The Loire Valley

Trip Start Aug 10, 2008
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Trip End Aug 31, 2008


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Wednesday, August 13, 2008

After FINALLY figuring out the secret location of our luggage, we headed to the Loire Valley.  Unfortunately, due to our late start trying to contact Air Canada and their not-so-secure luggage delivery service, we wasted half the morning.  Undaunted, we headed for the Autoroute where we discovered that although you can pee for free in France, you must pay to drive... often.

We arrived at our hotel late in the afternoon and checked in.  We decided to follow the advice of our hotelier and another guest and headed out to visit Cambord castle.  The castle was not built for defence or tolls like all the castles we visited in Germany.  Instead, this castle was built as a winter hunting cabin for the king.  Some hunting cabin!  It has three stories, four wings, and countless rooms.  Another difference between this castle and the Germany castles is that we did not need a tour to visit this one.  Once you pay your entry fee, you are free to roam the castle at will.  I agree with Rick Steves... this would be one cool place to place hide-and-seek.  After exploring the castle, we went to the market strip outside the castle walls and had some crepes for dinner and dessert.  Quite lovely and our cheapest dinner yet.

Driving back to Amboise, we stopped at a wine cave to sample some wine and brandy.  I couldn't resist and bought another bottle of dessert brandy... strawberry this time.  Yummy.  There was still a smidgen of light left when we got back to Amboise so we strolled through the town and along the river for an hour or so.  With a long drive ahead of us the next day, we decided to retire early.
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