Autumn in Alsace

Enjoy the famous wine-making region of Alsace in full autumn splendour by steam train on this enchanting holiday in eastern France.

• Based in the vibrant city of Colmar throughout, you’ll explore the region on privately chartered steam trains on all the preserved railways in Alsace, as well as a forest railway in nearby Lorraine.
• Tour highlights include excursions into nearby southern Germany, a hilltop vineyard visit with wine tasting, and a sightseeing cruise in Strasbourg.
• There is also a visit to the Alsatian vineyard town of Eguisheim, the impressive World War I battlefield monument at Hartmannswillerkopf, and a day trip to the city of Mulhouse, home to both the excellent French National Railway Museum and the unique Bugatti Museum.
• Short transfer distances from Colmar to all the featured attractions make this a truly relaxed and engaging tour—an ideal opportunity to see France and southern Germany from a completely new perspective.

Thursday 1 October

London to Colmar

Travel by Eurostar from London St Pancras International to Paris Gare du Nord, before transferring to Paris Gare de l’Est for the onward journey by TGV express to Strasbourg. There, you change to a regional service to Colmar. Check in to your centrally located hotel in the heart of this picturesque town. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant in the heart of the old town. (B, D)

Friday 2 October 

Scenic river cruise and tramways in Strasbourg

This morning, board a locomotive-hauled French Railways (SNCF) service for the short journey from Colmar to Strasbourg, the capital of Alsace and a city steeped in European history. Enjoy a 75-minute sightseeing cruise in one of the city’s famed open-top panoramic riverboats, passing timber-framed houses, colourful alleys, and stately palaces.

Later, you’ll have free time to explore Cathedral Square and the ‘Petite France’ district at your own pace. You may also use your complimentary public transport ticket to ride the city’s trams, including the unique international tramway over the River Rhine to Kehl, Germany. There is plenty to see and do in Strasbourg, and you will have ample time to enjoy the city at leisure. (B)

Saturday 3 October 

Two steam locomotives along the Rhine; hilltop vineyard visit in Germany

After breakfast, travel by coach to the Chemin de Fer Touristique du Rhin in the nearby town of Volgelsheim. This standard-gauge railway operates French and German steam locomotives hauling Austrian balcony carriages. You will traverse the 13 km (8-mile) line from Volgelsheim to the Sans Souci Quay at Marckolsheim, where the Rhine and canal separate.

Along the way, enjoy run-pasts and a guided visit to the steam shed. As a special feature, your train will be topped and tailed with two steam locomotives, including a Belgian Cockerill. A buffet lunch will be served in the convivial bar car.

In the afternoon, cross the Rhine to Germany for a visit to a spectacular hilltop vineyard above Breisach, offering stunning views of Alsace, southern Germany, the Vosges Mountains and the Black Forest. Enjoy a tasting of six wines as part of this connoisseur experience. Return by coach to Colmar. (B, L)

Sunday 4 October 

Luxury train on the Thur Doller Railway; WWI battlefield visit; scenic Alsatian wine route

Today you visit the enchanting Train Thur Doller, which operates a preserved standard-gauge branch line along the foothills of the Vosges Mountains, crossing the River Doller. Your private charter will be formed of plush mid-20th-century luxury coaches hauled by a classic SNCF locomotive from the same era.

After several photo stops and run-pasts in beautiful countryside, a buffet lunch will be served at the terminus in Sentheim. You will also be able to visit the shed in Burnhaupt.

Later, travel by coach along the Alsatian wine route, visiting the impressive World War I battlefield monument at Hartmannswillerkopf and the charming vineyard village of Eguisheim with its colourful buildings. (B, L)

Monday 5 October 

Steam in the Black Forest on the Kandertalbahn

Continue the German theme today with a visit to the Kandertalbahn, located in the southernmost tip of Germany near Basel. This 12.9 km (8-mile) branch line runs through picturesque countryside in the Kander Valley.

Your train will be hauled by an early 20th-century German steam tank locomotive with matching period carriages. A buffet lunch of regional delicacies will be served at the end of the line in Kandern.

In the afternoon, enjoy a scenic drive through the Black Forest and along the Rhine back to Colmar, where you’ll have more free time to explore the city’s timber-framed houses and quaint canals. (B, L)

Tuesday 6 October

World-class museums and trams in Mulhouse

Travel by locomotive-hauled SNCF train to Mulhouse, renowned for its outstanding museums and the largest railway and automobile collections in France.

Ride the local tramway to the ‘Cité du Train’, the French National Railway Museum and one of the world’s largest collections of steam locomotives. Then continue to the nearby ‘Cité de l’Automobile’, home to vintage sports cars and iconic Bugatti models.

You will also have free time to explore Mulhouse’s charming old town before returning to Colmar in the late afternoon. (B)

Wednesday 7 October

Steam at the Abreschviller Forest Railway

Today you make a short excursion into neighbouring Lorraine to visit the Abreschviller Forest Railway, a remarkable hidden gem operating steam locomotives on the unusual 700 mm gauge. You’ll travel behind one of the railway’s three early-20th-century steam locomotives through dense forest and across the Red Saar River, with stops for photos and run-pasts near the village of Grand Soldat. At the terminus, you will also see an old sawmill.

Back in Abreschviller, you will have time to visit the steam shed and view the other locomotives before returning to Colmar. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B, L, D)

Thursday 8 October

Colmar to London

Bid a fond au revoir to Alsace as you return to Paris by TGV express. Transfer from Paris Gare de l’Est to Gare du Nord to board the Eurostar service to London St Pancras International. (B)