Blogs from Blois, Centre, France, Europe - page 3

Alone and unwell,stuck in an expensive foreign hotel room. I can't say I was really 'living the boho dream' during my three nights in Blois. I didn't fancy the 5 mile trek to the out-of-town youth hostel, and more importantly I needed to sleep. Such a goal was never going to be acomplished by being turfed out into the streets from 10 to 6, as is often the policy at Hosteling international. So I checked into a cheap hotel. A little place that was recommended in my guidebook, right across from the station. Only it didn't turn out to be the little cheap hotel that was recomended in my guidebook. That was directly across the road, and in my sickness induced haze I hadn't noticed it. It was a whole ten euros cheaper aswell. I wasn't ... read more

From Milan, we flew to Paris where we met another coach and a new local guide. Without missing a beat, or a stop in Paris, the group set out for the Loire Valley and its famous château country. It was a Friday afternoon and everyone was rushing to leave Paris for the weekend. Valene appeared to be getting along well with the local guide and complimented her on her chic attire. However, there evidently had been some sort of falling out overnight. By morning, the local guide had split, and was on her way back to Paris. Valene took over courier's seat and microphone. From our base in Tours, we were able to visit four château: Amboise (16th century), Chambord (1547), Chenonceaux (1522), and Azay-le-Rideau (1527). I returned to Chambord and Chenonceaux in 2015. Wonderful as ... read more