Loire Valley

This charming area of France is home to lavish castles, huge gardens, and beautiful vineyards, making it ideal for a peaceful vacation. Vineyards that produce some of the best French vintages, such as sweet muscadets, crisp sauvignon blancs, and smokey cabernets, may be seen as the peaceful Loire River meanders through them.

Visit the old wine cellar at Château de Chenonceau for a la carte tastings, or have a glass of champagne in the grotto-like caves of Maison Ackerman. Trek the Loire Valley Wine Route for a tour of the third-largest wine region in France and the opportunity to explore the region's vineyards at your own speed.

One of France's premier wine regions is the 600-mile Loire River basin and its tributaries. This valley literally ranks among the Best Wine Vacations. Let's investigate the region's distinct climate, history, culture, and wine appellations. The Loire Valley actually has a very diverse character, from the modern Port city of Nantes to the foothills of the Massif Central. As you might expect, the wines also differ.

Rankings:

• #5 in Best Wine Vacations

Country: France