TASTE OF ALSACE
A glorious celebration of the Alsatian wines and cuisine while offering a unique approach of the Alsace culture and lifestyle

5 days / 4 nights (Wednesday through Sunday) US$ 2100 /pers.

2 hours distance to Paris by direct TGV, Alsace is the smallest French region (40 miles long by 16 miles wide) but one of the most significant cultural landscapes in Europe. Half-timbered houses adorned with flowers, gabled roofs and chimneys topped with stork nests. In a so small territory, Alsace boasts majestic forests of the Vosges, peaceful lakes and rivers, Renaissance-style historic cities such as Strasbourg and Colmar, medieval fortresses with picturesque villages of Riquewihr and Kaysersberg on the Route des Vins. Region of good living, Alsace is not only reputed for its heritage, and traditions that locals have been kept alive for centuries, but also for its cuisine and wines.

Like everywhere in France, the food and the wines take part of the culture and history.Exploring Alsace with Lifestyle Vacations is a unique experience. Corinne Preteur, former PR agent for Alsace Tourism Board, escorts this ultimate “Taste of Alsace” tour which is exclusive too. Aside to cooking class, you visit producers, meet with local people, enjoy the beauties of historic sites through guided tour, and taste Alsatian gourmet cuisine. Accommodation at beautifully restored and decorated luxury B&B nearby the Crest Road

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Alsace is a enchanted region to explore, a region of bounty for gourmets and wine lovers. One of the most well-known traditional dish is sauerkraut (choucroute). Baeckeoffe (vegetable and meat stew) is another one traditionally served on Sunday for lunch. Fried fish (carp) belongs to the local southern area specialities, as the cakes, kouglof “almond-brioche” and other delightful pastries, biscuits, and brioches which celebrate the alive traditions of Christmas.

But Alsace is not only renowned for its delicacies but also for its high culinary “savoir-faire” that reaches the summit of perfection when you dine at Michelin-starred restaurants such as l’Auberge de l’ill, or Le Buerehiesel, or Le Chambard in Kaysersberg or JL Brendel in Riquewihr. Visiting Alsace is just amazing thanks to picturesque villages and fairy-tale atmosphere, and to the magnificient landscapes with hills, forests and vineyards. Visiting Alsace means also tasting cheeses paired with flowerish wines among the French most prestigious whites.

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Photos could speak by themselves… You are here at Sylvie and Robert’s sweet home, a former 18th century-style sheepfold that has been entirely renovated and that offers the guests a universe of charm and great comfort.The property offers 5 rooms with private large bathrooms featuring a bath or a shower. Each one has its own style, beautifully decorated in a pure Alsatian refined style.

Spending few days in this heaven of peace, is just unique. The property sets in the countryside, 30 minutes distance to Colmar by car, on the way to the Crest Road.Sylvie and Robert are advanced cooks and wine connoisseurs. Dinners they prepare together are fantastic, and home-made breakfasts accompanied by jams that Robert made with all his heart contribute to start the day with good energy and joy

• Other place to stay in case of late booking with no availability at the property : Le B Espace Suites in Riquewihr offering luxuriously decorates rooms and suites in a modern and elegant style. It’s Michelin-star chef Jean-Luc Brendel property.
• For only two participants in a tour, accommodation will be possible at Le B. Cottage.

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Taste of Alsace celebrates the delightful regional cuisine and the finest Alsatian wines through classes & tastings. It also offers a cultural approach through the visits and excursions. You will be granted a unique VIP welcome at a cheese cellar including a lecture to improve your understanding in the Alsatian cheeses paired with local wines (magic “terroir” !). You will attend a hands-on cooking class celebrating the Alsatian cuisine and learn to cook a three-course meal under our chef direction.

You will visit the renowned Maison Ferber in Niedermorschwihr (Christine Ferber makes the most delightful jams I’ve ever tasted!).Along the excursions on the wine route, you will visit the historic city of Colmar, and the picturesque medieval villages of Kaysersberg, Riquewihr, Ribeauvillé, built on the Wines Route… which means visits to  wine properties and breweries, including tastings. Dinners at typical “winstub” and gourmet restaurants are included in the program

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DETAILED ITINERARY

DAY 1 (Wednesday) : Welcome to Alsace / Murbach walking tour & visit to the Abbey
- Welcome at Colmar train station or at Bale-Mulhouse international airport.
- Private transfer to Murbach.
- Check-in at the property with a welcome drink.
- Walking tour of the village, including visit to the 11th century Abbey.
- Food & wine pairing dinner celebrating the Asatian traditional cuisine, at the property.
- Overnight at the B&B.

