FIRST THINGS FIRST: Consider our Flight and Early Arrival Options
Your flight to Basel, Switzerland should land on Day 1 of the itinerary — this means you should depart your home airport the day prior — your round-trip travel time on this Journey is 12 Days (11 Days, 10 Nights Land). The trip ends in Paris. Airfare is not included. Inquire about our Business Class and Premium Economy Airfare.
CONSIDER EXPANDING THE JOURNEY
Many of our travelers arrive a "full day early" to recover from their overnight flight to Basel. Inquire for details. Our trip ends in Paris. You can stay even longer with a pre-tour in Switzerland - maybe Zurich and Lucerne - or a post-tour in France - perhaps the Loire Valley.
THE SWITZERLAND & FRANCE JOURNEY BEGINS IN BASEL. EXPLORES STRASBOURG AND THE ALSACE. FINALES IN PARIS.
Discover this interesting city at the intersection of Germany, France and Switzerland. In fact, you can walk through 3 countries in 10 minutes! Then we travel along the French/German border to the charming towns of Alsace to make our home in the capital, Strasbourg, where we relax and explore at a leisurely pace. After our five nights of enchantment in Alsace, we board the TGV train for the two-hour journey to our three-night Grand Finalé in Paris.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
DAY 1: WELCOME TO MAJESTIC SWITZERLAND
Your Journey begins in Basel. Upon arrival, make your way to the hotel with our included transfer and enjoy leisure time until our afternoon activity and evening reception and dinner.
Reminder regarding Swiss Currency - although Switzerland is a member of the EU, the currency is the Swiss Franc (CHF). It is a good idea to have some local currency with you since the Euro is not accepted in some smaller venues (cafés, shops, transportation). You can get Francs at an ATM or use a credit card in larger stores.
Discovery Walk: Basel
Meet your Journey Tour Director at the hotel for an introductory stroll through central Basel with its cobblestones and thousand year old Cathedral. Depending upon your arrival day and time, you may choose to opt out of the walk. We can assist you with private guided special interest tours.
Welcome to Basel Dinner
Join your Journey Tour Director for a special Welcome Reception where we toast the beginning of our journey together. Then we proceed to dinner to enjoy traditional Swiss cuisine. Journey's approach to dining is unique in the travel world. We dine in small, family-owned restaurants with authentic regional dishes. We include Premium Beverages (wine, cocktails, soda) and you choose your dinner from the menu.
Accommodations in Basel, 2 Nights with breakfast
Deluxe: Hotel Marthof
Classic: Classic Hotel
You may choose to upgrade to our luxury property - Hotel des Trois Rois - inquire about pricing.
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DAY 2: BASEL SIGHTSEEING EXPLORATION
Enjoy daily breakfast (included table service or buffet).
Today's Adventure: Discoveries of Basel
Today we meet our local expert guide and begin our walking tour of historic and cultural Basel. You will visit the Old Town, the Marktplatz, the Rathaus and Tinguely Fountain. We will walk around the Dreilandereck, the monument which marks the tripoint where the borders of France, Germany and Switzerland meet. Basel is a city of over 40 museums and we will visit the Paper Mill Museum which demonstrates the history of paper and printing from antiquity to modern times. You may wish to explore other specialty museums on your own - from art and sculpture to doll houses and architecture, science and natural history.
Journey Exclusive Experience: Discovering Swiss Fondue
We will sample one of the most delectable of all Swiss cuisine this afternoon at a traditional restaurant. Fondue comes from the French word meaning "melt" - a combination of melted cheeses, wine and garlic - served with bread for dipping.
After the tour, the balance of the day is at your leisure.
Journey is Different: Tonight your Journey Tour Director will invite you to an optional dinner or they can help you with dining reservations if you prefer to explore at your leisure.
Walking on Your Journey
We enjoy walking the streets and stairs of Switzerland and France so get ready for exploring the cities and villages by foot. Plan to be on your feet for up to three (3) hours standing and walking up-and-down stairs, cobblestone streets, and hopping on-and-off our private (and sometimes public) transportation in all weather conditions (rain, sun, hot and cold weather). Our pace is unhurried but you must be physically capable of walking.
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DAY 3: TO THE ALSACE REGION
After a delicious breakfast, we will say Auf Wiedersehen! to beautiful Basel and make our way to Alsace. We travel via our comfortable touring micro-coach to the heart of Alsace - our home for 5 nights.
