The practical, pocket sized Lumix has a 12x optical Leica zoom lens. It is the same DC Vario-Elmar lens that Panasonic owners rave about. The dmc-zs7 also comes with a useful human face detection feature that assures the owner will not lose the perfect shot of friend or family.
Not only does the Lumix generate quality media, it is also attractive, small enough for a pocket or purse, and straightforward to learn and use. The camera’s strong black metallic body has a built in ridge near the zoom control and shutter button that gives the owner the grip he or she requires for a controlled shot. With the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 there need be no more shaky shots or blurred images.

If its considerable 15MB of memory is not enough, the camera is ready to enable additional storage. It comes with a battery charger, both USB and AV cables, a battery pack with case, and the software package to begin taking beautiful photos and captivating video the owner will enjoy forever. With a cost that hovers round $300 or less, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 is one of the more desirable choices in digital camera.

The valley of the Loire is a place with lots of natural elements. Stop for a picnic or visit attractions along the route. Follow the Loire a Velo from Orleans, the home of Joan of Arc, all the way to Blois and you will be able to visit many of the main attractions in the Loire Valley along the way. A stop at Chateau de Chambord is an absolute must, the most gorgeous chateau of them all. As you stop in Amboise you will find that Leonardo Da Vinci is buried in the Chateau’s chapel.

Almost every town and village offers bike rental in the Loire Valley.
There are many hotels along the trail that offers special deals for cyclists, such as transfer of your baggage to your next destination. A cycling holiday in Loire will open a historic world of old castles, mansions and gardens built in the 15th and 16th century.

The path going around Anger is about 50km long, this is all biking trail no worry about traffic. There are so much to see and explore in this area, you will be amazed by the landscape and all the majestic castles. You get to cover more ground on a bike and you get to stop and enjoy things you see along the way. You can rent a bicycle for a day or a week, or you can buy a package trip from one of the many companies that offers guided or selfguided trips. Some companies offer “all inclusive” packages with lodging and food included. Other companies offers just a suggested route and you need to find hotels and baggage transfer yourself.

Exploring the river Loire trail is a fantastic reason for taking a cycling holiday in France. If you feel you are not the most active person in the world there are many places to stop, eat and relax so do not allow that to deter you from taking this wonderful cycling excursion.Learn a little about the land and its inhabitants. Every place in the world has wonders and secrets, set out to explore this gorgeous valley in the French countryside. Travel the Loire à Vélo bicycle trail of France and enjoy a great vacation.The Loire a Velo project is something every cyclist should explore.

Cycling shoes and pedals are the next thing you should consider.. Do not buy cycling shoes that are made for men, you need a good pair of women’s cycling shoes.A man and a woman does not have the same anatomy. You need to decide what kind of shoes you should go for.

The two main types are road shoes and mountain bike shoes. Road bike shoes are not very suitable for walking, they have a stiff sole to make your pedaling more efficient.. Mountain bike shoes also have a stiff sole, but usually more flexible with a better grip. If you are a casual biker, mountain bike shoes might be a better choice for you, since they are better for walking.

It could be hard to find specific cycling shoes for women a few years ago. That is not a problem anymore. Most big manufacturers like Sidi, Pearl Izumi and Shimano now make excellent cycling shoes for women. You should always try the shoes on your feet before you buy. It is very important that the shoe fits your foot perfectly to avoid blisters and sore feet.

Now that you have decided which shoes to go for, you need to make sure they fit the pedals you are going to use. Some women dread cycling with clipless pedals because they are afraid they will not be able to get the foot out of the pedal if they need to make a sudden stop. Once you have learned the technique, you will not regret spending the time to get use to the clipless pedals.

If you want to have the option to cycle, both with a platform pedal and a clipless pedal, there are hybrid versions of pedals available too. These are great for beginners and also for cyclists who want to be able to ride with regular shoes now and then. The whole idea about using cycling shoes with hard soles, is that they give you so much more power when you ride your bike. You will use less energy cycling with specialized shoes, than you would if you used a regular sports shoe.

