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Alsace & the Black Forest by Rail Tour

We travel by rail to Alsace, using Obernai as a base for Strasbourg, Colmar, Riquewihr, Freiburg, the Black Forest and Baden-Baden. Timber-framed streets, wine villages, vineyards and the French-German character of the region give the tour its distinctive texture.

SAlsace’s position between France and Germany gives the region a character that feels distinct from either country alone. Its border history is visible not just in its architecture, but in its food, wine, language and sense of place.

The journey balances city visits with smaller towns and countryside, allowing time to appreciate the contrast between lively historic centres, quiet wine villages and the wooded landscapes beyond.

From

£1,499

per person

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what’s included

At A Glance

  • The Travel Editions Experience
    Our tours are thoughtfully crafted and meticulously planned, with every destination, hotel, excursion and stop along the way having been selected to form a truly memorable experience.
  • Meals Included
    All breakfasts.
    One dinner is also included in the 2027 departure dates.
  • Handpicked Accommodation
    Six nights’ accommodation at Le Gouverneur Hotel, Obernai, based on shared occupancy of a twin room
  • Explore Alsace & the Black Forest by Rail
    Discover Strasbourg’s medieval streets, Colmar and Riquewihr’s wine villages, Obernai’s historic charm, Freiburg and the Black Forest, Baden-Baden, Alsatian cuisine, local wine and a characterful 16th-century coaching inn via rail.
  • Your Local Guides
    Tour manager throughout.
  • Transport & Travel
    Transfers, tours and entrance fees.
  • Travel from the UK
    Return Eurostar/TGV from St Pancras to Strasbourg via Paris including transfer in Paris
itinerary & excursions

Your Itinerary

Explore this incredible tour in detail and discover what makes each day so special. Below, you’ll find a full day-by-day breakdown of your journey, from the moment you arrive to your final farewell. Learn more about the highlights you’ll experience, the unforgettable places you’ll visit, and the unique moments that bring each destination to life. Whether you’re drawn by rich history, stunning landscapes or unforgettable cultural encounters, this itinerary gives you everything you need to picture your adventure and look forward to every step of the way.

Day 1: Eurostar to Paris and onwards to Strasbourg by TGV

Travel by Eurostar from St Pancras to Paris and onwards to Strasbourg by TGV. On arrival, transfer by coach to Obernai (approx. 20-30 minutes) and Le Gouverneur Hotel.

Day 2: Full day tour to Colmar and Riquewihr

Colmar captures the quintessential character of the Alsace, its charming streets, squares and small canals lined with crooked and colourful half-timbered houses – a wanderer’s paradise.

A must see is the 500-year-old Grünewald’s Isenheim Altarpiece, housed in the Unterlinden Museum. One of “Les Plus Beaux Villages de France”, Riquewihr owes its historical prosperity to wine – Riesling in particular is produced here. Full of lovely historical architecture, Riquewihr looks much as it did in the 16th century and one of the few towns in the area to escape being badly damaged in WWII. 

As part of our touring itinerary today we will have an included wine tasting at a local biodynamic vineyard. 

Day 3: Full day in Strasbourg

The city of Strasbourg offers a stark contrast of old and new. At its heart you’ll find a medieval town of atmospheric narrow streets, half-timbered houses and the awe-inspiring pink-sandstone Gothic cathedral. Surrounding this is a thoroughly modern and progressive city including the headquarters of the European Parliament.

A boat ride on the Ill River is an excellent way to see both sides. The charming ‘Petite France’ district, dating from the 1100s, is a must see.

Day 4: Full day to relax and explore Obernai at your leisure

Set amongst vineyards on the eastern slopes of the Vosges Mountains Obernai was the birthplace of Alsace’s patron saint Odile. A delightful town, you can stroll the medieval ramparts and cramped lanes lined with half-timbered houses and visit the Place du Marché and Tour de la Chapelle.

Day 5: Full day to Freiburg and the Black Forest

One of Germany’s most beautiful and historic cities, Freiburg is a vibrant university town based around the magnificent Gothic Münster (cathedral) built in red sandstone.

The centre, which fans out from the Münster is delightfully quaint and historic, is easy and lovely to explore.

Freiburg is a gateway to the Black Forest, and we will spend the afternoon revelling in the natural beauty and traditional air of the area, with an afternoon stop at Triberg, capital of the cuckoo clock.

Day 6: Full day tour to Baden-Baden

The elegant spa town of Baden-Baden spent the 19th century being Germany’s most fashionable resorts and this elegance remains in the splendid Belle-Époque architecture including a casino that is lauded as the most beautiful in the world.

Travelling the Black Forest panoramic road we will pay a visit to Lake Mummelsee before returning to Obernai.

