Below are details of five great wine tours being organised
by our sister company Wine Voyages Limited:-
To book or to find out more, please call us on 020 8991 8212 OR 8213 or email info@wine-education-service.co.uk
ALSACE BY COACH – THURSDAY 31ST MAY TO TUESDAY
5TH JUNE 2012
Introduction
Alsace is one of our favourite regions of France
- great scenery, great food, and great wine! The wines are mainly full-flavoured,
dry whites which are
the perfect match for the rich cuisine of the region. But there are also
sparkling wines, reds made from Pinot Noir and some delicious dessert wines.
Alsace is the gastronomic capital of France and there are more Michelin starred
restaurants here than in any other region- so let out your waistbands and
prepare to indulge! The ‘fairy-tale’ picture postcard villages
have cobbled streets lined with timber-framed houses and are a delight to
wander round.
As the distance from London is too great to drive comfortably in one day,
we will break the outward and return journey in another of our favourite
regions, Champagne.
Thursday 31st May
Early morning departure from central London in our executive coach for the
journey to Dover and through the Tunnel to Boulogne. We then drive across
the gently undulating plains of northern France to the Champagne region with
a brief stop in Arras where you will be able to find lunch. On arrival in
Reims, the historic capital of the region, we visit one of the top Champagne
houses - just to get off to a flying start! Then a short drive on to our
hotel for the night in the centre of the small town of Chalons en Champagne.
After checking in, we will have dinner together in the hotel’s restaurant
(cost included).
Friday, 1st June
After breakfast, we set off to complete our journey to Alsace, stopping
briefly for lunch en route. Our first tastings in Alsace will be with small
family producers in the north of the region. We will then drive south to
the town of Colmar, our base for the next three days. After checking in to
our hotel, we will enjoy dinner together (cost included) in a nearby restaurant.
Saturday 2nd June
In the morning, your time will be free for sightseeing, shopping and an
early lunch in the picturesque old town before we set off together to explore
the vineyards of the southern part of the Alsace region. We will stop first
for a tasting in Rouffach and then move on to Guebwiller. We will return
to Colmar in the late afternoon. Your evening will be free
Sunday 3rd June
Today we will explore the picturesque villages to the west of Colmar and
taste the wines of two of the best producers in the area. We will have lunch
together (cost included) in one of the villages. We will return to Colmar
in the late afternoon. Your evening will be free.
Monday 4th June
After checking out of our hotel, we will drive north to Ribeauvillé,
a bustling small town with more than its fair share of famous winemakers,
for a tasting. After free time in the town for last minute shopping and a
bite to eat, we will set off for Reims. After checking in to our hotel, we
will meet for dinner in a local restaurant (cost included).
Tuesday 5th June
Our final visit before setting off on our journey homeward will be to one
of the best family producers on the Montagne de Reims. We think you will
be impressed by the quality of their Champagnes and be tempted to take advantage
of their very favourable ‘cellar door’ prices. We will stop for
lunch en route and arrive back in central London mid-evening.
Tastings
Tasting in Alsace will be selected from the following list of producers
Becker, Blanck, Rolly-Gassmann, Hugel, Josmeyer, Mochel, Muré, Schlumberger,
Sipp-Mack, Trimbach.
Wine Buying
On all visits, you will be able to buy wine at advantageous prices to bring
back to London with you (maximum 36 bottles per person).
Tour Price (per person)
Sharing a room £850
Supplement for single room occupancy £200
What Is Included?
Travel throughout by full-size, 53 seat, executive coach, crossing
by Eurotunnel
5 nights bed and buffet breakfast accommodation on a twin share basis
(some single rooms are available at a supplement) in comfortable 3 Star hotels
in Chalons en Champagne (night 1), Colmar (nights 2 – 4) and Reims
(night 5)
3 dinners and 1 lunch with wine
Cellar/vineyard visits and wine tastings at 9 wine producers, which
will be a mixture of big names and smaller family concerns
The services of Christos Ioannou and Sandy Leckie as wine experts and
tour guides
Price Comparison
Another well-known wine tour operator (further details on request) has a
tour of Champagne, Alsace and Germany in late 2012 which includes 6 nights
in 3 star hotels, 8 meals and travel by coach and costs £1750 + £260
single supplement!! So our tour is extremely good value.
