Touring Alsace 2009 | Custom Group Tour

Date

Activity

Day 1

Afternoon:
Your guide, Dominique, will meet you at either the train station or airport and will take you to your hotel, “Père Benoît”. The hotel is a very beautiful Alsatian Inn entirely timber-framed. The rooms are quiet and well appointed.
Evening:
Dinner for this first evening of the tour will be a pleasant outdoor event in the gardens in Entzheim.
Night in Entzheim (at the “Père Benoit”)

Day 2

Morning:
Breakfast at “Père Benoit” - Ride to Strasbourg
Lunch:
Lunch in a typical Alsatian restaurant in Strasbourg.
Afternoon:
Guided tour of Strasbourg Being the 7th city of France, and in the Low Rhine region, it is the intellectual and economic capital of Alsace. 2000 years of history have given the city its overall aspect. The Middle Ages through the Renaissance (the golden age of the city), which saw the flourishing of architectural chef d'oeuvres, until more recent periods which gave the city classic palaces or art nouveau houses. Strasbourg has a very rich heritage, which will surely enchant you
The tour:
European council visit (1h long): The European Council (referred to as a European Summit) is the highest political body of the European Union. It comprises the heads of state or government of the Union's member states along with the President of the European Commission. Its meeting is chaired by the member from the member state currently holding Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Or:
European parliament (1h30 to 2h long) The European Parliament (Europarl or EP) is the directly elected parliamentary body of the European Union (EU). Together with the Council of the European Union (the Council), it forms the bicameral legislative branch of the Union's institutions and has been described as one of the most powerful legislatures in the world - Walk in the « jardin des deux rives » (two banks garden): True symbol of the German-French friendship, it streches over 150 hectares next to the Rhine, from bothsides of the « Pont de l’Europe » (European bridge). A step away from Strasbourg and Kehl, it constitutes a place of meeting and unique promenade.
Evening:
Dinner at “Père Benoit” restaurant
Night in Entzheim (at the “Père Benoit”)

Day 3

Morning:
Breakfast at “Père Benoit” - Ride to Strasbourg Guided visit of the old town : - We will have a walk in the « petite France area»: It’s the typical part of Strasbourg in which you will walk through charming old streets and Middle age houses. It’s one of the most attractive and conserved part of the city. You will like the genuiness of this old tanners, millers and fishers place.
Lunch:
At Weberstub in the “Petite France District” in Strasbourg: typical Alsatian food (flammekuch)
Afternoon:
End of the guided tour of the old Strasbourg: - Alsatian museum visit: Museum of popular art, introducing the evidence of traditional Alsatian life: furniture, ceramic, toys, pictures. - Walk in Strasbourg: place Kleber, place Gutenberg, shopping. - Visit of “the Notre-Dame de Strabourg Cathedral and it’s astronomical clock : Roman Catholic cathedral. At 142 meters, it remained the tallest church in the world until 1880, when it was surpassed firstly by Cologne Cathedral and then the 161 meters Ulm Münster. Today, it is the fourth-tallest church in the world.
Evening:
Dinner cruise to enjoy the magnificent scenery.
Night in Entzheim (at the “Père Benoit”)

