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

Tour code:

W08AS

Recommended For:

Singles

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

This tour is no longer available

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

Itinerary

Expand All
Day 1 : Arrive At 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: Riquewihr, Bergheim
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)

  • Luggage transfers between hotels

  • Route notes and maps provided

  • Meals

    9 breakfasts, 0 lunches, 0 dinners.

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.

Reviews of this Operator

Gergana Racheva  

Very helpful and prompt service

06-Jan-2023

Very helpful and prompt service. I called to check for an already booked trip and once we sorted this, the agent was ready to help me with another booking as well. He actually waited for me to book my flight tickets, answered all my questions, informed me of all my options. Exodus is a tour company I am using regularly due to the quality of their trips, ease of booking and helpfulness of their customer service team

Trustpilot
Tim Hardy  

Stunning walking. Walking the Amalfi Coast

04-Nov-2021

This trip takes you through the most beautiful parts of the Mediterranean walking with a guide and also discovering the wonders of Pompeii and Vesuvius. The hotel had a nice feel as family run, spotless and comfortable rooms, we were well looked after for breakfasts and dinner each day, and the barmen fixed some mean cocktails for us.!

Paul Green  

It's amazing what you can do in a week! Cycling the Dalmatian Coast.

08-Oct-2021

This holiday was extremely enjoyable. The itinerary is well planned and the route takes you to a variety of destinations. Not having been to Croatia before I didn't know there were so many beautiful small islands and I loved the ferry and catarmaran rides. The coastal route we took was dramatic and the World Heritage sites in Split and Dubrovnik very interesting and worth visiting. The Adriatic Sea was warm, blue and inviting, good for swimming even in October. The hotels we stayed in varied in size from medium to large. I particularly liked the one just outside Dubrovnik as I had a sea view. Tourists were plentiful in Split and Dubrovnik but in the other places we stayed there was an end of season feel and it was quiet on the roads and in the resorts. The food was good and our guide was always able to recommend a nice restaurant for our evening meal. The weather in October was good for cycling - not hot, partly cloudy most days and one day it rained!

Mrs Y Morrison  

Fabulous company and trip

06-Jan-2023

We went overland from Cape Town to Zimbabwe through Botswana and Namibia. What a fantastic trip. Our first time with Exodus although we have travelled extensively around the world. We would highly recommend this company for such a brilliant trip - we got everything and more all at a good price. Thanks to everyone involved. We are looking at our next trip!

Trustpilot
John Edwards (Google Reviewer)  

I went cycling in Albania...

19-Aug-2023

I went cycling in Albania with exodus as my first holiday with them. Such a well organised and wonderful experience where I met multiple fellow travellers who have been advocates of them for many years. You can't argue with happy repeat customers and I'm planning my next adventure with them soon

Rob Burridge (Google Reviewer)  

I'v just come back from...

17-Jul-2022

I'v just come back from an amazing Wildlife & Wilderness trip in Botswana and I highly recommend Exodus Travels. Our guide Brian, was extremely knowledgeable on both the wildlife and history of Botswana and neighbouring countries. The other three staff, Abbis, Chief & Mr T, who accompanied us through out our 2 week trip, put in the hard work and made sure our camp was always prepared and that we we're well fed and looked after. The tour took us to some beautiful places and we saw some amazing wildlife, and on several occasions this was due to Brian's knowledge of the area and wildlife behaviour. Exodus have been very quick to respond to any queries I had, and the whole experience ran smoothly. I was also pleased to hear that during lockdown they provided staff with food packages 👍. I'd normally go on self organised trips, however, with this trip, the tour and guide Brian took us to places not possible otherwise and showed us things that we would'v missed out on. All of which were the highlights of the tour.

Daphne Partridge (Google Reviewer)  

After 14 roup adventure holidays...

26-Nov-2023

After 14 roup adventure holidays with Exofus we would not hesitate to recommend them as an excitingholiday company. They take you off the beaten track but offer great support and expertise :)

Alison Payton (Google Reviewer)  

I've done 8 trips in...

17-May-2023

I've done 8 trips in the last 14 years with Exodus, and have been rewarded with a 10% discount on all future bookings. I feel very confident that I'll receive pleasant, efficient service, and have the unusual holiday experience that I'm looking for each time. I've trekked to the top of snow-capped peaks, wild-camped in the desert, seen amazing spectacles of nature, visited 4 capital cities in a week, and learned about local culture and experienced local hospitality in a way that I simply wouldn't on a conventional holiday. The quality of the accommodation and guides can vary, but this is mainly down to cultural differences and things that Exodus can't control. I've only ever complained once, my complaint was taken seriously, and I was sent a discount voucher - you can't say fairer than that. I remain a loyal customer.

Jacquelyn Moore (Google Reviewer)  

Food came quickly. Staff very...

07-Mar-2024

Food came quickly. Staff very friendly and polite . However the chef or person preparing the food did not seem to read the menu! If it says a meal should come with vegetables, you should not have to ask for them. They served shepherds pie with garlic bread! The munchies ice cream sundae said it should come in a glass with a flake but came in a little bowl with just a few munchies! When asking the staff were happy to replace and correct but customer should get what they order and what menu says first time round!!

johanna leonor (Google Reviewer)  

If you like to be...

07-Sep-2023

If you like to be mistreated Exodus is perfect for you. If you enjoy terrible choices for hotels and pseudo restaurants Exodus is perfect for you. Careless about their clients and loveless about their propositions. Exodus has been a dissatisfaction and disappointment about every dealing i and my group have had with him. Especially a man called Simone who just cares about the money he can get from you couldn’t care less about service.

Book with Confidence

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Exodus allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus, 43 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Exodus requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

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

    Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

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