CHAMPAGNE BY COACH - FRIDAY
13TH TO SUNDAY 15TH JULY 2012
If you have ever wanted to visit this fascinating area, discover the secret
of the bubble, and find out what makes champagne the celebratory drink par
excellence, then this is the weekend for you. You will see the miles of cellars
dug out of chalk where millions of bottle age gracefully, learn how champagne
is made, and discover what makes it so special.
The town of Reims where we will be based has many other attractions including
a stunning cathedral, and lots of lively bars and nightlife. Our hotel is
perfectly situated right on the main pedestrian thoroughfare where there
are loads of restaurants and bars.
We will leave from Bressenden Place, Victoria, London around 7.30 on Friday
morning in a comfortable, air-conditioned coach. There will be an option
to be collected from Stop 24 service station at Junction 11 on the M20, one
junction before the Eurotunnel terminal, where you can park for approx. £6
per day.
We will arrive in Reims late afternoon and go straight to visit
one of the major Champagne houses for a tour and tasting in their extensive
cellars. There will be the option to join a group dinner that evening in
a Michelin listed local restaurant for a cost of around £35 which will
include a set 3 course meal, a couple of glasses of wine, mineral water and
a tea or coffee. Or if you prefer you can choose one of the many other lively
bars and restaurants.
During the next two days we will head towards Epernay and the Montagne de
Reims to visit three family producers, two on Saturday and one on Sunday
morning. These producers are all situated in the best villages and are hand-picked
for the quality and value which they offer, as well as the personal touch
they give. At each one we will taste various champagnes from their range
and you will be able to buy supplies at very attractive prices (the coach
has plenty of luggage space!). On Saturday lunchtime there will be free time
to wander round the town of Epernay.
We will head back to the UK after lunch on Sunday, arriving back at London
Victoria around 9 pm.
What Is Included?
Travel throughout by full size 53 seat executive coach, crossing by
Eurotunnel
2 nights bed and buffet breakfast on a twin share basis (some single
rooms and Upgraded 'Privilege' rooms are available at a supplement) in the
Hotel
de la Paix in Reims. The hotel is very centrally located, and is a good quality
3 star with ensuite facilities, air conditioned rooms, and a small swimming
pool. (See www.bestwestern-lapaix-reims.fr)
Visits and tastings at 4 different champagne producers, which will
be a mixture of big names and smaller family concerns
The services of Christos Ioannou as wine expert and tour guide
The Cost
£
295 per person sharing a double or twin room, with a £55 supplement
for single rooms of which there are a limited number.There are also a few
upgraded twin/double ‘Privilege’ rooms available for an additional
cost of £40 per person (not available for single rooms). If you are
prepared to share a twin room with a person of the same sex but do not have
anyone to share with, we will try and match you up, but if there is no-one
suitable you will have to pay the single supplement. A deposit of £75
is payable when booking, and the balance is due two months before departure.
Price Comparison
This trip is costed very competitively as another well known wine tour
operator is charging around £375 with a £90 single supplement
on a like-for-like basis for their Champagne Weekend in March!
Places will be limited to 35 people and numbers must be finalised by the
end of April To request a booking form, please call us on 020 8991 8213 or
send an email to info@wine voyages.co.uk
GREECE - SATURDAY 15TH TO SUNDAY 23RD SEPTEMBER 2012
J
Introduction
Wine Voyages brings you a fascinating Wine and Classical Sites
Tour in Greece in late September, one of the loveliest months to be in
Greece. The tour will take in three of the most important wine regions in
southern
Greece - Attiki, Nemea and Mantinea, as well as three of the most important
classical sites - Mycenae, Epidaurus and Olympia.
