Compare Castles & Christmas Markets of Alsace by Girls' Guide to Paris vs Flavours of Europe - End Paris, Small Group by Insight Vacations
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5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 7 days | 10 days |
| Price From | $ 4,295 | $ 3,850 |
| Price Per Day | $ 614 | $ 385 |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Luxury | Premium |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Airfare included |
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| Description |
When you were little did you ever dream of a true winter wonderland, a Christmas fantasy where elves were busy working on your toys? Now you are grown up and all that is forgotten but there is a place where that sense of Christmas magic can still be found. That place is the Alsace region of France, home of Castles, Rieslings, the Vosges mountains and charming Christmas markets. During this festive adventure we'll also get to experience the seasonal wonderland of Basil Switzerland just across the border. Medieval castles, storybook villages, twinkly lights and hearty meals will inspire and transport you and set you in the mood of the season. Nothing quite equals the Christmas mood as what you find in the Alsace and Switzerland, with its lights, markets, mulled wine and music. We will plunge into this special atmosphere in style, mixing historic visits of castles, luxury accommodation and authentic cuisine off the beaten track. While Paris boasts of its brasseries, and Provence its cafes, Alsace has its winstubes which are cozy wine bars, with tiled stoves, carved chairs and hearty fare. |
Take your taste buds on the Flavors of Europe guided tour as local experts help hand pick your menus across Rome, Florence and Cinque Terre. Get a private view of the normally off limits Bramante Staircase and Michelangelo's epic Sistine Chapel on your VIP Vatican City tour, with fast track access to cut the lines. See Florence through the eyes of your local expert and marvel at the green marble of the Duomo, before a boat whisks you to the crown jewel of the Italian Riviera, Cinque Terre. Enjoy an ocean fresh, Sea-to-Table lunch in Monterosso before adventuring through the snow-capped Swiss Alps to the lush surrounds of Lake Lucerne. Paris rounds out the vacation with a Celebration Dinner at world renowned restaurant, La Coupole. |
Day 1 – December 2nd, Wednesday
Accommodation: Le Parc Hotel
Arrive in Strasbourg, either via train (under two hours from Paris) or by plane (easy connections via Paris).
Our first stay will be at a stunning 4 star spa hotel in the charming town of Obernai located just 20 minutes from Strasbourg. Depending on your arrival time, you will be able to enjoy some quality spa time to acclimate and settle after your travels.
For our first evening, we’ll visit the local Christmas market for a little walk and shop and then enjoy a cozy authentic dinner in the hotel’s Winstube.
Day 2 – December 3rd, Thursday
Accommodation: Le Parc Hotel
What better place to start our day than with a medieval castle? We’ll visit Haut-Koenigsbourg which dates back to 1147 and boasts turrets from which one can look out as far as the black forest. Each room has some element that is dressed up for Christmas.
We’ll enjoy a simple satisfying lunch in the quirky and delightful Taverne du Château on the property which has a cute souvenir shop which you can peruse while waiting for your meal.
After lunch we’ll visit the bucolic towns of Riquewher and Ribeauville that inspired Beauty and the Beast. They both have markets and ambience galore.
We’ll return to our hotel in the late afternoon, in time to have another dip in the delightful pools of the hotel before a gourmet dinner at the gastronomic restaurant at the hotel.
Day 3 – December 4th, Friday
Accommodation: Krafft Hotel
Today we’ll check-out of the hotel and head to the mountains to visit one of the most picturesque villages in France, Kaysersberg. Here, we’ll stroll through the paved winding streets lined with charming half-timbered buildings and then enjoy a wine tasting at the world-famous Domaine Weinback winery. After, we’ll have a savory lunch at Flamme and Co. which has reinvented the traditional Alsatian pizzas with a modern twist.
In the afternoon we’ll visit the Eco-museum. This is an open-air museum/village made up of typical Alsatian homes that are 200 years old or more. Here you’ll see craftsman at work, enjoy beautiful, rural, traditional Alsatian Christmas decor and you might even spot Pere Noel riding by on a horse-drawn sleigh. Witness, feel and even taste what life used to be like in Alsace. Christmas comes to this open-air museum with gusto as the houses are festooned with seasonal décor. You’ll smell vin chaud brewing in one of their many hands-on workshops.
