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Loire Valley Family Bike Tour - Kids & Teens

Loire Valley Family Bike Tour - Kids & Teens

Storied Landscapes & Magical Castles

From $4,499 - $4,699 pp dbl. occ. | 6 days / 5 nights

(+$590 for sgl. occ.)

Special Kids Prices

It has all the makings of a fairy tale. Storybook castles. Towers, flying buttresses and flawless gardens. Fertile fields, graceful rivers and idyllic biking routes. Exquisite treats at patisseries and gourmet meals. The Loire Valley—a family getaway that ends with "happily ever after."

Highlights

Pedal peaceful family-friendly bike routes connecting unforgettable castles and magnificent old-world landscapes
Walk in the footsteps of Leonardo da Vinci and check out some of the inspirations for his technological innovations
Explore medieval, Renaissance and classical châteaux and get a taste of royal treatment at gracious castle-hotels
Ride on horseback along the Loire River, learn how to fence and make chocolate with the experts (Just for kids)

France

Start/End St-Pierre-des-Corps

Itinerary

Day 1 Ride family-friendly bike routes past enchanting villages and serene woodland | Explore Château de Chambord, the region's largest castle and a magnificent display of French Renaissance architecture | Bike forested back roads and vineyard-covered hills | Relish unparalleled views of Chambord's towers and steeples from our exquisite hotel.

Days 2-3 Venture to Cheverny, the castle that inspired Hergé's rendition in The Adventures of Tintin | Kids hop in the saddle for a horseback-riding adventure | Follow the river by bike toward the lively town of Amboise, where there's time to stroll, shop and sip un café | Visit Leonardo da Vinci's home, Clos Lucé, where you'll marvel at the models and designs of his famous creations | Kids get a tasty lesson in chocolate making at a family-owned chocolaterie | Relax poolside at our hotel, an ivy-covered manor.

Days 4-6 Explore magical Château de Chenonceau, with its richly appointed interiors and dazzling artwork | En garde! Youngsters wield épées with a world-class fencing master before a special medieval-themed dinner just for them | Adults take a leisurely afternoon ride from one charming village to the next before returning to our elegant château-hotel | Discover the rolling pastures and goat farms behind the Loire's famous fromage de chèvre | A peaceful route through vineyards and villages leads to Château de Villandry and its extraordinary gardens | Say au revoir to the Loire after one last morning spin as you take in views of the valley from our hotel's grand terrace.

Next: Dates & Prices

The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind — you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. View cancellation policy.

If you must cancel your reservation, your cancellation fee will be determined according to the policy outlined below. Exceptions to our cancellation policy cannot be made for any reason, including weather, terrorism, civil unrest or personal emergencies. There is no refund for arriving late or leaving a trip early. Private room or tent, bike rental and internal air charges are considered part of the total trip cost and are subject to cancellation fees. Percentage charges are calculated on total trip cost.

Cancellation Fees (Per Person)
Days Prior to Trip Start	Scheduled Trips	Private Trips	Custom Trips
126+ days	$200**	$600	30%
95-125	$200**	30%	50%
61-95 days	30%	50%	75%
31-60 days	60%	75%	100%
0-30 days	100%	100%	100%

** Rather than paying the cancellation fees, you may choose to keep your trip deposit ($600) in a holding account to use on a future Backroads trip with no expiration date.

Bike Cancellation Policies: If you are renting a Specialized Roubaix, Ruby, eBike or Co-Motion Tandem, a full cancellation fee will apply in the event you cancel your trip reservation inside 30 days.

Transfers: You may transfer from one trip to another up to 95 days before trip departure without penalty—except Private or Custom Trips.

Release of Liability: Guests are required to provide a signed Release of Liability, Assumption of All Risks, and Arbitration Agreement and a completed Personal Information forms prior to trip departure; you will receive these materials shortly after reserving your trip. You may also complete your forms online. We are unable to allow guests to participate in any aspect of a Backroads trip without a signed release form.

Please click on a date below for specific pricing and possible itinerary variations.

Available
to Book i
Going
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Private Trip
– Reserved i

F Family Dates - Teens & Kids

Gather your favorite people to share a Backroads adventure on a ready-to-book Private Trip - featuring all the legendary Backroads hallmarks from expert leaders to unforgettable activities. You can pick from the selection of dates below for your group; some dates are only available for 16 or more guests while other dates are available for 8 or more guests. If your party has fewer than 8 guests, or your preferred date is not available, we'll create a departure just for you. Call or email us to reserve your date.

Private Trip Pricing

10 or more Guests: from $4,499 pp dbl occ

9 Guests: from $4,999 pp dbl occ

8 Guests: from $5,199 pp dbl occ
2-7 Guests: Give us a call or reach out here!

Please click on a date below for specific pricing and possible itinerary variations.