Acommodation will be in three centres, Athens (much improved since the
Olympics in 2004), Nafplion, one of the loveliest towns in all of Greece,
and Olympia
home of the original Olympic Games.
There will be a free day in Athens to explore the sites, wine tastings with
several producers, delicious group meals, scenic drives through the Peloponnese
and much more.
Saturday 15th September
Fly to Athens (independent arrangements), Check in
at Central Hotel in Plaka (3 nights). Informal Dinner (not included).
Sunday 16th September
Day 2 Sunday 16/9: The whole Day is free for independent sightseeing in
Athens – you
may like to visit the Parthenon and the new Parthenon museum, the Archaeological
Museum, Lycabettus Hill and the picturesque areas of Plaka and Monastiraki.
Early evening briefing and possible wine tasting in the hotel followed
by Group Dinner in Plaka (included)
Monday 17th September
Day 3 Monday 17/9: Outing to 2 wineries in the Attica region around Athens – possibly
Megapanos, Stroifilia, Vassiliou with a Group Lunch (included) at one.
Free Evening
Tuesday 18th September
Day 4 Tuesday 18/9: Travel towards the Corinth Canal and the Peloponnese.
Visit the ancient site of Mycenae followed by a tasting and lunch (included)
at a Nemea Winery. In the afternoon visit and tasting at another Nemea
Winery. Possible wineries to visit are Gaia, Skouras, Semeli, Vassiliou.
Travel to
Nafplion, the first capital of modern Greece and one of the most beautiful
towns in Greece. Check-in at Hotel Grande Bretagne (2 nights), Free Evening
Wednesday
19th September
Day 5 Wednesday 19/9: Morning Visit to the ancient theatre of Epidauras,
and possibly Ancient Tiryns. Return to Nafplion for lunch, free afternoon
for swimming, sightseeing. Free evening.
Thursday 20th September
Day 6 Thursday 20/9: Depart Nafplion and travel towards Tripoli and the
wine region of Mantinea. Visit and tasting at 2 wineries with lunch (included)
at one, possibly Tselepos, Spiropolous. Depart Mantinea for the scenic
drive
across the mountains towards Olympia in the Western Peloponnese, Check
in to Hotel Arty Grand (2 nights). Group Dinner (included) at our hotel.
Friday
21st September
Day 7 Friday 21/9: Morning Visit to the ancient site of Olympia. Travel
to Ktima Mercouri for Tasting and Possible Lunch. Possible afternoon
visit/free time around Katokalon, Agios Andreas Beach. Early evening
return to Olympia.
Saturday
22nd September
Day 8 Saturday 22/9: Travel north towards Kalavrita and Diakopto in the
Northern Peloponnese to take the scenic ride on the famous Cog Railway.
Visit/tasting/lunch
(included) at Tetramythos winery at Ano Diakopto. Return to Athens arriving
early evening (one night hotel). Final Group Dinner.
Sunday 23rd
September
Depart at leisure
Important please note - some of the details of the itinerary (in particular
which wineries we will be visiting) have yet to be finalised so this is not
an interim version.
What Is Included?
8 nights accommodation at the hotels listed in the itinerary - 4 nights
Athens, 2 nights Nafplion, 2 nights Olympia (more details below).
A full
size touring coach for Days 3 to 8 of the Tour
3 Dinners and 4 Lunches
with some wine
The program of wine tastings as outlined in the itinerary
Entrance to the
archaeological sites of Mycenae, Epidaurus and Olympia
The services of Tour
Manager and Wine Guide Christos Ioannou
What Is Not Included?
Flights to/from Athens
Additional Drinks During the meals other than those included
Personal Expenditure such as tips/gratuities not mentioned in the program
The Cost
The cost of the tour is £950 based on sharing a room, with
a single supplement of £260 or £220 (see further notes below).
