New Year in the heart of traditional Alsace

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Wednesday, December 30: Turckheim

  

  Welcome around 6 p.m. at the hotel in Turckheim. This beautiful medieval town, surrounded by a wall, is located on the Wine Route, at the gateway to the Munster Valley. It is renowned not only for its rich historic center and the quality of its wines, but also for its Night Watchman. Accommodation for 3 nights. Presentation of the stay by the guide and dinner. Accommodation: hotel***. Meals included: dinner. Meals not included: breakfast - lunch.

• day 2

  Thursday, December 31: Hohlandsbourg Fortress - Pflixbourg Castle - New Year's Eve Party

  

  Superb loop hike through a vast chestnut forest, in pursuit of the Château de Pflixbourg, built in 1212, which, from its height of 454 meters, dominates the entrance to the Munster Valley, then on to the imposing medieval castle of Hohlandsbourg. Built in 1279 by Siegfried de Gundolsheim, provost of the city of Colmar, this garrison castle, guardian of the valley, was the seat of a Habsburg lordship. It has been recently restored and offers a magnificent 360° panorama over the Alsace plain and the Vosges massif. On a clear day, it is possible to see the spire of Strasbourg Cathedral and the Bernese Alps. Return to Turckheim for a cellar visit specially organized for you in a wine cellar established in the village since 1741. A special moment to meet the winemaker, who will share his passion for wine with you through a guided tasting of the main Alsace grape varieties, including the Sang du Dragon... New Year's Eve dinner in a village restaurant. At midnight, you can follow the Night Watchman who makes a special round for the New Year's wishes by walking around the old ramparts, accompanied by a choir... A song that wishes a happy new year to all the inhabitants of the old town. A beautiful atmosphere, unique, festive, original, friendly! Walking time: about 4 hours 30 minutes. Positive elevation gain: + 450 m. Negative elevation loss: - 450 m. Accommodation: hotel***. Meals included: breakfast - lunch - dinner.

• day 3

  Friday, January 1st: Turckheim - Kaysersberg (244 m) - Riquewihr (270 m)

  

  Along paths in the middle of the vineyards, we reach Niedermorschwihr, which has an architectural curiosity: the twisted (tors) steeple of its church (a unique case in Alsace). The town of Katzenthal is renowned for its famous grand cru Wineck Schlossberg and is dominated by the Wineck castle. Ammerschwihr is also renowned for its great wines, especially for the Kaefferkopf. Next, discovery of the medieval village of Kaysersberg, with its beautiful historic center featuring many half-timbered houses, its imperial castle built around 1200 (Kaysersberg means "the Emperor's mountain"), now in ruins and overlooking the town, the birthplace of Dr. Albert Schweitzer, and the Romanesque Sainte-Croix church. Then descent to Riquewihr, a beautiful medieval town with a double fortified wall, admirably well preserved. Return transfer to Turckheim. Transfer: taxi, about 15 minutes. Walking time: about 5 hours 30 minutes. Positive elevation gain: + 580 m. Negative elevation gain: - 580 m. Accommodation: hotel***. Meals included: breakfast - lunch - dinner.

• day 4

  Saturday, January 2: Medieval city of Turckheim - End of the stay

  

  This last morning will be devoted to visiting Turckheim and its vineyard. During a walk along the "Sentier des Toits" (Rooftop Trail), you will discover, starting from the Porte de Munster, the city's fortifications by following the ramparts up to the Porte du Brand. As you gain height, you will have a view over the rooftops of Turckheim. You will then let yourself be guided by the dragon on the "Sentier du Dragon" (Dragon Trail) and, like the winemakers of old, you will pass through the Porte du Brand to set off and discover the Turckheim vineyard and its different terroirs. The last convivial lunch will be enjoyed around a tarte flambée in a village restaurant located next to the Porte de France. End of the stay around 2:30 p.m. in Turckheim. Walking time: about 2 hours. Positive elevation gain: + 150 m. Negative elevation loss: - 150 m. Meals included: breakfast - lunch. Meals not included: dinner.