Alsace Wine Route, Colmar & The Black Forest Experience

Itinerary

Day 1

Be prepared for a very early morning start today as you join your comfortable coach at any of our convenient local pick up points and head for France and your week of holiday enjoyment. Continue on to your first overnight hotel, stopping en route to pick up some dinner, before arriving and checking in for a good night's sleep in the late evening.

Days 2 - 6

Day 2 - Reims to Strasbourg
After breakfast, we travel the very short distance into the heart of Reims, where you will have time to enjoy a couple of hours in this beautiful city. The city’s standout sight is the UNESCO-listed Notre-Dame Cathedral, an impressive Gothic landmark and one of France’s most important historic churches. Reims is also famous for champagne, with many of the best-known houses based in and around the city. Later, we continue on to Strasbourg and check in to our centrally located hotel for the next four nights. Dinner is included this evening.

Day 3 Strasbourg
After breakfast, enjoy a full day at leisure to explore Strasbourg at your own pace. You might choose to visit the striking Gothic cathedral and its famous astronomical clock, browse the stalls at one of the city’s markets, or simply soak up the atmosphere as you wander the canals and cobbled lanes of Petite France. For a change of scene, head towards the European Quarter or the grand Imperial District, where wide boulevards and impressive buildings hint at the city’s fascinating past.

Day 4 Alsace, Colmar and the Wine Route
After breakfast, we head into the heart of Alsace for a day of classic scenery and charming towns. Our first stop is Colmar, often described as the jewel of the region, with its colourful streets, canals and beautifully preserved old town. We then travel along the beautiful Alsace Wine Route, sitting back and relaxing as we pass vineyard-covered hillsides and postcard-pretty villages, with the Vosges Mountains providing a stunning backdrop. Next we call at picturesque Riquewihr, a romantic medieval village that still looks much as it did in the 16th century, before continuing to Ribeauvillé where we include a visit to a wine cellar for a tasting of local wines. We return to our hotel later this afternoon, and dinner is included this evening.

Day 5 Black Forest experience
Today is all about the scenery as we cross into Germany for a panoramic day in the Black Forest. We begin with a stop in the medieval town of Gengenbach, where a local guide will bring the old town to life on a walking tour past half-timbered houses and historic landmarks. There’s free time to find a cosy spot for lunch before we continue to Gutach and the Black Forest Open Air Museum, where traditional buildings and craft demonstrations offer a fascinating glimpse into local life through the centuries. Later, we head to beautiful Lake Titisee for a relaxing round-trip cruise on the water, followed by coffee and a slice of Black Forest gateau to round off the day in true Black Forest style.

Day 6 Obernai
After breakfast, we make the short journey to Obernai, an attractive Alsace town on the Wine Route. Encircled by old ramparts, it’s a lovely place for a wander, with a central market square, historic buildings and a relaxed local feel. After our visit, we continue to northern France for our overnight stay, stopping en route for you to pick up some dinner.

Day 7

Tour Includes

• Return ferry crossings
• 2 nights bed & continental breakfast at overnight hotels
• 4 nights dinner bed & breakfast in Strasborg
• Visit to Reims
• Free time to explore Strasbourg
• Excursion to Colmar and the Alsace Wine Route including a tasting
• Black Forest Experience Day including cruise on Lake Titisee and Black Forest Gateau tasting
• Visit to Obernai
• Direct Coach Travel & Net Zero Carbon
• Tourist taxes included throughout

Reims in Champagne

Discover the beautiful city of Reims, the historic capital of France’s famous Champagne region, where magnificent architecture, fascinating history and world-renowned sparkling wines combine to create a wonderful place to visit.

At the heart of the city stands the magnificent Notre-Dame Cathedral, one of France’s finest examples of Gothic architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For centuries, this spectacular cathedral was the setting for the coronation of French kings, and its soaring towers, intricate stonework and beautiful stained-glass windows make it a truly memorable sight.

Reims is also celebrated as the unofficial capital of Champagne, with some of the world’s most famous champagne houses based in and around the city. Beneath its streets lie miles of historic chalk cellars, where millions of bottles of champagne are stored and matured. With elegant champagne bars, inviting cafés and traditional French restaurants, there are plenty of opportunities to sample the region’s most famous export.

Beyond its celebrated cathedral and champagne heritage, Reims offers attractive squares, impressive historic buildings and a lively city centre filled with shops and pavement cafés. The beautiful Place Drouet d’Erlon is a particularly lovely spot to relax with a coffee, enjoy a leisurely lunch or simply watch the world go by.

Whether you’re admiring the cathedral, browsing the shops or treating yourself to a glass of local champagne, Reims offers a delightful taste of French culture and hospitality. It’s a wonderful place to enjoy some free time and a memorable introduction to any journey through France.

Strasbourg

Discover the beautiful city of Strasbourg, the capital of France’s Alsace region, where French charm and German influences combine to create one of Europe’s most enchanting destinations. With its colourful half-timbered houses, picturesque canals, cobbled streets and magnificent architecture, Strasbourg is a wonderful city to explore at your own pace.

At the heart of the city stands the magnificent Strasbourg Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture built from distinctive pink sandstone. Its soaring spire dominates the skyline, while inside you’ll discover beautiful stained-glass windows and the famous astronomical clock.

One of Strasbourg’s most delightful areas is Petite France, a picture-perfect historic quarter where traditional timber-framed houses line narrow streets and peaceful waterways. Wander across charming little bridges, admire the colourful flower-filled balconies or relax at a waterside café and watch the world go by.

