OverSixty July 2023 Digital

ISSUE 5 | JULY 2023 | OVERSIXTY.COM.AU 30 GAIL M. MURRAY DESTINATIONS B eing a romantic and a lover of history, art and architecture, I am drawn to the world-class museums of Paris and fairytale castles of the Loire Valley. On the !rst leg of our journey, my trav- elling companion and I take the RER train for a day trip to the resplendent Palace of Versailles, just over an hour from the centre of Paris. "is is where the Treaty of Versailles was signed, sealing the end of the First World War. "e opulent pal- ace-museum projects the glory of Louis XIV, the Sun King, whose sumptuous abode re#ects the power of an absolute monarch. Silk, brocade and gilt are stand- ard, and the dazzling Hall of Mirrors is re#ected in glittering chandeliers. We stroll the lavish grounds as the foun- tains dance a water ballet; Apollo and his horses are the pièce de résistance. After a week soaking up the ambience of cafés, galleries and museums in Par- is, it’s time to experience the crème de la crème of châteaux in the Loire Valley. Over 300 châteaux can be found in the region, which includes the historic towns of Amboise, Angers, Blois, Saumur and Tours along the river Loire. We visit one castle each day to keep our pace leisurely. We rent a car and take the A10 highway south to château country. We stop in medieval Amboise, about three hours south of Paris. With its pe- destrian-friendly streets full of art shops, tea salons and patisseries selling melt-in- your-mouth macarons, it’s worth a visit. Château d’Amboise and Clos Lucé, once the manor home of Leonardo da Vinci, are located here. "e village of Chenon- ceaux, which we choose as our spring- board, is just 15 minutes further south. Let’s go to the Châteaux "e tiny ivy-clad village of Chenonceaux is a short walk to the stunning Château de Chenonceau, known as “the jewel of the Renaissance”. "is must-see castle more than lives up to its title. In addition to its stunning architecture and the romantic love story of Henry II and his mistress, Diane de Poitiers, this château, built on the Cher River in the 16th century, boasts a chapel, bridge, Florentine gallery and rooms featuring portraits, antique canopy beds andFlemish tapestries."ere are two Continued on page 37 For this history lover, a trip to tour the opulent palaces and lavish castles of the French Renaissance in the Loire Valley was a dream come true PLAN DESTINATIONS INSPIRATION CRUISING Travel Above: Château d’Amboise perches over the beautiful town of Amboise, overlooking the river Loire. Photo: Getty Images DESTINATIONS DESTINATIONS 30 Fairytale castles of the Loire Valley 38 Doggie delights of the Shoalhaven 38 Road tripping WA’s Coral Coast Highway PLAN 32 Staying healthy on holidays INSPIRE 35 Prioritising wellness CRUISING 36 New and notable ships 40 How to choose shore excursions 38 36 35 Inside TRAVEL Fairytale castles of the LOIRE VALLEY