Hey folks ! Look forward to some advise !

Regards

The best way to visit the Loire Valley is by car.
There is another thread, with quite a bit of advice, about the Loire Valley here in Favorite Places.

Without a car, take the train to Amboise, and make that your base. From there you can catch a bus to Chenonceau.
I think there are even bus tours out of Paris to the Loire Valley, but I’ve never looked into them.

1) How does one get there ? car or train
2)How many days according to you should be sufficient ? how much of a wine lover are you? You could spend ages going through the vineyards but 3-4 days is probably a good time to relax and enjoy the area.
3) What all can be done in Loire valley ? We are keen to see some vineyards and some castles , but would not like to overload this as well ! bike around the vineyards. great way to seem them.
4) Would like to be budget concious here and hence would welcome any tips. The area, like most of france is pretty expensive. Save money by avoiding a wine tour and biking around yourself with a map.

Thanks !
We plan to reach there by train , make Blois our base , and from there move around , see some châteaus and check out some vineyards . Hiring a car seems to be the best way out we guess – and yes , we will definitely not go in for one of those tours of the vineyards and châteaus!
Any other suggestions while we are here ? would you recommend a nice inexpensive place to stay in Blois or an area around it ?

Thanks again !

If you want to see vineyards, you should head to Vouvray, just outside of Tours. Area is known for it white and sparkling wines. (A bit sweet for my taste though)

Viticulture abounds.
There are mom and pop vineyards all over the area, and Touraine wines can certainly be found near Amboise, which is not that far from Blois. We do not much care for sweet wines, but the Cremant we found (made with chenin blanc) was dry and delicious.
It’s not just Vouvray there, either (though I do like Vouvray, which to me is fruity but not too sweet.)
We also bought a tasty malbec.

Cil’s right…lots of little places along the main roads offering free “Degustions” of their homemade wines and liquers