This summer the Loire Valley celebrates the 500-year anniversary of the Renaissance. This gastronomic 4-night self-guided cycling holiday follows a triangular route through the great Loire Valley. Highlights include the chateaux of Amboise (home to Leonardo da Vinci and the flamboyant Royal Palace) and Chambord, and the Renaissance splendour of Chenonceau. Pass vineyards, sunflowers and villages before pedalling along riverbanks and out through countryside abundant with wildlife. 

On each cycling day, there's the opportunity to taste dozens of different wines - stopping at big wineries or village vineyards - in a wine region more varied and diverse than any other in the world. 

Accommodation has been handpicked for their cuisine, wines and settings. All have gardens and private swimming pools, and the Chateau de Chissay (where you spend 2 nights) is a former royal residence! Headwater's specially created gastronomic menus (typically 4 courses) include dishes such as sandre en croute d'escargots, selle d'agneau a l'ail nouveau and le moelleux au chocolat Valrhona, all washed down with a glass or two of the many fine local wines. Prices from £1119 per person- tour only. Price includes GPS route directions and maps, RideWithGPS navigation app, high quality hybrid bikes, luggage transfers bewteen hotels and Dinner, Bed&Breakfast. 

For further information and images, please contact WixHill Ltd- 01483 203992. Jenna McCooey e: jenna@wixhill.co.uk Tim Fordham-Moss e: tim@wixhill.co.uk.

Notes to editors-

www.headwater.com

Headwater offers journeys on foot or by bike throughout 19 countries worldwide. Whilst embracing modern technology and changing times since 1985, the company's ethos remains key – family-run, friendly hotels, an authentic experience of a region, including culture, cuisine and fine wines, and above all a fantastic level of personal service, with staff on hand in resort to help and guide as required. The 2018 collection includes 59 self-guided and 12 guided walking holidays and 62 cycling holidays, as well as a choice of winter snow holidays (cross-country skiing and winter walking) that run between December and April in Austria and Norway. The newest addition to the Headwater portfolio is a selection of single-centre activity holidays in Brittany and the Dordogne, France and Catalunya, Spain. These are ideal for multi-generational families and groups.

Headwater Holidays is a sister company of Exodus Travels Ltd, ABTA number YO751, a fully licensed and bonded tour operator holding Air Travel Organisers Licence (ATOL) no. 2582 issued by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and bonded with the CAA. Exodus (Registered in England No. 1150160) is a member of the Travelopia Group of companies. Registered Office: Origin One, 108 High Street, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 1BD. www.travelopia.com. Travelopia is committed to ensuring that there is no modern slavery or human trafficking in any part of their business. This commitment is an integral part of the way Travelopia do business.