Beautiful, isn't it? This is the fairy castle in Saumur, in the Loire Valley in France. The valley is our dreamy travel destination for 2010.
The photo is courtesy of a wonderful website you may want to check if you wish to learn more about the castles not only in this area but in France in general: http://www.castles.francethisway.com/ The site also offers invaluable info on top destinations, hidden paths, hotels and accommodation, car rentals, sight-seeing, and so on.
For more info on the area you can read this website: http://www.france-for-visitors.com/loire/saumur/index.html - on the left you will see other cities in the region worth visiting and separate categories related to the town you are currently exploring. Our choice is related to book and wine love, so we'd like to visit Blois (who doesn't love the Three Musketeers?) - http://www.france-for-visitors.com/loire/blois/index.html; Angers - home of the Anjou family in the past - http://www.france-for-visitors.com/loire/angers/index.html; Beaugency - another little and beautiful town participating in Dumas' stories - http://www.france-for-visitors.com/loire/beaugency.html; definitely hinon for wine lovers like us - http://www.france-for-visitors.com/loire/chinon/index.html .
The whole region is well known for its wines. Check out this fantastic website for more info on the regional wines, the unique technology of making them and places to visit if you'd like some wine tasting: http://www.terroir-france.com/region/loire_saumur.htm . Each year the town of Saumur holds a Wine Market the first week of September. If you plan to go at this time, check the website: http://www.marchedesvinsdesaumur.com/initiation_degustation_marche_des_vins_de_saumur2.php .
We'd like to feature in thsi post a favorite spot of ours - La Bellevue: http://www.domainedelabellevue.com/ . Sarah-Jane and Gerald will make your stay really special and no, they are not paying us. :)) In fact, they don't know we are blogging about them here. The place offers many options for accommodation, either self-catering (we do that usually) or catered, bed & breakfast, ect. It's located near Montreuil-Bellay - very close to Saumur and an excellent location for exploring the region. Check it out. They also have a very helpful blog where you can follow the local calendar of events: http://www.domainedelabellevue.blogspot.com/.
Finally, we want to add a couple of photos and make you as dreamy as we are to be back, to walk these lush fields once again, to dive into the river, to feel the fragrant air... The addresses of the websites owning the photos are also recommended by us for general information about the region.
Beautiful Blois from http://frysingerreunion.org/france
Angers - a vision on the river from http://www.lpiabroad.com/
Chinon - almost surrealistic from http://www.loirevalleygite.com/We hope to see you there this summer!
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