The Ravishing Rhine

Take the train to Colmar from Paris or Zurich (or whichever city you fly to internationally). Arrive and check into the charming central Hotel Colombier Suites where we’ll be staying for our first two nights. Transfers from Strasbourg will be available if that's more convenient.

This afternoon we’ll trip the old town of Colmar and visit the expansive and impressive food market, picking up a snack or two en route.

We'll meet again in the lobby around 7pm after having some time to refresh and relax. We’ll have a short get-to-know-you session over drinks discussing what adventures are in store for the week. Then we’ll head out for a local meal at the Wistub Le Cygne, where we’ll feel properly welcomed to Alsace!

This morning after breakfast at our hotel, we’ll head out to visit the WWI Memorial Museum in Le Linge, including the battle fields and trenches with our knowledgeable guide. Here we’ll learn a little bit about the complex history of the Alsace region.

After, we’ll explore the charming village of Kaysersberg with our local guide Benoit. We’ll savor a wine tasting with lunch with a well-known female vintner. In the late afternoon we’ll head back to Colmar for some rest and relaxation and to shop and explore on your own.

Tonight, we’ll enjoy a meal of Flammekueche - delicious Alsatian-style Pizza - in the nearby darling village of Eguisheim  with some local beer.

Today we depart for Freiburg, Germany where we’ll stay for the following two nights at the Hotel Columbi.

Freiburg is where Katrin’s family is from. After checking in, we'll take a tour of the town and Katrin will show us some of her favorite shops in this small but terribly charming and sophisticated German town. Or, if you prefer you can relax and have a swim at the hotel’s indoor pool and spa.

Tonight, we’ll be sampling some local German delicacies at a historic beer garden.

As today is market day in Freiburg, Katrin will show us the market as well as the main cathedral which dates back to 1,200 AD – both are situated on the picturesque central square.

After the traditional lunch of a sausage at the famous stall on the cathedral square, we’ll partake in a local wine tasting.

During your free time this afternoon you may want to visit the Augustiner Museum, home to an impressive collection of paintings from the Middle Ages as well as the Baroque period.

This evening we’ll head off to visit a beautiful cloister and walk through the vineyards and dine on the best pork/veal Schnitzel you’ve ever tasted. (Choices for vegetarians are available).

After breakfast, we’ll head up into the mountains and to visit a luxurious spa, Der Oschberghof. Enjoy a massage or other treatment (one of which is included in trip, but feel free to pamper yourself with more)! After our spa time, we'll sot for a nice lunch outside on the terrace (weather permitting). On the way back to Freiburg we’ll stop in at a cuckoo clock factory that has many wonderful treasures for sale.

This afternoon is at leisure with an optional walk led by Katrin.

Finally, we’ll enjoy a sumptuous meal with wine back at our hotel.

Today, en-route to Basel, we’ll stop at the Vitra Design Museum with a campus full of architect designed buildings by the likes of Gehry, Tando Ando etc.

We shall lunch at the Beyeler Foundation designed by Renzo Piano, one of the most important museums in Europe and afterwards visit the beautiful collection and gardens.

Once in Basel, we'll check-in to the delightful and beautifully designed Krafft Hotel overlooking the Rhine River.

We'll have time to explore Basel a bit before dining on some Swiss classics in central Basel.

Today after breakfast we’ll enjoy a lovely boat ride along the Rhine River.

Then we’ll take a short trip to the Old Town with a stop into the ancient cathedral of Basel built over 1000 years ago.

Free time this afternoon: Optional Visit to the Kunstmusem with its collection of old masters through to contemporary artists. Or you can spend time on your own shopping and exploring Basel.

We’ll dine this evening at a grand yet charming Swiss classic and celebrate our wonderful week together treasuring the lasting friendships we’ve made.

Today after breakfast at our hotel, it's time to say, au revior, auf Wiedersehen. It will be sad to say goodbye to this lovely part of the world, and the new friends you've made. But you'll have memories for a lifetime!

To start your journey home, we'll drop you at the train station or airport in Basel. You should train or fly from Basel to the most convenient international city (probably Paris or Zurich) for your flight home.