DAY 2 (Thursday) : Amazing Colmar… Full-day excursion to this City of Art and History, including gourmet trail, cultural walking tour, and time free for shopping.
- Home-made breakfast at the property.
- Private transfer by car to Colmar.
- Gourmet Trail starts at 10:00am by the food market visit on place de la Cathedrale.
- Along the market visit, Corinne provides her personal tips and recipes using fresh seasonal produces, and explain how to combine and cook flavorful ingredients without too much fat that make the French cuisine so unique.
- The trail continues through the old district and narrow streets where you find the best breads, cheeses, charcuteries and wine shops, as well as finest pastry and chocolate boutiques.
- Tour includes food & wine tastings.
- Lunch at Winstub Brenner nearby La Petite Venise canal.
- Afternoon 2-hour walking tour of Colmar, including La Maison des Têtes and the Tanners District.
- Time free for shopping in between.
- Back to the property at around 6:00pm
- Dinner at Gilbert Schluraff restaurant in Soultz.
- Overnight at the property.

DAY 3 (Friday) : Munster Valley & the Wine Route through Kaysersberg. Cheese, Michelin-star restaurant, Pastry and delicacies.
- Home-made breakfast at the property.
- Transfer by car to Munster. The valley is reputed for its raw cow milk cheese called Munster which is a controlled appellation. Visit to a cheese farm nearby Hohrod. You will meet with the producer and see how the cheese is made.
- Lunch at a farm-auberge in the mountain, offering traditional cuisine accompanied by wine.
- Afternoon visit of this village, and to Niedermorshwihr where works celebrity pastry chef Christine Ferber. Her pastries and jams are simply delightful !
- Back to the property at 5:00pm. Relaxing time.
- Dinner and overnight at the property.

DAY 4 (Saturday) : Delightful Wine Route. Cooking Class, and visit to wine and eau-de-vie producers.
- Early breakfast at the property.
- 9:00am-1:00pm : 3-hour hands-on cooking class celebrating the Alsatian and French delightful cuisine. You will learn how to prepare and cook a traditional 3-course meal including a starter, a main course and a dessert. Tasting lunch accompanied by wine follows.
- Afternoon walking tour to the medieval village of Riquewihr (probably one of the most picturesque on the wines route), and visit to a traditional brewer.
- Excursion continues to Ribeauvillé beautiful village. After the walking tour, visit to a wine producer and distillery.
- Back to the property at 5:30pm.
- Relaxing time.
- Farewell dinner at Michelin-star restaurant Le Chambard (Executive Chef Olivier Nasti) or La Table des Gourmets (Executive Chef Jean-Luc Brendel).

DAY 5 (Sunday) : Noon check-out & transfer to airport or train station
- Home-made breakfast at the property.
- Morning or noon check-out. Transfer to Colmar train station or Bale-Mulhouse airport

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PRICE PER PERSON (double occupency) : US$ 2,100.00
Single supplement US$ 360.00
• Rates are subject to change based on currncy exchange. Call for updated rates.

PRICE INCLUDES
• Bâle-Mulhouse airport or Colmar train station round-trip private transfers,
• 5 days ground transportation by private car or minibus,
• 5 full-day escort by Corinne Preteur personally,
• 4 nights accommodation at luxury bed and breakfasts,
• 4 home-made continental breakfasts,
• Half-day gourmet trail in Colmar on Thursday morning,
• Guided tour of Colmar old districts on Thursday afternoon,
• Full-day excursion to the Munster Valley and the Wine route on Friday,
• Visit to a cheese farm, and to Patisserie and Chocolaterie Ferber on Friday,
• Kaysersbeg, Riquewihr and Ribeauvillé quaint villages walking tours,
• Morning cooking class in Colmar or Riquewihr celebrating the Alsatian cuisine.
• 3 courses recipes in English,
• Visits to wine properties and brewery including tastings, on Friday an Saturday,
• 3 lunches (drinks included) on Thursday, Friday and Saturday,
• 4 gourmet dinners on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, including one at Michelin-star restaurant

NOT INCLUDED
• Airfare to/from France
• Train tickets to Colmar
• Drinks at the restaurants for dinners
• Personal insurance and personal expenses

2012 TOUR DATES

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