Day 7: Return to London

Transfer by coach back to Strasbourg station to catch the return TGV to Paris. At Paris, board the return Eurostar service to St Pancras.

our guests say

Recent reviews

“Serge Bertini was exceptional throughout the tour and thoroughly professional. We would absolutely recommend this trip to anyone; the food and activities throughout were brilliant.” 
Paul Stoney, June 2025
 
“Serge was an outstanding tour guide and we learnt so much about the area and history of Alsace and Germany. Additionally, Obernai makes such a lovely base for the tour, and a bonus was we had constant sunshine!” 
Susan Lancaster, June 2025
 
“My favourite part was the visit to Strasbourg. The accommodation and tour managers were brilliant too. Serge was efficient and knowledgeable regarding the places and regions we visited,  and always helped us with any important information and requests.” 
Michael Carberry, June 2025

Availability

Choose Your Departure

Date
Departing From
Price From
Availability
29/09/2026
London St Pancras
£1,499
Last Few Places
Enquire Now
08/06/2027
London St Pancras
£1,899
Book Now
28/09/2027
London St Pancras
£1,899
Book Now
Solo Traveller Supplement From: £290
Destination
Departure Date
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HOTELS

Tour Accommodation

Le Gouverneur Hotel, Obernai
Located just inside the ramparts in the centre of the pretty town of Obernai about 30km south west of Strasbourg, Le Gouverneur (though rated as only 3-star) is a stylish and comforable hotel, completely renovated from an historic coaching inn dating back to 1550.  Facilities here include a breakfast room and comfortable, newly-refurbished bedrooms with private bath or shower, TV and telephone.  PLEASE NOTE: There is no lift but 5 rooms are located on the ground floor.

There is not a bar or restaurant at the hotel but the hotel is situated in the centre of town with a bar directly across the street and a host of restaurants within a few minutes’ walk. For gourmets, Obernai is blessed with not one but two Michelin-starred restaurants, one less than 50m from the hotel but there are a range of restaurants to suit all tastes and budgets. Obernai itself is a lovely town for a pre- or post-dinner stroll – a walk around the ramparts will certainly build up an appetite!

Hotel Le Gouverneur Website


OUR VIEW ON THE HOTEL
This hotel belies its 3-star status and is a stylish and comfortable hotel, completely renovated from an historic coaching inn dating back to 1550, with rooms arranged around a lovely courtyard. There is no lift as stated but there are 5 rooms on the ground floor and is not air-conditioned though this is not usually a problem here. As well as its historic setting, the hotel’s other great asset is the lovely town of Obernai with its host of bars and restaurants within 3 or 4 minutes’ walk. 

our regular tours

Mobility Information

This tour has a moderate fitness rating, reflecting a fuller itinerary with a good balance of visits, walking and time spent exploring on foot.
 
Some visits may involve cobbled streets, uneven paving, slopes, steps, stairs, limited seating, or walking from the coach drop-off point to the entrance of a site or attraction. The exact demands will vary from day to day, and we highlight specific practical details within the itinerary wherever possible.
 
You should feel comfortable walking at a steady group pace, standing during visits and enjoying a full day of sightseeing. If you are unsure whether this tour is right for you, please contact us before booking.

Mobility Information
Your questions answered

Tour FAQ

If you have a question, we are more than happy to answer it via email or phone, but you may find your answer below more quickly.

Simply complete our online booking form or give us a call on 020 7251 0045 between 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday where you can speak to a real person. A 20% deposit per person is required at the time of booking, to book your place. Payments by debit card or credit card incur no charge. 

You must pay for the balance of your holiday at least 12 weeks before departure. Please note: no reminder for balance payments is sent to you and are not receipted unless requested. If you book your holiday within 12 weeks of departure, full payment is required at time of booking. Please note that some tours may require final payment to be paid earlier than 12 weeks, due to financial commitment with suppliers. The exact date will be notified to you at the time of booking. Final joining instructions and documentation will be dispatched approximately 10 days before travel.

In almost all cases, the price includes your accommodation, meals as described in the itinerary, all excursions shown in the programme, and travel arrangements from the UK. Excursions are taken by private coach exclusively for Travel Editions guests. If anything is ever excluded from the price, it will be clearly marked as optional and payable locally, you won’t find any hidden extras on your final bill. Travel Editions operates a firm no-surcharge policy, so the price you are quoted is the price you pay.

The specifics vary by tour and are set out in your individual itinerary, but most of our tours depart from London, either by Eurostar from St Pancras International or by air. For rail tours, we advise allowing at least one hour before the Eurostar departure when planning your journey to London. For flights, all costs are based on economy class unless otherwise stated, and all times shown are local time. For tours in the UK, these often start at the hotel in question.

Flight upgrades and connections from regional airports are available on request and subject to availability, contact us on 020 7251 0045 or at tours@traveleditions.co.uk for details. We strongly recommend not booking non-refundable connecting travel until you have received your final joining instructions, which are sent around 10 days before departure and confirm all timings and meeting points.

Yes, and you’re very welcome. Single room supplements apply on most tours, reflecting the fact that single and double rooms are generally priced similarly by hotels. If you would prefer to share with another solo traveller of the same gender, we are happy to arrange this, simply let us know at the time of booking. Sharing is subject to another traveller in the same situation being booked on the same tour.

Each tour is accompanied by a dedicated tour manager, who in most cases will travel out from the UK with the group. On some tours, the tour manager will meet you at your destination station or airport, with full details being confirmed in your joining instructions 10 days before travel. Many of our tours are also led by expert lecturers or specialist guides whose knowledge brings each destination to life; details of who will be accompanying your particular tour are included in the individual tour pages and itineraries.

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Founded in 1994 offering unique cultural tours beyond typical high street itineraries.

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Industry-leading guides, some since day one, who speak local languages and have detailed knowledge.

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