Burgundy to Alsace A European Odyssey - 6 Days

We depart from Paris for eastern France, travelling through the landscapes of Burgundy. Our first stop is Noyers–sur–Serein, celebrated for its narrow streets, stone and half–timbered houses, characterful central square and historic walls. We then continue to Beaune, the wine capital of Burgundy, where you’ll have time for lunch and a leisurely walk – you may wish to visit the Hospices of Beaune, a 15th–century medieval hospital that once served the poor. Our journey ends in Dijon, the regional capital, where you can explore lively streets lined with medieval and Renaissance buildings, including the impressive Palace of the Dukes. We’ll stay overnight in Dijon. Please note: This tour may have travellers joining or departing at various points along the route, meaning group composition can change during the tour. Please also be aware that depending on group composition, guiding may be in additional languages as well as English.

We travel from Dijon through eastern Burgundy to Besançon – a city of Roman origin with a handsome historic centre and a 17th century citadel overlooking the town. We then continue into Alsace, a region long contested between France and Germany that retains the Alsatian dialect alongside architecture and traditions shaped by Germanic culture. Our first stop is Colmar, noted for its colourful half-timbered houses and canals, and renowned for white wine and gastronomy – you’ll have time for lunch and a relaxed stroll. In the afternoon we visit Riquewihr, a beautifully preserved medieval town of cobbled streets and painted facades that inspired scenes from Beauty and the Beast. We also visit an old winery for a tasting of local wine paired with a typical sweet. We arrive in Strasbourg in the evening – you may like to wander around the cathedral area and Petite France and choose a cosy spot for dinner.

We begin in Strasbourg – capital of Alsace and seat of the European Parliament – exploring its medieval centre of flower‑lined canals and the soaring Gothic cathedral. We include a boat trip through the waterways of Petite France to see the old quarter from the water. Crossing into Germany, we travel through the Black Forest to Freiburg, where you’ll have time for lunch and a stroll around the lively university quarter and cathedral area. We then continue to Triberg, famed for its cuckoo clocks – admission to the Triberg Waterfalls is included, reached via a well‑marked walking path. Afterwards, we make a brief stop in Gengenbach so you can take photos of its handsome central square, before arriving in Baden‑Baden for the night – a historic spa town with elegant architecture, parks and a renowned casino.

We begin with a relaxed stroll through Baden‑Baden’s parks before continuing into Rhineland‑Palatinate. In Speyer, on the banks of the Rhine, we visit the magnificent Romanesque cathedral – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – and walk the old town, where the Alte Münze tower stands out. We then continue to Heidelberg, where we take the funicular up to the castle – ticket included – with access to the exterior grounds, the wine cellars and the Pharmacy Museum, and superb views over the city. Afterwards, you have time for lunch and to explore the Altstadt and Marktplatz at your own pace. By late afternoon we arrive in Frankfurt, a major financial hub with modern skyscrapers and a characterful old town. You have free time to stroll and dine around Römerberg Square before we head to the hotel.

We leave Frankfurt and travel west, first calling at the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg – a small country where French and Luxembourgish, a Germanic language, are widely spoken. We arrive in Luxembourg City, a cosmopolitan capital that blends a rich past with its role as a financial hub and base for European institutions. Its highlights include the UNESCO-listed old town, the historic fortifications, the Grand Ducal Palace and Notre-Dame Cathedral. You’ll have time for lunch before we continue into France. In the heart of the Champagne region, we stop in Reims to see its superb Gothic cathedral, the historic site of many French royal coronations. We reach Paris by the end of the day.

After breakfast, our tour concludes in Paris – please check out of the hotel and arrange your onward travel. We hope you leave with lasting memories of your journey.