Book Before March 15 and Save $100 Per Person -- Travel Anytime Through October

Scottsdale, AZ, December 16, 2002 -- If there's anything better than biking through central France's bucolic countryside, stopping for lunch in ancient stone villages and tarrying in magnificent Renaissance châteaux, it's doing it all with unobtrusive support--and at a bargain price. Well, here it is--the perfect getaway at substantial savings.

Discover France is simultaneously upgrading hotel selections on its best-selling Loire Valley package and offering $100 off the regular price for those booking the tour by March 15, 2003.

The Loire Châteaux itinerary is an eight-day, self-guided bike trip through the spectacular, rolling countryside that for centuries was the favorite playground of France's monarchs and nobles, who built fabulous châteaux and set them amidst incomparably beautiful gardens. For the 2003 season, Discover France has arranged lodging in wonderful country inns and hotels hand-picked for their distinctive charm and hospitality, such as the Château de Beaulieu. This intimate 18th-century castle-turned-hotel is nestled in the middle of a park with 100-year-old trees and is located just outside the city of Tours.

Self-Guided Tours

For those who want to have an authentic French experience on vacation, Discover France's self-guided bicycle tours are the perfect way to go. Self-guided touring combines freedom to explore with pre-arranged lodging, set itineraries with the ability to stop and smell the flowers. Support staff transfer travelers' luggage between hotels and are available to render assistance as requested, which provides great peace of mind.

Self-guided touring has long been popular in Europe as a compromise between the regimented group tour and going off on one's own. Discover France makes all the arrangements ahead of time so travelers know where they will be dining and where they will be sleeping. Because Discover France believes in personalized service, they routinely adapt their itineraries to their clients' interests, including such extras as visits with artisans and wineries. Also, self-guided tours are extremely flexible. There are no set departure dates, and there is no need to be part of a group; any number can take a Discover France self-guided bike tour, from one to however many want to travel together. That makes it perfect for couples, families or groups of friends who want to spend time together.

The Trip

The Loire Châteaux trip scribes a large circle through the Loire Valley. It begins near the regional city of Tours, with its interesting medieval Old Town. From there, the self-guided itinerary follows quiet country lanes to the lovely 16th-century Château d'Azay-le-Rideau and the Château de Villandry, the last Renaissance castle built in the Loire Valley, most famous for its spectacular gardens.

The route continues through several forests and follows the quiet, scenic Indre River to Sainte-Maure-en-Touraine, with time for stops along the way. Day 4 includes a visit to the royal château at Loches, which sits beneath a walled medieval town that is very much as it ever was.

The following days take cyclists through the idyllic heart of the Loire Valley. Part of the route follows the Cher River, through charming towns, past vineyards and orchards, to storybook châteaux and ancient churches. Highlights include the romantic Château de Chenonceau, which spans the Cher River, and the picturesque town of Amboise, home to the manor house of Clos Lucé, where Leonardo da Vinci spent the last years of his life. The trip ends back in Tours.

Rated as easy to moderate in difficulty, the route covers about 25 miles each day over rolling countryside and beside beautiful rivers.

Package Details

The Loire Châteaux self-guided bicycle tour is priced at $1,045 per person, double occupancy. The single supplement is $235. A special discount of $100 per person is extended to those booking this tour before March 15, 2003 for travel anytime through October.

The trip includes: seven nights' accommodations in charming hand-selected country inns and chateaux hotels, all breakfasts and dinners, daily baggage transfer from hotel to hotel, detailed guide maps, queue sheets, tourist information and local emergency technical support. Optional bike rental and other travel services can be added.

Discover France

Established in 1994, Discover France specializes exclusively in travel to France. The company offers self-guided and guided biking, walking and cooking tours designed to provide travelers with real insight into life in France's diverse regions. From the south's torrid Mediterranean climate to the snow-capped Alps in the east and the Spanish-inflected southwest, France is a tapestry of changing colors and tastes. Discover France helps travelers sample local abundance and meet artisans who are continuing the traditional agricultural practices and crafts that have enriched French life for centuries. The self-guided Loire Château bicycle tour is another example of the company's innovative approach to tourism in France.

For reservations or additional information, contact Discover France, tel. 800-960-2221 (valid in the U.S. and Canada); Internet site:www.discoverfrance.com.