tour guide

    Breakfast

    Hotel pickup and transfer

    Entrance to Château de Chambord

    NOT INCLUDED:

    Lunch in Blois

    Dinner

    Personal purchases

  • Day Three: Wednesday, April 7, 2027

    AMBOISE

    Overview

    Today offers a slightly slower start and a lovely balance of art, history, and wine. From Renaissance Amboise to a relaxed winery lunch and a creative tasting experience, the day is both thoughtful and easy.

    Activities & Excursions

    Morning exploration of Amboise

    Visit to the Royal Château of Amboise

    Winery visit with time in the estate’s vineyards and cellars

    Guided tasting of Loire wines

    Picnic lunch featuring local specialties

    Afternoon wine and painting experience combining creative expression with regional wines

    INCLUDED:

    Accommodations

    Transportation

    Tour guide

    Breakfast

    Winery visit and tasting

    Picnic lunch

    Wine and painting experience

    Entrance to either Royal Château of Amboise

    NOT INCLUDED:

    Dinner

    Additional wine purchases

    Personal purchases

  • Day Four: Thursday, April 8, 2027

    CHENONCEAU-LE CLOS-LOCHES

    Overview

    This day moves through some of the Loire’s most graceful and storied places. From the elegance of Chenonceau to a private tasting at Le Clos and an evening in medieval Loches, the pace is rich but still relaxed.

    Activities & Excursions

    Visit Château de Chenonceau

    Learn about the influential women who shaped the château’s history

    Continue to Le Clos, a family-owned wine estate

    Private tasting of Loire wines

    Explore Loches, one of the Loire Valley’s best-preserved medieval towns

    Time to take in its royal history and striking architecture

    INCLUDED:

    Accommodations

    Transportation

    Tour guide

    Breakfast

    Entrance to Château de Chenonceau

    Private wine tasting

    NOT INCLUDED:

    Lunch

    Dinner

    Personal purchases

    Additional wine purchases

  • Day Five: Friday, April 9, 2027

    VILLAINES-LES-ROCHERS-VILLANDRY-BOURGUEIL

    Overview

    Today is all about craftsmanship, gardens, and beautifully made things. It begins with an intimate hands-on workshop, continues with a countryside lunch, and ends with elegant wines in a refined estate setting.

    Activities & Excursions

    Morning in Villaines-les-Rochers

    Private wicker weaving workshop with Hélène

    Discover the traditional art of local craftsmanship

    Countryside Picnic Lunch

    Afternoon visit to the gardens of Château de Villandry

    Continue to a château estate for a Bourgueil wine tasting

    Wine and chocolate pairing experience

    INCLUDED:

    Accommodations

    Transportation

    Tour guide

    Breakfast

    Private wicker weaving workshop

    Lunch

    Entrance to Château de Villandry gardens

    Wine tasting

    NOT INCLUDED:

    Dinner

    Personal purchases

    Additional wine purchases

  • Day Six: Saturday, April 10, 2027

    CHINON - FONTEVRAUD

    Overview

    This day brings together medieval history, expressive local wines, and one of the region’s most remarkable heritage sites. It is a thoughtful blend of place, story, and quiet grandeur.

    Activities & Excursions

    Explore the royal fortress and historic streets of Chinon

    Learn about Chinon’s ties to Joan of Arc

    Visit a local winery in the Chinon appellation

    Private tasting of Cabernet Franc wines

    Afternoon visit to the Abbey of Fontevraud

    Discover one of Europe’s largest monastic complexes and burial place of the Plantagenet dynasty

    INCLUDED:

    Accommodations

    Transportation

    Tour guide

    Breakfast

    Winery visit and tasting

    Entrance to the Abbey of Fontevraud

    NOT INCLUDED:

    Lunch

    Dinner

    Personal purchases

    Additional wine purchases

  • Day Seven: Sunday, April 11, 2027

    MONTSOREAU - SAUMUR

    Overview

    Today follows the Loire in a way that feels scenic, storied, and beautifully paced. Village charm, market browsing, a lunch cruise, and sparkling wine create a day with plenty of texture and variety.

    Activities & Excursions

    Morning in Montsoreau, one of France’s most beautiful villages

    Possible visit to a flea market or brocante, depending on market dates

    Midday lunch cruise on the Loire featuring regional cuisine and Loire wines

    Afternoon drive through Candes-Saint-Martin and Parnay

    Continue to Saumur

    Visit a Maison de Fines Bulles for a sparkling wine tasting

    INCLUDED:

    Accommodations

    Transportation

    Tour guide

    Breakfast

    Lunch cruise

    Sparkling wine tasting

    NOT INCLUDED:

    Market purchases

    Dinner

    Personal purchases

    Additional wine purchases

  • Day Eight: Monday, April 12, 2027

    ANGERS

    Overview

    This day offers a meaningful mix of heritage, beauty, and craftsmanship. We will visit the beautiful village of Angers, and see the incredible Apocalypse Tapestries to learn more about this incomparable time period.

