Classic Hotels + Christmas Markets

Alsace and the Black Forest

November 30 – December 9, 2018

Experience the magic of Europe’s holiday season . . .

We’ll find “home” in beautifully-sited 4-star hotels – our windows on

Strasbourg, the Vosges Mountains, and the Black Forest (multi-night

stays in each). We’ll explore the region’s stunning landscapes by

comfortable van, learn fascinating local stories that span the

centuries, and delight in the seasonal flavors.

Classic hotels featured on this trip:

Hôtel Beaucour - Strasbourg, France

http://www.hotel-beaucour.com/

Hostellerie des Châteaux & Spa - Ottrott, France

http://www.hostellerie-chateaux.fr/

Waldhotel, Bad Sulzburg - Sulzburg, Germany

http://waldhotel4you.de/

Itinerary:

Friday, November 30

Evening departure, from Charlotte to Strasbourg (via Munich).

Saturday, December 1

Arrive in historic and lovely Strasbourg, where we’ll spend the next three nights. We’ll check

into our lovely hotel, the Hôtel Beaucour. The Beaucour is located in a splendid 19th century

building that is beautifully situated adjacent to the canals of the old city, and surrounded by

acclaimed regional restaurants, boutiques, and some of the prettiest gathering areas in Old

Strasbourg. We’ll unwind and settle into our new surroundings with an early dinner, then catch

up on our sleep. Overnight, Strasbourg.

Sunday, December 2

Breakfast will be a smorgasbord of regional and seasonal treats. (Get used to it . . . but pace

yourself!) In the mid-morning, we’ll walk into nearby “Petite France” and visit the lovely

Cathedral Notre Dame de Strasbourg. Nearby, peruse the Christmas market that comes alive in

the Place de la Cathedrale (Europe’s oldest), and sip a vin chaud (hot wine). We’ll enjoy a lunch

in the old city. This afternoon, we’ll explore the beautiful rooms of the Palais Rohan (seat of

the local prince-bishops), and one or more of the Strasbourg city art / history museums. All

around us will be the sights, fragrances, and tastes of the holiday season – enjoy soaking it all

in. We’ll enjoy dinner together this evening; overnight, Strasbourg.

Monday, December

Wake up to the prospect of hot coffee or chocolate, and your choice of meats and cheeses, or

tasty baked items. In the mid-morning we’ll embark on a covered boat outing that will provide

us with panoramic views and a new perspective on the ancient city and its history, and

Strasbourg’s role in the European Union (home of the EU’s Parliament). Afterwards, we can

explore lovely Place Kleber, and enjoy free time to shop and soak in the city’s festive ambiance.

For history lovers, the Musée Alsatian is just beside our hotel. Enjoy one last dinner in the old

city; overnight, Strasbourg.

Tuesday, December 4

Today, we’ll bid adieu to Strasbourg, and plunge by private vehicle into the forested slopes of

the Vosges, lying just to our west, where we will visit the ancient church of Marmoutier. Our

drive south will take us to a marquetry workshop, where we will meet a third-generation

woodworking master, who will tell us about his craft. We’ll then arrive in our lovely village of

Ottrott – and settle into our lodging for the next two nights, inside a transformed 17th century

manor house: the Hostellerie des Châteaux & Spa. Dinner in the area; overnight, Ottrott.

Wednesday, December 5

After breakfast in the hotel, we’ll explore this lovely region: Mount St. Odile – crowned by a

splendid abbey, with views stretching into the Rhine River valley below. Our drive in the

forested Vogues will continue to the resort town of Le Hohwald, passing ruined chateau en

route. After lunch, we’ll explore the Memorial d’Alsace Moselle – which interprets the story of

French resistance fighters and deportees during World War II; and a nearby French military

cemetery. We’ll return via the scenic route to Ottrott, where your options will include visiting

the local church, browsing the lovely shops, or relaxing at the spa. Dinner and overnight in

Ottrott.

Thursday, December 6

Today, we will drive south along the Alsatian wine route, through some of Europe’s most

beautiful and idyllic villages. These will include: Ribeauvillé, Riquewihr, and the nearby Orbey

Valley. In the afternoon, we will cross the German border and nestle into our Victorian hotel

tucked away in a mountain valley, the four-star Waldhotel – Bad Sulzburg. Dinner at the

Waldhotel; overnight in Bad Sulzburg.

Friday, December 7

Enjoy a delicious breakfast in the hotel, before a day of exploring scenic valley routes, featuring

beautiful churches, castles, and villages in the Munster (yes, famous for their cheese!) and

Kander valleys. Highlights will include the lovely church in the village of Sulzburg (just down the

valley from our “forest hotel;” and the Burgeln Castle. We’ll return to our cozy digs in time for

the happy hour, or a swim in our heated, grotto-embedded pool (all at the Waldhotel). Dinner

in the area; overnight in Bad Sulzburg.

Saturday, December 8

The day begins with another delicious breakfast at our hotel, before heading to the next village

over for a one-of-a-kind treat: Christmas market day in the village of Staufen. The market will

feature local choirs, musicians, tasty treats – crafted from centuries-old recipes, and a lovely

atmosphere fit for the season. All in a low-key, down-home manner. We’ll return to Bad

Sulzburg at a reasonable hour, and enjoy a last dinner together. Overnight, Bad Sulzburg.

Sunday, December 9

After breakfast, we’ll drive to the Basel-Mulhouse airport, where we’ll board our flight for

home.

Pricing information:

Trip Price: $3699 / person (double occupancy; single supplement, $750); price includes 8 nights

accommodation and breakfast in Europe; comfortable van transportation; 4 lunches and 4

dinners; all group touring / entrances / activities. Price does not include airfare, optional trip

insurance, other meals, alcohol.

Photo Gallery and Registration (print page 10 for registration form)

Canal view near the Hôtel Beaucour, Strasbourg

Room interior at the Hôtel Beaucour - Strasbourg

Hostellerie des Châteaux & Spa - Ottrott

Waldhotel Bad Sulzburg

Trip Registration – Alsace & the Black Forest

November 30 – December 9, 2018

Please print and mail this registration form, along with your $750 / person deposit (check, payable to Explore Up Close), to:

Explore Up Close, LLC 613 Poplar St. Spartanburg, SC 29302

Your Name: _______________________________________

Mailing Address: _______________________________________________________________

Telephone: _________________________ Email: ____________________________________

Name of person(s) traveling with you (if applicable):

________________________________ ; __________________________________

Contact information (if different from yours):

Telephone: __________________________ Email: ___________________________________

Lodging specifics (requests will be honored to the degree possible):

_____ room with two (2) beds _____ room with one (1) bed

Enclosed is my check, payable to “Explore Up Close,” in the amount of __________________.

_______________

Final trip payment is due on November 12, 2018. Refunds can be granted prior to that date,

minus a $100 service fee and any non-refundable vendor monies (hotel and guide bookings,

etc.).

www.exploreupclose.com • (864) 431-7567 • chumley@exploreupclose.com