Imagine a massive outdoor art gallery exclusively devoted to architecture and you can get a clear perception of what to expect on this tour. Quite simply it's awe and wonder manmade style. Chateaux large enough to apply for statehood ornament the entire valley, causing visitors to repeatedly gush "wow," "amazing," and "I'd sure hate to have to clean all of those windows."

This might be our only tour where a bicycle flat is not viewed with disdain, but rather as a welcomed excuse for stopping and gaping some more at the architectural wonders. The Chateau de Chambord, near Blois, with its 440 rooms and 365 fireplaces, crowns the valley's "You've Got To Be Kidding" list. While the Chateau de Chenonceaux comes a close second with its fairy-tale design arching across the Cher River. Or for grandeur of a different sort Villandry's Renaissance garden, and Amboise, Leonardo da Vinci's last residence, also rate high on the awe meter.

The valley's emphasis on spectacular also carries over to its cuisine. Fresh trout and salmon, countless varieties of goat cheese, and mushrooms from the Saumur caves (the world's largest mushroom producer) make meals taste like how the chateaux look. And its wines rival those from the Burgundy region making them perfect for toasting to beauty, grandeur, and not being the one responsible for having to clean all of the valley's chateau windows.