Don't see your ideal travel date? Make a Date

2+ AVAILABLE TO BOOK
for 2 or more guests
8+ AVAILABLE TO BOOK
for 8 or more guests
16+ AVAILABLE TO BOOK
for 16 or more guests
Reserved

F Family Tours - Teens & Kids

2020 June

8+ 6/14–6/19

8+ 6/21–6/26

8+ 6/28–7/3

2020 July

8+ 7/2–7/7

8+ 7/14–7/19

8+ 7/17–7/22

8+ 7/27–8/1

2020 August

8+ 8/2–8/7

8+ 8/3–8/8

8+ 8/16–8/21

8+ 8/23–8/28

View Scheduled Dates

Tell us what your dream trip would be and we'll make it happen! Whether you're looking for a honeymoon trip for 2, a 30-person family reunion or a 100-person corporate trip, we can do it all. A dedicated Custom Trip Consultant will work closely with you to bring your dreams to reality. Call us at 800-462-2848 to speak with your Custom Trip Consultant or click on the button below.

REQUEST YOUR CUSTOM TRIP NOW

Previous: Overview

Dates

F Family Tours - Teens & Kids

2020
Jun
Jul
Aug

View Scheduled Dates
Go Private
Go Custom

Prices

From $4,499 - $4,699 pp dbl. occ.
6 days / 5 nights

(+$590 for sgl. occ.)

Special Kids Prices

Traveling with Kids

Reviews

Read the Reviews
Write a Review

Premiere & Casual Plus Hotels*

Relais de Chambord

Chambord (1 night)

Château de Pray

Chargé (2 nights)

* Casual Plus

Domaine de la Tortiniere, Loire Valley, France

Domaine de la Tortinière

Montbazon (2 nights)

See Lodging Details

Activity Level

This trip is rated Levels 1-4

See Daily Route Options

What's Included

Services and equipment are included.

See how we include more

Why Backroads

Why Travel with Backroads in Loire Valley

Find out What sets us apart

More On This Trip

View more photos

Watch videos

Detailed Itinerary Reserve This Trip

Reviews by Power Reviews ®

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Next: Lodging

Premiere & Casual Plus Hotels*

Accommodations may vary based on departure date. Any difference from what is listed below can be found by clicking on your desired date on the View Scheduled Dates or Private Dates tabs.

Relais de Chambord

Chambord (1 night)

Newly renovated with elegant modern design and luxurious amenities, this spectacular farmhouse-turned-hotel is adjacent to the decadent UNESCO-protected Chambord Castle. A Small Luxury Hotels of the World member. (spa)

Château de Pray

Chargé (2 nights)

* Casual Plus

A turreted castle nestled amid trees on a terraced slope overlooking the Loire River. (pool)

Domaine de la Tortinière

Montbazon (2 nights)

We're welcomed by the gracious Olivereau family at this charming 19th-century château with gorgeous countryside views. (pool)

Previous: Reviews

Next: Activity Level

This Trip Is Rated Levels 1-4

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.

Daily Route Options (drag to see full )

Day	EASYGOING				ACTIVE				AVID
Daily Route Options
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Level 4		Level 5
	miles	feet gain	miles	feet gain	miles	feet gain	miles	feet gain	miles	feet gain
1	8	300	16	500
2	15*	400			35*	900	45	1200
2	Horseback Riding (2 Hours)
3			17*	700	34	1300	42	1500
3	Kids: Chocolate Making (2 Hours)
4			17*	600	32*	1100	43	1400
	Kids: Fencing Lesson (2 Hours)
	Guided Tour at Chenonceau (1 Hour)
5	15*	500	25*	800	34*	1400	43	1500
5	Kids: Ropes Course (2 Hours)
6	14	500

Note: On this Family Trip, our routes follow gentle rolling terrain. Liberal van shuttling is incorporated into the itinerary and mileage is moderate to enable you to spend more time exploring on your own.

* Includes shuttle.

Learn more about how we determine our activity level and fully support a range of abilities and interests.

Please note that our distance and elevation figures come from Ride with GPS. Other sources may give differing elevation figures due to different GPS and mapping technologies and other external factors.

Previous: Lodging

Next: What's Included

Meals

All breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 dinners

Available Bike Options

The key to a stellar day’s ride is a bike that’s perfectly in tune with your cycling style… Backroads has you covered with the best bike fleet in the world! Read on for your available bike options for this trip.

Backroads Titanium Bikes (Included in your trip price)

Our custom-built titanium bikes are specially designed for you—and we offer different models for varied terrain so your bike is ideally suited to the region. Our custom-made bikes are included in your trip price.

