PARIS & ALSACE COOKING TOUR - Sensational Discovery of this Charming Province of Eastern France It is said that Alsace has more 3 star Michelin restaurants than any other region of France! It is also widely known for its unique cuisine, a wonderful combination of French and Germanic traditions. It is marked by the use of pork, potatoes, and tartes with some of the most famous dishes being baeckeoffe, tartes flambées, and choucroute. Baeckeoffe is a slow cooked potato dish, and choucroute comes from sauerkraut and while it does use that famous cabage a plate usually contains a variety of meats and sausages. Everyone of course knows Quiche Lorraine - famous neighbor region to Alsace! Add to the rich cuisine a unique and highly rated wine industry, Alsace is a complete gastronomical discovery. In this program you can discover the tastes of Alsace while learning to prepare some local traditions while enjoying the picturesque town of Colmar - known as the Litle Venice. Colmar was the home town of sculptor Frederic Bartholdi (Statue of Liberty), and contains a museum dedicated to a number of his works. Colmar has a sunny climate and is the driest city in France, making it ideal for Alsatian wine. Colmar is also the Capital of Alsatian wine. In Paris, we include 3 star superior charm hotels with breakfast daily and other services in Paris. You will be on your own in Paris and for most of this program except during the cooking programs and other programmed visits/tours.		"We don't propose a Set Menu, but instead a "philosophy" of the cuisine" - Chef Anny   "Our trip was a success, thank you for all of your assistance. The hotel was great, we would recommend both Discover France and the hotel to our friends. When we have to go back to Paris we will certainly give you a call." R. Carlin

Day 1: Arrival in Paris
Upon arrival in Paris, we’ll arrange a private transfer from the airport to your hotel. Check in your 3-star superior hotel in the Louvre area.
Free time to visit Paris and dinner on your own.

Day 2: Visit of Paris: After breakfast, start your day with a 3-hour visit of Paris with an English-speaking driver. The tour will end at the Eiffel Tower, where you are free to stay to have lunch or go up the famous monument for a spectacular view of Paris. Afternoon and dinner on your own. (B)

Day 3: Explore Paris
Discover Paris on your own! Today, you can either spend more time visiting Paris and its monuments using your Museum Pass (why not an excursion to Versailles?), or we can arrange a cooking class for you! Dinner on your own - ask us for some suggestions or see the information we will send to you. (B)

Day 4: Welcome to Alsace
After checking out of your hotel, you’ll take the train to Colmar (new TGV line opening in June 2007!) and then arrive at your 3* hotel in the center of town, and spend the rest of the day taking a discovery stroll through cheery, good-natured, lively, and breathtakingly beautiful Colmar or you can take a guided tour of the city in a little tourist train! Dinner on your own. (B)

Day 5: Hands-on cooking class
After breakfast, you will meet your Chef, Anny for your first cooking class! Your class will last about 3.5 hours and you will learn how to cook 3 courses, which you’ll then enjoy for lunch with some local Alsatian wines!

In the afternoon, you’re free to either visit more Colmar and its museums or maybe enjoy a wine tasting with a local wine-maker! And don’t miss a guided tour of the area known as “Little Venice” in an original way: on a flat-bottomed boat! Dinner on your own again. (B,L)

Day 6: Cooking up Alsace
This morning you’ll enjoy your second cooking class with Anny! You’ll cook another set of 3 gastronomic courses! Anny will also give you all the recipes of your classes in English, so you can cook them back home for your family. In the afternoon, if you have a car, you might want to visit more of the area: Kaysersberg, Riquewihr, Eguisheim, Obernai or even Strasbourg. If you would rather stay in Colmar, maybe you have time to visit the famous Unterlinden Museum or the Bartholdi Museum, the famous sculptor who created of the Statue of Liberty! Dinner on your own in town. (B,L)

Day 7: Return to Paris
This is your last day in Alsace, so you can either spend some time in Colmar, or return to Paris early for your last day! You’ll spend the night in the same hotel close to the Louvre. For your last night in Paris, why not see a show at the Moulin Rouge, or maybe book a Romantic Dinner Cruise on the Seine River? Now that you know Alsatian cuisine, we can refer you to a Parisien restaurant specializing in that! (B)

Day 8: Departure
Today is your departure day. After breakfast, we will transfer you to the airport depending on your flight departure, or you can spend more time if Paris before leaving! It is very easy to extend your stay in Paris or add on another regional visit, just ask!

The trip includes: - 4 nights accommodations in 3*+ hotel in Louvre area in Paris
- 3 nights accommodations in 3* hotel in Colmar
- Roundtrip airport transfers in Paris
- Essential Tour of Paris
- Museum Pass for 2 days
- 2 3.5 cooking classes with English-speaking local Chef
- 2 Lunches (consisting of courses prepared during class)
- Wine during lunches
- Recipes in English to take home
- Daily breakfast

Tour documentation, Paris Travel Guide, Map of Paris and Metro system, shopping discounts, and France Travel Guide.

Optional Services:
Paris hotel upgrades, day tours, museum passes, etc.

Note: prices subject to change based upon currency fluctuations. See Booking Terms and Conditions.