Touring the Wine Regions

Savour the wonderful flavours of this delightful region and take a few samples home! The countryside is varied and beautiful and there are numerous picturesque towns with a plethora of excellent gourmet restaurants and local specialities. The surrounding countryside and National Parks offer the perfect locations for outdoor sports and activities. With family attractions, local markets and superb historic sites, there is something for everyone.

Plan your trip for a short break of up to four nights or more and take the best France has to offer.

You can choose where to stay from any of our featured hotels in Burgundy, Alsace or the Loire Valley and make up you own itinerary or use our suggested routes and itineraries for touring.

Alsace - Strasbourg/Itterswiller/Eguisheim

4 nights from £209 per person

Day 1 & 2

Following your crossing to Calais, drive cross country to Strasbourg where you will stay for 2 nights in the delightful and centrally located 3* Monopole Metropole. Here you can make the most of the city, known as the culture capital of Europe. Strasbourg has lots to offer, from superb history, architecture, museums and botanical gardens, to cafes, markets lovely restaurants, lively festivals and plenty of nightlife. Attractions to visit in Strasbourg include the Cathédrale de Notre-Dame, the Church of Saint Thomas, the Municipal Baths and a plethora of museums such as the Decorative Arts Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts and t he Archaeology Museum, all situated within the stunning and rather grand, Palais de Rohan.

• The vineyard route follows a distinct area running from Marlenheim, north of Strasbourg, to Thann, covering 180km. It not only takes in the wine growing areas but also the beautiful countryside, quaint towns and impressive monuments and structures, fountains and buildings. Travelling south on this route you will pass through, amongst others, Molshein; adorned with Renaissance buildings and a Bugatti Motor Museum, this town also boasts many Riesling vineyards; Dambach-la-Ville is a lovely medieval town and is well known for its Grand Cru Frankstein.

The wines of Alsace are named after the grapes from which they are made:

Muscat has two varieties Muscat d'Alsace and Muscat Ottonel. They make beautiful dry and aromatic white wines, quite different from the sweet Muscats grown in the South of France; Gewurztraminer makes a very soft, slightly sweet and almost tropical tasting wine with a hint of spice. Probably one of the more famous wines of the region, it has a lovely bouquet; Riesling is known as one of the finest whites in the world and produces a dry fruity wine usually with a 'mineral' hint; Sylvaner grapes produce florally light wines that are thirst quenching and perfect for summer sipping; Pinot Blanc is a grape that produces delicate, well-balanced easy drinking wines; Pinot Gris has a wonderful smoky, honeyed bouquet and produces a rich and full-bodied wine; Pinot Noir is the only grape used to make red or rosé wines in the region.

Day 3

Travel south from Strasbourg (approximately 41km) to the flower filled village of Itterswiller and the traditional Alsatian 3* Hotel Arnold, which is set in its own vineyards. Situated between Obernai and Sélestat, Itterswiller is in the perfect position to visit other vineyards of the region. Ribeauville, is a little further south but is worth visiting as it is renowned for its Riesling.

Day 4

Drive south (approximately 47km) to Eguisheim, situated just south of Colmar, to the 3* Hostellerie du Pape, which offers a delightful country restaurant serving fine wines and lovely food. The area of Eguisheim produces two grand crus, Eichberg and Pfersiberg and it is possible to also travel further a field to visit and try some of the local produce.

Day 5

Leave Eguisheim to begin your drive back to Calais for your afternoon Channel crossing to Dover or Folkestone.

