Backroads invites you and your family to explore one of France's most elegant corners - the regal Loire Valley - from the seat of a bicycle. Pedal through lush farmland and forests, spin alongside famous vineyards and sunflower fields and visit fairy-tale castles whose walls harbor secrets of political intrigue and lavish soirées. Here, your two-wheeled efforts are richly rewarded as history comes alive before your eyes.

SIMPLICITY AND ELEGANCE : Casual Inns

Chateau de Breuil (2 nights): Perfectly situated amid the Loire Valley castles, this late-18th-century château offers guest rooms with pastel décor and antique furnishings, and an outdoor swimming pool.

Chateau des Tertres (1 night): This classic mid-19th-century nobleman's house, surrounded by wooded parkland, is now a charming family-run hotel with welcoming hosts.

Chateau de Pray (2 nights): Nestled amid trees on a terraced slope overlooking the Loire River, this turreted castle is features antique furnishings and swimming pool.

Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain

Day 1

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

Day 2

• Levels 1 to 4 3 Route Options Available
• 16, 27, 49 miles
• 0-500 feet elevation gain

Day 3

• Levels 1 to 3  3 Route Options Available
• 16, 28, 40 miles
• 0-500 feet elevation gain

Day 4

• Levels 2 to 4 3 Route Options Available
• 25, 42, 51 miles
• 0-500 feet elevation gain

Day 5

• Levels 1 to 4 3 Route Options Available
• 18, 31, 52 miles
• 0-500 feet elevation gain

Day 6

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

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

• 8/24-29Price: $3298 pp dbl. occ., (+ $520 for sgl. occ.)

2009 DATES

FAMILY TRIPS

• 5/31-6/5Price: $3498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $450 for sgl. occ.)
• 6/14-19Price: $3498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $450 for sgl. occ.)
• 6/21-26Price: $3498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $450 for sgl. occ.)
• 6/28-7/3Price: $3498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $450 for sgl. occ.)
• 7/5-10Price: $3498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $450 for sgl. occ.)
• 7/19-24Price: $3498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $450 for sgl. occ.)
• 8/2-7Price: $3498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $450 for sgl. occ.)
• 8/16-21Price: $3498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $450 for sgl. occ.)
• 8/23-28Price: $3498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $450 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: 3 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

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

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

Ann Barlow - Wellesley Hills, MA

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