Book a Private Multi Day Package in Alsace & Burgundy that includes return transfers, 7 nights accommodation in 3* or 4* Hotels and 5 full days of private tours.
Discover the History, Culture, Food and Wines of Alsace & Burgundy !
DAY 1 - ARRIVAL TRANSFER IN STRASBOURG
DAY 2 - GOURMET WALKING TOUR, FLAMMEKUECHE WORKSHOP & HALF DAY WINE TOUR
DAY 3 - PEARLS OF ALSACE DAY TOUR
DAY 4 - BLACK FOREST DAY TOUR
DAY 5 - PRIVATE TRANSFER TO BEAUNE, BURGUNDY
DAY 6 - COTE DE BEAUNE FULL DAY WINE TOUR
DAY 7 - COTE DE NUITS FULL DAY WINE TOUR
DAY 8 - DEPARTURE TRANSFER FROM BEAUNE
Begin your tour in the Alsace region
Come and discover one of the most fascinating regions of France through one of our exclusive regional tours. Alsace, unlike the other French Regions, abounds in both French and German influences. Most of the population speaks French with a decided German accent, the cuisine is an able blend of French and German cooking, many of the towns of the region have German names and the village architecture delights in a pronounced Germanic influence. A visit to this region is always a delightful experience. This very small group tour has been designed to make you discover the history, culture, food and wines through carefully chosen visits that combine the most significant sights to off the beaten path locations that only a very small group tour will permit.
Then reach the Burgundy region of France
The centuries-old tradition of Burgundy wine making is evident in the bountiful vineyards stretching across the landscape. Burgundy boasts some of the most acclaimed and luxurious wines in the world. The capital, Dijon, is a flourishing cultural hub, where visitors can step back into the past with its mix of Gothic and art deco architecture.
If wine is not your priority, Burgundy offers a multitude of sightseeing options, such as the Palace of the Dukes, the Gothic Cathedral of Saint Bénigne, the Romanesque churches of Burgundy, including the remarkable Abbaye de Vézelay (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and Les Hospices de Beaune, a medieval hospital that was in use until the 20th century and now functions as a museum of Flemish art.
Whether you´re eager to sample Burgundy wines and discover what makes them some of the world´s most famous, wander the medieval streets and uncover Burgundy's historical secrets, or a combination of both, Ophorus provides tours to meet every traveler´s need. Enjoy the attention of our professional, English-speaking guides and let us help you experience the best this region has to offer.
DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN STRASBOURG - PRIVATE HOTEL TRANSFER
Pick up in Strasbourg (Airport/Train Station) and private transfer to your centrally located hotel. Check in at your hotel and night in Strasbourg.
DAY 2 - STRASBOURG GUIDED WALKING TOUR / FLAMMEKUECHE WORKSHOP / AFTERNOON WINE TOUR
Breakfast at your hotel.
9.30am Pick up at your hotel.
Walking tour of the the city, including the cathedral
Follow your certified guide for a private guided walking tour around the old pedestrian areas, the Cathedral and the La Petite France district. The tour includes major landmarks such as Maison Kammerzell, Gutenberg square, St. Thomas church, the former tanners’ houses, the Covered Bridge and many more.
The old city centers around its Gothic cathedral, Our Lady of Strasbourg, built of red sandstone and described by Victor Hugo as a “gigantic and delicate marvel”! Discover the marvelous façade that provides one of the finest picture books of the Middle Ages that you will ever see. The hundreds of sculptures which almost seem to leap out at you from the wall make great use of light and shadow effects.
Another major attraction that your guide will comment on are the stained-glass windows dating from the 12th and 14th centuries and that form a particularly enchanting sight along with the rose window.
Finally, the highlight of the visit is the amazing Renaissance astronomical clock. Built in 1843 it features an orrery, a rotating display of the sun and moon, a planetary calendar, and even a mechanical rooster. Each day at around 12:30, the bird crows and a conga line of apostles issues forth from the clockworks, led by a little Christ.
