6 Days • 5 Nights
Alsace & Champagne: Villages and Bubbles
Tour Includes
About the Trip
You'll wander the canals of Strasbourg and the picture-perfect lanes of Colmar, follow the Alsace Wine Route through hilltop villages, then travel to Champagne to descend into chalk cellars at Reims and Epernay and raise a glass where the bubbles were born. Cathedrals, cellars and cosy winstubs fill the days.
With charming hotels and expert guides, it is one of the most enchanting corners of France, especially magical when the Christmas markets glow in December.
Trip Highlights
- The canals and cathedral of Strasbourg
- The fairy-tale old town of Colmar and Little Venice
- The Alsace Wine Route and its hilltop villages
- The Gothic coronation cathedral of Reims
- Champagne cellar visits and tastings in Reims and Epernay
- The grand Avenue de Champagne at Epernay
- Five nights across Alsace and Champagne
- Daily breakfast, a welcome Alsatian dinner and a Champagne tasting lunch
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 6-day journey.
Arrive in Strasbourg, the graceful capital of Alsace where France meets Germany. Settle in and enjoy a welcome dinner of hearty Alsatian flavours.
A guided tour of Strasbourg's soaring cathedral and the canal-laced Petite France quarter, with a boat ride and time among the timbered houses and squares.
Follow the Wine Route through flower-decked villages such as Riquewihr and Eguisheim, tasting crisp Alsace wines, ending in enchanting Colmar with its Little Venice canals.
A morning in Colmar's fairy-tale old town, then travel west to Champagne and the city of Reims, gateway to the world's most famous sparkling wine.
Tour Reims's magnificent coronation cathedral, then descend into the chalk cellars of a great Champagne house for a tasting, with a cellar lunch among the bubbles.
Drive the grand Avenue de Champagne at Epernay, lined with the great houses, for a final tasting before your onward journey toward Paris.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- Private arrival and departure transfers
- 5 nights across Strasbourg, Colmar and Reims
- Daily breakfast, a welcome Alsatian dinner and a Champagne-country tasting lunch
- A guided Strasbourg city tour with the cathedral
- An Alsace Wine Route villages day and a Colmar visit
- A guided Reims tour with the coronation cathedral
- Champagne cellar visits and tastings in Reims and Epernay
- Local guides and a comfortable touring vehicle
Exclusions
- International airfare to and from France
- Schengen visa or ETIAS fees
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- City tourist tax (taxe de sejour), payable at your hotels
- Optional excursions, experiences and upgrades
- Personal expenses, tips and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa: Non-EU visitors generally need a Schengen visa, and many visa-exempt nationalities will need the EU's ETIAS travel authorisation. Your passport should be valid at least three months beyond your stay — we can point you in the right direction
- Language: French is the language, and a warm bonjour and merci go a long way. English is widely understood in hotels and tourist areas
- Currency: The currency is the euro. Cards are accepted almost everywhere; carry a little cash for markets, small cafes and tips
- Tipping: Service is included by law, so tipping is not expected. Rounding up or leaving small change for good service is a kind gesture
- Best seasons: France is wonderful year-round. Spring and early autumn are ideal for touring, summer is warm and lively, and Provence and the Riviera shine from May to September
- Etiquette: Dress a little smartly for dinner, and cover shoulders and knees inside churches. A greeting when entering shops is always appreciated
- Getting around: France's TGV high-speed trains connect cities beautifully, and some legs of your tour may travel by comfortable, scenic rail
- Meal times: Lunch runs roughly noon to 2pm and dinner from about 7:30pm. Many kitchens close between services, so we time meals to suit
- Museum closures: Many museums close one day a week — the Louvre on Tuesdays, Versailles on Mondays — and your itinerary is arranged around this
- Safety: France is safe, but as in any big city keep an eye on your belongings on the Paris metro and at busy attractions
Frequently Asked Questions
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included throughout, along with a welcome dinner and the specific lunches and dinners named in the itinerary, such as a wine-country lunch or a Riviera dinner. Other meals are left free so you can enjoy France's superb restaurants and cafes.
Are transfers and touring arranged?
Yes — your sightseeing, transfers and day tours are arranged with local guides, so there are no logistics to worry about.
Do I need a visa for France?
Most non-EU visitors need a Schengen visa or the ETIAS authorisation. We can guide you to the right one for your nationality.
When is the best time to visit?
Spring (April-June) and early autumn (September-October) are ideal for touring, with mild weather and fewer crowds. Provence and the Riviera are at their best from May to September.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. Durations, hotels and experiences can all be tailored, and we can extend your stay or combine regions. Just tell us what you have in mind.
How do we travel between cities?
Depending on the route, you travel by comfortable private vehicle or by France's excellent TGV high-speed trains, all arranged for you.
When are the Christmas markets on?
Alsace's famous Christmas markets, especially in Strasbourg and Colmar, run from late November to late December and are utterly magical, though the villages charm year-round.
How far is Champagne from Alsace?
It is a scenic few hours' drive west, and Reims is under an hour from Paris by TGV, making this a natural loop back toward the capital.
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