GERMANY, SWITZERLAND & FRANCE

GERMANY, FRANCE & SWITZERLAND

AUGUST 3 - 10, 2012
See below for prices and discounts

The entire tour is from ONE HOTEL with a maximum of only 8 participants.

Your host and guide is MIKE ROSS. Your local guide to the world since 1982.

Includes flights from Detroit, airport transfers in Europe, entrances and services as noted, daily breakfast and dinner and features STRASBOURG FRANCE, renowned for it cathedral, Tanners Quarter and museums; the French wine villages of COLMAR, ZELLENBERG and RIQUEWIHR, the German BLACK FOREST, and BASEL Switzerland. PLUS a private guide and all train transportation. Participants should enjoy walking, as some sights are available only to pedestrians.

Itinerary

Day 1: Board our jet for the overnight flight to Europe.

Day 2: IHRINGEN. After arrival we take a high speed train to Ihringen, one of the most beautiful wine villages on the southern Rhine.  We'll descover the town with its little shops and cafes this afternoon.

Day 3: IHRINGEN. Over to France today, just across the nearby Rhine River, to the town of COLMAR, known for its exquisite Medieval architecture and Pinot Noir wine.  We'll stroll the lanes of the city past 1000 year old churches and visit the Unterlinden Museum, dedicated to the works of the German painter Matthias Grunewald, one of the most important pre-Renaissance artists of Europe.  

Day 4:  IHRINGEN. South this morning into Switzerland to the city of BASEL.  One of Switzerland's gems, this city boasts one of the finest old towns, some of the nation's best restaurants and one of Europe's most famous art collections.  We will visit the museum in the morning, stroll the plazas above the city in the early afternoon and you will have some time at leisure to explore the shops and cafes.  

Day 5:  IHRINGEN  Back into France today to visit the wine villages of Riquewihr and Zellenberg.  Both villages are located in the Vosges Mountains completely surrunded by waves of vineyards.  Time seems to have stopped here about the mid 1500s, yet it was in this area that some of the famous battles of World War I took place.  

Day 6: IHRINGEN North to Strasbourg France today.  The ancient alleys and canals of the Tanners Quarter are still delightful for a stroll.  We will explore this area, see the Gutenburg Monument and the enormous red sandstone Notre Dame Cathedral towering above the city.  Inside is a moving tribute to the Americans who gave thier lives for the liberation of France during WWII.  Later we will meander our way through the gorgeous galleries of the Musuem of Modern Art, filled with the works of Ernse, Kandinsky and others.  

Day 7: IHRINGEN East to the university town of FREIBURG today, also the capital of the Black Forest.  The market place around the cathedral is one of the most joyful in Germany, everything from figs to fiine art, all at a market price.  Later we continue to the heart of the Black Forest, the lake side village of Titisee.  The town, nestles in the low pine-covered hills, is the birthplace of the Black Forest Cherry Torte.  Sample one and you will be spoiled forever!

Day 8. After an adventure-filled week, we transfer to the airport for our return flight to the USA.

PRICES  from Detroit (other gatesways available) from $3835 per person in a double room. ONLY $3535 with early deposit. FOR RETURNING MIKE ROSS TRAVELERS FROM ONLY $3335 early deposit. Single supplement $240. Price may vary with airfare at time of booking. Security charges and airport taxes assessed 98 days before departure. Other departure cities available.

PAYMENTS: $1500 p/p deposit with RESERVATION FORM. Balance due 98 days prior to departure; see TERMS & CONDITIONS.