From Paris, you’ll head first to Château de Chambord. Disney fans will find this castle’s turrets familiar; it was the inspiration for the castle in ‘Beauty and the Beast’. Though originally conceived as a royal hunting lodge, it was built to a scale that must be seen to be believed. You’ll learn all about the castle’s captivating history from your guide, before getting your own chance to explore. Climb a staircase supposedly designed by Da Vinci; enjoy spectacular turret-framed rooftop views; glimpse wild deer around the grounds; and work up an appetite for your next stop. A guided wine tasting and traditional three-course meal await you at a charming château. The family that owns this charming 15th-century castle will proudly present their wines and rural French dishes, before granting you the freedom of the estate for a while. The meal includes unlimited wine, but don’t over-indulge: you’ll want your senses sharp for the sights to come. Last but not least is the elegant Château de Chenonceau. The chapel, bedrooms and magnificent vaulted kitchens are still furnished and decorated from times gone by, showing off the castle’s many sweeping stone carvings. Don’t miss the impressive main hall, which spans the river Cher, or the gardens cultivated by Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medici – two of the famous owners that earned Chenonceau the nickname ‘the Ladies’ Château’. After a guided tour, you’ll have a choice: continue exploring, or indulge in a second wine tasting in the castle’s vaulted wine cellar. Throughout the day, your expert, English-speaking tour leader will entertain you between stops with insights and stories about the countryside and the nobility who once reigned over the region. Three uniquely beautiful castles, good food and wine, all amid the scenery of the Loire Valley: this tour is a feast for the senses.