Give Making Flammekueche a Go
Learn the secrets of making traditional Alsatian “tarte flambée” during a 45-minute baking workshop with an expert chef. This is a hands-on cookery lesson in a local “winstub” with group size limited to eight people. Finish the class by eating your own freshly baked flammekueche and wash it down with a glass of wine! It makes for the perfect self-made, local lunch.
After arriving at the local activity provider’s location, enjoy your flammekueche cooking lesson just before lunch. The price includes the cooking class; then you get to eat 1/2 a traditional flammekueche and 1/4 of a traditional sweet flammekueche. A drink is also included: 25cl beer (must be 18+), 1 soft drink or a small bottle of mineral water, or 1 glass of Alsace white wine.
A Wonderful Snapshot of Alsace Wines in the afternoon
After some free time for personal discovery and lunch, you will head towards the small village of Obernai. During your visit, you will most certainly appreciate its little winding streets, old houses with multicolored tiles, ensigns, ramparts and the statue of St Odile, patron saint of Alsace.
Following a walking tour of the village, enjoy two commented wine tasting sessions of local wines of Alsace in carefully selected local ‘caveaus’ (wine cellar). Your private tour will then continue along the breathtaking Alsace wine route to admire the stunning landscape.
5.30pm Return to your hotel and night in Strasbourg.
DAY 3 - PEARLS OF ALSACE FULL DAY SIGHTSEEING TOUR / DINNER IN A LOCAL RESTAURANT
Breakfast at your hotel.
9.00am pick up at your hotel.
Beautiful Towns, villages and Amazing Landscapes - What a Combination!
Pick up in Strasbourg by your driver/guide and depart for the beautiful town of Colmar. Discover the charm of the old town, its prestigious monuments, the Pfister house, the Koïfhus, Saint Martin collegiate church, and the picturesque neighborhoods of small Venice or of the tanners.
Then depart for the most beautiful village of Eguisheim. Surrounded by vineyards, the narrow and concentric streets highlight the architectural merits of its half-timbered houses, lovingly decorated with flowers. After a walk in the village your tour then continues on to the beautiful town of Riquewihr.
Surrounded by ramparts, the village has been very fortunate to survive war and destruction. Its tiny streets, fortified walls and old houses have preserved their 16C splendor virtually intact, making for remarkable architectural harmony. Free time for personal discovery and lunch.
Following Lunch, Enjoy the Spectacular Alsace ‘Wine Route’
Located between the Rhine valley and the Vosges mountain range, the 60-year-old route winds across the slopes for more than 170 kms. The itinerary leads across rows of undulating, vine covered hills, and through quaint villages with narrow streets and charming flower decked houses clustered around the local church steeple. Your guide will stop in several areas for great photo opportunities.
End the day with an English Tour of an Amazing Castle
Finally, reach the mighty Haut Koenigsbourg castle. Here, follow your guide for a tour of this mighty fortress that overlooks the valley. Built in 12th century, the Castle occupied a strategic position controlling the wine and wheat routes to the North and the salt route that came from the East. After the visit return to Strasbourg.
6.00pm return to Strasbourg.
This Evening will be Devoted to a Traditional Dinner in a Local Restaurant
Tonight, enjoy dinner at a traditional restaurant in Strasbourg – known as a Winstub: The Winstub, literally “wine lounge”, recreates the Alsatian way of life. Originally, it was a room open to the public where wine growers could sell off the surplus of their production.
Nowadays, the Winstub is a typical Alsatian restaurant, where the wine is served in carafe accompanied by traditional dishes such as Choucroute (or Sauerkraut), Baeckaoffa - a hotpot of potatoes garnished with a selection of meats marinated in white wine, cooked in a terrine dish – and many more.
Don’t be surprised to eat shoulder to shoulder on wooden tables, often covered with tablecloths with red checks where the usual customers often “try to solve the world’s problems”.
Night at your hotel.
