Alsace Christmas: 8 Days Escorted Tour The new TGV service to Strasbourg makes discovering the rich Alsatian traditions of this World Heritage city a real pleasure, especially during the holiday season! The historic “Christkindelsmarik” spreads out into many streets and squares. One never needs an excuse to pay a visit to Paris. The city of light shines even brighter at Christmas time. Inclusions Highlights Features Itinerary Dates Inclusions 3 nights at the Hotel Sofitel Strasbourg 3 nights at the Hotel Scribe in Paris 6 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 4 dinners Highlights Guided city tours Take a boat ride through Strasbourg’s canals Stroll through the historic Christmas markets Visit the Unterlinden Museum in Colmar Enjoy wine tasting Tour the Louvre with a guide

Itinerary

Day 1 Sunday Dec 21
Depart on an overnight flight to Paris, France

Day 2 Monday Dec 22
Paris/TGV to Strasbourg
Arrive Charles de Gaulle International Airport and make your way to the rail station in Terminal 2 to board the TGV train departing at approximately 1PM for Strasbourg. Strasbourg declares itself the Christmas capital of Europe and is considered the birthplace of the traditional Christmas tree. Meet everyone tonight at the get-acquainted reception and dinner at the HOTEL SOFITEL STRASBOURG.

Day 3 Tuesday Dec 23
Strasbourg
Take a guided tour of Strasbourg, an irresistible mixture of French and German, old half- timbered houses, waterways and museums. Stroll through the old quarter built round canals once used by tanners and fishermen. See the cathedral of Gothic Notre Dame with its colossal single spire, known as the “pinky-red angel hovering over the city”. The interior and stained glass windows are no less impressive. Have lunch at beautiful La Maison Kammerzel. Then, take a stroll along Place Broglie to soak up the festive atmosphere of the famous ”Christkindelsmarik” (Christmas market) that dates back to 1570. Don’t forget to try the vin chaud (mulled wine). Late this afternoon finish your day with a cruise through the canals. You are free to dine when and where you please this evening. HOTEL SOFITEL STRASBOURG.

Day 4 Wednesday Dec 24
Colmar Excursion
Depart for charming Colmar this morning, typically Alsatian with crooked houses, half-timbered and painted, on crooked lanes. A local guide will show you the 15th century Ancienne Douane and twin-turreted Maison aux Arcades. The town is beautifully decorated for the season and has five different themed Christmas markets. Visit the renowned Unterlinden Museum, a former Dominican convent, housing one of the last and most extraordinary of all Gothic paintings, the Issenheim Altarpiece, by Mathias Grunewald. Drive through Alsatian wine country, taking time for a sample, before returning to Strasbourg. This evening dine on local holiday fare at the Christmas Eve dinner at the HOTEL SOFITEL STRASBOURG.

Day 5 Thursday Dec 25
Strasbourg/Parisv
Merry Christmas! You are free this morning to attend church services, or just relax and enjoy a quiet Christmas morning. Later, transfer to the rail station for the TGV service back to Paris. Transfer to the historic and well located Hotel Scribe, in the heart of Paris between the Opera Garnier and Place Vendome. Have a sumptuous Christmas dinner this evening. HOTEL SCRIBE.

Day 6 Friday Dec 26
Paris
Explore Paris with a local guide. Drive along the Champs-Elysees promenade from the Arch de Triumphe the Place de la Concorde, where Marie Antoinette met her untimely end. See Sainte Chapelle and the dominating, yet graceful Eiffel Tower. Notre Dame Cathedral, the essence of Gothic architecture with its fanciful stonework and elegant flying buttresses, sits on an island in the Seine River. Visit the Louvre, a former palace and now a truly great art museum that holds crown jewels, great masters’ paintings including the Mona Lisa and the incomparable Nike of Samothrace. Lunch is out on the town in Paris. HOTEL SCRIBE.

Day 7 Saturday Dec 27
Paris
The entire day is free for your own explorations and shopping forays. Deciding may be the challenge as there are a plethora of museums, shops and café’s to experience. Stroll through the Latin Quarter on the Left Bank, or visit the Sacre Coeur on Montmartre or just sip a café au lait and watch the people go by. Rejoin your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant this evening. HOTEL SCRIBE.

Day 8 Sunday Dec 28
Conclude Paris
Sadly, it is time to say au revoir to Paris and board your return flight home

Travel Dates & Rates

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• Booking Code: ALX

• Land rate is per person based on double occupancy. Airfare is not included. Please inquire about our competitive rates at the time of booking. Single supplement is from $1399. Pre/post tour nights are available upon request. Reservation deposit is $500 per person. Travel insurance is highly recommended.

Prices subject to change without notice until time of deposit. All dollar values not denoted as US or CA are in US Dollars.