Péniche Alsacienne

Fly from London Heathrow to Basel. Transfer to Strasbourg to board the barge for your six-night cruise, calling enroute at the historic village of Riquewihr, on the Alsace ‘Route du Vin’, for an introduction to the fine food and wine of the region. Enjoy a welcome cocktail on the Péniche Madeleine and a small boat cruise around the night-lights of Strasbourg.
(D)

A morning walking tour of Strasbourg, the city of contradictions, renowned for its French and German cultures, river and canal banks, medieval and modern architecture, an industrious reputation, and illustrious UNESCO listed old town, on the ‘Grand Ile’ river island. Afternoon cruising to Waltenheim.
(B, L, D)

Passing the pretty villages of Hochfelden and Schwindratzheim, cruise to Saverne, lining the canal in magnificent style with its Château des Rohan, for an afternoon visit to the medieval castle / Château du Haut Barr, built across three broad rocks, linked by stairways and the ‘Devil’s Bridge’ footbridge, 460m above the Zorn Valley floor. With spectacular panoramic views over the plains and waterway, it is known as ‘The Eye of Alsace’. Return to the town, with free time for exploration. Dinner this evening at a local restaurant, where the ‘tarte flambée’ is a speciality.
(B, L, D)

Morning sightseeing in Saverne, includes the Notre Dame Cathedral with its 12th century steeple, 14th century Récollets Monastery, and Katz House on the characterful Grand Rue, where a unicorn statue celebrates the town’s medieval legends of the magical, mythical animal. Cruise through the scenic Vosges Mountains to Lutzelbourg, cut through by the canal and framed within four hills. Crowning one of these, the little town’s 11th century castle stands sentinel, 980m above sea level. We visit it on foot this afternoon (a steep walk, taking approx. 30 minutes).
(B, L, D)

This morning’s short but eventful journey takes the subterranean route through the 475m Niderviller and the 2.3km Arzviller tunnels, and includes the unforgettable experience of the Arzviller Inclined Plane elevator, a feat of engineering which functions according to the Archimedes principle of buoyancy. Later, we visit a local crystal workshop which specialises in crystal blowing and cutting.
(B, L, D) 

Cruise to the Réchicourt Lock today. Affectionately known as just ‘the big lock’, it is one of the country’s largest, replacing six earlier locks and rising 15.7m, to provide gorgeous views of the four ponds which surround it. Sail through the lakes to historic Sarrebourg, at the foot of the Vosges mountains, and take the ‘Chagall trail’ to view his stained-glass masterpieces in the Chapelle des Cordeliers; and continue to our final mooring at tranquil Lagarde, where the Marne-Rhine Canal meets the Moselle River. Gala Dinner this evening.
(B, L, D)

Disembark and transfer to Luxembourg for the return flight to London Heathrow.
(B)