Charming Cultural Tour of Northeastern France

Today, your tour will renew in earnest as you depart Switzerland's second-largest city and make your way across the French-Swiss border to the picturesque beauty of Colmar. As your coach pulls into the main train station that serves Colmar, you will be greeted by a convenient transfer who will carry you to your conveniently located hotel before having the remainder of the day to explore at your leisure. From the charming squares and churches to the numerous canals, Colmar will be a wonderful base for you to explore the town that earned the nickname of Little Venice.

In the city center of Colmar, if you tilt your head and squint just right, it can look like you have stepped into the 15th century with half-timbered houses of pastel colors, dark cobblestone lanes, and bridge-laced canals. This vibrant and rustic appearance is just one of many qualities that keep travelers returning year after year. Today, you will be able to celebrate your first full day in Colmar with a walking tour of its old town. On this tour, the illustrious history and culture of the Alsace Lorraine region of France will come to life with medieval character.

One of the most charming aspects of the Alsace region of France is the abundance of quality wine that is produced here as well as the proud regional identity presented in its numerous villages and communities. You will step into this world today on a guided tour of the Pays de Barr, where abandoned castles, boutique wineries, and fairytale villages will be yours to enjoy and explore. From Mittelbergheim to Ribeauville, you will witness a side of rural France that is missed by many while village-hopping your way through this romantic landscape.

To see a rare side of Colmar, you can rise with the sun and watch as dawn extends across the pastel facades of the town. At this time, few will be about, and you will be able to enjoy a secluded start to the day before returning to your hotel for breakfast. A landmark in French wine traditions, the wineries of Alsace Lorraine produce some of the country's finest blends. Today, you will visit the vineyards and wineries of the Noble Valley, where you can see how this savory heritage is practiced with a private tour.

For your final day in Colmar, you will embark on a day trip to the nearby capital of Munster cheese in the heart of the Vosges Mountains. Munster Valley has long been a center of agricultural production. Today, you will step into the rural and scenic world with a knowledgeable guide who will answer all of your questions. From the charming village of Turckheim to a boutique winery and dairy farm, you will be able to sample the local ingredients that help put this valley on the map in regard to French cuisine.

The close presence of Germany is widely evident in the architecture and culture of Strasbourg. Today, you will be able to witness this multicultural city at its finest. After an authentic French breakfast in Colmar, you will board one of the many convenient regional trains and make your way to Strasbourg, where you will celebrate your arrival with a guided walking tour of the town. During your walking tour, you can shake off any travel fatigue with scenic views of the Rhine river and main cathedral.

The idiosyncratic character of Alsace will continue when you wake up to the idyllic ambiance of Strasbourg and a hearty French breakfast. Today, the strictly Alsatian tradition of winemaking will be yours to enjoy on a guided wine excursion through the vineyards, rustic wineries, and secret villages of this charming landscape. As you sample the local vintages, you can unleash your curiosity on your local guide, who will ensure that the history of the areas you pass through are presented with ease and charisma. Your day will end with a delicious tasting of the specialty of Kougelhopf, a regional cake proudly baked by locals.

Today, you will turn your back on the cultural charm of Strasbourg and make your way to Nancy and the capital of the French region of Meurthe-et-Moselle. After the rustic charm of the Alsace countryside, the elegance of Nancy's city center will be a refreshing change of pace. Upon your arrival by way of convenient transfer, you will be able to settle in to your hotel before stretching your legs on an Art Nouveau walking tour of the old town. This guided excursion will provide you with an excellent orientation to the city, and, at its conclusion, you will have the rest of the day at your leisure.

Your adventure through Northern France will continue today when you depart Nancy and make your way to your final destination of Reims. After a leisurely morning, you will depart Nancy by train and make your way through some of the country's most breathtaking landscapes. You should try to secure a window seat for the trip because you will not want to miss the rolling hills, lush woodlands, and fertile farmlands of the Champagne wine-growing region. Upon your arrival to Reims, you will have the remainder of the day to unwind and choose how to enjoy yourself.

Your first morning in Reims will be an excellent opportunity to take to the streets of the city early to avoid the crowds and begin your exploration of France's Coronation City. After a brief orientation in the city center, you will embark on a tour of the vineyards and wineries that texture the countryside. As you bask in the rural ambiance of an operating vineyard, you can descend into the cavernous depths of a wine cellar and allow the tasty champagne flow across your palette. During this experience, the true significance of the Veuve Clicquot region will be yours to enjoy.

Your exploration of the viticultural traditions of Northern France will continue when your taste buds lead you on a champagne tour of the Grand Est region to enjoy a privileged perspective of Epernay. Your day will begin with a tasting at a world-renowned champagne house before you make your way the UNESCO-listed Avenue of Champagne in Epernay. Here, the tradition of bubbly is proudly displayed. The remainder of the day will be spent at boutique vineyards that each present their own take on the regional specialty, during which your knowledge of champagne will be greatly enhanced.

From Zurich to Reims, this tour of Northeastern France will have left no stone unturned in each of the regions you enjoyed. It is not uncommon to experience some reluctance at the thought of having to depart this storybook setting. After a final breakfast from your hotel staff, a private transfer will ensure your timely departure from the nearby airport.