    Our day will end with a private transfer to CDG Airport for 5pm. Please do not book any flight prior to 9pm at night. If you wish to stay an extra night in Paris for an early morning flight or an afternoon flight the following day, add on an extra evening Hotel in Paris!

    Activities & Excursions

    Visit Angers

    Explore Angers’ medieval fortress

    View the extraordinary Apocalypse Tapestry

    Transfer to Paris

    INCLUDED:

    Accommodations

    Transportation

    Tour guide

    Breakfast

    Entrance fees for scheduled site visits

    NOT INCLUDED:

    Lunch

    Dinner

    Personal purchases

    Additional tasting purchases

Trip Host

Beth Kruger - Owner and Founder of Wanderful Vintage Travel

As a small business owner, I have the distinct pleasure of being your tour host for all of these travel experiences. This means you get all of my personal attention, plus the expertise of our multi-lingual tour guide. I have brought groups on retreats all around the America’s and Europe.

I have placed my trust in vetted partners through my connections in the travel industry and am excited to offer this trip to the castles and wineries of the Loire. I first visited the Loire Valley when I was 15, on a high school trip to Normandy, Paris, and the Loire Valley.

I was completely taken by the majesty and the beauty of France way back then, and am so excited to share this experience with you.

Price

Private Room

Everyone gets their own fabulous room

$8959.00

Shared Room

Share with a beloved sister, friend or mother/daughter

$7959.00

I am ready to save my spot
I am ready to save my spot
I need to have a phone call first
I need to have a phone call first

What’s Included

  • Accommodations for 7 nights

  • Transportation

  • Bilingual Tour guide

  • Breakfast each day

  • Private Transfer to and from Loire Valley to Paris

  • Lunch in Blois

  • Château de Chambord visit

  • Visit to Royal Château of Amboise

  • Wine tasting in Amboise, Le Clos, Bourgueil, Chinon, Saumur

  • Picnic lunch at the winery

  • Wine and painting experience

  • Château de Chenonceau visit

  • Exploration of Loches

  • Private wicker weaving workshop with Hélène

  • Countryside lunch

  • Château de Villandry gardens visit

  • Possible wine and chocolate pairing

  • Entry to the royal fortress in Chinon

  • Abbey of Fontevraud visit

  • Visit to a flea market or brocante

  • Lunch cruise with wine tasting

  • Angers fortress and Apocalypse Tapestry entry

What’s Not Included

  • International airfare

  • Travel insurance

  • Lunches not specifically named

  • Dinners not specifically named

  • Personal purchases

  • Extra wine purchases

  • Gratuities

  • Visa/passport costs

  • Items of a personal nature

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Fly into Charles De Gaulle Airport or Orly in Paris and take a taxi to our Hotel. Both airports provide easy access to the city.  

  • The trip officially starts on April 5th, but if you're traveling overnight to get to Paris, consider arriving a day early so you have time to relax and adjust to the local time zone. You can purchase the Arrive 1 Day Early option in the Add-ons section of this webpage—or you can really do it up and add on our entire Weekend in Paris Add-On and join us for all of the activities.

  • We'll have a Zoom call about 6 weeks before the trip starts to discuss all that information and give you a packing list. If you want to explore more ideas about packing: check out this blog post, or this one, written by Beth, your Host.

  • In late April, the Loire Valley experiences mild, warming spring weather with average daytime highs around 14C-17C to (57F-63F) and cooler nights.

  • Beginning in late 2026, travelers from visa-exempt countries—including the U.S., Canada, and Australia—will need an ETAIS permit to visit most of Europe. Don’t worry, it’s easy and we will make sure you have all the details well in advance of our trip.

  • For most Wanderful Vintage Travel experiences, women should feel comfortable walking 3–5 miles per day without assistance. Guests should also be able to navigate stairs, uneven streets or paths, and occasional steep terrain with relative ease. Many of the places we visit are historic towns, villages, and cultural sites where vehicle access is limited, and walking is often the best way to take in the beauty, character, and rhythm of a place.

    Please also keep in mind that some of the boutique and historic 4- and 5-star properties we stay in may not have elevators. In some cases, stairs may be required to access guest rooms or other areas of the hotel.

inquire About this Trip

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