ITINERARY

Saturday

Fly from London to Strasbourg and transfer to the village of Erstein-Krafft, south of Strasbourg, where we join our barge 'Lorraine'. Sip an welcome aperitif as you board and we introduce you to the crew. Enjoy your first gourmet dinner on board this evening in Krafft

Sunday - Krafft to Strasbourg

After breakfast we cruise the peaceful Canal du Rhône au Rhin, a beautiful waterway that has seen little use since the building of the Grand Canal d"Alsace in the 1950's. After lunch, drive by coach to Colmar, renowned for its magnificent medieval and Renaissance buildings, 13th-century collegiate church, and the waterside Little Venice district. Visit t the Unterlinden Museum, famous for its Renaissance art and home to the “Isenheim Altarpiece.” Return to the barge along the famous "Route Des Vins" a small road running at the base of the foothills of the Vosges Mountains through the famous vineyards of Alsace. Pause in picturesque Medieval Riquewihr for a tasting of local vintages before returning to 'Lorraine', moored near Strasbourg

Monday - Strasbourg to Brumath

We cast off early and cruise over breakfast through the heart of Strasbourg and pass through the commercial docks before leaving the city to the north. We pass the ultra modern buildings of the European Parliament. Here we will disembark for an afternoon guided walking tour of the principal sights of Strasbourg. The unique beauty of picturesque “petite France” riverside district is magnificent. The remarkable cathedral of Notre Dame, whose construction spread over five centuries from the Romanesque choir to the flamboyant gothic spire, is a highlight. Afterwards there is free time to explore this capital of Alsace, perhaps visit one of the museums, take advantage of the excellent shopping or just stroll through the cobbled streets of timbered houses before returning to the 'Lorraine' at her mooring close by in the village of Brumath.

Tuesday - Brumath to Lutzelbourg

This morning we begin cruising after breakfast passing several typical Alsatian villages including Hochfelden, where ancient documents prove there was a brewery as early as 870 A.D. This day provides us with excellent opportunities for walking and cycling (perhaps diverting to a bierstub to appreciate the product of a local brewery). After lunch we moor in attractive, bustling Saverne, with excellent views of an imposing 18th-century red château. A visit to the ruined 11th-century château of Haut-Barr offers magnificent views of the Plain of Alsace. Later, a delightful afternoon cruise brings us to the picturesque small town of Lutzelbourg

Wednesday - Lutzelbourg to Hesse

After breakfast we make a short drive to visit a unique crystal factory to see the most famous products of this area. Also visit the Mediaeval Château de Lutzelbourg. Back on board, cruise into Lorraine, where the canal follows the beautiful gorge of the River Zorn to the famous inclined plane of Arzwiller. Here, a counterbalanced barge lift hauls us up nearly 150 feet to the Marne to Rhine Canal. We then cruise through a cutting and two tunnels under the peak of the Vosges Mountains before mooring at a quiet spot near the village of Hesse

Thursday - Hesse to Xouaxange

We begin a morning along the summit pound, the highest section, of the Marne to Rhine canal. This section of some thirty kilometres with no locks passes through the regional park of Lorraine, a nature reserve with numerous lakes and vast areas of woodland. This afternoon we will take the coach for a drive to Sarrebourg and visit the chapel of the Cordelieres where we can see the stained glass window created by Marc Chagall. We return to 'Lorraine' for our farewell gala dinner.

Friday

Leave the 'Lorraine' after breakfast and coach transfer back to Strasbourg for flight to London