Day 4

Morning:
We’ll meet at Dominique’s home in Entzeim. Coffee, tea, and croissants will be set up for you in the courtyard of this 1826 Alsatian farm. Tour briefing will take place during the refreshments.
10:00 am:
Now we collect the bikes and start the ride.
Rosheim:
Inhabited by Man since the Neolithic Age and first mentioned in 778 in Charlemagne’s time, Rosheim enjoyed an extraordinary period of development during the Middle Ages, especially during the Romanesque period during which, in addition to other buildings, the marvellous Romanesque church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul was built. Rosheim, which became a city in 1267, then an imperial city in 1303 and a member of the Decapole* in 1354, contains fortifications which feature some very interesting elements, in particular several doors which are still very well preserved to this day.
Obernai:
Barely thirty kilometres from Strasbourg, Obernai is a microcosm of Alsace. Its superb architecture and its charm make it the second most visited city in the region.
Boersch:
Here time seems to have come to a halt. At the centre of town, as though in a museum, you’ll find all the constructions typical of an Alsatian vineyard. The beautiful square will seduce you with its harmonious cluster of houses dating back to the sixteenth century, the City Hall, also dating back to the sixteenth century, and a rare Renaissance well that boasts six pails.
Mont Saint Odile:
At an altitude of 763 meters, it is the first mountain of the Vosges mountain range. A headland covered by forests and shielded by steep cliffs of pink sandstone, this place attracted Celts, Romans, and religious orders. In the seventh century, the Duke of Alsace built the first convent here. Throughout the centuries, it has burned down, been rebuilt and restored. Today it houses a handful of nuns who take in pilgrims. To the east, there is a magnificent view extending from the Alsace plain to the Black Forest. In good weather, more than 150 villages are visible below. To the west, you’ll see the Vosges mountain range. In keeping with the monastic spirit, we’ll share a simple afternoon meal here.
Hohwald:
We’ll be riding at high altitude. The roads are as winding as you could wish…. a real treat for bikers.
Champ du Feu:
At a height of 1,099 meters, The Champ de Feu offers a superb view of the northern Vosges Mountains and the Alsace Plain.
Lunch:
We’ll have a picnic at the edge of the wood at a spot that has been classified a World Heritage Site.
Afternoon:
Struthof is the name given to a place which is said to be built right up against the foothills of the Vosges Mountains. The landscape – mountain and forests – is superb. Before the war, the inhabitants of Strasbourg used to hike and play winter sports. But then in September 1940 the Nazi authorities decided to set up a concentration camp. We will offer an optional tour of this site, which is a moving experience for anyone who visits it and which stands as a permanent invitation to reflect upon totalitarian ideologies and the horrors to which they can lead. . Haut-Barr Castle overlooks the Saverne Plain and is an ideal spot to take a little break before we begin our descent toward Saverne taking some roads that are lined with forests! We would, of course make a detour to see “Chappe’s Telegraph,” which is named after its inventor, but unfortunately, the museum is closed on Mondays. No matter. There’s still a long way to go before we get to La Petite Pierre and we’re already getting hungry.
La Petite Pierre is located in the heart of the Regional Park of the Northern Vosges Mountains in the midst of enormous forests. The fortified city of La Petite Pierre combines the charm of the past and the beauty of wondrous landscapes. We’ll be hosted by Phillipe Velten, a renowned chef, but also a Harley-Davidson® rider and a loyal client of West Forever.
Evening:
First a drink and then to relax you after a full day of biking, there will be a covered pool, sauna, and Jacuzzi. - This evening you’ll enjoy a friendly atmosphere and the quality of Philippe’s cooking at the “Lion d’or” restaurant, which you will surely not soon forget.
Night at the “Lion d’or”.

Day 5

Morning:
Breakfast at the “Lion d’or” We’ll start with a warm-up ride. We’ll be on the road for nearly two hours in the Regional Park of the Northern Vosges Mountains, travelling from La Petite Pierre to the German border and then coming back toward the south, toward Hatten, to a place known as "Four-à-Chaux", on the Maginot Line, where a guide will tell us the story of this huge human and financial project and its laughable results. Woerth / Reichshoffen The famous “charge of the Reichshoffen cuirassiers” took place in 1870 during the Woerth campaign. “One night during the Battle of Reichshoffen, you should have seen the cavalry charge...". Afraid of being surrounded, MacMahon ordered a charge on the cuirassiers so that he could escape. That evening they counted 20,000 dead. All of the stupidity and horror of the war of 1870 are captured in this one bloody day.
Lunch:
Picnic in the Woerth area Afternoon: We’ll be riding through lush nature and fabulous landscapes. Passing Lichtenberg (another castle), we’ll arrive in Dabo by way of Artzwiller with its inclined plane which replaces 17 locks. Dabo and the Dabo Cliff: a village on a headland, surrounded by 4,000 hectares of forests. Return to La Petite Pierre.
Evening:
A “country “evening: A barbecue and a fishing expedition on the shores of a private pond.
Night at the “Lion d’or”.

