ACTIVE JOURNEYS Tel: (416) 236-5011 or 1-800-597-5594 Fax: (416) 236-4790 E-mail: [email protected]

Independent Hiking Holiday

Alsace Wine Trails, The warm and sunny climate in makes this destination nearly picture-perfect for an active holiday. A visit to this region is more than just a vacation; it is a journey back in time. Discover ruined castes, taste wines from centuries-old vineyards, and savor the fine food. Explore gothic churches and friendly villages snuggled in the heart of lush green valleys. Alsace has a unique French German heritage that is evident in every part of life. A highlight of this trip is the beautiful town of , with its medieval architecture, sculptured gables and fairytale houses.

ABOUT THE TOUR LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY This is considered to be a moderate to intermediate tour. You hike from 4 to 6 hours per day on well-marked trails. Some of the stages are steep, but very manageable for those with a good fitness level and some hiking experience. Most trails are country lanes and well-marked trails through a variety of scenery. There are both uphill and downhill sections to challenge you.

ABOUT INDEPENDENT HOLIDAYS: On an independent holiday you explore the region at liberty. These holidays offer all the pleasure of walking point to point. Hike on trails through changing scenery. Arrive at a new destination each day without the hassle of carrying a backpack. Daily distances are moderate which allows you to walk at your own pace and enjoy the countryside. Our detailed route notes and up-to-date maps combined with the official marker posts ensure you enjoy your tour without the worry of finding the routes.

ACCOMMODATION & MEALS: The hotels on this trip are 3-star category, and have ensuite facilities. You stay at a variety of hotels along the route, some with pools. Picnic lunches are not included in the tour cost, but can be ordered from the hotels or purchased en route.

Local food and wine: Grape varieties include Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Muscat, gewürztraminer and pinot Gris. Styles range from deliciously dry to decadently sweet. Alsace cooking tends to combine the brash ruggedness of German cuisine with the delicate finesse of French,

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ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrival at . This charming small town, one of the most beautiful in Alsace, preserved a large part of its ramparts. Behind them, multicolored half- timbered houses crowd a labyrinth of small lanes.

Day 2: OBERNAI - (15 km – 5.00 hours’ walk). Walk through the vineyards to the typical villages of Bernardwiller and . You reach Barr that is an industrial town and an important wine-growing center. Your next stop is the typical village of clung to the hillside. Then you head to Andlau, nestling in a green valley, that has kept some old houses and the church from a former monastery.

Day 33: ANDLAU - (15 km –5.00 hours’ walk). You walk through the vineyards and pass the wine-growing village of Itterwiller and the small village of . Before getting into Dambach, you walk up to the St Sebastien chapel to get an panoramic view on this large village and head to the village of Scherwiller.

Day 4: SCHERWILLER - RIBEAUVILLE (15 km –5.00 hours’ walk). You walk across the village of Scherwiller along the Aubach River. Through the vineyards, you move to Châtenois, small town that has kept some beautiful buildings You pass in front of numerous flowered fountains and the gothic church of St Hippolyte before reaching Ribeauvillé, typical village with its main street lined with flowered and colored half-timbered houses -

Day 5: RIBEAUVILLE – AMMERSCHIHR or (11 km – 3.45 hours’ walk). You’ll head to , typical village that has preserved some very beautiful monuments. Through the vineyards, you reach the fortified village of , a wine producing medieval village that has been very well preserved. You head to Kaysersberg through the forest or through the vineyards.

Day 6: KAYSESBERG - (18 km – 5.30 hours’ walk). Through the forest and the vineyards you walk to , and Niedermorschwihr and reach , medieval village nestled at the foot of the famous “Brand” vineyards, gate of the lovely Munster valley. Then you head to Eguisheim, passing

2 above the villages of and through the vineyards and the forest. Eguisheim is a lovely fortified village, birthplace of the winegrowing in Alsace.

Day 7: COLMAR. You are transferred by taxi to Colmar for an exploring stroll of the town center, which has kept a medieval Alsatian character. You have to see the old town with numerous old Alsatian houses such as the “Maison Pfister” or the “Koifhus”, former customs house, make a tour through the “Petite Venise” (Little ), the former tanners’ district near the Lauch river. The Unterlinden museum housed in an former monastery is fascinating with important collections of paintings and sculptures from Middle–ages and Renaissance and huge Alsatian popular art and decorative collections showing the life in Alsace in the past centuries –

Day 8: COLMAR. End of the tour is after breakfast.

TOUR LOGISTICS ACCESS: The closest international airport is Basle. However the is TGV from Paris to Strasburg now which is fast and efficient. Then local train service is also available to both destinations if traveling within Europe before or after your tour. Choose to land in where you take a local train to the joining point. Transfers back to Basal or Strasbourg are arranged on the return if required for an additional cost.

TRIP DETAILS

SELF GUIDED HIKING DATES: Daily from April to October

COST: $1675 per person Standard $1850 per person Superior SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $450 or $550 superior

GRADE: Moderate with Intermediate options LENGTH: 8 days/7 nights INCLUDES: Hotels, breakfasts, 5 dinners, luggage transfers, route notes

STARTS/ENDS: Obernai/Colmar

Note: Itinerary and price subject to change

29-Jan-09 LD

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