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The efficiency of the organisation and the professionalism of the staff was evident right from the start of the booking process, making this one of the ...
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Incorporating both Alsace's Route des Vins and the picturesque Vosges National Park, this 8-night walking holiday showcases the very best that the region has to offer. Your holiday starts in the heart of the wine country and takes you west through ancient forest and into the Vosges Mountains, straddling the French and German border. Here you'll discover the crumbling ruins of once-mighty hilltop castles and vivid reminders of Europe's wartime past.
You'll enjoy idyllic walking through fragrant pine forest and sprawling vineyards as you hop between the storybook villages and towns so typical of the Alsace region - think narrow streets filled with colourful, half-timbered houses and shops selling traditional, local wares (make sure you look out for the delightful Christmas shop in Riquewihr)! Connected by the world-famous Camino de Santiago, the places you visit are home to some of the region's finest wine producers and you'll have plenty of opportunity to stop for tastings.
Tearing yourself away from the Route des Vins, you'll head west into the Vosges Mountains, where you'll discover secluded woodland hermitages and the remains of once-grand hilltop castles. Here you have some truly inspiring 'rest day' options. A walk up to the incredible, C12 Chateau du Haut-Koenigsbourg affords mesmerising views across the entire Alsatian Plain as far as the Black Forest, while following the Tete des Faux walking trail you'll pass abandoned WWI fortifications and witness the remains of the former front line between France and Germany. A bit of light relief then as you return to the vineyards and make your way back to idyllic Ammerschwihr.
Wine and food go hand-in-hand in the region of Alsace and all of the hotels we've picked for you offer great local cuisine along with superb wine lists! Your hotel in Ammerschwihr is only a short walk from several wine cellars in this typical Alsatian village whilst the hotel in Ribeauville is one of France's oldest Auberges and a classified monument. In Thannenkirch your hotel is nestled beautifully at the foot of the Taennchel Mountain, with an indoor swimming pool and spa; while your hilltop hotel in Lapoutroie boasts an impressive restaurant with panoramic views over the Vosges.
Peaceful walks mainly through forests, vineyards and meadows but walking boots are strongly advised. Terrain is rocky in places and there are climbs on almost every day but there should be no need of a head for heights.
Arrive at your hotel in time for dinner. (Staying at Aux Armes de France, Half Board)
An opportunity to warm your legs up, today starts with a gentle walk to the neighbouring town of Kaysersberg, one of the finest and fastest growing wine areas in the Alsace with beautiful views of the Vosges. After an easy climb to the remains of the town's C13 chateau, you'll join the world-famous pilgrimage route, the Camino de Santiago, and traverse glorious vineyards to the mediaeval villages of Riquewihr and Ribeauville. It's worth spending some time in both as the former is France's 2nd most beautiful village whilst the latter is home to some of the region's best winemakers, including the Bott Freres - make sure you stop at the wineries for a tasting! Straddling the French and German border, Alsace is a region steeped in tradition with a lot to offer walkers. This holiday incorporates both sides of Alsace to reveal the sun-soaked, vineyard covered Route des Vins as well as the picturesque, atmospheric Vosges National Park. (Staying at Hotel du Mouton, Half Board)
You have several options today but we suggest spending time in the picture-perfect town of Ribeauville, on the Route des Vins. Explore the brightly coloured streets and squares decorated with Renaissance fountains or pay a visit to some of the most respected wineries in the local area including the Maison Trimbach, Domaine Andre Kientzler, Jean Sipp and the Cave de Ribeauville - the oldest wine cooperative in France. Alternatively, enjoy a walk to the fortified town of Bergheim and discover its fascinating witch-trial past, or perhaps take a bus to Selestat, a city of art, history and exceptional architectural heritage. (Staying at Hotel du Mouton, Half Board)
Today starts with a fairly steep but thoroughly rewarding climb into the Vosges Mountains where you'll find the majestic ruins of the Three Castles of the Lords of Ribeaupierre - Saint-Ulrich, Girsberg and Haut-Ribeaupierre which offer incredible views over Ribeauville and the surrounding plains. Rejoining the Camino de Santiago you'll arrive in the charming wine village of Rodern, renowned for its excellent Pinot Noir wines and an ideal place for a leisurely lunch and spot of tasting. Continue on to Thannenkirch and enjoy the relaxing spa facilities at your hotel. (Staying at Le Clos des Sources, Half Board)
You have the opportunity to explore some of the 60km of walking trails which surround Thannenkirch today, but we highly recommend following the well-marked GR5 walking path up to the incredible Chateau du Haut-Koenigsbourg. It's easy to get lost in this imposing chateau which is perfectly located above the Alsatian plains, with the Route des Vins and Germany to the east, and the Vosges Mountains to the west. For something a little less strenuous, you could always spend the day relaxing in your hotel spa. (Staying at Le Clos des Sources, Half Board)
After breakfast, we'll transfer you (25 mins) to the start of your walk in Aubure - you might want to pick up some supplies in Thannenkirch or Aubure as there are plenty of scenic picnic spots on today's walk! Descending on ancient forest paths you'll enjoy superb views towards Hachimette and Lapoutroie, as you make your way to Freland, home to the Maison du Pays Welche museum, a fascinating insight into the history, traditions and customs of the local people. Quiet lanes and footpaths lead you to the idyllic mountain village of Lapoutroie and your hotel, Les Alisiers, where you'll find a wonderful restaurant with panoramic views over the Vosges! (Staying at Hotel Les Alisiers, Half Board)