When you buy your shoes, make sure they are big enough. It should be at least one inch between your toes and the tip of the shoe. Another reason for buying shoes that are big enough, is to prevent cramps. You need a shoe that gives as little pressure as possible under the middle of your foot.

This is the basic info you need about womens cycling shoes, ment to help you choose the best shoe for you.It’s time to find a good deal and start your cycling training!

It’s August 2010 and we are going on vacation to the Loire Valley in France. We started planning the trip about a year earlier. We visited a large number of websites to collect info about where to stay and what to see in the area. My husband is a cycle enthusiast and wanted to bring his bike. I am not that keen on cycling, my passion is photography. So when he is cycling, I follow with my camera and a rental car. That way we can both enjoy our hobbies, and at the same time spend time together. A very practical solution for both of us.

Staying in Tours, the Capital of Indre-et-Loire

After checking out some of the cities in Loire, we agreed to book a hotel in Tours. It was an appartment hotel close to the railwaystation in Tours. The appartment was brand new, but quite small. I’m sure an American would have thought the double bed was ment for only one person. But it was perfect for the two of us. The city of Tours has about 140 000 inhabitants and is a great base for day trips in the Loire area. Most of the famous chateaux in Loire is within an hours drive from Tours.

The city of Tours itself is also well worth a visit. The charming Place Plumereau in the heart of the old part of town is a must see. A lot of restaurants and shops are located in this area. The main shopping street in Tours is Rue Nationale though. You will find all kind of modern shops there, fashion, electronics, flowers and food.

The tourist office in Tours is close to the railway station. They had a large selection of guide books and maps, not only for Tours, but for the whole Loire area. After a walk around town, and dinner at Place Plumereau, we went back to our appartment to get a good nights sleep before the next days trip to Bourgueil and Chateau d’Usse. Our vacation in the Loire Valley is about to start.

Some cyclists prefer climbing hills, and some prefer a flat landscape with a few rolling hills. For the last category the landscape of the Loire Valley is the perfect place. The project La Velo d’Loire was started in 1995. Their goal was to create 800 km of bike paths along the river Loire. Now in 2010, 650 km of bike paths is ready for bicycle tourists. The Loire valley is known for its many castles and for producing excellent white wines. Along the river the terrain is easy and do not require a lot of a cyclist. From the 13th to the 16th century, many magnificent castles was built in the Loire valley. They served first as fortification, later as hunting castles and luxury palaces for the French kings. It is without doubt the castles that have made the Loire valley world-famous. The district has a rich wine production and the white wines from this area is dry, fresh wines often from the Chenin Blanc.

The existing network of cycle paths expands in Bourgogne with 200 kilometres. The bike paths winds along the railway lines, the rivers and the vineyards. In the areas of Cher and Loiret has a distance of 60 kilometers been reserved for cyclists only..

These cycle paths in the Loire valley is part of the European Rivers Cycle Routes that, when it is finished, will connect 2400 kilometers of bike paths from the Atlantic Ocean to Budapest.

There are many companies that specialize in planning bike vacations for tourists, both self guided tour and tours for groups. Many also offer transfer of baggage while you ride from town to town. The routes winds through woods and vineyards and visits to some of the many of the castles is of course added to the route.

A day trip from Blois to Amboise is at 44 km and lead you through beautiful landscapes. You can visit the castle Chateau de Chaumont sur Loire, located on a hill along the river Loire. When you cycle towards Amboise you will see the castle located on a hill above the city. The city centre of Amboise is charming with half-timbered houses. After a visit to the Royal Chateau of Amboise, you deserve a visit at Patisserie Bigot which is centrally located just below the Castle. They have the best cakes in the world and they also have their own chocolate production.

