I am arriving 2 days prior to the start of the September 30 tour, staying in Reims. I am planning to visit champagne houses or wineries. I would love company while tasting champagne. Please PM if interested.
Counting down, less than 3 months til France.
We just returned from this tour two weeks ago. We had a great time as I’m sure you will also. We arrived in Reims the day before the tour started. We visited Taittinger cellars on our own. They have several English tours throughout the day. You can go to their website and check times. We purchased tickets online, but there were people that just showed up. It was a good tour and tasting. Our Rick Steve’s tour visited Pommery cellars. You could check with the office to see if that will be the case with your tour, so you don’t repeat it on your own. We took the bus to get to Taittinger, and it was very easy to get to.
We also visited Museum Of Surrender of Reims, which is where the Germans signed their surrender documents at the end of WWII. Small museum, reasonably priced, easy to get to and interesting if you’re interested in WWII history at all.
Make sure you see the cathedral at night. It’s beautiful. They also do a light show, which we didn’t see as we were there the end of May and they didn’t start that until June. Not sure how long in the season they run the show, but even just lit up, the cathedral is beautiful. Enjoy!
We did this tour a few years ago but earlier in September. The RS book said Mumm did not have Sunday tours but the hotel said yes and booked for us. If I recall, even a slight discount. It was an easy walk. Also visited the remembrance museum and enjoyed it. It was harvest time for wines, so walking around Reims smelled wonderful. We saw the light show on the cathedral the night before the tour started. The next day was the last show of the season and the lights malfunctioned, so we were glad we had gone before. I still have fond memories of this delightful tour.
Thanks Ellen & Patty for the great advice. I am toying with visiting Epernay by train on Saturday on a self guided tour but may take a guided tour that takes in a smaller winery out in the countryside. So many wineries, so little time!
June,
When we did this tour in September we used our pre- tour free day to take the train to Epernay. We toured Mercier. It was a great choice. We still have the two Mercier glasses we bought as a set with a bottle of their Rose. ( which was consumed that night) Great memories from an outstanding tour. You are in for a real treat!
Hi Ladies,
Sorry to high-jack your thread June, but I am considering taking this tour. However, I don't drink wine (every once in a while I might have a half glass). I'm wondering if I would enjoy this tour very much? Is there enough going on otherwise? Does this tour seem very "winery-heavy" I guess is what I'm wondering?
I have done 6 other tours, so I'm familiar with tour formats in general.
Thanks as always,
Gretchen
Given that this was our favorite out of the 6 RS tours we have taken, I am clearly biased. With that disclaimer, I think the variety of experiences, geography, culture and cuisine of the regions you visit give you a lot “ to do”. There were a couple of non drinkers on our tour, and I believe they still had an enjoyable time. The aspect of this tour that made it our favorite was that the focus was on cultural connections and experiences instead of just museums. At each destination there are special things to see and do.
( Verdun, the Isenheim altarpiece, the hospice charity, market day, the Alps!, Roman theater and ruins, idyllic picnics at wineries and villas). Yes, there are several wine tastings, but the purpose of those is to instruct about the process and the nuances of agricultural practices and varietals. There is definitely a focus on enjoying the outdoors, so we were glad we went during mild fall weather. Of all the RS tours we have taken, this one has the most seamless itinerary with each stop thoughtfully and thematically placed to give you an understanding of the people, culture, topography, history and how all of those factors have informed everything from world view to cuisine.
Agree with Traveling Mom. You visit wineries in several regions. But, the agriculture and the culture of wine is just as important. You could ask for tiny tastes or just pass.
France and the food are just as important. You have the opportunity to try lots of things from mussels to raclette to fabulous duck. My husband even liked a cucumber salad served to us.
Thanks everyone for the reviews of the tour.
No problem Gretchen. On my first RS Tour, called Paris to Provence which does not exist any longer, I did visit Vaison la Romaine and Ioved the town and the Roman ruins.
