Grand Cru Champagne short Break

The Arblaster & Clarke Wine Tours two night Grand Cru Champagne break is based on our 25 years of experience in the region and gives you a concentrated snap-shot of the region in the personal company of our local wine expert. A chauffeur will also join you, therefore avoiding the worry about deciding whose turn it is to navigate/drive.

Arblaster & Clarke Wine Tours have been escorting clients to Champagne since 1987 and our experience in Champagne is, quite simply, unrivalled.

So, if you have a reason to celebrate or you want to get a party together, want to give your loved one a surprise present, have a big party coming up, or you just want to stock up on Champagne for your regular drinking, or you simply fancy an indulgent treat, take an independent Arblaster & Clarke Grand Cru Champagne Break.

Grand Cru Champagne Short Break Itinerary

Day One
Arrival at either the 3* Manor House Hotel in the Grand Cru Village of Ay, (nearest train station is Epernay or Champagne-Ardennes, from where you can arrange a taxi on arrival, or self-drive via Dover/Folkestone for a drive of about three hours from Calais) or stay at a modern 3* hotel in Reims, (nearest train station is Reims and is a 5-10 minute walk to the hotel).

Champagne, just south of Paris and 280 km from Calais, stretches from around Troyes in the south (in the sub-district known as the Aube), to Reims in the north, which is in the Marne district. The vineyards of the Marne are the Montagne de Reims, the Côte des Blancs (where the white grapes are concentrated) and the Vallée de la Marne.

There are simple restaurants in the village of Ay, or the hotel will arrange a taxi (payable locally) to one of the Michelin starred restaurants in the region. If you opt for the hotel in Reims, there is plenty of restaurant choice.

Day Two (this cannot be a Sunday)
Breakfast at your chosen accommodation – in either the Grand Cru Village of Ay, or in the centre of Reims.

This morning our local Champagne Expert will meet you with a chauffeur and car or “people-carrier” for a drive around the Montagne de Reims to visit the Grand Cru villages nearby, such as Aÿ, Bouzy, Dizy, or on to the Côte des Blancs for the villages of Cramant, Le Mesnil and Avize, where the Chardonnay grapes thrive.

You will taste at two small family run Champagne houses which A&C have been visiting with our champagne loving clients for the past 24 years, and also have a visit to the vast cellars of one of the more famous names.

In the company of our Wine Guide and the comfort and safety offered by a chauffeur driven car, you will not only have a very enjoyable and relaxing day, (without having to worry about map-reading and whose turn it is to drive!) you will also learn lots and taste some wonderful Champagnes!

At lunchtime your Wine Guide will take you to an excellent traditional restaurant along the route where you can choose from the menu and from the wine list. (Payable on the spot in cash or by credit card).

During the day your Wine Guide will also take you to the attractive wine village of Hautvillers where the monk Dom Perignon lived and worked.

Return to your chosen accomodation at the end of the afternoon.

Free evening to dine where you wish, armed with the Arblaster & Clarke Wine Tours well-research restaurant list.

Day Three
Breakfast
Depart at your leisure.

Prices

2011 & 2012 Based on 3* Manor House Hotel, standard rooms, From May – July 2011/2012. For September – November 2011/2012 and for all Bank Holiday dates add 5% to the prices below. This tour is not available in the month of August.

Price per person based on six or eight participants, in twin/double: £399.
Price per person based on four participants, in twin/double: £495.
Price per person based on two participants, in twin/doubles: £795.

These prices are based on:
EARLY BOOKING (no later than 14 weeks before departure) and on the EXACT itinerary shown, with A&C choosing the champagne visits.

For last minute bookings (i.e. less than 14 weeks before departure) or for ANY alterations to the above or for your personalised choice of visits, itinerary, tour length, additional inclusions etc we will be pleased to provide verbal quotes over the phone. However, please be aware that prices will be significantly higher. So please advise us of your higher budget when you are requesting a bespoke wine tour rather than our pre-selected itinerary as shown here.

Travel

Travel is not included, so that you can make your own arrangements depending on where you are travelling from. We will be happy to book your return ferry Dover-Calais, the Eurotunnel or the Eurostar train to Reims via Paris from St.Pancras.

Accommodation

Accommodation is in a 3* Manor House Hotel, owned by a leading Champagne grower, with its own small indoor pool set in one of the traditional Cru villages.
Or in a modern 3* hotel in central Reims.
(your choice between the two – please advise your choice at time of booking).

How to Book:

Deposit:

Please provide us with a deposit of £250 per person by debit or credit card (credit cards incur a 1.5% bank charge, but there is no charge for debit cards) at time of booking request.

Price based on standard twin/double and the number of participants as shown

Includes:
Two nights in 3* Manor House Hotel, twin/double share in standard double/twin room
OR in a modern 3* hotel in Reims (please advise your choice at time of booking).
Breakfasts
Chauffeur driven car or mini-van with driver for day out (09.00 – 17.00)
Local Wine Guide to escort the day out (09.00 – 1700)
Arblaster & Clarke restaurant list, Champagne notes and Champagne maps.

On receipt of the deposit we will check availability and confirm to you within 2 working days or sooner.

If your first choice of date is not available, we will offer alternatives and if these do not suit you, your deposits will be refunded in full, by return.

Please note that if your party size drops at any time after booking the per person price will be that of the remaining party size but deposits from those who cancel will be transfered to the remaining party, less a £50 administration fee.

(All prices are net web offers and not available in our brochure or via travel agents).