Cruising between Krafft and Niderviller on the Canal de la Marne au Rhin
Sunday
Guests are met at the designated meeting point in Strasbourg and transferred by air-conditioned minibus to Panache, for a Champagne welcome and the first opportunity to meet the crew.
There is time for a walk or bicycle ride before Dinner aboard.
Monday
We begin with a morning cruise, crossing the Gran Reid wetlands where birdlife is abundant, bringing us to Strasbourg, the capital of Europe.
We enjoy a tour of Strasbourg, including, of course, a visit to the 12th-century Gothic pink sandstone cathedral, home to an astronomical Renaissance clock and a massive spire.
Visit Place Gutenberg and explore Le Petite France, a pedestrian area brimming with half-timbered houses, boutique shops and cafes.
Dinner aboard.
Tuesday
This morning provides a great photo opportunity as we cruise past the impressive European Parliament buildings and then through the Brumath Forest to an idyllic mooring at Walthenheim-sur-Zorn. After lunch, our first wine tour takes us through the Route des Vins d'Alsace
followed by a private tasting of Gewurztraminer, Pinot Noir and Riesling wines at a long-established wine producer such as Domaine Plister.
Dinner ashore in a traditional Alsacienne restaurant.
This morning you can choose between a visit to the Christalleire Lehrer or staying on board to enjoy good walking and cycling opportunities as we cruise to Saverne, a settlement dating back over 2000 years! We moor at the foot of the Chateau de Rohan, known as the Versailles of Alsace. We will take a walking tour of the town, and then drive up to the stunning Château Haut-Barr for beautiful views.
Dinner aboard.
Today is all about art and history! We'll begin by visiting the market at Saverne before cruising to Lutzelbourg, a delightfully pretty village surrounded by hills and overlooked by the ancient ruins of the medieval castle.
After lunch, we visit the mountaintop village of La Petite Pierre with its medieval castle, then tour the outstanding René Lalique collection and see over 500 examples of Art Nouveau and Art Deco glassware.
Dinner aboard.
This morning we cruise through peaceful Alsacienne countryside with time to visit the Lehrer Crystal glassworks on the way. To reach our final mooring at Niderville, we then ride the 450 feet Arzviller boat elevator to climb the mountainside. You will marvel at this incredible feat of engineering! After a candle-lit lunch aboard during which we pass through two tunnels, we head to Sarrebourg to visit the 13th-century chapel where we see Marc Chagall's remarkable stained glass window and the fascinating museum of Roman and Medieval artefacts.
After breakfast, guests are transferred by private minibus to their choice of location in Strasbourg.