CHAMPAGNE TOUR
OUR CHAMPAGNE TOUR TOOK PLACE DURING MAY
This trip surpassed previous very good ones, by blending various activities and was well supported by trips to Champagne vineyards.
Brian and Della S.
The first highlight was the stop at a motorway service area in France where out came the table, nibbles and champagne: a very good start and it got even better as the trip progressed.
We were welcomed to four independent champagne houses, which we very much enjoyed; the visit to Mercier (very commercial) less so. This was followed by the highlight of the trip - a gourmet lunch, including lots of champagne, at a chateau.
What added to the enjoyment of the trip was the 'extras' that had been arranged, like the boat trip plus lunch etc. Overall, a superb trip and so well organised by Rob and Allison that things ran like clockwork. We would certainly go again.
B. & B.
A delightful trip around the picturesque Champagne region, with stops at small, almost "intimate", champagne houses for tastings and informative talks. An excellent hotel in the heart of Reims, together with various superb meals, made the trip most enjoyable and memorable.
Michael & Nicola O.
This was a very enjoyable tour. The Holiday Inn was comfortable, with excellent breakfasts and good facilities, especially the showers, and it was well positioned in the centre of Reims.
As usual, Rob and Allison had taken endless trouble to get things right, and as well as visits to our favourite small champagne houses we had the novelty of a tourist train trip round Epernay and a lovely lunch cruise on the Marne. We visited a large champagne house for comparison. Its miles of cellars, toured by train, were interesting, its champagnes perhaps less memorable.
An outdoor meal in the grounds of one chateau was followed by the traditional lunch at another, while the return home by coach included a good lunch in Le Touquet. And the weather also behaved!
Jen H.
Champagne is not just for Christmas; it’s for life!
A holiday where you can taste a wide selection of champagnes and buy, at no pressure, any you like, at really affordable prices, is a great way to spend your time. However, this holiday delivers even more. Restaurants and jaunts organised by the holiday leader provide for a wonderful and genuine experience. The entire adventure is an extra special privilege.
Barbara B.
The excellent organisation made our first Champagne Tour fantastic. The tasting sessions were brilliant, as was the boat trip and tourist train. Dinner at Le Jardin was amazing due to the mild balmy evening, excellent company and delicious food, but the highlight was most definitely lunch at The Chateau. Wonderful!
Sheila & Roger P.
I have recently been on the champagne trip and recommend it to anyone who would like a really good holiday with great company. If you try it once I'm sure you wouldn't have to think too hard about going on another holiday with the Shell Travel Club. Don't take my word for it - try it for yourself.
Linda C.
It was my first time on the Champagne Tour, unlike most of the party, many of whom have been several times before. Now I know why! A feast of delights. Food, Champagne, trips and good company. I would strongly recommend this trip.
Julie B.
The Champagne tour this year had a few innovative additions. After visiting 3 small, friendly, family run champagne houses, it was an interesting contrast to visit the well-known Champagne Mercier. We had a train ride through the impressive cellars, followed by tastings in the reception area overlooking an enormous barrel. Another ‘new’ was a ride on the Epernay Tourist Train, name spotting along the Avenue de Champagne. During a 3-hour cruise on the River Marne we enjoyed glorious sunshine and a most efficiently served lunch. A lovely holiday, impressive venues, good food and of course, lots of champagne !
Rosemary P.
We found the trip a great success and are most appreciative of the care Rob & Alli took of us from the Champagne break at our first pit stop to the unloading of the swag!
Both coach and hotel were as good as one could have hoped. The welcome from the smaller Champagne houses was charming and their lack of 'hard sell' refreshing (as indeed were the generous tasting samples!). As anticipated, the quality of their offers was high - unanticipated however was the excellence of the food, both from them and the restaurants included in the tour. Can't wait to go again!
David & Penny T.
Well organised trip. Hotel comfortable with good breakfast but showers dangerous without non-slip mats. Coach fine....driver very good. Visits good. Lunch and dinners food pretty poor particularly the outside supper with mosquitos and tough under-cooked duck....the Apostrophe was a dreadful location because of the noise.
The meal at a small cafe, which served chicken in a white sauce with cheese potatoes followed by a truly brilliant crême brulée was by far and away the best meal of the trip.
Brian H.
I attended this year's Champagne trip. It was truly amazing, visiting several Champagne Houses and tasting their Champagne. We also had several gourmet experiences of the highest quality. The riverboat cruise and the train trip were also highlights of the trip. I would highly recommend this trip which was organised and run brilliantly by Rob and Allison Jenkins.
Daphne J.
The Champagne trip to Reims was a great success, not only the Champagne tasting but also the wine and food at the variety of restaurants, not forgetting the memorable lunch with champagne at the Chateau. In addition the trip by road, train, and the river cruise with lunch added a new twist to a wonderful holiday amongst like-minded people.
Mr. and Mrs. B.