Itinerary

Day 1 | Arrive in Strasbourg. This city has easy rail access from Paris with the newly opened TGV line. Rail access from Frankfurt is also possible. Transfer from Strasbourg to Andlau. Orientation at 6pm at the hotel. Overnight in Andlau in a charming 3 star hotel with dinner included. (D)

If time, some sites to visit in Strasbourg:
Petite France: The popular corner of the Grand Île (the Main Island) is where theÎle river splits up into a number of canals, and cascades through a small area of half-timbered houses.

Ponts Couverts: Towers and footbridges situated at the end of 'Petite France'

Cathedral, built from 1190 to 1439

Quartier Allemand (German District), the showcase of German neoclassical
architecture in Strasbourg

Day 2 | Our driver will meet you at the hotel and transfer you to the
Mont Saint Odile. You will then walk back to Andlau, partially hiking on the GR 5 trail. Along the way, you will see the château de Landsberg and the château du Haut-Andlau. Same hotel for the night and dinner included. (B,D) 15 km hiking

Day 3 | Andlau-Dieffenthal 15km. Today you will pick up the GR 5 trail and walk to Dieffenthal. You will walk through the vineyards and the Foret d'Andlau, through Reichsfeld, a charming small Alsacian village. You will also have the opportunity to see the remains of the château de Bernstein, among the oldest in Alsace! Legend has it that the castle was built on the rock where a bear family was living. This is where its name come from, as Bernstein (or Bärenstein) litterally means bear's rock (Bär, bear and Stein, rock in German). Overnight in Dieffenthal (3 star) and dinner on your own. (B)

Day 4 | Dieffenthal-Ribeauville 14km. Your destination today is Ribeauville. In the Middle Ages, the town was the seat of the Seigneurs de Ribeaupierre - the Lords of Ribeaupierre (hence the town’s name of Ribeauvillé). Our driver will meet you in the morning at the hotel and transfer you to the château du Haut-Koenigsbourg. The castle is nestled at a strategic location on a high hill overlooking the Alsatian plain. From there, you will have a scenic hike back to Ribeauville, through the Forest de Ribeauville on the GR5 path. (B) Hotel 2 star, dinner on your own. Upgrade to 4 star possible.

Day 5 | Ribeauville-Turckheim 15km. Your destination today is Turckheim, a charmingly petite village known for its Gewürztraminer, traditional Alsatian cuisine, and stunning surrounding scenery. Turckheim is probably most well-known for its surrounding medieval wall. It is the only such surviving wall in Alsace. Another attractive feature of Turckheim is the Night Watchman. The traditionally dressed Turckheim native, cloaked in black and carrying a halberd and lamp makes the rounds at 22.00 (10pm) each night from May to October. As he strolls the protected city, he sings a number of Alsatian favorites. Overnight in Turckheim (3 star) and dinner on your own. (B)

Day 6 | Turckheim-Munster 15km. Walk to Munster, famous for its cheese! Legend has it that it was invented by the monks of the Benedictine Abbey of Munster (the Monastery). This cheese was one of the contributions that farmers had to provide to the Munster convent or to other lords of the land. Overnight in Munster (3 star) and dinner included. (B,D)

Day 7 | Departure after breakfast. Transfer to Colmar included. Extra nights in Colmar or Strasbourg possible. (B)

Details

All hotels on tour are personally selected for the cleanliness, charm, and excellent service offered by the owners. Guests have thoroughly enjoyed their stays. Upgrade in Ribeauville: 85 euros/person.

The trip includes: [Virtual Hotel Tour] 6 nights 3 & 2 star hotels, daily baggage transfer, hiking maps with cue sheets and tour information, GPS, arrival transfer from Strasbourg and departure transfer to Colmar, other taxi transfers as noted, arrival orientation, meals include breakfasts and 3 dinners, local emergency service and support. We also provide travel planning to add Paris hotels, car rentals, France hotels, trains, airport transfers, and more.

Additional Nights possible - please inquire

You are important to us; so we make you thoroughly prepared and include:
Pre-trip travel documents: you will receive extensive information as a customer prior to your departure. Upon confirmation we will send you some general information about preparations including passport info, training tips, and reading lists. As a customer you can also Purchase product from Hammer Nutrition, get 2 FREE issues to Velo News, and much more!

Upon final payment, we will send to you a complete list of documentation by email including Hotel List, contact numbers, itineraries, sites to see and information about sites and culture of the region. We include road signs, packing lists, travel tips, language phrases, holiday info, tour details, culture and customs tips, and much, much more!

Optional Services:
Travel insurance, Paris museum & metro passes, Paris day tours, Lido shows, and other services. Cell phone rental and luggage storage services. Note: prices subject to change based upon currency fluctuations. See Booking Terms and Conditions.