Current as of: April 16, 2024 - 12:32
Walking The Vineyards of Champagne Trip Notes
- Ways to Travel: Self-Guided Holidays
- Destination: France
- Programmes: Walking & Trekking
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Activity Level:
2 out of 7 - Leisurely / Moderate
- 5 Days: Land Only
- Ages: 14+
- Trip Code: W04CH
Trip Overview
Explore the Champagne wine-growing area, listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO, and the stunning villages, birthplace of Champagne, which owes its renown to Dom Perignon.
Known around the world for its wines, Champagne is also a popular destination for walking, offering an ideal playground. Walk among the vineyards and terraced hillsides where Champagne villages, chateaux, and churches are nestled. Enjoy panoramic viewpoints overlooking the vineyards and picturesque villages. The winemakers’ open their doors to you, for tastings and tours of the cellars. They will passionately explain their know-how while showing you around their property.
During this tour, explore and taste every day what is hidden behind the bubbles that help us toast good news. Pop the cork and let the bubbles speak for themselves.
At a Glance
- 4 nights single-centre in a 3-star hotel
- Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent
Highlights
- Explore Epernay, capital of Champagne with its magnificent mansions and ancient wine cellars
- Discover the vineyards and historic wine villages producing world-renowned Champagne
- Relax in a 3-star Boutique hotel with colourful contemporary urban style, in the heart of Epernay
Is This Trip for You?
As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. There maybe others on the same departure date as you, but you will not be organised together. The routes notes contain an emergency assistance telephone number should you need it and in emergencies, the local representative is normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge for this service.
Group
As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. A local representative is on hand to assist you and will meet you at the beginning of the week to go through the route notes and point out particular places of interest. Your luggage is transferred and route notes and maps are provided. The route notes contain a 24-hour emergency assistance telephone number. In an emergency, the local representative is normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge for this service.
Adult min age: 14
Itinerary
Land Only
- Start City: Epernay
- End City: Epernay
Land Only Itinerary
Arrival in Epernay
This town is entirely surrounded by vines. Walk down the Avenue de Champagne, with its magnificent mansion facades and opulent middle-class homes occupied by famous Champagne Houses, and you can see why Epernay competes for the title of ‘Capital of Champagne’. Here, are miles of underground galleries and millions of bottles of preciously kept champagne away from light and heat… In Epernay, cellar visits to the largest champagne houses are among the highlights of the tour… And they sparkle with stories and expertise.
You stay at Hotel de Champagne***
Hautvillers
Transfer to Hautvillers. It is here that the legend of Champagne was born, thanks to the Benedictine monk Dom Perignon, who was said to have accidentally invented effervescent wine at the end of the 17th century. He’s buried in the abbey of Hautvillers, leaving his name to a vintage produced by a famous Champagne House.
Along your walk between forest and vineyards, you will learn about ‘Blanc de Noirs’ champagne which is made using only black grapes (Pinot Noir and/or Pinot Meunier). Two grape varieties with darker skin and white flesh. Pass the village of Romery, a quaint village with streets bordered by flowers.
You stay at Hotel de Champagne*** (Breakfast included)
Ay Loop
A transfer takes you to the start of your walk at Ay. Located at the fringe of the vineyards, and headquarters to several prestigious champagne houses such as Veuve Clicquot and Bollinger, Aÿ makes the transition between hillside slopes and the river, between the Montagne de Reims and the suburbs of Epernay.
Discover a high Gothic-style church and wood-frame houses, including one that is reputed to have served as Henri IV’s fermenting room. Follow the former Roman way between forest and vineyards in the Marne Valley. Enjoy numerous opportunities to taste the pinot meunier which brings its full fruity flavour to rose champagnes.
You stay at Hotel de Champagne*** (Breakfast included)
Verzy Natural Park
Transfer to Verzy where the forest boasts the largest concentration of ‘Fau’ beech trees anywhere in the world. The origin of this rare tree, with its especially twisted, knotted branches, remains a mystery to botanists.
The especially slow-growing, long living Fau beech trees greatly contribute to singularity of the the Montagne de Reims Regional Park. After your walk, don’t miss the chance to taste ‘Blanc de Blancs’ Champagne using chardonnay only, a white grape locally produced in this village.