Then we’ll cross the border into Switzerland and arrive at our lovely 4-star hotel on the banks of the Rhine. We’ll have time to wander riverfront before having a delicious dinner with a view at the hotel’s prized restaurant.
Day 4 – December 5th, Saturday
Accommodation: Krafft Hotel
Today we’ll explore this enchanting cosmopolitan city with its incredible chocolatiers, charming streets and world-famous museums.
In the morning we’ll take a little boat to the other side of the river, amble up the streets to the glorious Cathedral and the impressive Christmas market in the square that surrounds it.
Basel is the museum city, with the highest concentration of museums of any city, with its crown jewel being the Kunstmuseum where we’ll have a gourmet lunch followed by a trip of its incredible collection of everything from old masters to Picasso and beyond.
Later we’ll have time for some prime shopping and a visit to the scrumptious Läderach Chocolatier.
There’s nothing more swiss than fondue, so tonight we’ll be transported to a Mountain Chalet in the heart of the town to feast on this cheesy delight.
Day 5 – December 6th, Sunday
Accommodation: Hotel Du Dragon
We’ll check-out this morning and head back to France. Our first stop will be Mulhouse, a former factory town that has been re-imagined by artists and artisans. Every year, a special Christmas fabric is made that is unique to that year. We’ll get to view the 2020 fabric and have an opportunity to purchase this as well as other items at their own Christmas market.
Then we’ll head north to the town of Colmar and visit its little Venice, enjoying a lunch at Wistub Brenner.
Afterwards we’ll head to Strasbourg where we’ll stay in the lovely design hotel Hotel du Dragon, a luxury hotel which exudes modern French-Alsatian charm – a quiet oasis steps from the river.
After dropping off our bags, we’ll visit the Historic wine cellar of Strasbourg Hospital, an ancient cellar where you can see the oldest barrel-stored wine in the world and have a trip and tasting.
Tonight we’ll enjoy a traditional Alsatian meal of Choucroute at the cozy and authentic Maison des Tanneurs which overlooks the river in an 16th century setting.
Day 6 – December 7th, Monday
Accommodation: Hotel Du Dragon
We’ll start our day with a two-hour boat trip of Strasbourg where you’ll learn a little bit of history starting from the middle ages to the Neustadt to the modern European institutions.
After a hearty Alsatian lunch, we’ll trip the famous Strasbourg Christmas market, called Christkindelsmärik. This market has been operating near the cathedral in Strasbourg ever year for over 450 years, making it the oldest in Europe. Sip vin chaud (mulled wine) to warm your bones as you shop for loved ones (or yourself). If we get peckish, we’ll nosh on Alsatian specialties that we find at the market from bretzels (pretzels) to tarte flambée, (Alsatian pizza). Whilst shopping, we can also sample some of the unique Alsatian specialties which abound all over the central part of the city.
In Strasbourg it is de rigueur to make a stop inside the enormous Gothic cathedral of Strasbourg, which dates back nearly 1000 years, and light a candle. There will be an option to go up to the top of the church to enjoy a panoramic view of the city.
To cap off our journey together, we’ll reminisce while enjoying the stylish cuisine at Les Haras Brasserie.
Afterwards we’ll view the lights on the 100 ft. Christmas tree, which is placed in the Place Kléber before heading back for a relaxing rest.
Day 7 – December 8th, Tuesday
Sadly, it’s time to head home, or onwards, either by train or by plane, but first we’ll have a hearty breakfast together!
Day 1: Welcome to the Eternal City of Rome
Rome is one of the world’s most historic cities, filled with classical antiquities, medieval buildings, renaissance palaces and baroque churches. Transfers to your hotel depart Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport at 09:30, 12:30 and 15:30. Then this extraordinary city is yours to discover.At 18:00, join your Travel Director for a Welcome Reception and enjoy the opportunity to mingle and get to know your fellow travellers.
Hotel Mediterraneo, Rome.
Dinner with Wine
Day 2: Rome with the locals Relaxed Start
Rome is about art, antiquity, piazzas and pizzazz, and your morning walking tour with a Local Expert includes this in abundance. Toss a coin into the spectacular Trevi Fountain and see the best-preserved monument from the Roman period - the Pantheon, before enjoying free time to do as the Romans do, in Piazza Navona. Perhaps join a tour inside the Colosseum, the scene of many gladiatorial contests, and see the Roman Forum?
Hotel Mediterraneo, Rome.
