ACTIVE JOURNEYS Tel: (416) 236-5011 or 1-800-597-5594 Fax: (416) 236-4790 E-mail: [email protected] Independent Hiking Holiday Champagne Trails, France France is well known for being a leader in wine production, and this walking tour takes you through several vineyards and villages where the nectar originates. The southern hills of Epernay are awash in gothic churches and towering chateaus, and are the perfect starting point for your one-week walking adventure. The next day is spent strolling along the Marne riverbanks admiring the charm of the local villages enroute. The remainder of your travels provides many scenic options that include the Verzenay windmill and lighthouse. An interesting walk takes you through the famous 'Faux de Verzy' forest with its twisted beech trees of knotted and deformed trunks. It's quite a unique phenomenon. Of course, there is plenty of time to sample the local wine and delicacies while marveling at the gothic art specific to the region. ABOUT THE TOUR LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY This is considered to be a moderate to intermediate tour. You hike from 3 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. ITINERARY Day 1: Arrival in EPERNAY. Visit of the capital of Champagne. 1 Day 2:LE MESNIL SUR OGER – EPERNAY (21 km). Transfer by taxi to Le Mesnil-sur-Oger on the Cote des Blancs. As you walk through the vine-covered slopes you will pass small charming winegrowing villages as Oger, Avize, Cramant with beautiful old churches, wash houses, fountains. Then you continue your walk through the southern hills of Epernay (Coteaux d’Epernay) passing the villages of Monthelon, Chavot-Courcourt with its classified 13th century church on a feudal mount, Moussy, Piercy and its 18th century chateau, before arriving to Epernay. Day 3: CHATILLON SUR MARNE – HAUTVILLERS (22 km). Transfer by taxi to Chatillon in the heart of the Marne valley. You go down to the Marne banks passing the Binson priory and the Notre-Dame-des-Vignes statue. Then you walk along the river to the Reuil village and make your way through the vineyards to the villages of Trincourt, Venteuil, and Arty before descending to the pretty riverside one of Damery. Your walk continues through the vines to Cumieres and Hautvillers, birthplace of champagne - transfer back to Epernay by taxi . Day 4: AY – AMBONNAY (23 km). Transfer by taxi to Ay. After discovering the village, you walk to the village of Mutigny located on a hillside between vines and a nearby forest. Then you pass Avenay-Val- d'Or, Fontaine-sur-Ay and Bouzy (famous village for its red wines) before reaching Ambonnay with its classified church of the early gothic. You will stay in a family-run v illage hotel that boasts an excellent restaurant where you enjoy a Champagne cooking . Day 5: MAILLY CHAMPAGNE – AMBONNAY (19 km). Transfer by taxi to Mailly- Champagne along the "Montagne de Reims". After leaving Mailly- Champagne, you walk through the vineyards to the Verzenay windmill and the Verzenay lighthouse museum of the vineyards (the lighthouse was built in 2 1909 by a wine-merchant for the purpose of advertising). Continuing your way you reach Verzy and walk through the forest to admire the panorama of Mount Sinaï and the famous "Faux de Verzy" twisted beech trees with knotted and deformed trunks. It’s a unique phenomenon and we don’t know its origins. You continue through the forest to the village of Trepail before heading back to . Day 6: LUDES – JOUY LES REIMS (21 km). Transfer by taxi to the Ludes village .You cross Ludes (vestiges of a castle, old church) home of the famous Canard-Duchêne Champagne House. You continue your way through the vineyards passing some pretty villages as Chigny-les-Roses, Rilly-la-Montagne, Chamery, Ecueil and its 12th century church overlooking the village. Then you head to Ville-Dommange and the beautiful chapel of Lié on the top of a hill dominating Jouy. Afterwards, a taxi transfers you to Reims. Day 7: REIMS. Take an exploring stroll through Reims between gothic art and Champagne. Reims, the city of French kings' coronations, Clovis’ baptism and Champagne Houses offers her visitors prestigious sights and Numerous famous Champagne houses are located in Reims (Lanson, Mumm, Ruinart, Taittinger…) you can visit them . Day 8: REIMS. End of the walking tour after breakfast. This tour includes: Accommodation: 7 nights hotels, all rooms with private facilities 3 gourmet dinners (drinks excluded) and 6 breakfasts Luggage transfer between the hotels The road book with detailed itinerary with daily maps Transfers by taxi: Epernay-Le Mesnil sur Oger (D2), Epernay-Chatillon & Hautvillers-Epernay (D3), Epernay- Ay (D4) Ambonnay-Mailly (D5) Ambonnay- Ludes & Lié chapel-Reims (D6) Taxes and service charges TOUR LOGISTICS ACCESS: The closest international airport is Paris, where you can take a train to Epernay and back to Paris from Reims. TRIP DETAILS SELF GUIDED HIKING DATES: Daily from April to October COST: $1595 per person Standard or $1995 Superior SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $425 standard $675 superior GRADE: Moderate with Intermediate options LENGTH: 8 days/7 nights INCLUDES: Hotels, Breakfasts, and 3 dinners & luggage transfers, route notes STARTS/ENDS: Epernay/Reims Note: Itinerary and price subject to change 29-Jan-09 LD 3.