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Christmas on the Loire

6 days with CroisiEurope  Rating: First Class

River Cruise Itinerary
Day 1: NANTES
Passengers are welcome to board our ship in Nantes at 6:00 p.m. After comfortably settling into your cabins, we’ll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail. Tonight, we’ll enjoy dinner followed by an evening entertainment.
 
DAY 2: NANTES - SAINT-NAZAIRE
Join us for a tour of Nantes and the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany. We’ll return on board for lunch. This afternoon, join us on an excursion to the seaside town of Saint-Nazaire (3). We’ll begin our visit with the Escal’Atlantic, which ingeniously retraces the history of Norman and French ocean liners through a unique experience. Then, we’ll continue on to the Saint-Nazaire shipyard, one of the largest and well-renowned in Europe. Enjoy a “Christmas Tales”-themed evening.
 
Day 3: SAINT-NAZAIRE - ANCENIS
The morning will be spent cruising towards Ancenis, arriving early in the afternoon. Feel free to join us for an excursion to the Muscadet region. We’ll pass through several villages that are testimony to the strong winegrowing identity in the region. We’ll continue toward La Chapelle Heulin and stop at the Château Cassemichère (or similar site.) Then we’ll leave for Clisson, a charming medieval city with 15th century vestiges and a slight Italian feel. We’ll return to the boat to enjoy our festive Christmas Eve dinner on board. Midnight Mass will be celebrated in Ancenis (1).
 
Day 4: ANCENIS - Angers
As you enjoy our breakfast buffet this morning, our ship will begin to cruise toward Bouchemaine. Once we arrive, join us for an excursion to Angers. We’ll also visit La Doutre, a village-like neighborhood in the heart of the city. We’ll return on board for dinner. Enjoy an evening of entertainment.
 
Day 5: BOUCHEMAINE - The Châteaux of the Loire Valley - NANTES
Join us on a full-day excursion to the Châteaux of the Loire Valley. We’ll leave by coach for the Château d'Azay-le-Rideau. We’ll continue on to Chinon, where you’ll discover an ancient underground quarry that has been transformed into a wine cellar. As we stroll through the impressive tunnels, you’ll learn about the secrets of the most renowned Chinon wines. We'll finish up our tour with a wine tasting. After lunch, we’ll visit the Château of Chinon. Tonight is our gala dinner and evening.
 
Day 6: NANTES
Enjoy one last buffet breakfast on board before disembarking at 9:00 a.m. End of our services.
Tour Map
River Cruise Highlights
  • Nantes, historic capital of Brittany
  • Escal’Atlantic, tracing the history of Norman and French ocean liners
  • The Muscadet Region and the medieval city of Clisson
  • Angers and its charming neighborhoods
  • Day trip to the Châteaux of the Loire Valley
  • Tour of the Château d’Azay-le-Rideau and the Château de Chinon 
  • Christmas services in Ancenis
  • Christmas gift
  • Christmas Eve dinner with wine
All This Included
  • Your cruise with all meals from dinner the first evening to breakfast on the final day
  • Drinks included in this price are water, wine, beer, fruit juices during the meal and coffee after both lunch and dinner for Meals eaten on the ship
  • Drinks from the bar, except for champagne or wines from our special list
  • Double-occupancy cabin with shower in bathroom
  • Excursions mentionned in the program
  • Assistance from our onboard multi-lingual host/hostess
  • Welcome cocktail
  • Gala dinner
  • Onboard entertainment
  • A Christmas gift
  • Christmas Eve dinner with wines
  • Travel assistance and repatriation insurance
  • All port fees
Accommodations on this Tour
Cruising: Cabin onboard MS Loire Princesse
Notes
  • For navigational safety reasons, the company and the captain are the only authorized persons who can modify the cruise itinerary.
  • The cruise schedule may vary according to tides and arrival times at ports of call; the order of the visits may be subject to change. The order of the visits can change.
  • (1) Midnight Mass will be held in French and may take place at another location depending on availability. The transfer is only proposed when the boat is not moored near the place of worship and is valid for a minimum of 30 persons.
  • (2) Depending on mooring availability, the stopover in Bouchemaine could be replaced by a stopover in Chalonnes-sur-Loire.
  • (3) A valid form of identification (passport) will be needed to access the site.
  • Wine is included with Christmas Eve dinner.
  • Please ask your Vacations To Go travel counselor for more information.
Terms and Conditions

* The prices shown are U.S. dollars per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability. Prices quoted for land/cruise arrangements are subject to increase without notice. Once we have received your deposit, land/cruise prices are guaranteed. Air prices quoted via phone or email are subject to increase and are guaranteed only from the time that full payment is received. Also, air prices or air promotions mentioned on this site or on the phone do not include baggage fees imposed by airlines. Sorry, we are unable to offer air from countries other than the U.S. However, for those international customers who are able to arrange their own transportation to the trip origination city, we are able to offer the land/cruise portion of the package at the price quoted.



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