Day 7: The Val de Loire

Well, we have to get there first!

We left Geneva around 10 am. As we are truly a Group of Seven, the mini van (Hyundai) that was hired to take all of us was really packed to the brim!

We make our way to Beaune, where a good friend of Suley's lives! But alas, our friend, Fred, is on vacation in South Africa. Not to worry, we make up for it by having a lovely pit stop in this beautiful little town (which Suley and Julie have seen once before five years ago) and enjoy a little lunch (little? My foot!) and some lovely wine.

After a stroll around the city, we realize that we have quite a way to travel as our first night is meant to be in Blois. Oops. Oh well. Change of plans (a running theme of our trip). And change of packing arrangement as Faruk has found some great wine...Two cases! We skip our visit to Orleans and head directly for Blois. Turns out that we are staying outside of Blois, though so we have a bit further to go! (Another running theme of our trip.)

Undaunted, and with various forms of instructions, we finally arrive at 9.30 PM on the dot at an inn that also provides us with this lovely four course dinner. Oh la la.

Tomorrow we are off to see the first round of chateaux! Sadly, we will also send Murat back to Paris on the train, tomorrow evening!