DAY 4 - A PRIVATE FULL DAY SIGHTSEEING IN THE BLACK FOREST
Breakfast at your hotel.
9.30am Pick up at your hotel.
Experience Freiburg and Its Lovely Old Quarter
On this tour discover Freiburg, a town known for its ancient university and its medieval minster (Cathedral), for its high standard of living and advanced environmental practices. The city is situated in the heart of a major wine-growing region and is the primary entry point to the scenic beauty of the Black Forest.
Depart from your centrally located hotel in Strasbourg and head towards the town of Freiburg. The town has more to offer than friendly faces alone, including one of Germany’s prettiest old quarters, with its characteristic Bächle – the narrow channels of water that run alongside the pavements. Add to that a wealth of culture and history, lots of cafés and cosy bars, delicious regional food and scenic surroundings. This morning, follow your guide on a walking tour to discover all the main monuments and sights of the town.
Then, a Trip Through the Black Forest
After some free time for personal discovery and lunch, head towards the scenic route of the Black Forest. The Black Forest is a wooded mountain range bordered by the Rhine valley to the west and south. The highest peak is Feldberg with an elevation of 1,493 meters (4,898 feet).
The name Black Forest comes from the general dark color of the numerous pine trees that grow in this region. The Black Forest gateau and the cuckoo clocks originate from this region. Here, you will follow the scenic route and stop in a small quaint mountain village that borders one of the most beautiful lakes of the area.
You might want to try the local food such as the cured meats or the world-famous Black Forest cake that leaves nobody indifferent! After the tour, return to Strasbourg.
5.30pm return to your hotel and night in Strasbourg.
DAY 5 - PRIVATE TRANSFER TO BEAUNE - BURGUNDY
Breakfast at your hotel and enjoy a private transfer to the Burgundy region. Arrive in Beaune and check in at your centrally located hotel.
Discover the beautiful small town of Beaune
This charming historic town is a true delight for architecture and wine lovers. Beaune can be easily explored by foot since most of main attractions are located within the walls. Reach Place Carnot and the main pedestrian areas that are dotted with restaurants, wine bars and shops.
DAY 6 - CÔTE DE BEAUNE FULL DAY PRIVATE BURGUNDY WINE TOUR
Breakfast at your hotel
9.30am Pick up at your hotel
Savor a Range of Wines in this Exceptional Winemaking Region
Today, the Côte de Beaune wine growing region is on your program. The vineyard covers 20km from north to south and faces the morning sun. Wine production here is composed of both red & white wines that are internationally renowned.
Begin your tastings with Butter-Golden Meursault
Nowhere in the Côte de Beaune does the Chardonnay grape do better than it does here. Meursault is green-gold in color or canary yellow, leaning towards bronze as it ages. Limpid and brilliant, it sometimes exhibits silvery highlights. Its bouquet has strong aromas of ripe grapes. The young wine is redolent of toasted almonds and hazelnuts in both a floral and mineral setting.
Butter, honey, and citrus fruits are also present. Upon arrival at the Winery, you will immediately be taken by the meditative atmosphere. The Cellars are among the most prestigious in the region. Here, you will first visit then grounds and then participate in a fully commented wine tasting session around these elegant White Wines.
Guided tour in one of France’s most prestigious Monuments
After some free time for lunch in or around Meursault, drive back to Beaune for a guided tour of the Hospices de Beaune. Typical example of Burgundy flamboyant gothic style, this former hospital founded in 1443 by the chancellor Nicolas Rolin and his wife Guigone de Salins is the testimony of the Flemish influence on the duchy of Burgundy.
As far as architecture, it is worldwide famous for its colorful polychromatic glazed tile roofs. The Last Judgment triptych painting by Flemish painter Rogier Van Der Weyden is the highlight of the visit. You will tour the Salle des Pôvres (where the sick ones were looked after), the kitchens, the pharmacy and other rooms exhibiting artifacts and tapestries.