What's Included:

• Return crossing with P&O ferries Dover-Calais
• 4 nights' accommodation as detailed above, in a standard room on bed and breakfast
• For peak travel by P&O or travel by Eurotunnel, supplements may apply

Distances from Calais: Strasbourg 622km, Eguisheim 621km

Call To Book This Tour

Please call a member of our sales team on 0845 330 2084

Burgundy - Beaune/Arbois

4 nights from £194 per person

Day 1 & 2

From Calais, drive on to Beaune in the Burgundy region, where you will stay two nights in the charming 17th century 3* Hotels des Remparts. Beaune is situated in the heart of the Côte d'Or and is full of character. Its old narrow cobbled streets and beautiful buildings provide the perfect authentic surroundings to dine 'al fresco' and sample the local wines. Beaune makes the perfect base to explore the local area, its attractions and its vineyards. Of particular interest in Beaune itself is:

• The Romanesque Collegiale Notre-Dame
• The breathtaking Hôtel Dieu. This is a 15th century building adorned with colourful frescoes and tiles and boasts a plethora of antiquities. Once a hospital, today a major wine auction takes place here on the third Sunday in November. The prices paid at the auction set the high standards for the season ahead.
• Finally, Beaune is home to a whole array of museums, including a wine museum.

Wine

For all you wine connoisseurs, Burgundy is in the heart of the Cote d'Or wine region which is the premium grape growing area in Burgundy, and it produces some of the finest and most expensive wines in the world. The area is divided in to the Côte de Nuits; in the northern part of the Côte d'Or, where they mainly use the Pinot Noir grape to produce all but one of the most exclusive red Grand Cru wines in Burgundy; and the Côte de Beaune region which is often known as the wine capital of Burgundy and houses some of the largest producers in the region. Located in the southern part of the Côte d'Or, it produces some of the best red wines from the Pinot Noir grape and white wines from the Chardonnay grape.

Both of these areas are easily accessible from Beaune itself and you can visit some of the best growers in the region. Here are a few to try: Alain Burguet, Louis Carillon et Fils, Chandon de Brialles Domaine de l'Ardot, Michel Lafarge, Ramonet, Jadot and Armand Rousseau.

Day 3 & 4

Continue onto Arbois for 2 nights, to Le Moulin de la Mère Michelle, a 3*. This hotel is a beautiful 15th century mill next to a waterfall in the valley of the vineyards of Arbois. Arbois is the wine capital of the Jura Region and is home to the much-adored annual summer 'Fete de Vin' which boasts a wonderful selection of art, music, dance, and, of course, great food and wine. There are four regional wine appellations: Arbois, Côtes du Jura and the smaller Etoile and Château-Chalon plus two wine style appellations that cover the whole area, Crémant du Jura and Macvin (a Vin de Liqueur). Your day in Arbois will allow you to sample a selection of wines from the region and visit a few vineyards.

Day 5

Leaving from Arbois in the morning, you will travel back to Calais (approximately 400km) for the return channel crossing tp Dover.

What's Included:

• Return crossing with P&O ferries Dover-Calais
• 4 nights' accommodation as detailed above, in a standard room on bed and breakfast
• For peak travel by P&O or travel by Eurotunnel, supplements may apply

Distances from Calais: Beaune 610km, Arbois 650km

Call To Book This Tour

Please call a member of our sales team on 0845 330 2084

The Loire Valley - Blois/Montbazon

4 nights from £201 per person

Day 1 & 2

Following your arrival at Calais, drive South down to Blois in the Loire Valley (460km), where you will stay 2 nights in the central, modern Holiday Inn Blois, a comfortable 3* hotel. Blois is a pretty town situated further west along the Loire River, the next major town from Orléans. It is a thriving medieval town, once thought of as the capital of France, and is dominated by its grand château. It offers a range of interesting sites, shopping and activities in the picturesque river district. From here you can visit some wine growing areas that are situated between Tours and Blois:

• Montlouis-sur-Loire is situated between the river Loire and the Cher and the area produces an array of high quality wines using the chenin grape (Pineau de Loire or Chenin Blanc). It is well known for producing still wines (dry, medium-dry and sweet), sparkling and semi- sparkling wines (brut or demi sec).
• Vouvray wines are all made from the chenin grape, otherwise known as the pineau blanc of the Loire. Vouvray is extremely well known for its superb dessert wines.

Other sites worth visiting in this area include the Chateau de Blois, Chateau de Chambord, Chateau de Cheverny and a plethora of museums and historic buildings within Blois itself.

