I booked on the last scheduled "Highlights of Provence" tour for 2015 at the last minute from Australia (where sadly, this tour operator doesn't get much exposure). The tour proved to be an absolute joy, a real jewel of a holiday. The "centre-based" accommodation concept is clever, as you can relax for the duration and not have to pack and unpack every day. Groux-les-Bains is a good base - it is a charming village, well maintained and with a good range of eateries and little shops. The Hotel les Alpes in Groux-les-Bains was a lovely base - my room was spacious, comfortable and spotlessly clean. The hotel staff were friendly and the breakfast buffet was generous with a variety of choices. The two dinners we ate in the hotel restaurant (included in the tour price) were stylish and delicious.
Our trip included a half dozen of the major chateaux and recommended lunchtime stops for authentic French meals. Hotels were all good although the Blois one was on opposite side of town from bike depot.
I toured with Firo Borges and Ivo Fernando and they make a spectacular team (believe me). They provided a great balance of group and independent sight seeing and offered excellent advice when it came to saving costs while touring. Organization was spot on and excellent - never had any problems anywhere throughout the trip. The guides were excellent in being flexible if we couldn't make it somewhere on time (very seamless travel). They also made sure that everyone on the group make connections with each other and we really became a family. Anyone who travels with them is in for a fantastic adventure and you won't regret it one bit! Schedules were posted in advance and menus for meals went around beforehand. We usually ended our nights on 9 pm and began at 6:45 a.m - the time is enough for you to sleep while travelling back to back! I recommend this tour and these two tour guides specifically to everyone! I will definitely do it again. Had a total blast!