Join Backroads for the royal family option - an active vacation in the Loire Valley, where magnificent châteaux sleep on the banks of slow-moving rivers, vineyards stretch alongside gently rolling sunflower fields and forested lanes invite exploration. Here, we've created a perfect trip to appeal to all members of the family. The routes are gentle, with shorter options available for the younger set, the restaurants are welcoming and every hotel has a swimming pool. Pedal through lush orchards and farmland amid fairy-tale castles. Your children will watch history come to life before their eyes while you revel in the grown-up pleasures of exquisite wines and gourmet cuisine.

ROYAL RETREATS : Premiere Inns

Le Choiseul (2 nights): This elegant 18th-century manor house, a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, features a swimming pool and Michelin-starred restaurant.

Domaine de la Tortiniere (2 nights): In addition to impressive views of the surrounding countryside, this charming 19th-century château offers a lavish dining room, heated pool and the gracious hospitality of the Olivereau family.      

Chateau de Marcay (1 night): Turrets and secret passageways attest to the medieval origins of this Relais & Châteaux-member hotel, with a sparkling pool, elegant rooms and exceptional dining.

Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain

Day 1

• Level 1 1 Route Option Available
• 15 miles
• 0 - 500 feet elevation gain

Day 2

• Levels 1 to 3 3 Route Options Available
• 13, 30, 39 miles
• 0 - 500 feet elevation gain

Day 3

• Levels 1 to 4 3 Route Options Available
• 8, 22, 44 miles
• 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain

Day 4

• Levels 2 to 4 3 Route Options Available
• 24, 36, 47 miles
• 0 - 500 feet elevation gain

Day 5

• Levels 2 to 3 3 Route Options Available
• Biking 23, 33, 40 miles
• 0 - 500 feet elevation gain

Day 6

• Level 1 1 Route Option Available
• 15 miles
• 0 - 500 feet elevation gain

On this Family Trip, our routes follow gentle terrain with no significant gain or loss in elevation. Liberal van shuttling is incorporated into the itinerary to facilitate our activities and mileage is kept moderate to enable you to spend more time exploring on your own.

Trips For All Abilities

Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.

Activity Level	Average Time	Average Distance
		Biking	Walking & Hiking
Level 1	2-3 hours	10-20 mile	2-5 miles
Level 2	2-4 hours	21-30 miles	5-7 miles
Level 3	3-5 hours	31-40 miles	7-9 miles
Level 4	4-6 hours	41-55 miles	9-11 miles
Level 5	5-7+ hours	56-75+ miles	11-13+ miles

2008 DATES

FAMILY TRIPS

• 7/27-8/1Price: $4398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $860 for sgl. occ.)
• 8/10-15Price: $4398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $860 for sgl. occ.)
• 8/17-22Price: $4398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $860 for sgl. occ.)

2009 DATES

FAMILY TRIPS

• 6/7-12Price: $4898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $880 for sgl. occ.)
• 6/28-7/3Price: $4898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $880 for sgl. occ.)
• 7/12-17Price: $4898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $880 for sgl. occ.)
• 8/2-7Price: $4898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $880 for sgl. occ.)
• 8/9-14Price: $4898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $880 for sgl. occ.)
• 8/16-21Price: $4898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $880 for sgl. occ.)

Reserve early for the best available price. Prices may change during the course of the year--if they do change, the best prices are available earlier. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.

Recommended Kids Ages

Minimum Ages:

Recommended minimum age for the trip: 9 years

General Info on Minimum Ages:

We strongly encourage families to join our Family Trips, designed with kid- and adult-friendly features. Please note that we have a minimum age requirement of 1 year for all Inn trips and 2 years for all Camping trips. Other than that, we do not restrict trips to a minimum age except in the rare case of a hotel age restriction. We do, however, recommend minimum ages based on the following criteria:

• 12+ cultural appreciation, difficulty of activities and route
• 9+ difficulty of activities and route
• 6+ several long adult dinners; parent may not be able to pull a Burley and/or there may be multiple activity restrictions
• 3+ riding is on bike paths, making it great for young kids; Burley and Piccolos are available; there are few or no activity restrictions; and no long dinners (or we offer alternatives)

Please note that a trip may feature an activity with an older age requirement than the minimum age recommendation for the trip. Younger kids are still welcome on the trip and while they will not be able to participate in the activity, the leaders will suggest an alternate activity. For safety reasons, children under 7 may not ride their own bikes and are required to ride on a Piccolo or in a Burley. For certain destinations, children must be 9 or older to ride their own bikes.

Trip praise

For our family, Backroads represents a wonderful safety net, letting us try new things and go new places with absolute confidence. We watched our kids make chocolates at a small village chocolatier, sampled a 1995 vintage wine from a local vintner, stayed at wonderful inns, and rode past scenes of incredible beauty. All without having to worry about buying a ticket, making a reservation, or getting lost. It was a wonderful experience.

Miner Raymond - McGregor, Texas

It was an excellent trip with a great mix of fun, culture and activity. And everyone was super friendly and helpful. My kids especially loved it and said, "WE DIDN'T KNOW A TRIP LIKE THIS WAS POSSIBLE!"

Norman Weinstein - New York, NY

This trip was magical. What a fabulous way to experience the Loire. We have four children, ranging in age from five to seventeen, and everyone was completely, unequivocally happy. I smile just thinking of it.

Amy Golian - New Albany, OH