Day 3 & 4

After 2 nights in Blois, travel onto Montbazon (approximately 77km) and the 3* Domaine de la Tortiniére for a further 2 nights. This is a stunning property set in parkland and is only 14km from Tours. Montbazon is located in the centre of the Touraine growing region and is in close proximity to some of the major vineyards areas, here are a few to try:

• Touraine-Azay-le-Rideau. This wine region lies between the valleys of the Indre and the Loire and the wines produced are generally fruity from the Chenin grape and rosé from the grolleau.
• Touraine-Noble-Joué. This fertile wine growing area covers more than 30 hectares and spreads between the rivers Cher and Indre. The area produces rosé wines, using the pinot meunier, pinot gris and pinot noir grape varieties.
• Touraine-Amboise wine is known for its excellent quality that ages beautifully. The area straddles the River Loire and is an extension of both the Montlouis-sur-Loire and Vouvray vineyards. Known for production of white wine from the pineau blanc (chenin) grape, and red and rosé from the gamay, cabernet and côt grapes, it is a region definitely worth visiting.

Other sites worth visiting in this area include the Chateau de Chaumont, Chateau d'Amboise, and the famous Chateau de Chenonceau.

Day 5

Leaving from Montbazon in the morning, you will travel back to Calais for your afternoon crossing to Dover or Folkestone.

What's Included:

• Return crossing with P&O ferries Dover-Calais
• 4 nights' accommodation as detailed above, in a standard room on bed and breakfast
• For peak travel by P&O or travel by Eurotunnel, supplements may apply

Distances from Calais: Blois 472km, Montbazon 534km

Call To Book This Tour

Please call a member of our sales team on 0845 330 2084

The Loire Valley -Saumur/Montabazon/Ouchamps

4 nights from £242 per person

Day 1

On arrival at Calais, drive onto Saumur in the Loire Valley (537km). Stay the first night at the lovely 3* Anne d'Anjou overlooking the river. Saumur is a quiet and pretty town, famous for it National Equestrian school which produces shows throughout the year. Anjou - Saumur is a wine-growing region that is famous for; the Rosé d'Anjou, a dry or semi-dry wine; and Saumur, which produces dry bubbly whites and rosés. However, between Saumur and Montabazon, near Tours, are a plethora of vineyards that fall under the Touraine region of growers:

• Chinon wine comes from the cabernet franc grape, which is more commonly known as Breton in this region. Well made Chinon reds can be fruity and strong with a deep aroma. The area around Chinon is responsible for the Anjou rosé, which is a medium dry wine and pleasant and light to drink.
• Bourgueil and Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil. This area produces the Touraine reds and the superb red, St Nicolas de Bourgeuil. They are both made from the same grape type, the cabernet franc.

Day 2 & 3

Travel towards Montbazon (approximately 80km) and stay 2 nights at the 3* Domaine de la Tortiniére, a stunning 3* chateau set in parkland. Montbazon is only 14km from Tours and in the centre of the Touraine growing region and is in close proximity to some of the major vineyard areas. Here are a few to try:

• Touraine-Azay-le-Rideau. This wine region lies between the valleys of the Indre and the Loire and the wines produced are generally fruity from the Chenin grape and rosé from the grolleau.
• Touraine-Noble-Joué. This fertile wine growing area covers more than 30 hectares and spreads between the rivers Cher and Indre. The area produces rosé wines, using the pinot meunier, pinot gris and pinot noir grape varieties.
• Touraine-Amboise wine is known for its excellent quality that ages beautifully. The area straddles the River Loire and is an extension of both the Montlouis-sur-Loire and Vouvray vineyards. Known for production of white wine from the pineau blanc (chenin) grape, and red and rosé from the gamay, cabernet and côt grapes, it is a region definitely worth visiting.

Day 4

For your last night, drive on to Ouchamps and the 3* Relais des Landes. This is a delightful family-run hotel, conveniently located near the old City of Blois. From here you can visit some wine growing areas below that are situated between Tours and Blois.

