Food Wine Culture Tours
216 Lindbergh Avenue
Frederick, MD 21701 USA

Toll free (866) 874-4219
Phone: (301) 663-9160

Christmas Market Tour Switzerland and Alsace
December 1 to 9, 2006
Land only package from $1,749 per person based on double occupancy exclusive of air

Package includes:

• 8 Days, 7 Nights
• European style buffet breakfast daily at hotels
• Half-board at hotels for 1 night Vevey and 1 night Colmar
• 3-course-dinner at a Chateau in Soultz including wine tasting in the area
• 3-course-farewell-dinner in Strasbourg
• Coach with driver guide for full day excursions to Kaiserberg, Ribeauville and Riquewhihr
• Transfer from Colmar to Strasbourg
• Local guided walking tour of Strasbourg
• Coach with driver guide for full day excursion to Metz
• Rail pass, first class

Itinerary

Day 01 - Departure USA to Geneva Switzerland

Day 02 - Arrival Switzerland – Geneva – Vevey
Arrival at Geneva Airport. Train ride to Vevey, and leisure time to explore Vevey and Montreaux. Hotel in Vevey. Dinner will be served at the hotel.

Day 03 - Geneva
Day at leisure to visit a museum or the Christmas markets. Museum opportunities – Olympic, Brut (Art), Le Musee d’Art et d’Histoire, and Chillon Castle at Montreux. The Christmas Food Hall on Lac Leman has traditional Suisse cuisine. Dinner on own this evening. Overnight in Vevey.

Day 04 - Vevey – Basel – Colmar
Depart Vevey by train to Basel. Upon arrival at main station in Basel coach transfer to Colmar,-- Wine capital of Alsace. Important cultural and tourist centre: Picturesque historic quarters. Unterlinden museum, medieval churches, half timbered homes. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Colmar.

Day 05 - Colmar – Kayserberg – Ribeauville – Riquewhihr – Colmar
Full day excursion with private coach and driver guide to visit the christmas markets in Kayserberg, Ribeauville and Riquewihr. Evening transfer back to hotel in Colmar. Overnight in Colmar. Kayserberg – Famous tourist center with medieval architecture. Church from the 12 – 15th century. Ruined 13th century castle, Renaissance town hall. Fortified bridge, historic house, birthplace of Dr. Albert Schweitzer. Famous Christmas market. Ribeauville – Popular tourist center, dominated by the Three Castles from the 12 and 13th century. Surrounded by 3 grand cru vineyards. Jewellery museum, butchers tower with stork nests. Remains of 13th century fortifications. Riquewihr – Well preserved medieval and renaissance city. Former church of Notre Dame. Hansi museum, Castle ruins, thieves tower with torture chamber.

Day 06 - Day at leisure to explore Colmar and its Christmas market on your own.
In the evening transfer to a Chateau in Soultz for dinner. Overnight Colmar

Day 07 - Colmar – Strasbourg
Depart for Strasbourg – the capitol of Alsace. After arrival local guided walking tour of the old town including Cathedrale and Petite France. Afternoon at leisure to explore the Christmas Market on own. Dinner on own.

Day 08 - Strasbourg – Metz – Strasbourg
After breakfast scenic drive with a private coach, driver, and guide to one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in France – Metz. After a short orientation tour time at leisure at the Christmas market. In the late afternoon transfer back to Strasbourg. Farewell dinner at the most famous restaurant in Alsace - the Maison Kammerzell.

Day 09 - Strasbourg – departure
Train to Zurich, and flight back to USA

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