Today's optional walk is a memorable one. You'll follow the Tete des Faux walking trail through atmospheric forest, passing old WWI bunkers and infirmaries now reclaimed by nature, to the remains of the front line between France and Germany. It was atop the summit of the Tete des Faux that the two sides engaged in a bloody stalemate just 30 metres from each other during the First World War - the graveyards for each are currently listed as national historical monuments. You may wish to walk down to Le Bonhomme for a spot of lunch afterwards, before walking back to Lapoutroie. (Staying at Hotel Les Alisiers, Half Board)
It's all about the idyllic scenery today, starting with an undulating woodland walk down to the little village of Orbey, nestled in the picturesque Vallee de Kaysersberg - here you'll find several cafes and shops where you can stock up on provisions for the day! Atmospheric woodland and pretty meadows take you to the little mountain village of Labaroche and on to Trois-Epis, the perfect place to pick up some traditional Alsatian pastries. Perhaps enjoy them with a superb view over the Vosges, after a walk up to the Galtz Monument just outside the village! Don't miss the striking hilltop remains of the Chateau du Wineck in Katzenthal before winding your way through the vineyards back to Ammerschwihr; how about a spot of wine-tasting to celebrate your walking achievements? (Staying at Aux Armes de France, Half Board)
During your holiday you stay at the following hotels. If you'd like to extend your time at any of these or, if you'd like to enhance your stay with an upgraded room, just let us know at the time of booking.
To find out more call our sales team on 1-800-267-3347, use our live webchat or email usa@exodustravels.com
Find out more on the hotel website and read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
| Dates | Suite |
| 13/05/2018 - 30/09/2018 | £5 |
All prices shown above are valid from 25/10/2017. Supplement prices are per person per night (based on two people sharing). Suite - 2 separate rooms: the bedroom and a sitting room
Please contact us for extra night prices.
NEARBY:
Find out more on the hotel website and read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
| Dates | Suite |
| 13/05/2018 - 30/09/2018 | £5 |
All prices shown above are valid from 20/11/2017. Prices are per person per night based on two people sharing.
Please contact us for extra night prices.
NEARBY:
Find out more on the hotel website and read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
| Dates | Digitale room |
| 13/05/2018 - 30/09/2018 | £22 |
All prices shown above are valid from 18/11/2017. Prices are per person per night based on two people sharing.
Please contact us for extra night prices.
NEARBY:
Find out more on the hotel website and read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
| Dates | Junior suite |
| 13/05/2018 - 30/09/2018 | £10 |
All prices shown above are valid from 18/11/2017. Prices are per person per night based on two people sharing.
Please contact us for extra night prices.
If you'd like to extend your trip with extra nights at the start or end, or if you'd like to arrange a stop off point en-route, then we recommend the following hotels.
Find out more on the hotel website and read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
Room upgrades are not available at this hotel.
Please contact us for extra night prices.
Transfers included from Colmar train station at 14:05.
Please call our sales team on 1-800-267-3347 or email usa@exodustravels.com to arrange connecting flights.
Everyone who goes on a Headwater holiday will be emailed a link to our post-holiday questionnaire where they can give us an honest assessment of all aspects of their holiday - everything from how quickly we answer the phone to how clean the hotels were - plus an overall rating and comments about their holiday.
Any feedback collected is posted to our website, so that people can make an informed decision based on past experiences before heading off on holiday. We don’t edit the reviews, the only thing we do is proofread them and alter any typos, where necessary, to ensure they are easy to read for everyone. All reviews will be published (except in certain extreme circumstances), and a member of the Headwater team will respond to any constructive criticisms/comments under the reviews, at their discretion. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of our holidays, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers.
The efficiency of the organisation and the professionalism of the staff was evident right from the start of the booking process, making this one of the easiest and least stressful holidays we have ever planned. The walking itself provided a constantly-changing set of scenery and the notes were absolutely spot-on; in particular, this was due to the efforts of our rep, who went through the notes with us on arrival and highlighted any sections of particular importance to make sure we did not go wrong. The hotels were all of high standard, although Les Alisiers and Hotel Mouton were particular highlights for us due to the friendliness of the staff and the exceptional quality of the food. The view from Les Alisiers were outstanding, and really added to the experience when enjoyed over mealtimes.
Our rep, Hannah Godwin, was hugely enthusiastic from the start, and exuded the genuine love she has for the region in an infectious manner - we couldn't have asked fora better introduction to the holiday than the one she provided. Her introductary talk was incredibly helpful, not only regarding routes, but also in terms of the additional suggestions she made that allowed us to experience elements that we would otherwise have missed. She was unfailingly prompt and extremely professional, making it very clear that she was always available if we encountered any problems whatsoever; this left us free to relax and enjoy ourseleves. We believe that she is a genuine asset to your company and a fantastic ambassador for the region.