This compares to another well-known wine tour operator whose Greek wine tour
in 2011 had
a similar itinerary though was one day/night less yet cost £1699 based
on sharing a room with a single supplement of £360! There are two types
of single rooms at Hotel Grande Bretagne (double for single occupancy and
two smaller ‘single’ rooms) hence the two different single supplements.
There are also four upgraded rooms at the Grande Bretagne available for a
supplement of £30 per person.
Flights
There are many flights per day from London to Athens – with British
Airways and Aegean Airlines from Heathrow, and with Easyjet from Gatwick.
To get from Athens airport to the Central Hotel you can take a bus or metro
direct to Syntagma (about 60-75 minutes journey), then the hotel is 5-6 minutes
walk from there. Alternatively a taxi will cost around €30 and will
take around 45 minutes.
The Hotels
Christos has personally inspected and chosen the Central Hotel in Athens
and the Grande Bretagne in Nafplion. The Arty Grand was newly opened in September
2012 and was highly recommended by Sakis the operations manager at Andys
Tours who will be providing the coach.
Athens:
Hotel Central, Apollonos 21, Plaka, Athens - Greece, 10557, Tel:
+30 210 3234357 http://www.centralhotel.gr/ This hotel is conveniently
situated 5 minutes’ walk
from Syntagma Square where the Greek Parliament is located, and 5 minutes
from the heart of Plaka, the bustling district teeming with boutique shops
and restaurants. The Acropolis and the new Acropolis museum are also just
a few minutes walk. The hotel has a welcoming, airy reception area, comfortable
rooms and a fabulous roof terrace where you can sit and relax, with stunning
views of the Acropolis.
Nafplion:
Hotel Grande Bretagne is situated within 2 minutes’ walk
from the seafront and the old town, see: http://www.grandebretagne.com.gr/
. The hotel has elegant, spacious reception rooms and 20 bedrooms in all
so we may have exclusive use of the hotel for the group.
Olympia:
the 5 star Hotel Arty Grand opened as a brand new hotel in September
2011, see: http://www.artygrandhotel.gr/index.php?lang=en . The hotel is
built on a hill above ancient Olympia, and has an indoor and outdoor pool,
luxury spa and spacious reception areas.
BURGUNDY FOR THE WEEKEND OF THE TROIS GLORIEUSES
- THURSDAY 15TH TO MONDAY 19TH NOVEMBER 2012
A wonderful opportunity to join in the festivities in Burgundy
over the weekend of the auction of the wines of the Hospice de Beaune. Great
wines
and great food including a place at the celebratory diner in the Hospice
itself - one of the ‘Trois Glorieuses’. For wine lovers this
trip is an absolute must to do at least once.
Participants will need to make their own way to and from Beaune.
Beaune is best accessible by car but it is possible to go by Train (changing
in Paris) or to fly to Lyon and rent a car.
You will stay in the Hotel Le Cep, a member of the SLH group (Small Luxury
Hotels of The World) but as the only rooms that we have been able to book
are for 2 people, this trip will therefore only be suitable for couples or
two people sharing. Le Cep has a private and secure car park.
The programme for this trip is as follows:
Thursday 15th November
We shall meet at the Hotel Le Cep, our base for 4 nights, in the centre of
Beaune at 7.00pm, for a private tasting and introduction to the wines of
Burgundy. We will then walk to dinner at one of the well known local restaurants.
Friday 16th November
We have organized a visit and tasting in the vicinity of Beaune at a boutique
producer followed by a degustation lunch at another good producer. In the
afternoon we shall travel again in the vicinity of Beaune to visit another
independent producer. On all three visits there should be an opportunity
to buy wine at keen prices. We shall return to Hotel Le Cep, and meet up
to dine at another excellent restaurant in Beaune
Driving in Beaune during the weekend can be very difficult, many roads are
closed for festivities within the city as many of the well known producers
open their extensive cellars offering an opportunity to taste older vintages
of Burgundian wines so we spend the next two days in the town itself where
we can enjoy all the festivities.