• Montlouis-sur-Loire is situated between the river Loire and the Cher and the area produces an array of high quality wines using the chenin grape. It is well known for producing still wines (dry, medium-dry and sweet), sparkling and semi- sparkling wines (brut or demi sec).
• Vouvray wines are all made from the chenin grape, otherwise known as the pineau blanc of the Loire. Vouvray is extremely well known for its superb dessert wines.

Day 5

Travel back up to Calais for your return Eurotunnel or ferry crossing.

What's Included:

• Return crossing with P&O ferries Dover-Calais
• 4 nights' accommodation as detailed above, in a standard room on bed and breakfast
• At the Anne d'Anjou - 1 bottle of Langlois Cremant de Loire Brut, a bottle each of Saumur blanc and rouge collected during a a visit to a local wine house
• For peak travel by P&O or travel by Eurotunnel, supplements may apply

Distances from Calais: Saumur 537km, Ouchamps 490km

Call To Book This Tour

Please call a member of our sales team on 0845 330 2084

Touring the Châteaux of the Loire Valley- Blois/Montbazon/Saumur

4 nights from £184 per person

Day 1 & 2

Following your arrival at Calais, drive South down to Blois in the Loire Valley (460km), where you will stay 2 nights in the central, modern Holiday Inn Blois, a comfortable 3* hotel. Blois is a pretty town situated further west along the Loire River, the next major town from Orléans. It is a thriving medieval town, once thought of as the capital of France, and is dominated by its grand château. It offers a range of interesting sites, shopping and activities in the picturesque river district. Châteaux in and around Blois include the:

• Château de Blois was originally a medieval fortress and parts of particular interest include the 13th-century assembly hall, the Chapel of St Calais, the stunning 16th century Italianate Francois I Wing and the classical 17th century Gaston d'Orleans Wing. The chateau also houses a Religious Art and Fine Arts Museum.
• Château de Chambord was commissioned by Francois I in 1519 as a "hunting lodge", Chambord is the largest of the Loire châteaux and one of the most famous and extravagant.
• Château de Cheverny is an opulent and extravagant renaissance styled chateau from the period of Louis XIII. Set in fantastic parkland, it was previously used as Royal hunting ground.
• Château de Beauregard is today although beautiful, resembles a country estate more than the fairy tale structures of its peers as only the central wing remains.

Day 3

After 2 nights in Blois, travel onto Montbazon and the 3* Domaine de la Tortiniére for a further 1 night. This is a stunning 3* Château set in parkland and is only 14km from Tours. Please find below a few selected châteaux within this region.

• Château de Chaumont is set on a cliff above the Loire, it stands on the foundations of two previous fortresses from the 10th and 12th centuries. In the 15th century, Pierre d'Amboise had this chateau built following his pardon from King Louis the XI.
• Château d'Amboise was once home to French King Louis XI and his wife Charlotte of Savoy. Through the centuries, due to much turmoil and devastation the structure had almost been demolished and but can be seen to today in its entirety thanks to loving repair and restoration.
• Château de Chenonceau is situated 20 km southeast of Tours. Described as the most beautiful Château in the region, it is not the largest or the most historically significant but it has touched the hearts of many across the centuries.

Day 4

Drive onto Saumur and stay 1 night at the lovely 3* Anne d'Anjou overlooking the river. Saumur is a quiet and pretty town, famous for it National Equestrian school which produces shows throughout the year. It is also very close to several Châteaux including the:

• Château de Saumur is a 14th century castle and displays pretty towers, turrets and pinnacles. The château has often been at the centre of many important historic battles, and today houses the Museum of Decorative Art and the Museum of the Horse.

Day 5

Travel back up to Calais for your return Eurotunnel or ferry crossing.

What's Included:

• Return crossing with P&O ferries Dover-Calais
• 4 nights' accommodation as detailed above, in a standard room on bed and breakfast
• At the Anne d'Anjou - 1 bottle of Langlois Cremant de Loire Brut, a bottle each of Saumur blanc and rouge collected during a a visit to a local wine house
• For peak travel by P&O or travel by Eurotunnel, supplements may apply

Distances from Calais: Blois 472km, Saumur 537km

Call To Book This Tour

Please call a member of our sales team on 0845 330 2084