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Day 1: Oct. 15, 2018
Mulhouse: (42 km / 40 minutes) Colmar: (247 km / 2 hours and 45 minutes) Montreux
Views of Colmar, “Little Venice” and its charming canals and German half-timber buildings.
In the morning we leave for the best preserved small city of Colmar, which is also one of the most popular attractions in Alsace. In the heyday of the 16th century Colmar prospered as a trading post and busy river port where wine traders transported wine along the canals in the district now called "Little Venice." The canal near the tannery area is the most beautiful landscape in the city. Colmar is famous for its wine too.
However, in addition to its charming aroma of wine, the German half-timbered houses here contribute to the uniqueness of Colmar. Famous among them is the Adolf house, the oldest in Colmar.
Then, we take the special train to go to Montreux, famous for its Montreux Jazz Festival all over the world.
STAY: EDEN PALACE AU LAC HOTEL
Day 2: Oct. 16, 2018
Montreux: (31 km / 35 minutes) Lausanne: (64 km / 1 hour) Geneva: (42 km / 45 minutes) Annecy
Chillon Castle is the most well-known historical castle in Switzerland.
Annecy, beautiful city surrounded by Lake Annecy, famous for its water, praised as the cleanest in Europe.
We visit the Chillon Castle in the morning. Standing on the shores of Lake Léman (Lake Geneva), at the eastern end of the lake, Chillon Castle, an island castle, is the most well-known historical castle in Switzerland. Montreux is a French-speaking town with mild climate on the shores of Lake Geneva. There are many villas owned by the world-famous persons, such as the famous conductor Wilhelm Furtwangler, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Charles Darwin and members of the British royal families.
Enjoy a boat sightseeing tour on the beautiful and enchanting Lake Léman, which is on the border of France and Switzerland!
Then, we leave for Annecy on the border of France and Switzerland. Annecy is a beautiful city surrounded by Lake Annecy, famous for its water, praised as the cleanest in Europe. It was the capital of former dukedom of the Savoy family. Nicknamed “the Venice of Savoy”, the old town’s enchanting canals are lined with colorful houses in Piedmontese style. Annecy Old Town is also renown for its arcaded streets that shelter boutique stores, its castle overlooking the town and the Pont des Amours, the last sight before reaching the stunning pure waters of the lake.
STAY:
HOTEL NOVOTEL ANNECY CENTRE ATRIA
Day 3: Oct. 17, 2018
Annecy: (148 km / 1 hour 40 minutes) Lyon
Pure, clear water escapes from Lake Annecy, and flows into the channels that run in the “old town” (historic center of Annecy), which gives Annecy its picturesque nickname of “Venice of the Alps.”
Today you can spend a leisurely morning in the town to appreciate the beauty of the lake and mountains!
In the afternoon we leave for Lyon, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The sophisticated silk weaving technology has made Lyon famous in Europe, where the well-known Hermes scarf has gained fame here. Lyon is the third largest city in France, where many important commercial, technological and biotechnological companies are located. We stroll through Lyon’s old town, the most important business center of Lyon. Taking the cable car to the Fourvière Hill, we enjoy the splendor of the Notre Dame de Fourvière, overlooking the city of Lyon. In 1988, UNESCO listed Lyon as a world cultural heritage, where cobblestones lie quietly on the ancient streets, having recorded footprints for over two thousand years.
STAY: RADISSON BLU HOTEL
DAY 4: Oct. 18, 2018
Lyon: (156 km / 1 hour 40 minutes) Beaune: tasting wine at winery
View of Lyons, from the top of the Fourviere.
In the morning we visit the town of Beaune in eastern France. Beaune, once influential in the history of France, has become a popular peaceful tourist destination, and is the wine capital of the Burgundy region. In Beaune, the daily life is always enriched by wine, along with antique fortresses, medieval buildings, cobblestone streets and historical monuments. We explore the culture of Beaune, visit Hospices de Beaune, an example of Gothic architecture built in 1443, and admire its famous collection, “The Last Trial.” Then, we visit a winery for wine tasting, led by the professional sommelier, we’ll get to know the history of the fermenting process of wine produced in eastern France and experience the mysterious charm of red wine.
STAY: MERCURE BEAUNE CENTRE HOTEL
Day 5: Oct. 19, 2018
Beaune: (46 km / 45 minutes) Dijon: (189 km / 2 hours) Troyes
Hospices de Beaune. The original hospital building, the Hôtel-Dieu, one of the finest examples of French fifteenth-century architecture, is now a museum.
When it comes to Dijon, the first impression is the lovely owl and the delicious mustard. Owls have been the lucky mascot of Dijon since ancient times. The local tourist bureau has also lined up scenic spots to form the “owl route.” Well-known world wide, Dijon mustard is a favorite sauce among chefs. Dijon, a prominent ducal territory in the 11th century, has developed into both an administrative city and art center famous for its delicious food and wine. We visit Rue de la Liberté, a busy shopping street for pedestrians. It is lined with buildings mostly dating from the 15th century to the 18th century which are classified as monuments historiques: Rue des Forges, from medieval times; Place François Rude where the locals love to promenade; and the most typical building, the Palace of the Dukes.
In the afternoon, we visit and take in Troyes with its very long history. Troyes has been well documented since the Roman times, and has many well-known titles, such as “the capital of history”, “the capital of medieval half-timbered houses,” and “the capital of stained glass,” as well as an important city for textile industry. We visit one of the most famous landmarks,Troyes city square to admire its medieval legacy, a lovely group of half-timbered houses, as well as the super-popular alley Rouelle de Chats. Next is Eglise Ste-Madeleine, built in the 15th century. It is a three-aisled church principally renowned for its magnificent fifteenth-century stained-glass windows, among the most accessible and dramatic windows in France.