Taste some of Burgundy’s most Esteemed Wines
Experience a unique wine tasting session within Beaune. You will be warmly welcomed for a visit of the facilities, cellar and winery. Explanations are clear and adapted to each person’s level of knowledge; the visit is fun & informative.
You will round things off with a commented tasting of different appellations such as Saint-Aubin, Auxey-Duresses, Saint-Romain, Corton-Charlemagne while several Premiers Crus and Grands Crus, both red and white, are available.
5.30pm return to Beaune and night at your Hotel.
DAY 7 - CÔTE DE NUITS FULL DAY PRIVATE BURGUNDY WINE TOUR
Breakfast at your hotel.
9.30am pick up at your hotel.
Wander through the Prestigious Vineyards of the Côte de Nuits, Land of Pinot Noir
Located between the town of Dijon and the tiny village of Corgoloin, the Côte de Nuits and Hautes Côtes de Nuits wine producing regions grow along a narrow strip of land that is around 20 kms long and as narrow as 200 meters wide. The wines produced here are mainly red wines and the King of the Grapes is Pinot Noir!
Taste the Originality of Traditional Wines in a Family Owned Domain
Our first stop will be in a family owned winery that has been in the same hands for more than 4 generations. The Domaine is located between Nuits-Saint-Georges and Beaune, in a little village of the Hautes Côtes. During the visit, you will be introduced to the notion of "terroirs" which are very diverse and distinct in this area.
The Domaine spreads out over 19 Ha of vines with no less than fourteen different appellations. The winegrower pays attention to the environment, organic products and mechanical care of the soil so as to leave a healthy soil for the descendants. The wines are vinified following the traditional method. After your commented wine tasting session, the tour moves on towards the village of Gevrey- Chambertin.
Free Time for Lunch in one of the most famous Villages of Côte de Nuits
Gevrey-Chambertin is without a doubt one of the most emblematic wine appellations of Burgundy. Considered to be “Pinot Noir” Paradise, its rich “terroir” is home to nine of the thirty-three grands crus of the region. Before reaching the village, your sightseeing along the Grands Crus road will be punctuated by photo opportunities especially in front of world famous Romanée-Conti.
Considered as the most prestigious name of Burgundy, this plot of 1, 8 hectares produces one of the most expensive wines in the world. After lunch, we continue towards the Château de Vougeot. Your guide will suggest restaurants depending on your wishes.
A Unique Wine Farm Chateau located in the Heart of the Burgundy Vineyards
If Chateau Clos de Vougeot does not produce wines anymore it remains a symbol of more than a thousand year of History in Burgundy.
In the 12th century, the Chateau was owned by the Monks of Citeaux who cultivated the vines at the time. They construct a wall that surrounds the precious lands giving the domain the name of ‘Clos’ which can be translated as ‘enclosed’. Upon arrival, you will have the opportunity to visit the 12th century vat house with its huge press machines, the wine cellar or the dormitory with its amazing wooden framework.
Experience a Commented Tasting of Acclaimed Côtes de Nuits Wines
Nuits-Saint-Georges is a lively small town with centuries-old history of winemaking. Most of the wines grown here are Pinot Noir but there are some plots planted with Chardonnay. Here, we have organized a commented tasting so that you may better comprehend what makes this wine region so special. In a carefully selected winery, your tour will begin with the visit of the Vat Room where the greatest Côte de Nuits wines are crafted.
Then move on to the magnificent 19th century vaulted cellar where you will be explained the different stages of vinification and maturing of great Burgundy wines. Finally, participate in a commented, wine tasting session of several Burgundy Wines. Glass in hand, a wine expert will demonstrate how to taste some of the most prominent “terroirs” of Burgundy.
5.30pm return to Beaune and night at your hotel.
DAY 8 - DEPARTURE TRANSFER FROM BEAUNE
Breakfast at your hotel and return transfer to the train station of Beaune. End of our services. Don't hesitate to contact us if you would like to organize a private transfer to another destination and our team of travel experts will take care of the rest.