Day 6

We’ll devote this day to the wines of Alsace.
Morning:
Breakfast at the “Lion d’or” We’ll take the most direct route to reach Molsheim where we’ll get on the wine route. Small villages in bloom dot this route, which we will follow until we reach Riquewihr, a jewel of a vineyard, a picture post card village, unless you prefer Ribauvillé, which is more authentic and just as picturesque.
Lunch:
We’ll retrace our steps until we get to Saint Hyppolite for a romantic picnic in the vineyards beneath Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle.
Afternoon:
Visit to Haut Koenigsbourg Castle, one of the “musts” of the lower Rhine region and one of the most visited sites in all of France. From the top of its spur, at a height of nearly 800 meters, this view soon turns into an infatuation for whomever criss-crosses the region. The largest castle of the Vosges region, it has been superbly restored and was used as the setting for the film “the Grand Illusion,” Jean Renoir’s masterpiece. They say that on a very clear day you can see Mont Blanc. It will be up to you to confirm it! We’ll head back through enchanting little roads. We’ll visit the Museum of Sigillography
Evening:
Tonight, we will have a drink at the Petite Pierre Castle and then a tasting of Alsatian wines (five varieties) / Introduction to local oenology.
Night at the “Lion d’or”.

Day 7

We’ll devote this day to the western slopes of the northern Vosges Mountains. Morning:
Breakfast at the “Lion d’or” By late morning we should reach Donon’s Pass, with its Roman temple! This is the highest peak of the northern Vosges Mountains and the roads that lead to it are a real treat for bikers like us.
Lunch:
We’ll have lunch at the “Auberge du Donon.” Afternoon: While the less athletic among us take a nap under the chestnut trees, the more energetic ones will lace up their sneakers to climb the last hundred or so meters that lead to this high place of Celtic culture that was Donon’s Peak. On the trip back to La Petite Pierre, we’ll stay on the western slope of the Vosges Massif, and we’ll even make forays into the Lorraine region. We’ll take small roads which, while less spectacular are just as pleasant and we’ll make a stop at the Lac de la Pierre Percée (Lake of the Pierced Rock). We’ll see lost villages and a large number of small working farms.
Evening:
This evening, we’ll have a surprise drink in a most romantic spot which was especially chosen for our last night in the beautiful village of La Petite Pierre. - Dinner at the”Lion d’or”
Night at the “Lion d’or”.

Day 8

Everything must come to an end and now we unfortunately have to return to Strasbourg. There’s no reason to get depressed. We’ll have a wonderful day in the Black Forest. Earlier this morning, we will have given our bags to Philippe who will bring them to us.
Morning:
Breakfast at the “Lion d’or” We’ve spent the morning on the eastern road. First we’ll cross the Rhine and then we’ll take a short scenic tour in Germany to visit the Black Forest.
Lunch:
We’ll enjoy a Teutonic lunch on a timbered farm lost in the hills and have Black Forest cake for dessert.
Afternoon: We’ll cross the Rhine again, but this time in the south of the city, and go back to the Harley-Davidson® store in Fegersheim (Strasbourg) where the store’s owner will propose a farewell toast. Big hot tears…. Everyone goes their separate ways! Next morning we will transfer you back to the train station or airport We would not dare to claim that by the end of your trip we will have shown you all of northern Alsace.
Evening:
Dinner in Entzheim at the “Burehof” restaurant.
Night in Entzheim: “Père Benoit”.

Day 9

Morning:
Breakfast at “Père Benoit” and go back either to the station or to the airport.