The Ravishing Rhine - France, Germany & Switzerland

Take the train to Colmar from Paris or Zurich (or whichever city you fly to internationally). Arrive and check into the charming central Hotel Colombier Suites, where we'll stay for our first two nights. Transfers from Strasbourg are also available.

This afternoon, we’ll tour the old town of Colmar and visit the expansive and impressive food market, picking up a snack or two en route.

We'll meet again in the lobby around 7 pm after taking time to refresh and relax. We’ll have a short get-to-know-you session over drinks, discussing what adventures are in store for the week. Then, we’ll head out for a local meal at the Wistub Le Cygne, where we’ll feel properly welcomed to Alsace!

This morning, you'll have time to shop and explore on your own. There are such beautiful souvenirs in this lovely town.

Afterward, we’ll explore the charming village of Kaysersberg with our local guide. We’ll savor a wine tasting and lunch with a well-known female vintner. We’ll return to Colmar in the late afternoon for a rest.

Tonight, we’ve planned a meal of Flammekueche - a delicious Alsatian-style Pizza - in the darling village of Eguisheim nearby. Wash it down with refreshing local beer or wine. 

Today, we depart for Freiburg, Germany. We'll stay at the Hotel Colombi for the next two nights.

Your host Katrin’s family comes from Freiburg. After checking in, we'll tour the town, and Katrin will show us her favorite shops in this small but charming and sophisticated German town. You could choose instead to relax and swim at the hotel’s indoor pool or enjoy their hydrotherapy services. 

Tonight, we’ll sample local German delicacies at a historic beer garden.

As today is market day in Freiburg, Katrin will walk us through the market and the main cathedral, dating back to 1,200 AD – both are on the picturesque central square.

After a traditional sausage lunch at the famous stall on the cathedral square, we’ll enjoy a local German wine tasting.

During your free time this afternoon, you may want to visit the Augustiner Museum, home to an impressive collection of paintings from the Middle Ages and the Baroque period.

This evening, we’ll visit a beautiful cloister to walk through the vineyards and dine on the best pork/veal schnitzel you’ve ever tasted. (Vegetarian options are available).

After breakfast, we’ll head up into the mountains as we travel halfway to Basel, Switzerland, where we'll visit a well-known German spa town from the Roman era. Enjoy a massage or another treatment (one of which is included, so feel free to pamper yourself with more)! You'll have hours to rest and rejuvenate in the spa's thermal baths, six different types of sauna, and the Roman Irish steam and plunge pool. After our spa time, we'll enjoy lunch outside (weather permitting).

After our spectacular spa day, we'll head to Basel to check into our gorgeous hotel on the banks of the Rhine River, the Krafft Hotel. 

After a rest, we'll dine in style at the hotel restaurant. 

Today, we'll visit the Vitra Design Museum. It's a campus full of architect-designed buildings by the likes of Gehry, Tando Ando, etc.

Afterward, we'll lunch at the Beyeler Foundation, designed by Renzo Piano, one of the most important museums in Europe. Then, we'll take a guided tour of the beautiful collection and gardens.

You'll have time to explore Basel alone before dining on Swiss classics in central Basel.

After breakfast, we’ll take a boat ride along the Rhine River.

Then, there's a short tour of the Old Town, stopping at the ancient Cathedral of Basel, built over 1000 years ago.

Enjoy some free time this afternoon with an optional visit to the Kunstmusem with its collection of old masters through to contemporary artists. Alternatively, you could spend time shopping and exploring Basel. Stop for lunch on your own or with friends. 

We’ll dine this evening at a grand yet charming Swiss restaurant and celebrate our wonderful week together, treasuring lasting friendships made.

After breakfast, it's time to say au revoir, auf Wiedersehen. It's sad to say goodbye to this lovely part of the world and new friends made. Still, you'll have memories for a lifetime!

We'll drop you at the train station or airport in Basel to start your journey home. Train or fly from Basel to the most convenient international city (probably Paris or Zurich) for your flight home.