A trip with kids in the Loire Valley? The concept may seem curious in a region synonymous with elegance and order. Not to worry - we bring you the Loire at its fun-loving kid-friendly best. There's easygoing biking past sunflower fields and famous vineyards. Fairy-tale castles to investigate. There's history-come-to-life at Leonardo da Vinci's home. A fencing lesson, fun-park excursion and chocolate factory visit just for the younger set. Wine tasting and private castle tours just for grown-ups. Even the Medici family would have had fun with Backroads!

Casual Inns

Château du Breuil (1 night): Located near Cheverny, this 15th-century manor still has its original tower and moat. (pool)

Château des Tertres (2 nights): This classic mid-19th-century nobleman's house, surrounded by wooded parkland, is now a charming family-run hotel with welcoming hosts.

Château de Pray (2 nights): A turreted castle nestled amid trees on a terraced slope overlooking the Loire River. (pool)

Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain

Day 1

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

Day 2

• Levels 1 to 4 3 Route Options Available
• 14, 40, 55 miles
• 0 - 500 feet elevation gain

Day 3

• Levels 1 to 4  3 Route Options Available
• 16, 26, 44 miles
• 0 - 500 feet elevation gain

Day 4

• Levels 1 to 4 3 Route Options Available
• 20, 38, 46 miles
• 0 - 500 feet elevation gain

Day 5

• Levels 1 to 4 3 Route Options Available
• 11, 30, 41 miles
• 0 - 500 feet elevation gain

Day 6

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

Please note: On this Family Trip, our routes follow rolling terrain. 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.

Routes 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	Biking Average	Walking Average
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

2012 Dates & Pricing*

FAMILY TRIPS

*Prices may change. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.

Recommended Kids Ages

Minimum Ages:

• Recommended minimum age for the trip: 6 years
• Minimum age restriction to ride own bike: 7 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+ amount of cultural appreciation, difficulty of activities, routes
• 9+ difficulty of activities/activity age restrictions, routes
• 6+ several longer dinners; routes are difficult for pulling a Burley and therefore not appropriate for younger children; difficulty of activities/activity age restrictions

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.

Guest Trip Reviews

You all did a wonderful job! The family trip concept worked really well for our needs (balancing my serious-bike-rider needs with those of a 10-year-old and other family members). We will travel with you again. It is obvious that Backroads cares and is passionate about client service.

Matt Slepin - San Rafael, CA

We were persuaded by the enthusiastic guest comments on your website. The trip met and exceeded our expectations! It was a wonderful trip for the whole family and, although it was a group trip, you were able to meet and cater to each of our individual needs and wants. My husband got to bike all day, the kids got to bike as much as they wanted, made new friends and tried many fun activities. I got my active holiday but had time to soak in the cultural richness and natural beauty of the Loire Valley.

Pauline Tan - Singapore

This was our best family trip ever!! Our leaders were excellent in all areas. The leaders complemented each other exceptionally well. They were wonderful with the kids and keeping them entertained. They did an excellent job adjusting the bike to fit perfectly. Much appreciated!! They all took the time to get to know each one of us individually. You have given us a life time of great memories.

Julie Hankin - West Chester, PA

The leaders were just wonderful, and the kids and I had a fabulous time. Thanks!

Ann Barlow - Wellesley Hills, MA