• UK Tour Manager meeting at London Heathrow
• Local coach travel throughout
• 3x night’s bed and breakfast at the Hotel Turenne
• Light lunch in a local restaurant on the day of arrival
• ‘Magic of Christmas’ walking tour in Colmar
• Evening boat trip in Colmar 
• Visit to Gingerbread and Alsatian Folk Art Museum
• Visit to Obernai for free time, and a visit to the cribs exhibition at the church of Saints-Pierre-et-Paul
• Mulled Wine at the Christmas Markets in Obernai
• Walking tour in Riquewihr 
• Visit to Hofgut Sternen Black Forest Village, including a demonstration at the Cuckoo Clock Maker’s workshop 
• Visit to Freiburg for free time
   

Day One - Friday 24th November

07:50 - meet your Tour Manager and depart London Heathrow on British Airways flight BA0752 to EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg

10:25 - arrive EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg and transfer by private coach to Colmar

12:00 - arrive at the 3* Hotel Turenne, 10 Rte de Bâle, 68000 Colmar, France. (Check in is from 3pm)

Located in the picturesque Petite Venise district of Colmar, Hotel Turenne combines the Alsatian charm of its colourful facade with contemporary comfort and style. The rooms are all accessible by lift and are equipped with free Wi-Fi, flat screen TVs, tea and coffee making facilities, and air conditioning. Guests also have access to the Novotel Suites**** Hotel's Wellness and Fitness facilities, located in the same building. 

Light, two course lunch in a local restaurant

15:00 - Magic of Christmas walking tour of Colmar, starting at the hotel and ending at Saint-Pierre Bridge. As you stroll through the festive streets, your local guide will share stories of Christmas traditions in Alsace.      

Early evening - 25 minute boat trip along the River Lauch to see the Old Town from the water . The group will be split into three, departing from Saint-Pierre bridge, boulevard Saint-Pierre, Little Venice at 16:45, 16:50 and 17:00

Evening at leisure  

Day Two - Saturday 25th November 

Breakfast at the hotel

Day at leisure to visit the Christmas markets and explore Colmar 

15:00 - 16:00 - Optional visit to a local winemaker Domaine Martin Jund (please note, this carries an additional charge of £16p/p)

Located in the heart of the city, the Domaine Martin Jund is one of Colmar's last remaining winegrowing families. The estate practices sustainable and organic farming in order to reveal the character of each of their grapes and the depth of their best terroirs. You will taste four wines, paired with two cheeses and two chocolates.

17:00-18:00 - Colmar Christmas Carols. Gather on the Petite Venise canal-side to watch illuminated boats filled with choirs of children singing traditional Christmas carols sail by. Your Tour Manager will suggest the best viewing points. 

Evening at leisure

Day Three - Sunday 26th November 

Breakfast at the hotel

08.45 - depart hotel and transfer by private coach to Gertwiller 

09.30 - visit to the Gingerbread and Alsatian Folk Art Museum. Located in an 18th century Tithe Barn, this charming museum contains more than 10,000 objects retracing the history of gingerbread and other sweets of yesteryear, as well as popular art objects that accompanied rural life in Alsace. Look out for a magnificent series of more than 700 glazed earthenware molds for cooking kouglofs, an exceptional collection of Strasbourg earthenware from the Hannong dynasty (1721-1784) and an 18th century stube, the main room of an Alsatian wooden house which was saved from demolition in a nearby village.

11:00 - depart by coach for Obernai where you will have free time to visit the markets and have some lunch.* (*Please note this is not included in the tour price.) With its medieval defences, fortified towers, half-timbered houses, and narrow lanes, Obernai oozes Alsatian character and charm. As well as the twinkling Christmas Market, you might also like to visit the exhibition of nativity cribs at the church of Saints-Pierre-et-Paul. And no trip to Obernai at Christmas time is complete without a glass of its famous mulled wine, made with white wine and spices. 

14:30 - depart by coach for Riquewihr. Known as 'The Gem of the Alsace Vineyards', this medieval town is like an open-air museum. Behind the city walls you will find the Christmas market, beautiful half-timbered houses dating back to the 15th century, and the impressive 13th century defensive gate known as 'the Dolder'. 

15:30 - 1 hour walking tour of Riquewihr with a local guide

17:45- return to Colmar 

18:00 - arrive at the hotel, evening at leisure

Day Four - Monday 27th November 

Breakfast at the hotel and check out

08:30 - depart by private coach to the traditional Black Forest village of Hofgut Sternen, nestled in the stunning Black Forest landscape. Your visit here includes a cuckoo clock-making demonstration, during which you will not only discover how these charming time pieces work, but also hear about their history. You can also watch artists Axel Pautz and Michael Greiner-Adam making glass objects for Hofgut Sternen's own brand, Sternen Glas. The shop offers lots of tempting souvenirs. 

12:00 - depart and continue by coach to Freiburg where you will have free time to visit the Christmas Markets and have some lunch.* (*Please note, this is not included in the tour price.) Freiburg is enchanting during the festive season as twinkling lights appear on house facades, shop fronts and across more than 120 Christmas Market stalls. Arts and crafts mix with with mulled wine and delicious treats, including roasted almonds and spices cookies. 

15:00 - depart Freiburg for EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg 

19:55 - depart EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg on British Airways flight BA0749 to London Heathrow

20:40 - arrive London Heathrow Airport

Tour ends

Hotel Turenne

Located in the heart of Colmar near the famous Petite Venise,  Hotel Turenne offers a warm, welcoming stay, with tastefully decorated rooms with a contemporary feel. The rooms are all accessible by lift and are equipped with free Wi-Fi, flat screen TVs, tea and coffee making facilities, and air conditioning. Guests also have access to the Novotel Suites**** Hotel's Wellness and Fitness facilities, located in the same building. Breakfast is included with your stay.

Outbound - Friday 24th November 2023

Depart London Heathrow 07:50 on British Airways flight BA0752, arrive EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg 10:25

Inbound - Monday 27th November 2023

Depart EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg 19:55 on British Airways flight BA0749, arrive London Heathrow 20:40

Luggage Allowance

BA Economy Plus includes:

1x checked bag (max 23kg, up to 90x70x43cm)

1x cabin bag (max 23kg, up to 56x45x25cm)

1x handbag (max 23kg, up to 40x30x15cm)