Discover storybook castles, Alsatian wine vineyards, baroque, gothic, and romanesque architecture on this 7-day eastern France private cruise. Set sail on the hotel barge Panache in Strasbourg, Europe's capital. Visit the 12th-century Gothic pink sandstone cathedral, Place Gutenberg, and La Petite France, a pedestrian area full of half-timbered buildings, shops, and cafés. Continue to a long-established winemaker, Domaine Pfister, and enjoy a private tasting of Gewürztraminer, Pinot Noir, and Riesling wines. Head to the charming village of Lutzelbourg, surrounded by hills and dominated by the remnants of a medieval castle, before continuing to the Lehrer Crystal glassworks. Then the Arzviller boat elevator takes you 450 feet up the mountainside. Your trip concludes in Sarrebourg before you disembark in Strasbourg.
Highlights
Explore the Route des Vins d’Alsace and enjoy a private wine tasting with your private group of up to 12 guests
Visit the Meteor Brewery, founded in 1640
Tour Sarrebourg including a visit to the Chagall chapel
Tour the beautiful city of Strasbourg and visit its Gothic cathedral
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Guests are met in Strasbourg and transferred by private chauffeured minibus to Panache for a champagne welcome and the first opportunity to meet your crew. Perhaps there is time for a walk or cycle ride before dinner on board.
Your day starts with a morning cruise across the Gran Ried wetlands and home to an abundance of birdlife to arrive at the historical city of Strasbourg. Later, enjoy a tour of the beautiful ‘capital city of Europe’ including, of course, a visit to the 12th-century Gothic pink sandstone cathedral, home to an astronomical Renaissance clock and soaring spire. Visit Place Gutenberg and explore La Petite France, a pedestrian area brimming with half-timbered houses, boutique shops, and cafés.
After breakfast, your cruise takes you past the impressive European Parliament building on the outskirts of Strasbourg and on through the Brumath Forest to the picturesque mooring at Waltenheim-sur-Zorn. This afternoon enjoys a scenic drive into the rolling Vosges hills on the Route des Grands Vins, where the finest wines of Alsace are produced, and a private tasting of Gewürztraminer Pinot Noir and Riesling wines at a long-established winemaker, such as Domaine Pfister. Dinner ashore this evening at a traditional Alsatian restaurant.
This morning take a guided tour, with an optional beer tasting, at the Meteor Brewery, founded in 1640, and the last privately-owned brewery in Alsace. Returning to Panache, you cruise further along the canal, with good walking and cycling opportunities, to the enchanting town of Saverne where history traces back over 2,000 years to the Gallo-Roman Times, mooring at the foot of the Château de Rohan, also known as the ‘Versailles of Alsace.’
This morning, perhaps after a visit to Saverne’s market, enjoy a cruise to the mooring in the pretty village of Lutzelbourg, surrounded by hills and overlooked by the ruins of the medieval castle. In the afternoon, visit the mountaintop village of La Petite Pierre, then tour the outstanding René Lalique collection and see over 500 exceptional examples of Art Nouveau and Art Deco glassware. Nearby Wingen-Sur-Moder is also the World War Two battleground where American infantry fought with distinction. Before dinner on board, time for aperitifs and perhaps some traditional Alsatian ‘Flammekueche’ prepared by your chef.
There is an optional visit to a local bakery for early risers to watch skilled patissiers preparing their delicious creations before you cruise through the beautiful Alsatian countryside, visiting the Lehrer Crystal glassworks en-route. You then ascend the unique Arzviller boat elevator that carries Panache 450 feet up the mountainside in minutes and enjoy a candlelit cruise through the two Arzviller tunnels to your final mooring at Niderviller. After lunch on board, set off on a tour of Sarrebourg, including visits to the 13th-century chapel containing Marc Chagall’s remarkable stained-glass window and the impressive museum of Roman and Medieval artifacts. Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.
Day 7: Niderviller | Disembark
1 Breakfast
After breakfast, guests are transferred by private chauffeured minibus to their choice of location in Strasbourg.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$75,000
or $6,250 per person based on 12 max passengers
Rates are subject to change without notice. Book early to get the best rate.
Select a Date
Junior Suite
150 sq ft including en suite facilities including TV/DVD, Double sink in bathroom and air conditioning/ heating, WiFi (subject to location)
Initial deposit is 25%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure by Credit card, check, and bank transfer. All final payments by credit card subject to a surcharge of 2.5% and maximum of $20,000 charge
Beyond expectations! Then again we weren't sure what to expect. Lovely stay at the lodge, met other like-minded travelers (many had their trips planned by Adventure Life) and the owner was a gracious hostess. It felt like you were one happy family, visiting with a favorite aunt.
Nancy Sin
TrustScore 4.8 | 174 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 174 reviews on
1 day ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
