Strasbourg & The Alsace by train - 5 days from £599

Accommodation

Best Western Monopole-Métropole (3-Star) 4 nights.

Conveniently located within walking distance of the TGV train station and Strasbourg’s La Petite France district. Hotel amenities include bar, lounge, breakfast room and lift. The comfortably furnished bedrooms feature private facilities, air conditioning, mini bar, hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities.

Itinerary

Day 1: UK/Strasbourg

Begin your rail experience by joining Eurostar at St. Pancras or Ebbsfleet for the relaxing journey to Paris Gare du Nord, from where you’ll transfer to Paris Gare de l’Est to catch the TGV service to Strasbourg. Once here you can settle into your comfortable hotel – home for the next four nights.

Days 2 - 4: Strasbourg

With its monumental cathedral featuring carvings as delicate as any piece of lacework, Strasbourg is one of Europe’s most attractive cities. Steeped in heritage, Strasbourg’s town centre, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is just waiting to be explored. Make your own discoveries as you wander through the city’s delightful streets and explore Le Petite France, the popular corner of the Grand Île where the river divides into canals and cascades through an area of half-timbered houses.

Join your Tour Manager to take a walking tour through the picturesque old quarter, starting at one of the city’s famous landmarks, the Notre Dame Cathedral. There will be plenty of time to soak up the atmosphere in the beautiful streets or take to the river with a boat trip through the city’s pretty network of canals – a great way to see the sights in style.

To see the best of the surrounding area we have included a visit to Colmar, home to Frédéric Bartholdi, the creator of the iconic Statue of Liberty in New York City. This is a town of beautifully restored half-timbered medieval buildings and a distinct German air. Your journey around this stunning region continues to Kaysersberg, which is reputed to be one of the prettiest cities on the Alsace Wine Road. You’ll be impressed by the imposing 12th century hillside fortress, a reminder of the city’s strategic importance and its warlike past.

Take the opportunity to explore the Alsace Wine Road further on our optional excursion in the company of your Tour Manager, beginning at Gertwiller to visit a traditional Alsace gingerbread shop where the delicious smells and pretty designs are just too tempting to resist. After indulging your sweet tooth, travel past Chateau Haut Koenigsbourg and Ribeauville, a delightful wine-producing village, before arriving at the wine cellars of Zellenberg for a tasting of the fantastic local vintages, virtually unchanged since the 16th century. Famous for its Riesling, this spectacular setting is still protected by its impressive city walls. The famous Alsace Wine Route, or Route du Vin as it’s known locally, takes you through stunning scenery and past some of the best vineyards in the region – it’s a sight not to be missed.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 5: Paris/UK

It’s time to leave your hotel to board the TGV service to Paris where you will transfer to Eurostar for the return journey to the UK.