Discovery Walk: Strasbourg
Later today, we will arrive Strasbourg, check in, freshen up and then you will meet your fellow travelers and your Journey Tour Director for an included Discovery Walk this afternoon to learn your way around this picturesque city. Then spend leisure time exploring the narrow streets of half-timbered houses along the Ill river, a tributary of the Rhine.
Then enjoy some time at leisure before meeting tonight for a wonderful dining experience.
Welcome to Strasbourg Dinner
Journey dinners are more like dining "events" featuring all inclusive premium beverages and ordering from the menu in family-run restaurants.
Accommodations in Strasbourg, 5 Nights with breakfast, select lunches and dinners
Journey's Slow Travel Concept: Our New Line of Slow Travel Journeys feature longer-stays with "Unpack Once" Villas, Boutique Hotels & Chateaux nestled between a beginning hotel stay and a hotel 'finalé.
Deluxe: Maison Rouge Hotel & Spa Autograph Hotel, Hotel cour du Corbeau MGallery or Similar
Classic: Hotel de l'Europe or Similar
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DAY 4: STRASBOURG SIGHTSEEING EXPLORATION
Today's Adventure: Secrets of Strasbourg
After breakfast, meet your Journey Tour Director and City Guide for a walking tour of the city's highlights. Strasbourg is the seat of the European Parliament, the Council of Europe and Court of Human Rights - among the few non-capital cities of the world which host international organizations. We will visit the magnificent sandstone Gothic Cathedral of Notre Dame with its unique single towering spire, magnificent stained glass and famous astronomical clock. We will have tickets for the chiming of the clock at solar noon (approximately 12:30).
Journey Exclusive Experience: Cruising the Ill River, La Petite France and Grande Ile
After lunch on your own, join your Journey Tour Director for a unique view of Alsatian architecture on a sightseeing cruise! We will enjoy an approximate one-hour journey on the Ill river passing by the half-timbered houses of La Petite France and Grande Ile.
After the morning tour enjoy the balance of the afternoon at your leisure.
Journey is Different: Your Journey Tour Director will invite you to an optional dinner tonight or they can help you with dining reservations to explore lovely Strasbourg at your leisure.
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DAY 5: EXPLORING COLMAR, ALSACE WINE ROUTE
Today's Adventure: The Wine Road, Tastings, and Colmar
A short journey on our coach takes us to lovely Colmar, known as Petit Venice because of its situation on a picturesque canal. With its pastel houses and profusion of flowers, it is a picture waiting to be taken and it will be hard to resist! Colmar is part of the Route Des Vins since its micro-climate makes it favorable for wine production. We will sample Rieslings and Gewurztraminer on this first stop of the Alsace Wine Route.
Journey Exclusive Experience: Wine Tasting on the Route des Vins
We will sample varieties of Riesling - from dry to very sweet - and Gewurztraminer wines paired with local cheeses in our fairytale setting. On a leisurely drive back to our "home" in Strasbourg, we will visit Eguisheim, another charming medieval town on the wine route.
Special Dinner Experience
Tonight join your Journey Tour Director for an included casual Alsatian supper. Perhaps you want to try Spatzli, Potato Pancakes, Choucroute or Munster Meat Pie.
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DAY 6: EXPLORING THE 'MOST BEAUTIFUL VILLAGES IN FRANCE'
Today's Adventure: Fairytale towns of Riquewihr and Ribeauvillé
We will travel about 1 hour to our fairytale experience in Riquewihr and Ribeauvillé. Riquewihr inspired the "little town" in Beauty and the Beast - although other Alsatian villages make similar claims! We will spend a magical morning visiting the village, marveling at the medieval houses and the beautiful flower boxes overflowing with geraniums. We will see remains of the fortifications of the village including the Dolder tower. We will sample the biscuits that are the specialty of Riquewihr and will have some free time to explore the shops in this delightful village.
Journey Exclusive: Ribeauvillé
We travel a short distance to Ribeauvillé, our final stop on the Route des Vins where we will visit an Alsatian winery and taste the fruit liqueurs and Crémants among their specialties.
We return to Strasbourg for the balance of the day at leisure.
Join your Tour Director for an optional dinner or enjoy exploring at your leisure.
