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Self-Self -guidedguided Self --guided Bike tour

Vineyards of

French Flair --- German Influence Tour description Alsace is in Eastern France on the River border with Germany. It is unquestionably Day 1 spectacularly beautiful. A very special combination of history, culture, scenery, and espe- Arrive cially the food and wine makes it one of the most delightful places to visit in all of Eu- rope. Day 2 25/35/ To Sélestat 55 km The warm and sunny climate in Alsace makes this destination perfect for an active holi- Day 3 50/55/ day. A visit to this region is a journey back in time where you can discover ruined castles, To 68 km taste wines from centuries-old vineyards, and savour traditional fine foods. Explore gothic churches and friendly villages snuggled in of lush green valleys. Alsace Day 4 65 km has a unique French-German heritage that is evident in every part of life. A highlight of To /Ottmarsheim this trip is the beautiful town of Colmar, with its medieval architecture, sculptured gables and fairytale houses. Day 5 35 km To On the borders of the and Germanic civilisations, Alsace, a region very proud of its Day 6 48 km identity, offers astonishing cultural wealth. A great winemaking region, its white wines To Riquewihr are delicious accompanied with one of the numerous local specialities. A delight for the taste buds in the evening in the charming hotels which we shall reserve for you. A delight Day 7 50 km for the cyclist who will discover, as you travel along scenic bike trails, the villages be- To decked with flowers along the wine route which is overlooked by imposing medieval castles. You will also have lots of time to visit Strasbourg and Colmar. Day 8 40 km To Strasbourg / trip ends

Tour Details

Daily departures from:

April 6 to October 5

Cost: $1895 per person

Single Supplement: $575 Fast Facts

Bike Rental: $175 IncludesIncludes: EEE-E---BikeBike InfoInfo:  7 nights accommodation, all break- Length: 8 days / 7 nights fasts, luggage transfers For those who need a little boost,  Detailed route notes and maps we have a small inventory of Grade: Moderate with some hilly  Welcome briefing on Day 1 E-Bikes for your trip.

stages  Local support if required  E-bike rental: $375  GPS tracks available upon request Starts / Ends: Strasbourg  Limited supplies available, reservations recommended upon booking

Active Journeys Contact: 1-800-597-5594 or 416-236-5011 Email: [email protected] ITINERARY Day 1 Strasbourg Arrival in Strasbourg and settling into your hotel and free time to ex- plore the town.

Day 2 Strasbourg - Sélestat 25/35/55 km Your first cycle will give you choices for your ride from Strasbourg along the Rhône-Rhine canal. The very scenic cycle trail takes you through the villages of Ried along and into / or Sélestat.

Day 3 To Colmar 50/55/65 km Today’s cycle takes you through the landscapes and villages of the Alsatian Ried, which is rich in aquatic flora and fauna. You will have time to visit the very beautiful church at and time to explore this very pretty part of Alsace. Colmar's charming “” is the main attraction. It is stunningly beautiful and well pre- served. Take the opportunity to stroll along Colmar's old streets and its many shops.

Day 4 Mulhouse / Ottmarsheim 65 km Considered to be the heart of the Alsace region, Ottmarsheim is a lovely little town. It’s dominated by the Romanesque Abbey, a won- derful place to stop and visit for a little while. Next you enter the Hardt’s forest following along the Huningue’s canal to reach Mul- house. Enjoy exploring the historic town centre of Mulhouse, and its numerous museums and cafes.

Day 5 Guebwiller 35 km You will leave the banks of the Rhine and the villages of the and ride to Ungersheim, until the Ecomusee d’Alsace. Ride along to the town of Guebwiller, nestled in the foothills of the and known for the Murbach Abbey. It has some wonderful cultural festi- vals and a vivid art life.

Day 6 Riquewihr 48 km At the of the Vosges nestle the winemaking villages that produce the Alsatian Grand Crus: Eguisheim, , and Riquewihr. Riquewihr is the jewel in the crown - famous for the Ries- ling and other great Alsace Grand Crus produced here - and looks to- day exactly as it did in the . Riquewihr is a wonderful and romantic little medieval hidden between the Vosges mountains and some of the most famous vineyards in Alsace.

Day 7 Riquewihr - Obernai 50 km Along the wine route you will discover the villages of Boersch, Barr, and its abbey, Bergheim, Ribeauvillé, Hunawihr. This Alsatian town’s charm is built on its ramparts, its traditional, half-timbered houses, its Belfry and its town centre, all steeped in history. You will be enchanted by its many aspects: it is a town of culture, sport, busi- ness, cuisine, history and flowers. Obernai is actually one of the “Most Beautiful Detours of France”.

Day 8 Obernai - Strasbourg 40 km Country roads and cycle tracks will take you from (11th C Romanesque church) to . From there, along the cycle track on the banks of the canal, you will reach the capital of .

What to Expect

What will the weather be like? Getting There The daytime temperature will be around 15 to 20 degrees or 65-75 degrees F. Sum-  mer weather (July and August) will be busy and hotter, similar to Vermont. Fly into and take the TGV directly from CDG How many hours of cycling a day? airport or downtown to Be prepared to ride between 4 to 5 hours a day. You will ride mainly on cycle paths, on minor agricultural tarred roads or on secondary roads without much traffic. Strasbourg. From Guebwiller to Obernai the route is a bit hilly.  Take a taxi to first hotel.

How fit do I need to be? The fitter the better, but this is a fairly easy tour for hard core cyclists. The beginner will enjoy this, since there are no real hills to climb and it will not be steep. Having said that, sitting on a bike for 4 hours a day without any preparation will be chal- lenging.

What are the hotels like? The hotels are lovely, charming, small French hotels. All will have a breakfast room, and many will have a restaurant for dinner. The hotels are chosen specifically for their ambiance as well as distance from previous lodging.

What will the meals be like? Breakfast in France is traditionally a continental breakfast, consisting of orange juice, bread or croissant, and fruit. In Alsace, because of the German influence, you may have cold cuts, and cheeses. Dinner, if you have optioned the half board, will be a three course meal with several choices for your main dish. Please advise our

Extra Services How to book your holiday

We have a small selection of hotels in  Contact our office to make sure there is space available. One of Paris and Strasbourg for your arrival or our travel planners will walk you through the entire process. departure.  Download the reservation form from our site and send in com- Strasbourg 3* hotels start at $225 double pleted form by fax or email. Once this is done, your space is occupancy. confirmed and a pre-departure packet will be sent.

Half board option (dinners) can be pur-  A deposit is required immediately, and final payment is due 60 days prior to the trip departure. Terms & conditions are outlined chased for $375 (recommended for in our Reservation Form. groups of 6 +)  Plan your air travel as soon as possible. If you would like to spend a few more days in France , please contact our office  We encourage you to purchase travel insurance, either through us or a travel insurance provider directly. with your request and we will be happy to help your extension.  Ensure you are in proper health for the trip chosen. Contact us, for more information on vaccinations, inoculations, and fitness requirements.

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