DAY 1 - After joining your holiday coach, you will travel to Dover for the short sea crossing to Calais. Continue via the autoroute to arrive in Reims late afternoon to check into your hotel with a set dinner menu served each evening.
DAY 2 - 3 At leisure in
Reims with two included excursions
INCLUDED EXCURSIONSReims & Cordon Rouge ExperienceGet to know Reims this morning with a local English-speaking guide on a
walking tour of the city. Meticulously restored after WWI and again after WWII, Reims is an exceptional city. Nothing can prepare the first-time visitor for the first glimpse of the gargantuan 13th century Gothic cathedral (entry FOC) where French kings were crowned for over 1000 years. Dominating the city centre, the Notre-Dame Cathedral is bigger than its famous namesake in Paris and is known for its monumental stained-glass windows and Gothic carved portals, including the Smiling Angel. Enjoy time at leisure in Reims to explore on your own. You could perhaps dive into Les Halles du Boulingrin, built in the 1920s for an architectural competition and now the city's temple to fruit, vegetables, olive oil and wine (markets are held on Saturdays 6am-2pm). Reims is where many of the Champagne houses have their headquarters and this afternoon you will visit
Champagne Mumm for the
Cordon Rouge Experience tour of its cellars. Discover how Georges Hermann Mumm, an ambitious, visionary entrepreneur, led Mumm on the path to growth and created the famous red ribbon, a worldwide symbol of quality since 1876. The guided tour of the cellars is followed by a tasting of the legendary Mumm Cordon Rouge. NB There are steps down to the cellars. Return to the hotel later today
Champagne Route, Epernay and Mercier Champagne CellarsFollow the 'Route de Champagne' today as you head out of Reims winding among vineyards and terraced hillsides. Make a short stop in
Hautvillers, nicknamed the cradle of Champagne, in the heart of the prestigious hillsides listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. This quaint French village with beautiful views over Epernay and the Champagne valley was home of Dom Pérignon, the monk who became famous for his talents in the wine industry. The tomb of the spiritual father of Champagne is located in the Abbey church. Onto
Epernay with its handsome Avenue de Champagne, illuminated by the magnificent façades of the famous champagne houses. There will time for lunch here before enjoying a guided tour of
Champagne Mercier. During the visit, you will tour a section of the amazing 18km cellar network 30m underground on a laser-guided
'train' with audio-guide and get an insight into the traditions and methods of Champagne production. The unique décor and magnificent heritage of the atmospheric cellars never fail to impress, and the tour will finish with a tasting and a chance to sample Mercier Brut. Access to the cellars is via a lift. Return to the hotel later this afternoon
NB Please dress warmly for both cellar tours as conditions are cool.
DAY 4 - Today you head back to Calais for the return Channel crossing and the onward journey home.
IMPORTANT TRAVEL INFORMATION
EES (European Entry & Exit System). This is the new entry and exit system for UK citizens (and many other citizens) when entering or exiting the EU. For more information, please visit travel-europe.europa.eu/ees_en.
At present there is no fixed start date – planned November 2025.
The ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) 'Visa-waiver' programme is currently expected to be implemented 6 months after the EES comes into place. Please note: Once implemented ETIAS will be compulsory, like a Passport. No ETIAS - No Entry. It is your responsibility to make sure you have the required documentation in place.
For the latest information regarding ETIAS please visit: 'travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en' or 'Gov.uk'.
Passport
For advice on passports when travelling into Europe please visit https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/holiday-cancellations-and-compensation/travelling-in-europe/