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DAY 7: ENJOYING STRASBOURG AT LEISURE
After breakfast, you may choose to explore the side streets and shops or visit one of the nearby museums such as the Palais Rohan or the Musée Alsacien. The day is yours to enjoy at leisure. Your Tour Director will be happy to help you plan activities or tickets.
Join your Tour Director for an optional dinner or enjoy exploring at your leisure.
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DAY 8: GRAND FINALE IN PARIS – THE CITY OF LIGHTS AND LOVE
We bid Adieu to Strasbourg and we will board the TGV rapid train for the 2 hour journey through the countryside to Paris for our 3 night Grand Finalé! Upon arrival, we proceed to our hotel to check-in and drop off our luggage.(Remember that your luggage is portaged and you manage your carry-ons.) You may then relax until our Discovery Walk.
Discovery Walk
Join your Tour Director to explore the neighborhood in the vibrant and chic 6th Arrondissement on the Rive Gauche (Left Bank). It is home to the Jardin du Luxembourg park and to elegant boutiques, patisseries, chocolatiers, cafés and restaurants including the landmark brasserie, Les Deux Magots, once known as the gathering place of writers and literati.
Welcome to Paris Dinner
Tonight join yourTour Director for a gala celebration of our arrival in the most romantic city in the world! You will experience regional specialties and excellent wines. Remember that you choose your dinner from the menu and you may wish to be adventurous. Escargots anyone?
Accommodations in Paris, 3 Nights with breakfast
Deluxe: Hotel D'Aubusson or Similar
Classic: Hotel Dauphine Saint Germain, Hotel Residence des Artsor Similar
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DAY 9: EXPLORING PARIS FOR THE FIRST - OR PERHAPS THE FIFTH - TIME!
Today's Adventure: Walking Beautiful Paris
If this is your first visit to Paris, join our Tour Director and Local Expert Guide for an exploration of the city highlights. All of the landmarks await you in Paris: Consider our optional admissions or deeper excursions to the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Place de la Concorde, Notre Dame, the Louvre and others.
If you have been to Paris before, may we suggest something new -
Walking tour to Montmartre - overlooking all of Paris and home of the Basilica of Sacré-Coeur.
Stroll through the narrow streets and observe local artists at work en plein air.
Catacombes de Paris tour - discover these catacombs that hold secrets stranger than the bones stacked within them.
The Paris Sewer System tour - yes, we said sewer. The sewers date back to 1370 and they have figured in French literature. The historic sewers are now a museum and are quite interesting.
Rue Cler - the most famous market street in Paris! With its permanent market atmosphere, you can visit a wide selection of specialty food stores and pastry shops. You will feel like a true Parisian shopping and dining in a sidewalk café.
The balance of the day is at your leisure.
Join the Tour Director for an optional dinner tonight or explore on your own.
May We Suggest?
We might suggest the surprisingly elegant and entertaining Moulin Rouge - birthplace of the CanCan! This cabaret theater offers a truly memorable experience. You may choose the show only or a VIP champagne and dining experience. It’s a fabulous evening!
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DAY 10: PARIS AT LEISURE
Today is yours to enjoy as you wish. You might choose to take the train to Versailles.. You might prefer to tour the magnificent Paris Opéra Garnier with the breathtaking Marc Chagall dome and Box 5, to be kept for the exclusive use of the Phantom of the Opera. Afterward, stroll to Boulevard Haussmann to shop in the Grands Magasins. Tour the Musée D'Orsay and see one of the most extensive exhibits of Impressionist paintings in the world. Wander through the vibrant and hip Marais, the Jewish quarter. Your Tour Director is happy to assist in planning a memorable day.
Our Special Journey Finalé
After leisure time this afternoon, meet your Tour Director and friends to remember our time together. After our special Aperitif, we celebrate at a gala dinner as we reminisce about our exciting journey in Switzerland and France. We don't say Adieu - we simply say Au Revoir - until we meet again.
Return to Paris Hint - stand in front of Notre Dame and find Point Zéro - an unassuming brass plaque in the concrete which denotes the geographical center of the city and the country. Place your foot on it, walk in a circle and wish for your return to Paris. It works!
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DAY 11: DEPARTURE DAY
We say Au Revoir to our Discoveries of Switzerland and France Tour this morning. Transfer to the airport for home - or perhaps an extension to the Loire Valley or Normandy.
SEE ITINERARY