Touring Bike (Included)

Performance Road Bike (Included)

Backroads Custom Electric-Assist Bike (Included in your trip price– Available until 4/1/20)

Wishing for a little extra assistance up those hills? Our custom Backroads Electric-Assist Bike lets you experience the thrill of exploring on two wheels while providing a boost when you want it. We've modified a selection of our great Titanium Bikes with the intuitive BionX "pedal-assist" system.

Backroads Custom Electric-Assist Bike (Included)

NEW! Backroads Custom Electric-Assist Bike (Included in your trip price – Available beginning 4/1/20)

Our newly redesigned Titanium Electric-Assist Bike is a lightweight yet powerful machine unique in the world of eBikes. It provides plenty of power (and then some!) to flatten the hills and more than enough battery range to cover the distance. Other outstanding features include the same comfort as our Touring Bikes and lower top tubes for easier mounting and dismounting.

Backroads Custom Electric-Assist Bike (Included)

Cannondale Pro Carbon Upgrade ($400 rental fee)

Delivering phenomenal acceleration and handling in a light and powerful package, the Cannondale 2020 Synapse Hi-MOD pro carbon upgrade is built for experienced cyclists, men and women alike, who are looking for a high-performance bike that doesn’t sacrifice comfort.

Cannondale 2020 Synapse Hi-MOD

Co-Motion Torpedo Tandem ($400 rental fee)

Do you prefer to spin in tandem with your partner? You'll love the Co-Motion Periscope Torpedo tandem on your Backroads trip. You can upgrade to a Co-Motion Torpedo Tandem on your trip.

Co-Motion Torpedo Tandem (Upgrade)

Custom Kids Bikes (Included in your trip price)

Backroads is the only travel company to manufacture its own line of kid's bikes. While the wheels might be small, the performance is big—it's the perfect choice for kids. On all Backroads Family Trips, you'll find 20" and 24" bicycles for the younger set. They say good things come in small packages; when it comes to bikes for kids of all ages, Backroads is the expert.

Custom Kids Bikes (Included)

Burley Kazoo trailer bike (Included in your trip price)

The Burley Kazoo trailer bike, for children up to 85 pounds, attaches to an adult bike with your child providing some of the pedal power for a real team effort! It's ideal for kids who may be comfortable pedaling around the neighborhood but aren't yet ready for bike touring.

Burley Cub trailer (Included)

Also Included

Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
Snacks and beverages between meals
Additional guides and experts from the region on many trips
Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the Travel Planner
All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
On biking and multi-adventure trips, use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
Trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips
Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described
Park and other entry fees
Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner
Select coach transfers
Baggage transfers and porterage

Previous: Activity Level

Next: Straight Talk

Next: Why Backroads

Get the Straight Talk about This Trip

We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.

Limited & Fixed Menus

On many nights, the gourmet restaurants where we dine offer specially prepared limited or fixed menus featuring a delicious selection of authentic regional cuisine.

Previous: What's Included

Next: Why Backroads

Why Travel with Backroads in Loire Valley

A Variety of Routes Each Day

In Loire Valley you head off each morning after choosing among several expertly designed routes—all with detailed directions, mileage and shuttle options. Unlike trips with one fixed daily route (or worse, one guide that everyone's obliged to follow), you're free to enjoy the best of the region at your pace, stopping wherever you want to explore further.

Only the Best Hotels

On this trip featuring Premiere Hotels, you can count on the best lodgings Loire Valley has to offer. In fact, the hotels we've chosen in this region have higher retail room rates than those offered by any other active travel company—even when their trips cost more.

A Second Van When You Need It

Backroads is the only active travel company providing two support vans in Loire Valley—because we know it's essential to ensure a truly great travel experience. It doubles our ability to be there when you need us to offer hydration, lighten your load or give you a lift if it's time to take a break. Read more on why two vans make all the difference.

Great Bikes Included

Our custom-designed titanium bikes are best in class. From avid cyclists to easygoing riders, we believe that everyone deserves a seriously great bike to match their riding style. Learn more about our bike fleet.

Everyone at Their Own Pace

We design and support our Loire Valley trips to suit mixed abilities and varied interests—so you can set your own pace, then change things up as the day unfolds. And all guests are free to do the same, traveling together or apart, with no one cramping anyone else's style. Which sounds easy in theory, but it's hard to pull off. Here's more on how we do it.

Signature Backroads Picnics

Guests rave about our picnic spreads. Enjoy a welcome break in a scenic spot, or a quick refuel stop if you don't want to lose momentum. And because we have two vans, one can host lunch while the other is out providing support along the route.

Navigate Your Way in Loire Valley

Your ride comes equipped with a GPS device, preloaded with all the routes and route options for your trip. If you prefer to bring your own device, we also have downloadable GPS files and of course, our good old paper directions are always available. Read more on why our navigation options are the best.

