Weekend Tour to Champagne with Xmas Market 24th-26th November

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Another of the ever popular Champagne Weekends with this one having the added attraction of a Xmas Market in Reims where we will be based. I have organised several of these trips in the last few years and have excellent contacts with many small producers - the visits to them are always the highlight of the weekend and you can buy champagne from them at amazingly reasonable prices. So what better time to stock up for Xmas!

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You can see the rave reviews of a previous Xmas Market trip in this link: http://www.meetup.com/The-London-Wine-Dining-and-Travel-Meetup/events/183042362/?a=ea1_grp&rv=ea1&_af_eid=183042362&_af=event

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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, 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. The Christmas Village is just a few minutes' walk from our hotel near the majestic Cathedral. There will be plenty of free time to visit and enjoy street entertainment, carol singers and more than 100 colourful chalets who will welcome visitors with their gifts, decorations and delicious festive fare. So start celebrating Christmas early with this wonderful Champagne Trip!

We will leave from London Victoria at 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. After checking into our hotel the evening will be free to explore the Xmas Market, restaurants and bars of the town. There may be the option to join a group dinner in a local restaurant.

During the next two days we will head towards Epernay and the Montagne de Reims to visit three family producers, two on Saturday and one on Sunday morning. These producers are all situated in the best villages 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.

We will head back to the UK after lunch on Sunday, arriving back at STOP 24 at around 7.30 pm and 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 on a twin share basis (some single rooms and Upgraded 'Privilege' rooms are available at a supplement) at the Hotel de la Paix in Reims. The hotel which is officially rated 4 star 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, which will be a mixture of big names and smaller family concerns

- the 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 two months before departure. Your money will be held in a secure Trust Account and so is fully protected.

This trip is costed very competitively as another well known wine tour operator is charging around £490 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 September, but the tour is likely to sell out well before then so please let Christos know as soon as possible if you would like to join the tour. To register your interest in this tour RSVP ‘Yes’ and then send an e-mail to tours@criterionwinetours.com to request a booking form.