If you stay the night in Amboise and plan to continue cycling the next day, the Château de Chenonceau is one of the most stunning, and also most visited castles in the area. From Amboise it’s about 18 km to the Chenonceau. Go for a walk in the beautiful park and enjoy the view from the end of the park towards the chateau’s galleries that is built across the river Cher. A visit inside the castle is of course also a must. Here you will see great flower decorations in many of the rooms. These are grown on the farm that is located just behind the wax museum. A walk through the farm is a nice ending to the visit. If you are hungry there is both a cafe and a restaurant inside the chateau area.

On your way out of town, you should enjoy a little ride in the village of Chenonceaux. A very beautiful village that is worth a visit. Perhaps a place to stay the night before you start on tomorrows ride to new places.

This is just a few of the many excursions you can do in the Loire Valley in France.

Ikke alle syklister foretrekker fjellklatring og for deg som er litt mer makelig anlagt er Loiredalen det perfekte sted. I 1995 ble prosjektet La Velo d’Loire startet, med et mål om å lage 800 km med sykkel stier langs Loire elven. Nå i 2010 står 650 km med sykkelstier klare til å ta imot sykkelturistene. Loiredalen er kjent for sine mange slott og vindyrking. Langs elven er det lett terreng som ikke krever mye av syklisten. Fra 1200 til 1500 tallet ble det reist mange praktfulle slott i Loiredalen. De tjente først som festningsver, senere som jaktslott og luksuspalasser for de franske kongene. Det er nettopp slottene som har gjort Loiredalen verdensberømt.Distriktet har rik vinproduksjon og hvitviner fra dette området er tørre, friske viner gjerne av druetypen Chenin Blanc.

I Bourgogne utvides det eksisterende veinettet med 200 kilometer. Stiene slynger seg langs jernbanestrekninger, kanaler og vingårder. I områdene Cher og Loiret har man øremerket en strekning på 60 kilometer for tohjulede turister.

Ruten i Loiredalen er en del av European Rivers Cycle Routes som når den står ferdig, vil forbinde 2400 kilometer med sykkelstier fra Atlanterhavet til Budapest.

Det finnes mange firmaer som har spesialisert seg på å planlegge sykkelferier for turister, både selv guidede og gruppeturer. Mange tilbyr også frakt av bagasje mens du sykler fra sted til sted. Rutene går gjennom skogsområder og vinmarker og til mange av slottene selvfølgelig. En dagstur fra Blois til Amboise er på 44 km og tar deg gjennom skogsområder og vinmarker. Du kan ta en tur innom slottet Chateau de Chaumont sur Loire som ligger på et høydedrag langs Loire elven. Når du sykler mot Amboise vil du se slottet som ligger på en høyde over byen. Sentrum i Amboise er sjarmerene med bindingsverkshus og koselige gater. Etter et besøk på slottet bør du få med deg et besøk hos Patesserie Bigot som ligger sentralt rett nedenfor slottet. De har verdens beste kaker og egen sjokoladeproduksjon.

Hvis du overnatter i Amboise og har tenkt å sykle videre neste dag, så er Chateau of Chenonceau et av de flotteste slottene i området. Fra Amboise er det ca 18 km til slottet. Gå en tur i den flotte parken og nyt utsikten fra enden av parken mot slottet som er bygd over elven. Et besøk inne på slottet er selvfølgelig også et must. Her vil du se flotte blomsterdekorasjoner i mange av rommene. Disse blir dyrket på farmen som ligger rett bak voksmuseet. En spasertur gjennom farmen fin avslutning på besøket. Blir du sulten så finnes det både en cafe og restaurant inne på området.

Når du sykler ut av byen så ta deg en liten rundtur i byen Chenonaux. Veldig fin og velholdt by som er verdt et besøk. Kanskje et sted å overnatte før du tar fatt på neste dags etappe?

Dette er bare noen få av mange alternative dagsturer du kan velge mellom i Loiredalen i Frankrike