Champagne and Alsace self-drive holidays France

At a glance

Trip Summary

This evening, you may wish to dine in the château’s on-site gourmet restaurant. Alternatively, we would be delighted to reserve a table for you at one of our recommended partner restaurants in nearby Epernay, just a 30-minute drive away.

After breakfast on day two, you will be met at the Château by an English-speaking specialist driver/guide, who will accompany you throughout the day on a private basis for a full day private tour of the Champagne region. Your guide will share fascinating insights into the area’s winemaking heritage, beginning with a visit to a working vineyard. This hands-on experience introduces the permitted grape varieties in Champagne and the seasonal work involved in producing the region’s world-famous sparkling wines.

You will pass through the historic village of Hautvillers, home and final resting place of Dom Pérignon, before heading to a small, family-run Champagne House. Here, enjoy a private tour of the facilities followed by a tasting of at least three Champagnes. A gourmet al-fresco picnic lunch will then be served in a picturesque setting (or indoors during cooler months), after which you will visit another family-run estate in a different sub-region of Champagne to compare styles and winemaking approaches.

Your final visit of the day will be to a prestigious Champagne house in Epernay, such as Moët & Chandon, Pol Roger, or Boizel. Here, you will enjoy a privately hosted tour of the historic cellars followed by a tasting of several of their top cuvées. Following this visit you will be returned to your hotel to relax and freshen up before dinner.

In the evening, a table will be reserved for you at L’Orangerie, where you may dine à la carte and settle the bill locally. The restaurant is open for dinner Wednesday to Sunday, and its reputation for elegant service and terroir-driven cuisine makes it a highlight of the stay.

After breakfast on day three, check out of the hotel at your leisure and drive to Obernai in the Alsace, this will take approximately 3 ½ hours and we would be pleased to recommend a suitable place to stop en-route for a lunch.

After settling in at the 4* Hotel A la Cour d’Alsace, why not explore the lovely town of Obernai, famous for its charming half-timbered houses each painted in the bright colours of the Alsace region? Take a stroll through the picturesque streets and perhaps stop to enjoy a glass of wine in one of the many Winstubs (literally meaning a wine lounge!). In the evening, head to the hotel’s restaurant for a three course dinner with drinks.

On the morning of day four after breakfast, set off on foot to your first visit of the day. This winery, just a ten-minute walk from your hotel, produces wines with the utmost respect to the traditional ways of their ancestors and have done so for generations.  You will be taken on a very comprehensive private tour of the cellars, where you will see the beautiful old oak barrels and then taste four wines, accompanied by some pretzels.

At the end of the tasting, your next rendez-vous is at a winery, a ten-minute walk away. This small producer will provide a real contrast to your last visit; a very typical, authentic experience, where you will meet the wine-maker and taste your way through five wines, served with the region’s famous and uncompromising Munster cheese along with a slice of delicious kougelhopf, an Alsatian cake made with almonds and raisins.  After a busy morning tasting, take a break for a spot of a lunch! There are plenty of charming restaurants and cafés to choose from in the town and we would be pleased to make some recommendations.

Time then to head for your last visit of the day, a producer with five generations of experience.  Here you will learn about the unique wines of the region as well as gaining an insight into the local wine making. After a private tour of the cellar, the producer will talk you through a tasting of several different varietals, and you will also enjoy a glass of the region’s sparkling wine, Crémant d’Alsace.

After such an enlightening day, your hotel awaits, where your evening is free to do as you please. Again, we would be happy to recommend a restaurant for dinner.

On your final day, after a leisurely breakfast, check out and drive back to the UK, taking the Eurotunnel from Folkestone to Calais. If you would like to extend your trip to France and visit other regions (for more wine or just to relax), we would be delighted to provide inspiration.

Outline Itinerary

Day Two of your Self-drive Holidays France

• After breakfast, you will be met at the hotel by an English-speaking specialist driver/guide, who will accompany you throughout the day on a private basis.  Your tour day will comprise of:
• A private tour and tasting at a small, family-run Champagne house.
• Time in the hilltop village of Hautvillers, which is home to the Church where Dom Pérignon is buried.
• A tour and tasting at another family-run Champagne house.
• An alfresco picnic lunch in a picturesque setting, or in a private dining room during the cooler months.
• A private tour at another boutique Champagne House
• A private tour and tasting at a prestigious Champagne house in Epernay, such as Moët & Chandon, Pol Roger, or Boizel
• This evening, we will reserve you a table for dinner in Château d’Étoges’ restaurant, L’Orangerie.

Day Three of your Self-drive Holidays France

• After breakfast, check out of the hotel.
• Drive to the quaint town of Obernai in Alsace. The drive is approximately 3 ½ hours.
• Upon arrival, check into your Superior room at the 4* Hotel A la Cour d’Alsace.
• The rest of the day is at leisure and a three course dinner with drinks will be arranged for you at the hotel in the evening.

Day Four of your Self-drive Holidays France

• After breakfast, enjoy a full day of private tours and tastings at local estates. All of the visits are within walking distance of the hotel. Your day will comprise of:
• A private tour and tasting of five wines at a nearby winery.
• A private tasting of five wines with local specialities at a second winery.
• Free time for lunch.
• A private tour and tasting of five wines at a third winery.
• Head back to your hotel at the end of the day.
• The evening will be free for you to do as you please.

Final Day of your Self-drive Holidays France

• After a leisurely breakfast, check out of your hotel and begin your homeward journey, taking the Eurotunnel from Calais to Folkestone.

(ii) The outline itinerary is indicative and is subject to minor changes depending on supplier availability. Availability cannot be guaranteed until we have received a completed booking form, together with the deposit payment (or payment in full where the dates of travel are in less than 60 days). If the named accommodation / visits are not available, we will endeavour to find suitable alternatives of a similar grade; this may be subject to a supplement or a rebate depending on the price available.

Package Prices

• These prices are per person and based on two people travelling together and sharing a twin or double room.
• These are realistic guide prices, based on travel in standard season (usually April to the end of October). Discounts often apply for travel out of season (usually November to the end of March) or if there are more than two of you travelling together. Please let us know your preferred travel dates for a definitive price.
• Although we propose specific hotels as part of our standard packages, we enjoy excellent relationships and preferential rates at the majority of the hotels in each of our featured destinations. Therefore if you would prefer to stay in a different hotel, this can be arranged. Please contact us for the relevant supplements/discounts.
• Other room grades are available at most of the hotels that we work with. Just let us know which hotel you prefer and we will send you the relevant supplements for the various room grades.
• Single supplements and extra night prices are available upon request.

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