Saturday 17th November
This will be an early start, with a barrel tasting of the 2012 wines to be
auctioned on the Sunday afternoon, followed by breakfast on returning to
the hotel. We will then visit and taste at two producers in Beaune and
normally this gives us the chance to sample some mature wines. We shall
return to Hotel Le Cep, and meet up for another local dinner.
Sunday 18th November
There will be two more tastings at producers in Beaune, followed by a Black
Tie Gala Dinner at the Hotel Dieu, Hospices de Beaune where both food and
wines are legendary!
Monday 19th November
After a leisurely breakfast, we will each make our way back home (or stop
somewhere else should you desire).
What Is Included?
4 nights bed and breakfast at Le Cep, including local taxes and car parking
within the hotel grounds.
1 winery lunch, and 3 dinners with good wines in
good restaurants in Beaune.
The Gala Dinner in the Hospice de Beaune on the
Sunday evening.
All visits and Tastings
The Cost
£ 1249.00 per person sharing a twin or double-bedded room.
CHAMPAGNE BY COACH - FRIDAY
23RD TO SUNDAY 25TH NOVEMBER 2012
A weekend of good wine, good food and good
company and a chance to stock up on Champagne before the start of the
festive season. A bonus will
be the Christmas Market which brings a real buzz to the centre of Reims
at this time.
Friday 23rd November
Early morning departure from central London in our executive coach for the
journey to Dover and through the Tunnel to Calais. We then drive across the
gently undulating plains of northern France to the Champagne region with
a brief stop in Arras where you will be able to find lunch.. On arrival in
Reims, historic capital of the region, we visit one of the top Champagne
houses - just to get us off to a flying start! After checking in to our hotel,
we have dinner together at a nearby restaurant (cost included)
Saturday 24th November
After breakfast we drive to one of
the 'grand cru' villages on the Montagne de Reims to visit a small family
producer who makes top-quality Champagne.
Then into the town of Epernay where you will be able to find a bite to eat
in one of the bustling cafes around the Place de la République. After
a visit to one of the big Champagne houses nearby, we return to Reims. There
will be time to explore the Christmas Market or visit to the magnificent
Gothic Cathedral of Notre Dame, before gathering for dinner at a restaurant
just a short walk from the hotel (cost included).
Sunday, 25th November
After breakfast, we return to the Montagne de Reims to visit a further small
family producer before setting off on the road for home. We will stop for
lunch en route and arrive back in central London mid-evening.
What Is Included?
Travel throughout by full size 53 seat executive coach, crossing by
Eurotunnel
2 nights bed and buffet breakfast on a twin share basis (some single
rooms and Upgraded 'Privilege' rooms are available at a supplement) in the
Hotel
de la Paix in Reims. The hotel is very centrally located, and is a good quality
3 star with ensuite facilities, air conditioned rooms, and a small swimming
pool. (See www.bestwestern-lapaix-reims.fr)
Visits and tastings at 4 different champagne producers, which will be
a mixture of big names and smaller family concerns
The services of Christos Ioannou as wine expert and tour guide
The Cost
£
295 per person sharing a double or twin room, with a £55 supplement
for single rooms of which there are a limited number.There are also a few
upgraded twin/double ‘Privilege’ rooms available for an additional
cost of £40 per person (not available for single rooms). If you are
prepared to share a twin room with a person of the same sex but do not have
anyone to share with, we will try and match you up, but if there is no-one
suitable you will have to pay the single supplement. A deposit of £75
is payable when booking, and the balance is due two months before departure.
Price Comparison
This trip is costed very competitively as another well known wine tour
operator is charging around £375 with a £90 single supplement
on a like-for-like basis for their Champagne Weekends.
Places will be limited to 35 people and numbers must be finalised by the
end of August To request a booking form, please call us on 020 8991 8213
or send an email to info@wine voyages.co.uk
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