The tour begins in downtown Berlin on December 6, 2022 at approximately 3pm. It is strongly advised that all participants arrive in Berlin at least one day before to avoid any missed air connections & to help in adjusting to jet lag.  (Wine-Knows will be happy to arrange for early arrival accommodations).

Group airfare has purposefully not been included to allow maximum flexibility in arrival & departure options. You may go early & stay over after the trip concludes. Wine-Knows Travel, Inc. provides land only arrangements and does not provide airfare.

Our groups are composed of people from diverse occupations, singles & couples, men & women, a mix of young & old, well-seasoned international travelers as well as novices.  All have a common interest in food & wine.  The majority of participants on our tours are repeat clients or their referrals.  In addition, each tour participant is a non-smoker. 

One of the hallmarks of the Wine-Knows’ brand is seeking out those oh-so-special spots to stay.  We typically look for historical properties that ooze old-world European charm.  However, since many cities in Germany were rebuilt in a modern style after WWII, Wine-Knows will be adding a couple of contemporary hotels into this trip’s mix.  The majority of accommodations are 5 star, but there are also a few 4 star properties.  All hotels will be strategically located in the heart of the town’s center, so Christmas markets, sight-seeing, & shopping will be just out your front door.

Below are hotels that we are planning to use for this trip:

• Berlin:  This 5 star property, which once belonged to the Berlin Opera, has become a pitch perfect luxury hotel.  Once used to store costumes & stage sets, it has been transformed into 200 design-savvy guest rooms which offer sumptuous linens & marble bathrooms.  Amenities include a spa & gym.

• Dresden:  Located next to the city’s phenomenal castle, this recently built 5 star hotel’s architecture cleverly blends in with the historic buildings surrounding it.  Bedrooms are the epitome of functional elegance & comfort.  The hotel’s spa is located in its 15^th century stone cellar with medieval vaulted ceilings.

• Nuremberg:  Think contemporary for this stop.  A 4 star property, this recently built completely non-smoking hotel has all of the modern bells & whistles:  fitness center, rooftop terrace, and even an indoor pool.  Like all of our hotels, it’s located within walking distance of the city’s famous Christmas market.

• Heidelberg:  This benchmark 5 star hotel has been in the same family for 150 years. Kings & Queens, as well as countless celebrities have been guests.  Dripping with old-world charisma, it features 100 luxurious rooms and is renowned for its superb service.  Amenities include a spa, pool & gym.

• Strasbourg:  Built in the 19th century as a luxurious private mansion, this 48 bedroom 4 star hotel is located in the center of the United Nations World Heritage city (UNESCO).  The architectural Neoclassical treasure was built on the banks of the River Ill within a 10 minute walk of the cathedral.

The Christmas Markets offer a unique cornucopia of regional food items only available during the holidays.  There will be grilled Christmas sausages in every size and shape, specialty cheeses, a mind-boggling array of holiday-centric cakes & cookies, as well as a plethora of labor-intensive Christmas breads. 

All dining experiences have been mindfully selected. Meals will be special culinary events, ranging from a Michelin-star restaurant to a wine bar.  Traditional German food can be heavy, thus the focus will be on more healthy contemporary cooking with use of local, fresh products.  Mediterranean style restaurants will also be sprinkled into the mix.  In France, we’ll dine on classical French cooking, including a Michelin star restaurant.

Participants must in good physical health and be able to keep up with the pace of the group.  The tour often requires climbing two or more flights of stairs in wineries, walking distances of up to 3/4 mile (1200 meters) at a moderate gait, and negotiating cobble-stone streets and other irregular surfaces including dirt, gravel and/or wet surfaces.   Participants will be required to carry their own hand luggage and personal items.  Concerns over any aspect of the tour’s physical requirements should be addressed with Wine Knows before placing the trip deposit.      

The tour will be business casual during the day. Men need to bring a sport coat (tie optional) for the more formal dining experiences, & women should plan a similar level of attire (cocktail dress or fancy pantsuit) for these evenings.  A heavy coat is mandatory (preferably water repellant), but layers are the key.  Weatherized shoes are critical.  Also, don’t forget gloves and a hat.  Some of our hotels have gym and/or indoor swimming pools so plan accordingly if you plan to use these services. 

December in Germany & Alsace, France can be cold.  Berlin, the most northern city we’ll visit, averages 30-40 degrees during the day.   Alsace (our southern-most destination), average 35-45 degrees in the daytime.  Snow is unusual during December at all of our locations, but travelers should be prepared for some snow and even rain. 

The price is based upon double occupancy.  Should you wish to share a room, every attempt will be made to find you a roommate (most of the time we have been quite successful in doing so), however if we are unable to find you a roommate, you will need to pay the single supplement of $1,360 US.

We have provided free time as detailed in the itinerary.  Furthermore, it is not mandatory that you attend all of the planned experiences, although most of our clients do!  This is your trip—if you would rather sleep in, shop, or simply chill out at a café, then do it!

Yes.  We accept payment through PayPal (PayPal.com).  Since PayPal charges us a fee, this fee must added to the cost of the trip. 

In addition to clients from >20 states in the US, we have had several clients from Europe, Canada, Asia & even New Zealand.  Our groups are composed of people from diverse occupations, singles & couples, men & women, a mix of young & old, well-seasoned international travelers as well as a few novices.  All have a common interest in food & wine.  The majority of participants on our tours are repeat clients or their referrals.  In addition, each tour participant is a non-smoker.