Itinerary Expand allTurckheim to Turckheim Day 1 Arrive at TurckheimYour first night is spent in a friendly Alsatian hotel in the heart of the village. With so many restaurants on your doorstep, we've left you free to choose where to dine this evening.Standard hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 2 Turckheim to KaysersbergToday it's time to explore Turckheim's Renaissance church and mediaeval gate where storks still nest. Your walk through the vines takes you past flower-filled Niedermorschwihr and Ammerschwihr where you can taste the local vintage, Kaefferkopf, in cosy wine cellars. It's then on to the fortified town of Kaysersberg and your hotel on a quiet cobbled street in the old town.Two options: 10km/6.5mi/2hr or 21km/14mi/4hrStandard hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 3 At KaysersbergIn the morning why not stroll up to the ruins of the mediaeval castle for a bird's eye view over Kaysersberg's half-timbered houses decked with geraniums along the River Weiss? Afterwards, perhaps follow a valley trail to Kientzheim or visit Colmar, only 25 minutes by local bus. Known as the 'Venice of Alsace', it's a honeycomb of pretty canals and gorgeous pastel-coloured houses.Standard hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 4 Kaysersberg to RiquewihrA gentle climb through oak and beech forest leads to Chapelle St Alexis hidden in the woods and with a great auberge for lunch. Your route then descends in and out of pine forest and before long, you get your first glimpses of the showcase of Renaissance houses that earn Riquewihr its nickname, 'Pearl of the Vineyards'. An easier route through the typically Alsatian villages of Kientzheim and Sigolsheim take you up to a war memorial with incredible panoramic views of the Vosges plains, then pick up the Camino de Santiago into Riquewihr. Two options: 11km/7mi/2hr or 12km/7.5mi/3.5hr Meals included: Breakfast Day 5 At RiquewihrThe town of Riquewihr is so enchanting it's been declared an historic monument in its entirety. You'll be fascinated by its cobbled alleys, galleried courtyards, fountains and colourful signboards.Standard hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 6 Riquewihr to BergheimYou pass through the heart of mediaeval Alsace via the Riesling vineyards nestling at the foot of the mountains. Hunawihr has a fortified church and stork sanctuary; you'll also find otters, butterflies and orchids in the reserve. Three ruined castles of the once-powerful Counts of Ribeaupierre loom overhead as you walk on through the vines to Bergheim.Two options: 11km/7mi/2hr or 19km/12mi/4hrStandard hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 7 At BergheimThis colourful and ancient market town was a mediaeval refuge where criminals on the run were safe from persecution. There are lots of beautiful timber-framed houses and a decorated fountain in the old square. Be sure to take a short taxi ride or do the longer optional walk to the amazing Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle; it's a gentle downhill walk back too!Standard hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 8 Bergheim to Chatenois/TurckheimYou continue parallel to the Route des Vins to a poignant WW2 German military cemetery with panoramic views over the famous restored castle at Haut-Koenigsbourg. At St-Hippolyte there's a Gothic church and fountain, while the ruined court of mediaeval Kintzheim Castle is the setting for spectacular flying displays by birds of prey. At Chatenois, where the walk finishes, we give you a lift back to Turckheim.Two options: 12km/7.5mi/2.5hr or 14km/9mi/3hrStandard hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 9 Leave TurckheimIf you have pre-booked a transfer, we will take you to Colmar train station in time for your journey home. Meals included: Breakfast
FranceNo visa required for British passport holders.For further Brexit travel advice please visit https://www.abta.com/tips-and-advice/brexit-advice-for-travellersVisa regulations can change without notice: please check the current regulations in good time to obtain a visa if one is required.
HotelsAll of the hotels are in atmospheric half-timbered villages that are typical of this region, including the stunning Hotel des Deux Clefs in Turckheim whose building dates back to the 16th Century and is officially classed as a monument historique. The beautifully converted 16th Century Hotel a l'Oriel in the heart of Riquewihr has a cosy winstub and a pretty internal courtyard, where, weather permitting, breakfast can be taken. All prices are based on 2 persons sharing, so if there is an odd number of people travelling in your party or you are travelling alone, there will be a compulsory supplement for a single room for the tour duration. For a solo traveller there is an additional charge to cover transfer costs. Please call for further details.
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