August 23-31, 2026
Step into the enchanting Loire Valley on The History Chicks Field Trip, with Beckett Graham and Susan Vollenweider. This journey brings history to life as we explore magnificent châteaux and the queens who called them home. With a perfect blend of French culture, camaraderie, and castles, this tour promises to be an unforgettable adventure.
Inclusions:
- Eight Nights Accommodations in 4- star hotels
- Breakfast Buffet Each Day
- Private Motor Coach Transportation
- Welcome Cocktail Party
- Double Decker Bus Tour of Paris
- Guided Tour of Basilica St. Denis
- Lunch at Les Deux Magots
- Guided tour of Blois Castle
- Visit to Chambord
- Group Lunch near Chambord
- Visit to Cheverny
- Visit to Clos de Lucé
- Private Tour of Chenonceau
- Private Dinner at Chenonceau
- Visit to Azay le Rideau
- Visit to Villandry
- Visit to Fontevraud Abbey
- 90 Minute Loire River Cruise
- Gourmet Wine and Cheese Tasting
- Visit to Chartres Cathedral
- Private Seine Dinner Cruise
- History Chicks Swag
Day One: Welcome to France
Welcome to Paris! Check in to the hotel and relax. This evening we gather as a group for a welcome cocktail party and a double decker bus tour of Paris’s Greatest Hits!
Day Two: A Little Bit of Paris
Let’s get to know the Queens of France today! We begin our day with a guided tour of Basilica St. Denis just outside Paris where both Marie-Antoinette and Catherine d’Medici are laid to rest. Next up we dine as a group at the iconic Parisian establishment Café les Deux Magots before you are set free to choose your own Parisian adventure!
Day Three: Bonjour Loire Valley
Today is the day we leave the big city behind and descend into the tranquility of the Loire Valley. Our first stop is the charming town of Blois. Here we will discover their chateau on a guided tour that is all about the Queens of the Castle before we settle into our home base in Tours. Our hotel in Tours is a historical property where past podcast subject Sarah Bernhardt has stayed.
Day Four: Chambord and Cheverny
Chambord is the first stop today! This massive chateau is perhaps one of the most famous of the region and not to be missed. We will follow our guided tour with a group lunch at a restaurant in the nearby Village.
Next up we tour Cheverny, a more intimate chateau known for its elegant furnishings and….dogs! Don’t miss the feeding of these adorable hunting dogs!
Day Five: Dine Like Queens
Today we experience the culinary delights of the region. After a visit to Azay le Rideau, known as the Sleeping Beauty castle, we experience a gourmet wine and cheese tasting featuring regional specialties.
After a break at the hotel, we head to Chenonceau, the most beautiful chateau with the grand hallway arching over the river. We have a most special evening ahead of us here. After a private tour of the palace rich in women’s history, we have a private dinner on site in the elegant Orangerie.
Day Six: On the Loire
Each of the chateaus are known for something and our first stop today, Villandry, is the garden chateau! We explore the beautiful yet functional gardens and the chateau before heading to the town of Saumur. After a lunch on your own you’ll be ready to glide along the Loire River on a 90 minute boat ride to take in the serene landscapes of the area. Next up, we visit the final resting place of Eleanor of Aquitaine at the Fontevraud Abbey.
Day Seven: Da Vinci in Amboise
A favorite of King Francis, Leonardo Da Vinci was summoned to France in 1516 and settle into Clos de Lucé. Today we visit this estate and explore the genius of Leonardo and his advanced inventions. After this we have time to discover the charming village of Amboise.
Day Nine: Back to Paris
Today we make our way back to Paris, but not before taking in one more iconic site in the Loire Valley, Chartres Cathedral. After a visit to the cathedral you will have time to explore the village before we move on to Paris.
All good things must come to and end and so it is time for us to say goodbye. Join the group for one final dinner on our private boat as we cruise down the Seine, the only river in France more iconic than the Loire!
Day Nine: Au Revoir
Enjoy one last breakfast with friends at the hotel before traveling home!
Package Price:
The package price for a single room is $5,350 per person. The package price for a shared room is $4,450 per person. A $1,000 deposit is required at the time of registration and is non-refundable. The final balance will be due on June 23, 2026 and will be paid by invoice to Like Minds Travel and is non-refundable at that time.
If you are registering with a roommate, but want to be billed separately, fill out the form individually and place each others name in the space indicated. You will be paired in the same room. Like Minds Travel does not pair solo travelers with a roommate.
Extra night are available at the host hotel. The cost for a single room is $350 and double is $364. Email extranights@likemindstravel.com and state your desired dates and what tour you are on in the email. Like Minds Travel will add the nights to your final invoice.
Airfare and airport transfers are not included in the package price. Like Minds Travel recommends flying into Charles de Gaulle (CDG).
This tour is for guests 18 and older and requires a lot of walking and stairs. Group size is capped at 50 people.
Completed registration is acceptance of our terms and conditions. Please read our terms and conditions.
***Prices based on exchange rate of January 27, 2026. The euro to dollar ratio is .84 euros to 1 USD. With one year data this is the weakest the dollar has been. A weaker dollar at the time of the final invoice will result in an adjustment of the price.
