Black Forest & Alsace Wine Route

The Black Forest is one of the most picturesque areas of Germany, where you will find scenery to rival even the Alpine regions. The forest is a carpet of tree-lined hills, laced with beautiful villages of unique charm, nestling in lush green valleys. Your holiday base is surrounded by the green Hanauerland on the mighty Rhine opposite Strasbourg, the village is flanked by the Black Forest and Vosges Mountains on either side. The famous 'Route des Vins' embraces stunning scenery, rambling vineyards and wonderfully preserved villages. All this, and a Crusader favourite hotel, makes for a superb short break!

SPECIAL DEPARTURE IN OCTOBER - VISIT THE CHRYSANTHEMUM FESTIVAL IN LAHR to enjoy the intense oranges, yellows and the reds of autumn when historic Lahr is flooded by a sea of colour from thousands of chrysanthemums created into fascinating and creative arrangements.Your Itinerary
Day 1- Aftrer joining your holiday coach, head off to Dover for the short sea crossing to Calais and onto Kehl Kork for your 4 night stay with a late evening snack on arrival.Days 2 - 4 - At leisure in Kehl-Kork with 2 included excursions and 1 optional excursion. (October tour includes 3 excursions) and dinner, bed and breakfast.INCLUDED EXCURSIONS:

Lake Titisee & Freiburg (All Tours)
Visit the stunning Lake Titisee, one of the most picturesque areas of the Black Forest region, with time for leisurely sightseeing. This afternoon continue to the olde worlde city of Freiburg, capital of the Black Forest, which has been restored with loving care. Here you will find a fascinating cathedral, beautiful parks and cosy wine taverns. During the day you may take an optional boat trip on Lake Titisee - details from your driverAlsace Wine Trail (All Tours)
Travel along the 'Route des Vins' through vine covered slopes and many of the picturesque villages found in this region. Visit Kayserberg with its ancient medieval fortifications before continuing to the walled village of Riquewihr. Your driver may be able to offer an optional tasting of some regional wines at a local 'cave'

October Tour:
Lahr Chrysanthemum Festival
A short drive to picturesque Lahr in the Black Forest for the annual Chrysanthemum Festival. Enjoy an unforgettable guided tour of the city to discover the historic centre and see the thousands of chrysanthemum arrangements that show off autumn's colours to their finest. See the intricate arrangements on artistically flower decorated cars and enjoy the intense oranges, yellows and reds as never before! The picturesque German town becomes a sea of colour, decorated with more than 10,000 chrysanthemums, worked into fascinating and creative arrangements.OPTIONAL EXCURSION (June & August only)

Strasbourg
Enjoy a day out in Strasbourg, a city of many surprises - historic architecture, hidden canals and waterways, and superb shopping. A chance to see the world-famous cathedral, the Palais Rohan, the picturesque banks of the Ill River, and the Orangerie with the reserve of storks. There will be an opportunity to join an optional guided city tourDay 5 - An early start to travel back through Germany, Belgium and France to Calais for our return to England. .

Hotel Gasthof Ochsen, Kehl-Kork

This friendly, family run 3* Hotel Gasthof Ochsen is located in the village of Kehl-Kork.

The hotel facilities include a bar, a restaurant and a lift.

All 56 en-suite bedrooms have satellite TV and a hairdryer.