Strasbourg is also a city of wonderful food and drink. Its traditional Alsatian restaurants and welcoming wine bars offer the chance to sample regional specialities, including tarte flambée, a delicious thin-crust dish topped with cream, onions and bacon, accompanied by a glass of local Alsace wine.

Beyond the historic centre, you’ll find elegant squares, beautiful parks, interesting museums and excellent shopping. The city is also home to the European Parliament, reflecting its important role in modern European life.

Whether you prefer sightseeing, shopping, discovering local cuisine or simply soaking up the atmosphere, Strasbourg offers something for everyone.

Colmar & The Alsace Wine Route

Colmar, known as the "Little Venice of Alsace," enchants visitors with its perfectly preserved medieval old town featuring half-timbered houses, flower-lined canals, and cobblestone streets. This fairy-tale city showcases the unique Alsatian culture that blends French sophistication with German gemütlichkeit, creating a distinctive atmosphere found nowhere else in Europe.

The Alsace Wine Route winds through picturesque villages and terraced vineyards, offering tastings of world-renowned wines including Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and Pinot Gris. The region's unique position between France and Germany has created a distinctive culinary tradition featuring excellent wines, hearty cuisine, and charming wine villages that seem frozen in time. Each village along the route offers its own character, from medieval Riquewihr to elegant Ribeauvillé, making this one of Europe's most scenic and delicious wine regions.

Black Forest Experience including Lake Titisee

 Discover the enchanting beauty of Germany’s famous Black Forest on a wonderful day filled with breathtaking scenery, picturesque towns, fascinating traditions and a few delicious local treats along the way!

Our journey takes us across the border into Germany, where rolling hills, dense evergreen forests and charming villages create some of the country’s most beautiful landscapes. Sit back, relax and enjoy the views as we travel through this wonderfully scenic region.

Our first stop is the delightful medieval town of Gengenbach, often described as one of the prettiest towns in the Black Forest. With its colourful half-timbered houses, cobbled streets and attractive market square, it’s a lovely place to explore. A local guide will bring the town’s fascinating history to life during an included walking tour, followed by free time to browse the shops, enjoy a leisurely lunch or simply soak up the atmosphere.

We then continue to Gutach, where we visit the fascinating Black Forest Open Air Museum. Here, traditional farmhouses, historic buildings and demonstrations of local crafts offer a wonderful insight into rural life in the region through the centuries. Discover how generations of Black Forest families lived and worked, and learn more about the traditions that make this area so distinctive.

Our final destination is beautiful Lake Titisee, a sparkling lake surrounded by wooded hills and magnificent mountain scenery. Enjoy a relaxing round-trip cruise, taking in the peaceful surroundings and wonderful views from the water.

To round off our day in true Black Forest style, we include coffee and a delicious slice of traditional Black Forest Gateau – the perfect treat after a day of sightseeing!

Combining stunning scenery, historic towns, local culture and memorable experiences, this delightful excursion offers a wonderful taste of everything that makes the Black Forest such a special place to visit.

Obernai

Discover the delightful town of Obernai, one of the prettiest destinations along the famous Alsace Wine Route. Nestled at the foot of the Vosges Mountains and surrounded by rolling vineyards, this charming medieval town is a wonderful place to experience the beauty, history and traditional character of the Alsace region.

Obernai’s beautifully preserved historic centre is a delight to explore, with colourful half-timbered houses, cobbled streets, flower-filled balconies and attractive squares creating a picture-perfect setting. The town’s impressive medieval ramparts, historic towers and elegant Renaissance buildings offer a fascinating glimpse into its rich past.

At the heart of Obernai lies the lively Place du Marché, a picturesque market square surrounded by traditional Alsatian buildings, welcoming cafés and inviting restaurants. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a leisurely coffee, browse the local shops or simply sit back and soak up the atmosphere.

Obernai is also celebrated for its excellent Alsatian wines and delicious regional cuisine. From traditional bakeries offering tempting pastries to welcoming wine bars serving locally produced Riesling and Gewürztraminer, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy a taste of this wonderful region.

With its beautiful architecture, relaxed atmosphere and stunning vineyard surroundings, Obernai offers a delightful taste of traditional Alsace and a lovely opportunity to explore one of France’s most charming historic towns.

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Accommodation

Overnight Hotels

Your overnight hotels will be comfortable tourist class hotels with facilities to match. You will be advised in advance of where you will be staying but our chosen hotel will be well located for your journey to and from your main resort

Ibis Strasbourg Centre Halles

The Ibis Strasbourg Centre Halles enjoys an excellent central location in the heart of Strasbourg, making it a great base for exploring this beautiful and historic city. Situated alongside the Les Halles shopping centre and just a short stroll from the picturesque old town, the hotel puts many of Strasbourg’s most popular attractions within easy reach.

Guests can enjoy a leisurely walk through the charming streets of Petite France, famous for its colourful half-timbered houses, canals and waterside cafés, or visit the magnificent Strasbourg Cathedral. The city’s shops, restaurants and traditional Alsatian wine bars are also close by, providing plenty of opportunities to explore and enjoy the local atmosphere.

The hotel offers modern, air-conditioned bedrooms with comfortable beds, en-suite bathrooms, flat-screen televisions and complimentary Wi-Fi. Its contemporary interiors and welcoming atmosphere provide a relaxing place to return to after a day discovering the delights of Alsace and the nearby Black Forest.

Guests can enjoy a buffet breakfast each morning, while the hotel’s bar and restaurant provide a convenient place to relax with a drink or enjoy a meal.

With its central location, modern facilities and easy access to Strasbourg’s historic centre, the Ibis Strasbourg Centre Halles is an ideal base for our Alsace summer holiday.

For more information on this hotel, please follow this LINK

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