Step into picturebook France, journeying from the half-timbered houses of Troyes to the canals of Colmar. Guided by an expert tour leader, you’ll discover medieval towns, explore regal châteaux, walk sweeping vineyards and meet winemakers, ready to fill your glass with their premier produce. From first sip to final farewell, this full-bodied adventure is Burgundy and Alsace at their historic, beautiful best, made even richer by our local tour leader’s insider knowledge.
Activity Areas
Culture
New Cultural Holidays
Region & Country & City
France
Included in the Price
- All breakfasts, two lunches, two dinners, two wine tastings, one cheese tasting and one olive oil tasting - All accommodation - All transport and listed activities - Tour leader throughout - Arrival transfer for any flight, group departure transfer available
Not Included In The Price
- Travel insurance - Single accommodation (available on request) - Visas or vaccinations
Accommodation Information
- Accommodation: 5 Premium nights (hotels), 1 Superior night (hotel) - Travel by private minibus and train - Group normally 6 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age: 16
Map
Itinerary
Day 1 Adventure begins in Troyes
Begin your adventure in Troyes, a medieval city in the Champagne region, where ancient half-timbered dwellings and stained-glass windows provide a wonderfully picturesque start to the trip, and a taste of things to come.
Around 6pm, say bonjour to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead.
Your tour leader then ensures a big French welcome by arranging a group dinner.
Want more time in Troyes or Paris? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative.
Accommodation: Hotel de la Poste (or similar)
Day 2 Tour medieval Troyes • AOP cheese tasting in Chaource • Meet wine enthusiasts in Chablis • To Vézelay
Join a local guide this morning for an insider’s tour of Troyes centre, focusing on the glorious half-timbered houses for which the city is known. After, we transfer (35 minutes) to the Fromagerie de Mussy in Chaource, an artisanal cheesemaker who specialises in producing AOP-designated Chaource cheese, for a tour and tasting.
Then drive (45 minutes) to Chablis, where we lunch at a local restaurant, followed by a wine tasting at a local producer and meeting with members of Les Piliers Chablisiens, a brotherhood of wine enthusiasts, who share their group’s heritage and the cultural importance of wine in the region.
Finally, we transfer (45 minutes) to the medieval town of Vézelay, where you have free time to explore.
Accommodation: Hôtel de la Poste et du Lion d'Or (or similar)
Day 3 Explore the Basilica of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine • Wine tasting at Château du Clos de Vougeot • Relax in Dijon
Join a local guide this morning to explore the 12th-century Basilica of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine, a masterpiece of the Romanesque style.
Then transfer (1hr 30min) to Dijon, where you have free time for lunch – your tour leader can make recommendations. After, we jump back into the vehicle and transfer (30 minutes) to Château du Clos de Vougeot, built in the 12th-century by Cistercian monks and now known as one of the premier vineyards in Burgundy. Here, we join an expert to explore the castle and enjoy a wine tasting with three different glasses, before continuing to Dijon, where we have the evening to relax and explore the local restaurant scene.
Accommodation: Maison Philippe le Bon (or similar)
Day 4 Tour the iconic Hospices de Beaune • Food and wine-pairing masterclass in Dijon
We drive (45 minutes) to the Hospices de Beaune this morning. Built as a hospital during the Middle Ages, this magnificent collection of gothic buildings is one of the most important historic monuments in France, while also being renowned for producing exceptional wines, which are sold at auction on the third Sunday in November. Join a local guide to witness the beauty of the buildings and learn all about their history and wine production.
Returning to Dijon, we have a guided tour of the Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie et du Vin, a designated cultural space in the city that combines exhibitions, restaurants and vendors to celebrate the food and wine of the region. Here, we attend a workshop at the École des Vins de Bourgogne to learn the art of food and wine pairing from an expert.
Accommodation: Maison Philippe le Bon (or similar)
Day 5 Explore the canals and cobbled streets of Colmar
Bid adieu to Dijon this morning, as we take the train (1hr 45min) to Colmar, in the Alsace region. Mid-morning, we have a guided tour of this picturesque town of cobbled streets, colourful half-timbered houses, and Renaissance buildings.
It’s also a canal town, earning it the nickname Little Venice, and we take a private boat trip on the waters.
The afternoon is free for you to further explore. Options include exploring Colmar Covered Market by the Lauch River, visiting Unterlinden Museum, part of which is housed in a 13th-century convent, or exploring the Bartholdi Museum, where artist Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, who designed the Statue of Liberty, was born.
Accommodation: Hotel Val-Vignes (or similar)
Day 6 Highlights of the Alsace Wine Route tour
Embark on a drive down the Route des Vins d’Alsace today, passing historic vineyards and medieval villages.
Leaving at 9am, our first stop is Château du Haut-Kœnigsbourg, the largest castle in Alsace, which is gloriously perched high on a rocky plateau. After our tour, we drive to Kientzheim, a wine-growing village founded in the eighth century, where we meet winegrowers to learn about their work and take a 1hr 30min hike through the vineyards.
After lunch at Kientzheim, our return route takes us to the beautiful medieval villages of Riquewihr and Ribeauvillé. At the latter, we visit Maison Trimbach, a celebrated wine producer since 1626, which is now run by the 13th generation of the owning family.
This evening, we have a celebratory farewell dinner at a traditional restaurant in Saint-Hippolyte, an excellent chance to raise a toast to our adventure together.
Accommodation: Hotel Val-Vignes (or similar)
Day 7 Adventure ends in Saint-Hippolyte
You’ve sampled world-leading wines with expert producers, toured grand châteaux, and explored some of the most beautiful towns in Europe, but now it’s time to begin your return journey home.
Alternatively, if you’d like to extend your adventure, speak to your sales representative to discuss our large range of extension options.