You stay at Hotel de Champagne*** (Breakfast included)
Leave Epernay
Ascents, descents and distances
All ascents, descents and distances listed above have been measured by our local partners or tour leaders, in many cases with satellite-based mapping software. Please note, different GPS measuring devices can give differing results, particularly on winding paths or in mountainous terrain. Measurements stated throughout these trips notes are given to help you understand the types of terrain and distances you will encounter. Timings stated will vary depending on the pace of your group.
Accommodation
Come and stay at the heart of the capital of the Champagne region in a cosy environment that’s both happy and welcoming. Entirely renovated in a colourful contemporary urban style, this boutique hotel’s great location between Epernay town centre and the Avenue de Champagne provides you with the opportunity to visit the great champagne houses and their prestigious cellars.
Transport
The local representative is often able to dispatch a taxi should you need it in an emergency, but may wish to charge you for this service.
Weather & Seasonality
In Champagne, the summers are comfortable and partly cloudy which makes it ideal for walking. The winters are very cold, windy, and mostly cloudy. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from -0°C to 25°C and is rarely below -7°C or above 31°C.
The hottest month is July with daily average temperatures being around 24°C
Joining Instructions
Flight Inclusive
Air-rail prices include our standard flights, onward rail and station transfers
Business/club/first class seats are available on request.
Land Only
Standard transfers
Transfers can be arranged at a supplement from
Alternative transfers
If you require alternative transfers (because you will be arriving at a different time to our standard flights), then we can usually arrange these for you (there may be an additional charge).
Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.
Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.
Location start: Epernay
Location end: Epernay
What To Take
Essential Equipment
Water bottle
Daypack
Sun hat, sun cream and sunglasses
Warm jumper
Waterproof jacket
Practical Information
Visa
France
Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter France. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.
Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.
• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/france
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/france
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/france/entry-requirements
• USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/France.html
Vaccinations and Health
France
There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, rabies and tick-borne encephalitis. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.
Local Time
France's time zone: Europe/Paris (UTC +02:00)
Electricity
230 Volts AC, standard European adapter required.
Money
France's currency: Euros (EUR)
ATM Availability
ATMs are widely available, but we recommend taking some Euros cash with you in case you can’t get to a bank at the start of the trip.
Extra Expenses & Spending Money
Lunches can cost from €6-12 depending on the size of lunch and the establishment you choose. Dinners can cost €20-35 for a set menu or a la carte meal. If you will be ordering wine with meals, please add extra for this.
At Exodus we believe in the power of Responsible Travel.
Every time we travel, we are part of a global movement that creates jobs, builds more sustainable societies, encourages cultural understanding and safeguards common natural and cultural heritage. To learn more about what Responsible Travel means to Exodus click here…
Important Information
Your safe participation
When booking this trip, you should be confident in your ability to participate in all activities described in these Trip Notes. If you have any doubt about your suitability, please call the Exodus office and ask to speak to one of the experts on this itinerary.
Although our leaders are well trained to deal with different capabilities, if they have any concerns about someone’s ability to safely take part in an activity, or their impact on other people’s enjoyment, we authorise them to take necessary action which, in some circumstances, may involve asking someone to miss that activity.
By booking this trip you agree to our Booking Conditions which clearly state that our leaders have the authority to do this. In these rare instances we will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided for activities missed and customers may be liable for additional costs incurred.
How to Book
- Check availability: Go online to check availability, or contact us by phone or email.
- Secure your place: You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days.
- Complete your booking and payment
When you’re ready to book, go to our website for online bookings, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be cheque.
After booking
You will receive your booking confirmation letter and invoice, which includes extra information and guidance about your travel arrangements.
Full joining instructions, including local emergency numbers and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately two to three weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier, please contact our office or your travel agent.
Trip Note validity
These Trip Notes are valid from the “Current as” date on page one. They will occasionally be updated after booking and before departure; if there are any updates that significantly impact the inclusions or itinerary, customers will be written to separately. They will also receive a link to the most up-to-date Trip Notes with their Final Joining Instructions before travelling.
The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure or website, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure and website. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons – climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best-possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.
Licensing
Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582, issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA – The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all money paid to us for your trip is fully protected.