Breakfast
Day 3: The Vatican and Florence
Start the day with your Local Expert they introduce you to the grandeur of the city, starting with the Vatican State, the richest community in the world. Visit the Vatican Museums, full of priceless treasures collected by the Popes. Insight provides special priority entry to avoid the crowds and behind-the-scenes access to the Bramante Staircase - a marvel of Renaissance architecture normally off-limits to the general public. Once inside the Sistine Chapel, admire Michelangelo's famous ceiling. Next door, visit St. Peter's Basilica to admire Michelangelo's emotive 'Pieta' and see Bernini's intricately carved Papal Altar. Your travels continue with a drive to the Chianti Hills, to arrive at the city of Florence. A Local Expert will accompany you to the Duomo, where the Gates of Paradise adorn the baptistery. Continue to Piazza della Signoria, the political heart of the city. Lined with fountains and statues, it acts as an open-air gallery of Renaissance masterpieces. Take time to gaze at Neptune and David as you explore the historic city center.
Hotel Adler Cavalieri, Florence.
Breakfast
Day 4: The Cinque Terre and Italian Riviera
The famous Italian Riviera and the Cinque Terre are a highlight of your journey. Explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Italy’s most beautiful landscapes. With a Local Expert, appreciate the views as you approach one of the picturesque fishing villages by boat (weather permitting). Please note that the cruise is weather dependent. Spend time exploring the old medieval quarter or the popular sandy beach. Savour authentic Italian cuisine with a delicious Sea-to-Table lunch at Ristorante Da Ely in Monterosso. Continue by train to Levanto, then on to your resort in Rapallo.
Grand Hotel Bristol Resort & Spa, Rapallo.
Breakfast, Lunch with Wine
Day 5: Across the Alps to Lucerne
Pass Milan as you head north for the Italian Lake District via Lake Lugano. Continue into the heart of the Swiss Alps, passing through the Saint Gotthard Tunnel, one of the longest road tunnels in the world. Travel alongside towering mountains and past rushing torrents, down to scenic Lake Lucerne, where you are at leisure for the rest of the afternoon.
Renaissance Lucerne Hotel.
Breakfast
Day 6: Lucerne’s Lakes, Mountains and Lion
In the morning, embark on a scenic journey by funicular railway and open-top cable car to the summit of the stunning Mount Stanserhorn. Take in the pristine mountain air and, on a clear day, witness views as far as Alsace and the Black Forest in Germany. Explore Mount Stanserhorn with Insight Choice. Choose to take a walk along beautiful scenic pathways for a chance to see marmots and other native animals. Alternatively, join a MAKE TRAVEL® Experience and listen to a conservation talk by a Swiss ranger, to learn about local wildlife and flora. Upon return to Lucerne, see the town's proud Lion Monument, carved into a limestone cliff and dedicated to the heroic Swiss Guards who died defending King Louis XVI during the French Revolution. Then, take some time to stroll across the covered Chapel Bridge and see the baroque Jesuit church. The rest of the day is at leisure to shop for fine watches and delectable chocolates. Tonight, enjoy a fine selection of restaurants to choose from for your Dine-Around Evening.
Renaissance Lucerne Hotel.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 7: Sights and delights of Paris
Journey through the rural French countryside of Burgundy, famous for its vineyards and wines, to arrive in the vibrant City of Light. During your time in Paris, see the impressive Eiffel Tower, the magnificent Notre-Dame Cathedral and the imposing facades of the Louvre. Discover the banks of the Seine with its many romantic bridges, see the obelisk in the centre of the Place de la Concorde and drive along the Champs Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe. With the evening free, there are countless opportunities to enjoy the lively atmosphere of this glittering city. Why not visit one of the world-famous cabaret shows?
Le Méridien Etoile, Paris.
Breakfast
Day 8: The food and flavours of Paris
Start your day with an Insight Choice. Choose to shop in quaint boutiques like a true Parisian with your Local Expert. Alternatively, join an avid foodie to explore small shops and sample local treats and delicacies. In the evening, indulge in refined French cuisine during your Celebration Dinner at the iconic restaurant La Coupole, frequently visited by the French entertainer Josephine Baker.
Le Méridien Etoile, Paris.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 9: Au Revoir Paris
Bid farewell to your travelling companions as your journey comes to an end. Transfers arrive at Charles de Gaulle Airport at 08:00 and 11:00.
Breakfast
