13th - 20th march 2023

Day 2.

Surrounding the ancient town of Ypres are the salient battlefields. Here we see John McCrae’s Dressing Station at Essex Farm Cemetery. Visiting the battlegrounds of Messines Ridge, Hooge Crater, Polygon Wood, and Tyne Cot military cemetery. We walk the shell-scared craters of hill 60 battlefield. We see dozens of memorials to commonwealth units and their units. Then as the sun sets we contemplate the haunting sound of the last post ceremony at the Menin Gate.

Day 4.

Following a late breakfast we will take some more great roads from the centre of the forest and eventually make it into Reims to check into the Hotel for the next three nights. The hotel is in the centre of Reims, where there are plentiful restaurants for you to get a taste for the region.

Day 6

On this second day of the Champagne Tour we will drive out to the Grande Montagne de Reims, visiting the Musee de la Vigne in Verzenay. From there we take the forested highland route, where the hillsides are covered with the Pinot Noir Grapes an 10 out of 17 ‘Grand Cru’ territories are concentrated in this area. We shall return via on the Old Reims Circuit, so that there is an opportunity to get some pictures of the cars alongside the abandoned grandstands, making our way back into Reims for an evening tasting at G H Martell

Day 8.

Driving from Nancy to Colmar via the spectacular Voges Mountains, rising to 1,200 metres alongside pastures, via hairpins and forest, topping out at the Col de Schlucht. The road across these rounded heights, the Route des Crêtes, was built in the Great War to supply the French front-line trenches has startling views across grassland to the sky, down to rocks, woods and lakes and, in the distance. Farm inns punctuate the landscape where lunch can be taken, however beware that when Alsaciens suggest light lunches, they’re lying. We will also pay a visit to Ferme-Versant-du-Soleil in Hohrod, where the farmer will demonstrate the art of making cheese and there may even be some to taste!

Day 10.

Again, following an evening’s wine tasting it is better not to drive so again there is a morning for an unguided exploration of Colmar. Centuries of wine, food and laughter have led to unexpected squares and a hubbub around every corner. In the afternoon we will finish our tour of the southern wine Trail South by visiting the old marketplace in Eguisheim and the town of Mulhouse before heading back to Colmar

Day 12.

Today we will be visiting Mont Saint-Odile and the village of Obernai, considered to be the northernmost point of the classic wine trail. Then onto Barr, widely considered to be the capital of the wine route with its quintessential flower decked half-timbered houses. In fact the day will be a discovery of the magnificent view of the wine region of Couronne d’Or and Piémont, and an experience of its important architectural, medieval and religious heritage, such as the Carthusian Monastery of Molsheim, Then back to Strasbourg for sampling the local wines and an evening meal.

Day 14.

Today we follow the road from Trier that follows the meandering gorges of the Mosel. to a Lunch stop in a town called Cochem on the Mosel River. Returning to the Hotel from the Farewell meal.

Day 16/17.

Spa-Francorchamps has often been described as the most beautiful circuit in the world and it could also be qualified as a photographers’ paradise. There are few race courses in the world where spectators can do a full lap on foot without ever losing sight of the track. The la Source hairpin, Eau Rouge the Raidillon , the Combes Esses, the Malmédy corner, the Pouhon double left-hander and the curve at Blanchimont all provide spectacular viewing points. And to finish off your walk visit the exhibitions, activities and boutiques installed in the paddock..

The Spa Classic is differs from the Le Mans Classic as its focus is on touring cars. Among the races the two Heritage Touring Cup races, one run in daytime and the other at night, pay homage to this Belgian singularity. On track are saloons and coupes that raced in the event between 1966 and 1984: Alfa Romeo 1750 GTAMs, BMW 3.0 CSLs, Chevrolet Camaros, Ford Capris, Jaguar XJSs, etc. While production cars have a special place in the Ardennes, the sports prototypes and GTs are not forgotten either. Ferrari 250 GTs, Porsche 917s, Ford GT40s and Jaguar XJR-9s, all former participants in the 1 000 km or 6 Hours of Spa are all back at the circuit in their respective grids.