How to tour the chateaux of the Loire
It made me
Amazed 
"Absolutely phenomenal!!!"
How I did it: Flew with 2 friends to Paris, then rented a car and drove thru the Loire Valley. Stayed in a gite (little guesthouse on a farm) near Chartres, if I remember correctly, and from that home base, made day trips to the chateaux, Amboise, Tours, Orleans, and many, many little vineyards. The French people are wonderful, the history is amazing, and the food is magnificent. We were there in the fall and they had full fields of sunflowers - as far as the eye could see - in full bloom. You'll love it!!!
Lessons & tips: Pack light, speak French as well as you can, take a phrasebook, be polite, and enjoy!!! Oh and you'll need to know how to drive a stick shift :-)
Resources: Rough Guide and Lonely Planet.
