Normandy, Brittany & The Loire Valley

Insight Travel expanded the tour group to 39 people including 7 people extending from another Insight trip. Our group was too large for everyone to room in the main Chateau in the Loire Valley. All the solo participants including myself and some other couples were were forced to stay in upstairs garrett style rooms in the annex unconnected to the chayeau. The room had one old floor lamp to try to extend into the room for the only lighting beyond the little lights by the bed. Clearly dangerous wiring and all huge wooden beams under sloping ceilings were a danger warning. There was no fire suppression system not even fire extinguishers. We had to climb a long broken staircase. The manager said not to use the second staircase closest to our rooms which was very long and steep with worn treads. The only window was floor to four feet high with wiring covering the lower portion. Consequently in the event of a fire it would be difficult to climb out the window and jump two stories to the courtyard. Since Insight Travel does not prioritize life safety, it's impossible for me to recommend any Insight trips. That's unfortunate since many of my large group of senior friends are traveling multiple times a year since covid. I'm the first to use Insight and the were curious about the trip. They are astonished by this terrible company decision.

Enjoyed the trip. Probably one too many chateaux/castles visited. Normandy sites excellent. Wish dinners were earlier. 7:00PM or later dinner with an early morning departure is too late for us.

We would have preferred an extra night in St. Malo, and only one night at the chateau in the Loire Valley. We also would have preferred more time in Honfleur, and not only enough time for lunch. Exploring Honfleur would have been more enjoyable and memorable than the visit to the apple farm.

Apologies… this was not the tour I wanted and specified requested from my travel agent. I specifically requested a WW 2 type tour of the Normandy beaches and such. Enjoyed the time with my wife, up every morning before the sun to drive 1-2 hours to see another castle, church, vineyard, or orchard was not in my vacation plans.