Wine and Wellness in Black Forest
6 nights from $4,535pp
From the gorgeous wooded landscapes and romantic castles of the Black Forest to the picturesque villages and rolling vineyards of Alsace, this seven-day road trip takes you through some of the finest landscapes in Germany and France. Pamper yourself with a spa day in Baden-Baden, explore the architectural treasures of Colmar, and witness how the culture, food and wines of these two regions influence and inspire each other with wine tours, tastings, and a variety of scrumptious meals.
- Stay in two luxurious hotels, a five-star grande dame hotel in the spa town of Baden-Baden and a unique Relais & Châteaux hotel in a historic building in Colmar.
- Explore the wines, landscapes and castles of the Black Forest in a full-day chauffeured tour with visits to two exciting boutique wineries in Baden.
- Emerge rejuvenated and glowing after a blissful day of relaxation in the Brenners Park spa.
- Discover picturesque villages, sublime landscapes and passionate winegrowers on a full-day tour along the Alsace Grands Crus wine trail, with tastings at three wineries.
- Visit and tasting in the heart of old Colmar in the oldest operational cellars in the region
- Free day in the medieval town of Colmar, home to colourful half-timbered houses, romantic lanes and canals, and stunning historic architecture
- Taste the best of the Black Forest and Alsace with a variety of meals including vineyard lunches and rustic taverns.
Day 1
Catch the Eurotunnel from Folkestone to Calais, and drive to the cosmopolitan spa town of Baden-Baden. Check into your hotel, the five-star Brenners Park Hotel & Spa.
Enjoy a relaxing afternoon, strolling cobblestone streets and romantic parks, indulging in a drink and cake at an outdoor café, or unwinding after your journey in a thermal bath.
Day 2
Following breakfast at your hotel, your private guide will collect you for a full-day chauffeured tour of the castles, wineries and landscapes of the Black Forest. The day begins at the romantic ruins of Alt-Eberstein Castle, which offers quintessential views over the Black Forest and Rhine Valley.
Then it’s time to delve into Baden wines, where Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir), Riesling and Gewürztraminer are the main grape varieties. You’ll visit two vineyards: a revolutionary young winemaker producing an exciting range of wines, and an impressive wine estate centred on a 13th-century castle where wine has been produced for over 700 years.
Your day includes tours and tastings at both vineyards, along with a gourmet vineyard lunch with one of the winemakers.
Day 3
Free day in Baden-Baden. Why not treat yourself to a day in the Brenners Park spa? Set across five floors in Villa Stéphanie, this seriously impressive spa features an indoor swimming pool and plunge pool, a choice of sauna and steam rooms, an inviting relaxation room, and offers a wide range of pampering treatments. It’s the perfect way to relax and rejuvenate before the second part of your trip.
Day 4
After breakfast, it’s time to pack up your car and begin the drive to Colmar in France. The journey takes around an hour and a half, but it’s a picturesque route with plenty to see on the way.
We’ve arranged for lunch in Obernai, where you’ll sample traditional Alsatian dishes like braised pork cheeks and sauerkraut in a rustic, stone-lined tavern.
Then continue to Colmar and check into your luxurious Relais & Châteaux hotel, situated on a cobblestone street in a stately mansion dating from 1609, one of the most beautiful historic buildings in the city.
Day 5
After breakfast at your hotel, your private guide will collect you for a full-day chauffeured tour along part of the Alsace wine route. Renowned for its aromatic, floral and spicy white wines, Alsace is a picturesque region with a fusion of French and German cultures, fairy-tale villages with half-timbered houses, and passionate winegrowers.
We’ll stop at three carefully selected Grands Cru estates where you’ll tour the vineyards, meet the winemakers, and taste a selection of local Riesling, Muscat and Gewurztraminer.
Day 6
Free day to explore the quaint town of Colmar. Bursting with pretty cobblestone alleyways, romantic canals, half-timbered houses and flower-laden windowsills, this is one place you don’t want to forget your camera! You might like to visit the Unterlinden Museum, which features exhibits from the prehistoric era to 20th-century art, and is home to the famous Issenheim Altarpiece, or explore the famous covered market. Leave time to sample the traditional Alsatian cake, the Kougelhopf.
In the late afternoon visit a family winery, the oldest operational cellars in Colmar, with magnificent oak vats, some of which are more than a hundred years old, concluding with a wonderful tasting of eight wines.
Day 7
Your exploration of the wines and landscapes of the Black Forest and Alsace draws to its conclusion today. Take a final stroll around Colmar then begin your journey back to the Eurotunnel at Calais.
If you fancy extending your Alsatian adventure, why not stick around to explore the delights of Strasbourg and everything else Alsace has to offer?
Where You Could Stay
Hôtel des Berges
Set on the banks of the River Ill in the small Alsatian village of Illhaeusern, the Hôtel des Berges is an intimate boutique hotel wrapped in verdant and floral gardens.
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La Maison des Têtes
Built in 1609 by a wealthy wine merchant, La Maison des Têtes is one of Colmar’s most iconic buildings.
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