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Rick Steves' Best of Eastern France, Day by Day
The bountiful vineyards, classic villages, and hearty cuisine of Eastern France are legendary. If you've already had a taste of Paris, it's time you stayed for the full course on our Best of Eastern France in 14 Days tour. Let's go! (photo: Dominic Arizona Bonuccelli)
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Day 1: Welcome to France's Champagne Region
Just 45 minutes from central Paris by frequent TGV (bullet) train, the effervescent city of Reims is famous for its royal history, its towering cathedral…and Champagne. We'll meet at 5 p.m. at our hotel for a short "bienvenue à Reims" meeting. Then we'll take an orientation walk through the heart of Reims, followed by time to get acquainted over dinner together. (photo: Dominic Arizona Bonuccelli)
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Day 2: All Day in Reims
We'll spend our morning on a walking tour through Reims' historic city center, where we'll learn about the design and history of its glorious Gothic cathedral. Rivaling Paris' Notre-Dame Cathedral in beauty and prestige, more than two dozen kings and queens of France were crowned here over the course of six centuries. The cathedral and its surrounding neighborhood were virtually destroyed during World War I, then rebuilt during the Art Deco age, which is delightfully reflected in the design and décor of Reims' downtown buildings. Today we'll also learn about this region's most famous product — Champagne — with a tasting courtesy of a local producer. (photo: Dominic Arizona Bonuccelli)
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Day 3: Battlefields and Lessons of Verdun
We'll meet our bus and driver today and take a short drive to the historic WWI battlefields at Verdun. We'll visit the ruins and monuments of one of Europe's costliest battles of attrition, where hundreds of thousands of French and German soldiers perished. Our day will end in France's Germanic region, the Alsace, the ultimate Franco-Germanic blend. Tonight we'll share a dinner of Alsatian specialties in the town of Colmar, where we'll sleep. (photo: Dominic Arizona Bonuccelli)
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Day 4: All Day in Colmar
Today is devoted to exploring the enchanting town of Colmar. We'll take a walking tour this morning, wandering over its cobbled lanes lined with leaning, half-timbered buildings, and learn about the historic importance of the community's canals. We'll wrap things up at one of Rick's favorite museums in Europe — the Unterlinden — home to the Isenheim Altarpiece by Matthias Grünewald. You'll have this afternoon and evening free to explore more of the city's sights and pedestrian-friendly lanes, and to enjoy more Alsatian specialties on your own. (photo: Cameron Hewitt)
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Day 5: The Route du Vin
Let's take off and explore the region's scenic Route du Vin, where colorful villages and vineyards carpet the foothills of the Vosges Mountains — birthplace of the region's very dry Rieslings and aromatic Gewürztraminers. Our first stop is the imposing Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg, perched sky-high in the Vosges Mountains. After lunch in a small Alsatian village, we'll wander through the vineyards and find the perfect winery to sample some local varieties. Then we'll return to Colmar, where you'll have the late afternoon and evening free. (photo: Dominic Arizona Bonuccelli)
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Day 6: A Hearty Taste of Burgundy
This morning we'll drive from the Teutonic tidiness of Alsace to the red-tiled villages of Burgundy and its bustling wine capital of Beaune. After some free time for lunch, we'll hit the ground walking with a tour of the town and its eye-opening medieval charity hospital, Hôtel Dieu. Tonight we'll have a Burgundian dinner together. (photo: Dominic Arizona Bonuccelli)
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Day 7: Market Day and Vineyards
It's outdoor market day in Beaune! Your morning will be free for rubbing elbows with locals sampling smelly cheeses, creamy pâtés, and fresh produce while doing their weekly shopping. This afternoon we set off for Burgundy's legendary and beautiful Côte d'Or wine country, where we'll have lunch together at a local domaine, along with a tasting of its celebrated harvest. We'll return to Beaune later this afternoon, where you'll be free for discoveries and dinner on your own. Escargots, anyone? (photo: Dominic Arizona Bonuccelli)
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Day 8: To the Alpine Peaks of Chamonix
This morning we'll make a bee-line for Europe's highest point, Mont Blanc, arriving in the picturesque resort town of Chamonix in time to get acquainted with all the Alpine thrills this charming city offers. This evening we'll enjoy a traditional dinner of raclette or fondue together. (photo: Dominic Arizona Bonuccelli)
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Day 9: Free Day in the French Alps
Today is your day to enjoy the wonders of the French Alps. You can choose among several great hiking trails with stunning views of Mont Blanc and a supporting cast of Alps that seem to stretch forever. For one of Europe's great Alpine thrills (weather permitting), take Europe's longest vertical gondola rides up to the 12,600-foot Aiguille du Midi viewpoint. From there, mini-gondolas take travelers over the snowfields and on to Italy (and back)! (photo: Dominic Arizona Bonuccelli)
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Day 10: From Peaks to Provence
Sit back and rest those hiking muscles as we spend our day driving south to sunny Provence, enjoying the countryside along the way. We'll stop for lunch and a boat ride (weather permitting) in exquisite Annecy — hands-down France's most beautiful lakefront town. We'll arrive at our history-rich, Provençal destination of Vaison-la-Romaine in time to get oriented and enjoy dinner together. (photo: Dominic Arizona Bonuccelli)
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Day 11: Roman Provence
We'll spend our morning sifting through the 2,000-year-old site of ancient Vaison-la-Romaine. There we'll tour the ruins of a sprawling Roman mansion and the 6,000-seat Roman theater that is still used for performances today. Consider this a warm-up act for the most impressive of all Roman theaters — the Theater of Orange — which we'll drive to and experience this afternoon. (photo: Dominic Arizona Bonuccelli)
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Day 12: Vineyards of the Côtes du Rhône
This morning we'll drive through some of Europe's most picturesque villages and vineyards as we make our way to one of our favorite wineries. We'll stop there for a refreshing lunch and the chance to sample some formidable Côtes du Rhône wines at their source. Then we'll return to Vaison for free time this afternoon. (photo: Dominic Arizona Bonuccelli)
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Day 13: Exquisite Aix-en-Provence
Today we'll continue south through Provence's intoxicating countryside, making our way to the affluent, artsy town of Aix-en-Provence, where we'll tour its pedestrian-friendly center with our local guide. This afternoon you'll have more time to explore the colorful lanes, shops, and galleries of Aix-en-Provence before we gather this evening to share travel memories and toast new friends at our farewell dinner together. (photo: Rick Steves)
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Day 14: Tour Over After Breakfast
Breakfast is provided, but there are no group activities today. For those staying longer, your guide will be happy to send you off in the right direction and help with any trip-planning needs. Au revoir et merci! (photo: Dominic Arizona Bonuccelli)
Learn more about our Best of Eastern France in 14 Days tour!