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Wine Regions Itinerary

(Holland, Germany, Switzerland and France)

2012 Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to Europe
We'll gather around 6 p.m. at our hotel, located in the Jordan district of Amsterdam. After an informal meeting and a light snack we'll take a walk through town and get acquainted. Amsterdam 2 nights

Day 2: All day in Amsterdam
We begin our day with a visit to the Anne Frank house, followed by a walking tour of historic Amsterdam. Later you get a lesson on how the trams operate as we take a ride to Vondel Park for a picnic lunch. You'll have the afternoon free to visit one of the many renowned museums or to cruise the canals. Later we meet for a pancake dinner. (B/L/D)

Day 3: Cologne and the Rhineland
Today we have an early start leaving Holland for Germany and the classic Rhineland. After stopping in Cologne for lunch and a visit to the colossal cathedral we continue on to the stretch of the Rhine that legend is made of. We stay in a 445 year old half-timbered house in the centre of Oberwesel with its medieval town wall and 16 defence towers. Oberwesel 2 nights (B/L)

Day 4: Romantic Rhine
We'll take a drive to St Goar where we hike up to the enormous Burg Rheinfels, explore the castle and take in the view. After a picnic lunch along the Rhine we'll head for the cozy town of Bacharach. You'll have free time to explore on your own. Meet again in the evening for some wine tasting. (B/L)

Day 5: Cochem and the Mosel
This morning we'll head into the Mosel valley and visit Eltz castle. Continuing on we'll settle in at Cochem, where you'll have the afternoon to wander the maze of twisting streets and the flower lined promenade along the river. Cochem 1 night (B/L)

Day 6: Minheim, Mosel
After breakfast we'll hike up the hill to Reichsburg castle and see the view. We head south through the Mosel valley to Minheim, spend the night at a vintners, and have dinner together. Visit the wine cellar for  some sampling. Minheim 1 night (B/L/D)

Day 7: Eguisheim and the Alsace
We'll make a bee line to France and the Alsace region. Our first stop is Strasbourg where we will explore the historic centre and its grand cathedral. After lunch we drive to our hotel in the charming medieval Eguisheim the cradle of Alsace wine. 2 nights (B/L)

Day 8: Colmar
Our day starts with a trip up the Alsace wine route, with stops at Kaysersberg, Requewihr and Hunawihr where we will have lunch. We spend the rest of the day in Colmar, enjoy a walking tour and wine tasting in the evening. (B/L)

Day 9: Switzerland and Southern Emmental
This day takes us to Switzerland and the Emmental, a quintessentially Swiss landscape of peaceful, vibrantly green hills dotted with brown cows, and sleepy rustic hamlets. We overnight in the extremely picturesque village of Trubschachen. 1 night (B/L)

Day 10: The Alps and the Lauterbrunnen valley
A short drive takes us high into the heart of the Swiss Alps. A train will take us even higher to Kleine Scheidegg bringing us face to face with the Eiger, Munch and Jungfrau. Later we make our way to the end of the Lauterbrunnen valley and ride a gondola to Gimmelwald, a tiny village perched on a cliff high above the valley floor. 2 nights (B/L)

Day 11: Free Day in the Alps
Today is free to hike among the alpine meadows, take a gondola ride to the Schilthorn at 10,000 feet, visit Murren and do some shopping, or simply sit around relaxing or getting caught up on your journal in this majestic setting. (B/D)

Day 12: More of France
We descend the Alps leaving Switzerland for Burgundy, the very heart of the wine growing region of France. We'll overnight in the lovely city of Beaune, surrounded by some of the worlds finest vineyards. 1 night (B/L)

Day 13: Medieval villages and Paris
On our way to Paris we will visit the picturesque small town Semur-en-Auxois, and the medieval village Noyers-sur-Serein with its preserved fortifications and numerous half-timbered houses. We'll arrive in Paris with ample time to settle in, relax , take an orientation walk then enjoy an evening in the city of Light. 2 nights (B/L)

Day 14: Paris
Your day is free to explore the wonders of Paris and take in the sights that you want to see. With your Paris Museum Pass you'll have access to such sights as the Louvre and Orsay museums, the tower and crypt of Notre Dame, the Pantheon, Napoleons tomb and more. This evening we'll gather under the Eiffel Tower for our final dinner together, a delightful picnic under the Eiffel Tower. Later, we will cross the Seine to the Trocadero on the Right bank and then take a walk up the Champs Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe. (B/D)

Day 15: Tour Over
Airports CDG and Orly as well as all trains stations are easily accessible by way of Metro and RER. Whether you're wishing to stay longer or regrettably having to say Au revoir, we'll gladly provide assistance in any way we can. (B) Bon voyage et Merci.