We would also like to mention Dionne Sidlauskas, who was extremely helpful during our selection of the holiday and made the booking process very smooth and easy indeed.
Enjoyed it very much. Walking quite hard
Living where we are we required information re which airport it landed in, could we do other things ie stay in city we landed for a night before travelling on to holiday etc. Having spoke to two of the reps, which did not come back to me I tried email. This led to corresponding with Megan Wyatt.
Told her the situation and thought it would be best to speak over the phone. This she did within five minutes. Having spoke to her about the queries she asked if she could call back the next day as she had to find out the answers to these questions
Came back next day with all the questions i ask about near enough sorted out. She told me what headwater could do for us, sorted out dates, which airport would be best, what they could not do for us.. Having now agreed a plan of the holiday with slight changes to first request she came back the next day with everything sorted out and prices. Signed there an then.
As for the time between signing and flying head office kept us up to date with everything.
Had one query before flying to Basel as they said that we should go into the French departure and not the Swiss however as we were staying the night in Basel. E- mailed them to see if they were correct. They came back within two days to advise me that it was the Swiss side i should be leaving on.
Having arrived in Colmar the next day, with train timetable on the ball met Hannah Goodwin. She could not do enough to help us, however stayed away when not required.
As for the accomadation i cannot say enough about the food and helpfulness of the staff in all hotels.
All in all a brilliant holiday
This was an excellent two boot walking holiday with really good walks with the additional benefit of places to see as well including chateaux, villages and WW1 historical sites plus excellent food and wine/beer. The local representative was extremely helpful.
Hannah was excellent in both her support and recommending alternative routes and destinations
Lovely area with varied walking and historical interest. Also picturesque small towns and villages. Good standard of hotels.
An excellent way to experience France, with beautiful views, comfortable hotels and good food.
Lovely area of France with variety of walks in differing landscapes.
A great holiday if you like good food and wine but the walking was slightly disappointing. Although the views were sometimes good, there was too much walking on the roads.
Great contrasts in locations so holiday very accurately titled!
The balance of vineyard and forest was good. The towns and villages and castle were varied and interesting.
You can be confident that our pricing includes all the standard requirements of your holiday and many additional extras. Always ensure that you are comparing like for like when booking your holiday. Find out about The Headwater Price Promise to ensure you're getting the very best value for money.
For further details, or to check availability, speak to our sales team on 1-800-267-3347 or complete our holiday enquiry form (we'll contact you at a time that's most convenient for you).
To enquire about this holiday, or for further information, call our sales team on 1-800-267-3347 or complete our holiday enquiry form.
| Aug 2018 | Tour only | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| 21st Aug | US$1875 | Check availability |
| 23rd Aug | US$1875 | Check availability |
| 25th Aug | US$1875 | Check availability |
| 27th Aug | US$1875 | Check availability |
| 29th Aug | US$1875 | Check availability |
| 31st Aug | US$1875 | Check availability |
| Sep 2018 | Tour only | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd Sep | US$1815 | Check availability |
| 4th Sep | US$1815 | Check availability |
| 6th Sep | US$1815 | Check availability |
| 8th Sep | US$1815 | Check availability |
| 10th Sep | US$1815 | Check availability |
| 12th Sep | US$1765 | Check availability |
| 14th Sep | US$1765 | Check availability |
| 16th Sep | US$1765 | Check availability |
| 18th Sep | US$1765 | Check availability |
| 20th Sep | US$1765 | Check availability |
| 22nd Sep | US$1765 | Check availability |
| 24th Sep | US$1765 | Check availability |
The prices quoted for each individual departure supercede those published in our current brochures. Air prices are subject to change and we advise early booking to obtain the best prices. Please see our Planning your holiday and What's included in the price? pages for additional information.
Children
Please contact us for child prices.
Holiday type
Self-guided walking Managed locally by Headwater appointed rep.
Departures
Every two days from 21st Aug 2018 to 24th Sep 2018, for 8 nights.
Meals
Continental breakfasts and all evening meals
Tour only
Transfers included from Colmar train station at 14:05.
For further details, or to check availability, speak to our sales team on 1-800-267-3347 or complete our holiday enquiry form (we'll contact you at a time that's most convenient for you).
To enquire about this holiday, or for further information, call our sales team on 1-800-267-3347 or complete our holiday enquiry form.
Due to the tailor-made nature of our holidays, we need a little more information in order for us to check availability for Contrasts of Alsace and The Vosges Walk. Simply complete the form below and a member of our sales team will contact you (when it's most convenient for you) to provide availability information, travel options and an accurate price. Of course there's no obligation, but if you do wish to proceed with a booking they will be on-hand to assist you throughout the process.
Alternatively, you can call our sales team on 1-800-267-3347 to discuss your requirements in more detail.
We've been creating high-quality relaxed activity holidays since 1985 and our wealth of experience means we're able to build the perfect tailor-made tour for you. Our 'Gold Trusted' rating on Feefo, the independent review site, underlines our exceptional levels of customer service, and our ATOL bonding and ABTA membership guarantees your holiday is safe with us.