Leaders Focused on Families

When everyone's together, there's lots going on; and when kids' and adults' priorities diverge, it can seem like two different trips. That's why our Family Adventures in Loire Valley have three Trip Leaders—including a dedicated Kids Activity Expert who regularly takes younger travelers off to do their own thing. Other companies try to get by with two leaders; we step up and do it right. For more on our family focus, check this out.

Plenty of Kids on Your Trip

It may be hard to imagine being on a family trip with no other families on it—but it happens regularly with some companies. On a Backroads Family Adventure there are typically several families on each departure, creating more opportunities for your kids to make new friends as they try fun things together – which is a big part of the experience.

The Best Leaders in Loire Valley

Backroads has the best-qualified people to lead your trip in Loire Valley, and our guests back that up, rating our Trip Leaders an average of 9.75 out of 10 for all-around quality of performance. Get the facts (and no fluff) on how we recruit and develop the very best people for your trip.

Like You, We're Family Experts

At Backroads we've honed our expertise in active family travel over many years and a lot of trips. We host at least 20 times more family guests than any other active company, so we're constantly gaining new insights that make our trips even better. Detailed planning, behind-the scenes logistics, unrivaled support from three Trip Leaders—all backed by a team that proudly creates the kind of experiences we'd want to share with our own families.

Time Together, Time Apart

Backroads is the leader in designing trips that ensure everyone, young and young-at-heart alike, has an amazing time. Your Backroads Family Adventure balances family activities with diversions designed exclusively for the kids—giving the adults a welcome break from making decisions, other than choosing whether to explore a few more miles or just enjoy each other's company. A family vacation where everyone gets to relax, recharge and have fun – what a concept!

We Live in the Neighborhood

Our Trip Leaders in Loire Valley live in the area and are deeply engaged in their communities, giving them unique inside knowledge they're happy to share in making your experience that much richer. They'll introduce you to people, customs and parts of town you'd likely never encounter on your own—and teach you a few local phrases to help break the ice.

Previous: Straight Talk

Previous: What's Included

Detailed Itinerary Reserve This Trip

Backroads Photo Gallery

Guest Photo Gallery

Videos

Our Expert Leaders

Loire Valley Family Trip

Family Adventures

Why Biking Trips?

Straight Talk

We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.

Limited & Fixed Menus

On many nights, the gourmet restaurants where we dine offer specially prepared limited or fixed menus featuring a delicious selection of authentic regional cuisine.

Loire Valley Family Bike Tour - Kids & Teens

Storied Landscapes & Magical Castles

From $4,499 - $4,699 pp dbl. occ. | 6 days / 5 nights

We're here to help

France

Highlights

France

Itinerary

F Family Dates - Teens & Kids

2020 June

2020 July

2020 August

Private Trip Pricing

F Family Tours - Teens & Kids

2020 June

2020 July

2020 August

Dates

F Family Tours - Teens & Kids

Prices

Traveling with Kids

Reviews

Premiere & Casual Plus Hotels*

Relais de Chambord

Château de Pray

Domaine de la Tortinière

Activity Level

What's Included

Why Backroads

More On This Trip

Reviews by Power Reviews ®

Premiere & Casual Plus Hotels*

Relais de Chambord

Chambord (1 night)

Château de Pray

Chargé (2 nights)

Domaine de la Tortinière

Montbazon (2 nights)

This Trip Is Rated Levels 1-4

Daily Route Options (drag to see full )

Meals

Available Bike Options

Backroads Titanium Bikes (Included in your trip price)

Backroads Custom Electric-Assist Bike (Included in your trip price– Available until 4/1/20)

NEW! Backroads Custom Electric-Assist Bike (Included in your trip price – Available beginning 4/1/20)

Cannondale Pro Carbon Upgrade ($400 rental fee)

Co-Motion Torpedo Tandem ($400 rental fee)

Custom Kids Bikes (Included in your trip price)

Burley Kazoo trailer bike (Included in your trip price)

Also Included

Get the Straight Talk about This Trip

Limited & Fixed Menus

Why Travel with Backroads in Loire Valley

A Variety of Routes Each Day

Only the Best Hotels

A Second Van When You Need It

Great Bikes Included

Everyone at Their Own Pace

Signature Backroads Picnics

Navigate Your Way in Loire Valley

Leaders Focused on Families

Plenty of Kids on Your Trip

The Best Leaders in Loire Valley

Like You, We're Family Experts

Time Together, Time Apart

We Live in the Neighborhood

Backroads Photo Gallery

Guest Photo Gallery

Videos

Our Expert Leaders

Loire Valley Family Trip

Family Adventures

Why Biking Trips?

Straight Talk

Limited & Fixed Menus

More trips recommended for you

Czech Republic to Austria Bike Tour

Brittany & Normandy Bike Tour

Holland & Belgium Bike Tour

Other Trips in the Loire Valley