A Traditional Christmas In Alsace

Itinerary

• Dec 22

  Regional departure by coach or Door-to-Door service, then to northern France for an overnight stay.

• Dec 23 - Strasbourg Christmas Markets

  This morning, we leave our hotel after breakfast and commence our journey to the Alsace region.

  En route, we pause at the beautiful city of Strasbourg. Strasbourg is a vibrant multicultural city and capital of the Alsace region. It is also the official seat of the European Parliament and its historic city centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

  During the festive season, the Christkindelsmarik (market of the Child Jesus) comes alive. There are a huge number of stalls throughout the city, with the main markets taking place on Place Broglie and Cathedral Square. There will be time here for you to stroll through the Marché de Noël, absorbing the sights and smells of seasonal treats.

  Later this afternoon, we continue to Klingenthal and our hotel for the next four nights.

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• Christmas Eve - Mulhouse

  We head to Mulhouse, and the aptly named Place de la Réunion, home to a magical Christmas market. The wooden chalets are proudly draped with Christmassy fabrics and pretty lights, and you will find a whole host of culinary offerings and locally made produce.

  For the French, Christmas Eve/Le réveillon de Noël is a much-revered celebration when large groups of people are united for a generously proportioned meal. The traditional Christmas Eve meal consists of around 6 individual courses, ranging in size and content. A typical traditional meal will often have paté, fish, meat/poultry, local cheese, plus a delicious regional dessert.

  Tonight, your hosts have prepared a typical festive Alsatian meal, served with a glass of local sparkling wine.

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• Christmas Day - Colmar

  Enjoy a leisurely morning before we sit down to our Christmas Day lunch.

  This afternoon, why not join us for an optional visit to the pretty town of Colmar? You can take in more festive delights and cheer as you stroll around the centrally located Christmas markets in the fairy tale setting of the Old Town. Admire the traditional half-timbered buildings and perhaps sample the local schnapps or a warming mulled apple juice.

  Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Light Supper

• Boxing Day - Baden-Baden

  Join us today as we head over the border to Germany and the spa town of Baden-Baden, surrounded by the hills of the Black Forest. The Baden-Baden Christmas Market is set around the lane in front of the Kurhaus building, and has stalls with arts and crafts, jewellery, mulled wine and gingerbread to tempt the taste buds. Admire the 15-metre high Christmas tree, church window paintings and nativity scenes. This evening relax and enjoy the music from a local Folklore group at the hotel.

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• Dec 27 - Obernai

  We leave Klingenthal and head to Obernai. This delightful town is set amongst pretty vineyards on the slopes of the Vosges Mountains. Obernai was the birthplace of Alsace’s patron saint Odile.

  After a brief visit, we continue to our overnight hotel in northern France.

  Meals - Breakfast

• Dec 28

  Return home.

  Meals - Breakfast

Accommodation