HAVE A VINE
Loire Valley is a tranquil haven
EGYPT: ZANTE:
WITHOUT a beach or wave in sight, the Loire Valley may not seem a top choice for your next family holiday.
But this historic part of France offers a tranquil haven for those wanting to relax and unwind.
Its rolling hills and flowing river stretch for more than 170 miles and, in recognition of its soft, green beauty, it was added to the list of World Heritage Sites in 2000.
Brimming with style and splendour, the Loire also boasts many of France’s most impressive châteaux.
We arrived after a sixhour ferry crossing from Portsmouth to the port of
Caen followed by a threehour drive through the
French countryside.
Our final destination was Siblu’s Domaine de
Dugny holiday park on the Loire’s northern bank, near Amboise.
This fun-packed four-star resort has all you need for a relaxing week away with the family and is also a fabulous base to discover what this region has to offer.
On site, you’ll find an indoor and outdoor heated pool with waterslides and mini lazy river, plus a spa pool and splash area for toddlers.
If you can drag your kids away from the water there’s also a football pitch, tennis courts, table tennis and crazy golf.
A daily kids’ club is available, plus there’s nightly live entertainment, an onsite bar and restaurant.
Many of the well appointed, modern holiday homes include a private outside terrace and barbecue area.
The sophisticated cities of Blois, with its royal chateau, and Tours, with its cathedral and daily market, are right on the doorstep of the campsite.
Both are great for admiring beautiful architecture, pottering round the shops and hanging out in shady cafes.
If you really want to stoke the romantic imagination, Château de Chambord, a white limestone masterpiece with recently restored formal gardens, is a must-see.
Built in French Renaissance style, it is one of the largest and most recognisable châteaux in the world.
Château de Chenonceau, spanning the