Alsace, in Eastern France is a region well known for its medieval villages with half-timbered houses, hilltop fortresses and world-renowned cities and good wines. This coveted bucket list destination is brimmed with idyllic charm; everything from the architecture to the landscape is captivating and inviting in equal measure. Discover centuries-old traditions, rich cultural heritage and UNESCO listed sites. You can appreciate towns and historical sites, a generous nature and enjoy the local cuisine through food specialities and wines.
Extras
Welcome to Alsace. Prepare to be charmed! We first take our transfer from Basel to our hotel in Obernai where we then spend the rest of our day either exploring the town or simply relaxing at the hotel.
In the evening we meet for dinner in a local restaurant.
After breakfast we set out on our first excursion, a guided tour of Strasbourg, the largest city of the Grand Est region of eastern France and the official seat of the European Parliament.
On the tour, our private guide will explain to us the city’s rich and colourful past and introduce us to local craftspeople who keep alive and thriving Alsatian culinary tradition which we will sample first hand with 3 separate tastings of regional specialities including gingerbread, cheese and kougelhopf. Tour duration is approx. 2hr30mins
Following the tour, we have free time for lunch.
We start the day with a guided walking tour of Obernai. We explore the old town, birthplace of Saint Odile, the patron saint of Alsace and get the opportunity to experience the fine architectural heritage dating back to the Middle Ages including the central marketplace, the 13th century watchtower and the town hall as well as numerous charming half-timbered houses in the local style.
Walking tour duration approx. 1hr30mins.
After the walking tour we will then hop on to a coach tour that will follow the Alsatian wine route, where we immerse ourselves in an idyllic landscape of picturesque villages, distant medieval castles and traditional vineyards that the Alsace region is famed for. Along the way we stop for lunch in a rural restaurant in Riquewihr.
Riquewihr, another architectural treasure trove and a proud member of the “Les Plus Beaux Villages de France” (“The most beautiful villages of France”) association. A place steeped in history and surrounded by its impressive medieval wall. It is also well known for the Riesling wine produced locally.
After breakfast we continue our Alsace tour heading to the historically important and charming town of Kaysersberg, with its rich selection of traditional half-timbered buildings and the imposing ruins of the castle with its cylindrical dungeon and crenelated wall that still watches over the town and speaks of its strategic importance in the past! The town boasts a number of historically important figures such as Geiler de Kaysersberg (humanist preacher at the Strasbourg Cathedral), Matthieu Zell (the first reformer of Strasbourg) and Albert Schweitzer (a Nobel Peace Prize winner). Kayserberg was the final place visited by the noted writer and chef Anthony Bourdain.
From the town we continue on to Ribeauvillé, city lined with traditional houses of winemakers and craftsmen dominated by hills and three majestic castles. Its heritage is witness of a rich past which is celebrated throughout the year with as highlight the Minstrels festival. We will have free time in Ribeauvillé for lunch.
After breakfast we check out of our hotel and head to our next destination of Colmar.
Once there, we take a guided walking tour of the city where we will discover the history of its various quarters and take in the highlights such as the Maison des Têtes, the House Pfister, the Old Toll house, and the famous Petite Venise, the former fishmonger’s district.
Walking tour duration approx. 1hr30mins
Afterwards we have free time to further explore the amazing city or alternatively can visit the Unterlinden Museum which is housed in a former Dominican convent founded in 1232 on the place “Unterlinden” or “Under the Linden”. The museum houses important collections of Renish sculptures and paintings of the end of the Middle Ages and of the Renaissance. It also has the prestigious altarpiece painted between 1512 and 1516 by Grünewald for the Antonine convent at Issenheim. Entrance and guided visit (1hr, fee EUR 23.00).
The Gouverneur Hotel is ideally located in the heart of the town of Obernai, in the Alsation region. The property is 400 yards from Saints Pierre et Paul Church. Hotel is authentic mansion with spacious, comfortable rooms. The inner courtyard of the hotel is picturesque with many decorative pots of geraniums.
The hotel offers free WiFi access, Bar/lounge, 24-hour room service, Terrace, Library, Front desk safe, Meeting room
The guest rooms are all soundproofed and individually decorated. All rooms have a private bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer. They surround a central courtyard.
Note: there is no lift to get from Reception/ ground floor to floor above.
Frequently Asked Questions
The transfer from the airport to the hotel is approximately 1hr
A reasonable level of fitness/mobility is required as we include plenty of sightseeing/travelling
The order of the itinerary and events may be subject to change
There is often confusion on the question of gratuities, since it frequently depends on the type of holiday, location and, of course, your attitude towards tipping, as to what is normally expected. In order to give you a rough idea, we have given appropriate guidance below. Your Tour Leader will be on hand to offer advice or suggestions if required but gratuities are offered entirely at the sole discretion of the individual. We suggest a group collection to cover drivers, porters and hotel staff of €20.00. Your Tour Leader will collect this on your behalf and distribute it accordingly, thus relieving you of the burden of who, when and how much to tip. The tipping of housekeeping will be left to your individual discretion (a small amount left in your room on departure should cover this and would be much appreciated). As is customary, ‘the hat’ will be passed around for the driver and guide on all optional excursions. For any meals that are not included in your itinerary, or taxi fares, your Tour Leader can advise of an appropriate add on.
Be sure to pack suitable clothing for the time of the year and the climate of your destination. We also advise you to take a sturdy, comfortable pair of shoes, especially for daytime activities or excursions, as some tours may involve walking over cobblestones or other uneven surfaces.
Passport and visas
To enter France your passport must meet 2 requirements. It must be:
Check both the issue date and the expiry date in your passport. If you renewed your passport early, extra months may have been added to its expiry date. This could affect the requirement for your passport to be less than 10 years old.
Euro
Average Temperatures
| Month(s) | Highest temperature | Lowest temperature |
|---|---|---|
| July | 26 °C | 15 °C |
| August | 26 °C | 15 °C |
| September | 21 °C | 11 °C |
| October | 16 °C | 8 °C |
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