Paris, Alsace & Lorraine by River Barge

After being picked up at your hotel, enjoy exploring Paris with your private vehicle - a comfortable sedan for groups of 2 and a minivan for a group size up to 7, and English speaking Driver. Your driver will be knowledgeable about Paris, but is not a certified Guide so cannot enter into the sites with you as a Guide - If you would like to have a Guide this can easily be arranged - please speak to your Sales Advisor. Your driver will however, be a great source of general information about Paris and drive you from site to site as you explore the city. Paris was created 2000 years ago and began at the Cite Island (Ile de la Cite). The driver is at your disposal for 3/12 hours but here is a suggestion on how to spend the time; Discover the Marais District and the Latin Quarter before heading to the Notre Dame Cathedral with your driver. Then discover Place de la Concorde, Avenue des Champs Elysees and the Arc de Triomphe amongst other main sites within the city. At the end of your tour you will be either dropped back to your hotel or left in a central place within the city, depending on your schedule. If you would like to have a certified Guide accompany you on this tour, please just ask your Sales Advisor and this can be arranged for you.

Take a private train station transfer with a private vehicle and English speaking driver.

Enjoy the direct train ride from Paris to Strasbourg. The ride is approximately 2.5 hours in length.

Meet your private English speaking driver for a train station transfer.

A Champagne reception welcomes you on board today, and provides you with a chance to meet the crew.

You will enjoy a morning cruise to Einville and then to Nancy for a walking tour of the city beginning at the elegant “Place Stanislas”. Flanked by handsome Baroque palaces and enclosed by ornate gold and wrought iron entry gates, the square is considered one of the grandest in all of France. The Art Nouveau movement originated in Nancy, and you may choose to visit the Ecole de Nancy to see its fine collection.

After a morning cruise past tidy farms and pasturelands, you will drive to the privately owned Chateau de Fleville. This graceful Renaissance residence adjoins a 14th century castle keep. The interiors are richly furnished with 18th century antiques. You then return to the barge, moored in the peaceful village of Schneckenbusch for the night.

Each day you travel on the canal, you've been gradually climbing to the crest of the Vosges Mountains. After navigating two tunnels carved into the mountaintop, you will encounter the Inclined Plane at Arzviller. This unique lock allows a barge to glide effortlessly up or down the mountainside using a sophisticated system of weights and balances. A short drive along the way will take you to the Christallerig of Harz village where fine crystal is still hand blown. You continue the cruise through the Zorn Valley where the surrounding hilltops are dotted with ruins of feudal castles. Your overnight stay will be in Lutzelbourg.

Today you wind through the heart of Saverne, past the regal 18th century Bishop’s Palace (Chateau de Rohan). From Saverne, you'll take an afternoon drive along the Route du Vin d’ Alsace to the old fortified town of Obernai where you will visit the Market Square and the 14th century ramparts that surround the city. Stop along the way at Winegrower to taste some of the best Alcasian wines.

Today you will finish the cruise in the busy port of Strasbourg. Your afternoon tour of Strasbourg includes the folk museum and the 11th century gothic cathedral, leaving enough time to stroll around to explore the fine shops. Returning to the barge you'll celebrate your cruise with a lovely farewell dinner.

After breakfast, disembark the barge and transfer to your hotel.

Aiport transfer in private vehicle with English speaking Driver.