When to Travel : Loire Valley and Brittany can be visited from April through October, while Summer months of July and August offer the most daylight and a number of outdoor activities and festivals
Destinations
Bon Apetit - Gastronomic Journey through Western France
This one is for all the food-a-holics and drink-a-holics out there! Join us on one of the most ful``filling``of our trips as we embark on a gastronomic journey of western France. From the wines of Loire valley to mussels of Brittany to camembert in Normandy, we will taste it all. Driving through some of the most stunning landscapes of France, this easy-paced itinerary indulges all your senses – bring your camera and your appetite – you will need both.
Trip Highlights
Three full days in Paris before we start the road trip – no better starting point for our gastronomic adventure than ville d’amour!
A full day visiting the chateaus of Loire Valley – the most extravagant symbols of French aristocracy – including Chateau Chambord, the king of them all. Sample some of the excellent but relatively unknown wines of the region – such as the Anjou and Saumur or Vouvray's chenin blanc. We will also sample the Cointreau & absinthe liquors brewed in this region
Drive along Brittany’s immense and beautiful Atlantic coast stopping by at less frequented towns like Vannes, Concarneau, Quimper & St-Malo – tasting some of the most popular shellfish including lobster, langoustine, crayfish, mussels and oysters (especially from Belon and Cancale), clams, crabs and scallops – often served on a platter as Plateau de fruits de mer sea food platter
Indulge your sweet tooth – taste the heavenly “Far Breton” pie and a host of other pastries like the Kouign-amann
Sweet Crepes & Salty Galettes – that’s what Brittany is known for!
Go beyond the ordinary – try the chouchen – a form of mead, made from buckwheat honey with a characteristic colour and strong flavour
Interesting Tidbits
The popular liquor Cointreau (made from orange peels) and the relatively less known absinthe (made from anise and fennel) are both brewed in the Loire valley
Brittany accounts for nearly 80% of France's total shellfish production. Two third of France & production of flat oysters is actually based in Cancale near Saint-Malo on the Emarald Coast
VISA INFO
Valid passport: Your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your intended stay and have two blank pages.
Travel insurance: You need a travel insurance policy that covers the entire Schengen territory and has a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros.
Proof of accommodation: You need to show that you have a place to stay during your trip.
Travel itinerary: You need to provide a round trip reservation or itinerary with dates and flight numbers
Proof of funds: You need to show that you have enough money to support yourself financially throughout your stay
Visa application form: You need to complete and sign the application form
Passport photos: You need two recent passport photos taken within the last three months
Visa interview: You need to attend an interview in person at a consulate, embassy, or visa application center
