Villages & Vineyards of Alsace, Self-Guided Walk

Villages & Vineyards of Alsace, Self-Guided Walk

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Villages & Vineyards of Alsace, Self-Guided Walk

9 Days Starting and ending in Turckheim

Visiting: Turckheim, Kaysersberg-Vignoble, Riquewihr, Bergheim, Châtenois

Tour operator:

Exodus Adventure Travels

Tour code:

W08AS

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

1 - 6

Physical rating:

Leisurely / Moderate

Age range:

8 to 99

Special diets catered:

Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements

Tour operated in:

English

Activities:

Sightseeing, Trekking, Walking

Tour Overview

This unique part of France provides a fantastic step back in time - an absolute must for the history buff and those who appreciate a good glass of wine. Having been fought over for centuries by Germany and France, this rolling, wine-growing heartland is now heavily characterised by an eclectic mix of cuisine, language, architecture and customs. Pristine German and French cemeteries offer a moving reminder of Alsace's history.

Highlights

  • Try the regional wines

  • Visit romantic castles, Gothic churches, medieval villages; Riquewihr and Colmar, the 'Venice of Alsace'

  • Walk through vineyards, ancient oak forest and unspoilt flower-filled gingerbread villages 

Places You'll See

Villages & Vineyards of Alsace, Self-Guided Walk

Villages & Vineyards of Alsace, Self-Guided Walk

Villages & Vineyards of Alsace, Self-Guided Walk

Villages & Vineyards of Alsace, Self-Guided Walk

Villages & Vineyards of Alsace, Self-Guided Walk

Villages & Vineyards of Alsace, Self-Guided Walk

Villages & Vineyards of Alsace, Self-Guided Walk

Villages & Vineyards of Alsace, Self-Guided Walk

Villages & Vineyards of Alsace, Self-Guided Walk

Villages & Vineyards of Alsace, Self-Guided Walk

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Arrive at Turckheim

Turckheim

Location: Turckheim

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Your first night is spent in a friendly Alsatian hotel in the heart of the
village. With so many restaurants on your doorstep, we've left you free to
choose where to dine this evening.

Day 2 : Turckheim to Kaysersberg

Location: Turckheim, Kaysersberg-Vignoble

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today it's time to explore Turckheim's Renaissance church and mediaeval gate
where storks still nest. Your walk through the vines takes you past
flower-filled Niedermorschwihr and Ammerschwihr where you can taste the local
vintage, Kaefferkopf, in cosy wine cellars. It's then on to the fortified
town of Kaysersberg and your hotel on a quiet cobbled street in the old town.

Two options: 10km/6.5mi/2hr or 21km/14mi/4hr
*Standard hotel*

Day 3 : At Kaysersberg

Location: Kaysersberg-Vignoble

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

In the morning why not stroll up to the ruins of the mediaeval castle for a
bird's eye view over Kaysersberg's half-timbered houses decked with geraniums
along the River Weiss? Afterwards, perhaps follow a valley trail to
Kientzheim or visit Colmar, only 25 minutes by local bus. Known as the
'Venice of Alsace', it's a honeycomb of pretty canals and gorgeous
pastel-coloured houses.
*Standard hotel*

Day 4 : Kaysersberg to Riquewihr

Location: Kaysersberg-Vignoble, Riquewihr

Meals Included: Breakfast

A gentle climb through oak and beech forest leads to Chapelle St Alexis
hidden in the woods and with a great auberge for lunch. Your route then
descends in and out of pine forest and before long, you get your first
glimpses of the showcase of Renaissance houses that earn Riquewihr its
nickname, 'Pearl of the Vineyards'. An easier route through the typically
Alsatian villages of Kientzheim and Sigolsheim take you up to a war memorial
with incredible panoramic views of the Vosges plains, then pick up the Camino
de Santiago into Riquewihr. 

Two options: 11km/7mi/2hr or 12km/7.5mi/3.5hr

Day 5 : At Riquewihr

Location: Riquewihr

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

The town of Riquewihr is so enchanting it's been declared an historic
monument in its entirety. You'll be fascinated by its cobbled alleys,
galleried courtyards, fountains and colourful signboards.
*Standard hotel*

Day 6 : Riquewihr to Bergheim

Location: Bergheim, Riquewihr

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

You pass through the heart of mediaeval Alsace via the Riesling vineyards
nestling at the foot of the mountains. Hunawihr has a fortified church and
stork sanctuary; you'll also find otters, butterflies and orchids in the
reserve. Three ruined castles of the once-powerful Counts of Ribeaupierre
loom overhead as you walk on through the vines to Bergheim.

Two options: 11km/7mi/2hr or 19km/12mi/4hr
*Standard hotel*

Day 7 : At Bergheim

Location: Bergheim

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

This colourful and ancient market town was a mediaeval refuge where criminals
on the run were safe from persecution. There are lots of beautiful
timber-framed houses and a decorated fountain in the old square. Be sure to
take a short taxi ride or do the longer optional walk to the amazing
Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle; it's a gentle downhill walk back too!
*Standard hotel*

Day 8 : Bergheim to Chatenois/Turckheim

Location: Bergheim, Châtenois

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

You continue parallel to the Route des Vins to a poignant WW2 German military
cemetery with panoramic views over the famous restored castle at
Haut-Koenigsbourg. At St-Hippolyte there's a Gothic church and fountain,
while the ruined court of mediaeval Kintzheim Castle is the setting for
spectacular flying displays by birds of prey. At Chatenois, where the walk
finishes, we give you a lift back to Turckheim.
Two options: 12km/7.5mi/2.5hr or 14km/9mi/3hr
*Standard hotel*

Day 9 : Leave Turckheim

Location: Turckheim

Meals Included: Breakfast

If you have pre-booked a transfer, we will take you to Colmar train station
in time for your journey home.

What's Included

  • Walking transfers

  • All breakfasts

  • All accommodation (see accommodation section)

show more

What's Not Included

  • Visa's & vaccinations

  • Travel insurance

  • Single accommodation (available on request - compulsory supplement)

Food

Although traditional Alsatian cuisine is originally a peasant cuisine featuring potatoes, cabbage, beef and pork as the main ingredients, there are now some 30 Michelin starred restaurants in the Alsace region, offering visually spectacular and delicious, locally sourced, dishes. With two ‘starred’ restaurants in Kaysersberg, one in Riquewihr and one in Ammerschwihr, along with several others featured in the Michelin guide, there is plenty of top quality dining to choose from along your route. The cuisine features a lot of different pies, long simmered or stewed dishes like the traditional baeckeoffe. There is also the famous tarte flambée (flammekeuche in Alsatian dialect), a thin dough covered in cream, chopped onions and diced bacon. The influence of German cuisine and food habits is mainly marked in the important consumption of pork products and charcuterie. ‘Winstub’ is a traditional Alsatian restaurant. Originally it was a public space where the Alsatian wine-makers used to come to present and sell their wine. They used to serve traditional simple dishes to their customers, to accompany their tasting.

Accommodation


Check out our Q&As

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes

  • Are children permitted to take part in the tour?

    Age 8+ people can go on this tour.

  • Are vaccinations required for this tour?

    There are no specific health risks.

  • Are airport transfers included in this tour?

    Only Luggage transfers between hotels

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Exodus has been trading since 1974

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.

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Book with Confidence

  • Transfer as credit for future tours

    Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 90 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 120 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.

    Up to 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 89 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 51 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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