Weekend Tour to Champagne 14th-16th July 2017

Another of the ever popular Champagne Weekends! I have organised several of these trips in the last few years and have excellent contacts with many small producers - they offer a very personal experience and champagne of exceptional quality and value, and the visits to them are always the highlight of the weekend. If you want to join this tour don't delay your booking as these trips always fill up!

You can see the rave reviews of a previous trip in this link: https://www.meetup.com/The-London-Wine-Dining-and-Travel-Meetup/events/230110816/

http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/5/2/1/9/600_444861017.jpeg If you have ever wanted to visit this fascinating area, discover the secret of the bubble, and find out what makes champagne the celebratory drink par excellence, then this is the weekend for you. You will see the miles of cellars dug out of chalk where millions of bottle age gracefully, learn how champagne is made, and discover what makes it so special.

The town of Reims where we will be based has many other attractions including a stunning cathedral, fine dining restaurants and lots of lively bars and nightlife. Our hotel is perfectly situated right on the main pedestrian thoroughfare where there are lots of restaurants and bars.

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ITINERARY

We will leave from London Victoria around 7.00 on Friday morning in a comfortable, air-conditioned coach. There will be an option to be collected from Stop 24 service station at Junction 11 on the M20, one junction before the Eurotunnel terminal, where you can park for approx. £6 per day. We will arrive in Reims late afternoon and go straight to visit one of the major Champagne houses for a tour and tasting in their extensive cellars. This evening you will either be able to join an optional group dinner or you can explore the town with its many restaurants and bars.

During the next two days we will head towards Epernay, the Montagne de Reims and the Cotes de Blancs to visit three family producers - two on Saturday and one on Sunday morning. These producers are all situated in the best villages (1er Cru and Grand Cru) and are hand-picked for the quality and value which they offer. At each one we will taste various champagnes from their range and you will be able to buy supplies at very attractive prices (the coach has plenty of luggage space!). On Saturday lunchtime there will be free time to wander round the town of Epernay and this evening there will be more free time in Reims.

We will head back to the UK after lunch on Sunday, arriving at London Victoria around 9 pm.

The tour includes:-

• travel throughout by full size 53 seat executive coach, crossing by Eurotunnel

• two nights bed and buffet breakfast at the 4 star Hotel de la Paix in Reims. The hotel is very centrally located, has air conditioned rooms, a trendy bar and a small swimming pool. (See www.bestwestern-lapaix-reims.fr)

• visits and tastings at 4 different champagne producers (1 Grande Marque and 3 family producers)

• services of Christos Ioannou as wine expert and tour guide

The cost is £350 per person sharing a double or twin room, with a £60 supplement for single rooms of which there are a limited number. There are also a few upgraded twin/double ‘Privilege’ rooms available for an additional cost of £45 per person (not available for single rooms). If you are prepared to share a twin room with a person of the same sex but do not have anyone to share with, we will try and match you up, but if there is no-one suitable you will have to pay the single supplement. A non-refundable deposit of £85 is payable when booking, and the balance is due 8 weeks before departure. Your money will be held in a secure Client Deposit Account and is fully protected.

This trip is very competitively priced as another well known UK wine tour operator is charging around £525 with a £100 single supplement on a like-for-like basis for their Champagne Weekends!

Places will be limited to 35 people and numbers must be finalised by the end of May, but it's likely to sell out well before then so don't delay if you would like to join this fabulous tour. These trips are open to anyone not just members of the Meetup group, so feel free to pass on the details to any friends, family or colleagues who might be interested. To book this tour RSVP ‘Yes’ and then send an e-mail to tours@criterionwinetours.com to request a booking form.