Certainly the main attractions of the Loire are architecture, history and romance. The renaissance chateaux built by Francois I and Charles VIII, Catherine de Medici and other royals during the hundred years that the French court relocated to the Loire Valley from Paris its distinctive storybook charm.

Like the Loire River, this vast region runs through the heart of French life. It is now classed as part of the world heritage of mankind by Unesco (from Sully-sur-Loire to Chalonnes-sur-Loire). Its sophisticated cities, luxuriant landscape and magnificent food and wine add up to a bourgeois paradise. The lush Loire valley is supremely regal.

Overindulgence is no sin in this rich region.

Foppish kings, surly queens, scheming princesses and evil princesses and aristocrats sculpted a riverbed valley into an enchanting fairytale landscape like no other place in Europe or the world, for that matter.

Unlike the chateaux of the Loire Valley, the Loire Valley wines are a perennial secret. Some of France's best winemaking occurs here although few Americans are aware of it. Even many French are unaware of some of the wonders now being produced in the Loire. But wine-bar and wine- shop owners and sommeliers, and all the wine press from Paris, Tokyo, Brussels and London in the know spend their vacations visiting the Loire Valley.

The Loire Valley is the location of Sir Mick Jagger's favourite second residence a 16th century chateau near Amboise called La Fourchette. In London he may be affectionately known as the lead singer of Strolling Bones but in France is known as Mick de Fourchette, Le Seigneur de Fourchette ,sexy papy British ,Dr. Jagger ,le pape du rock ,le p're Mick and Mister Mick.

He comes here every summer. A chartered three-person taxi-plane whisks Jagger from London in under 70 minutes. Here in this quiet backwater of the Loire Valley in Touraine with its woods, caves and vineyards, he can relax with family and friends. He is often seen playing with one of his grandchildren in a local caf? or at the village fete. He drives around in his little Nisan micra or Opel station wagon. He returns year after year for the quality, ambiance, and the unusual. He even plays cricket for Saumur when he is in Touraine.

Todays the vacation industry offers a great number of proposals on luxury vacations, such as golfing villa vacation, the world cruise vacations, luxury home vacations, romantic luxury villas, luxury villa vacations and fairytale chateaux vacation rentals.

The most popular luxury vacations are when you exclusively rent your own villa or chateau and you stay there completely alone or with your partner or with extended family and friends all waited upon by staff who make you feel like royalty. Your vacation can be fully catered with delicious gourmet cuisine being served up for every meal.

An exclusive castle rentals can include staff if you require (the number varying depending on the size of castle). Luxury castles are fully equipped with all the conveniences of home. Additional amenities such as flat-screen televisions, cable television, DVD players with extensive DVD libraries and CDs, if not standard can be requested. Baby equipment and babysitting can usually be provided. These items may also be hired provided advance notice is given.

Many of the guests are repeat clients. The aim of renting a luxury castle exclusively is to make a holiday as stress-free and relaxing as possible. Luxury castle rentals are known around the world by discriminating traveller's for custom designed vacations of extra-ordinary value and extraordinary value, and for personalized, dedicated service.

Limousine transfers to and from airports can be arranged. The chateau can be stocked with any wines, groceries, or special dietary requirements or wine that you require. Hire cars can be delivered to the chateau or to the airport.

You too can enjoy the joue de vie on offer in the Loire and experience the grandeur of a different era without skimping on any of the modern conveneiences and luxuries you have grown to expect from life.