Markiv

I'm visiting Alsace (for the first time) first week of September. Please review my tentative itn and questions below:

day 0 - arrive in Strasbourg late evening
day 1 - Sightseeing in Strasbourg
day 2 - Ribeauville, Riquewihr and Bergeim
day 3 - Obernai and Dambach-la-ville
day 4 - Route du vin ??
day 5 - Colmar and Eguisheim
day 6 - sightseeing in Strasbourg, evening train to Paris

I will not be renting a car. The towns all seem pretty and have enough to do. That said, I'd like to do more than just hang around within towns. I'd like to cycle for two days through vineyards, stopping off at quaint villages, visiting wineries, etc. I'll need to rent a bicycle (day rentals, not overnight).

With all of this in mind:
* Would you suggest I base myself in Strasbourg or Colmar?
* In which town(s) is bike rental easy?
* Which days seem appropriate for biking?
* Please suggest something for day 4

Thanks!

Adelaidean

Strasbourg is really nice for a few days.
I'm no expert on the area, especially about cycling, but taking the train to Colmar makes sense, bike rentals at/ near the station. Eguisheim is close.
We took the train to Selestat (also nice town) and the shuttle bus to Haut Koenigsbourg, lovely drive up the hill with views, that's a nice 1/2 day.
The villages are at the base of the hills, so it would be lovely to ride. I thought Bergheim was gorgeous, and not as busy as Riquewihr.
Mulhouse has a brilliant car museum, the Schlumpf collection, and easy to get to by train/ tram directly from station, another 1/2 day.

alanlowe

Hi we are going to Alsace next September 2016
How did your trip go and where did you stay.

Alan.

PalenQ

The Route des vins Alsace is a road that meanderings along the foothills of the Vosges mountains and goes thru all those place you mention - from Colmar north - I have biked from Strasbourg to Colmar and then along the wine road to the German border - it is not possible to bike as day trips from Strasbourg - I mean going out and back each day is too far (and rather boring - urban areas around Strasbourg) - so base in either Colmar (rentals surely available there) and head north and south of town on the wine road.

You need a whole day in Strasbourg in addition to what you have IME. For a unique experience ride your bike out pass the eclectically looking new EU buildings and over the Rhine bridge to Germany - crossing the Rhine on bike to me was so special - have a beer and return to Strasbourg - not far to Germany - go to the first town and experience a normal German town.

You can take trains and buses from Strasbourg to Colmar and thence along the Wine Strasse and if basing in Colmar like biking this makes sense - but commuting longer from Strasbourg gets expensive and consumes time.

Colmar is a sweet small regional town - very cute in its Little Venice and overall whatever. Check the copy of the Statue of Liberty on the outskirts of town when biking or busing out - real one was made in Colmar and shipped to New Jersey where it stands now. There is a museum to the sculptor in Colmar.

You are dealing with regional trains to Colmar - flat fare - just buy tickets in Strasbourg that should be valid for any regional train that day or days - for general info on French and German and European trains check www.bahn.de/en - the German Railways pan-European scheduling site and www.voyages-sncf.com - French Rail's schedule and booking site (again no need to book those trains IME); general info - www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.seat61.comand www.ricksteves.com.

Are you doing any other European trains this trip? If a lot some kind of railpass may be worth a look into - like the Germany-France pass.

traveller1959

The most beautiful part of Alsace is roughly between Obernai in the north and Rouffach in the south. Both towns are pictureaque and so or many wine village around Colmar: Riquewihr (the most beautiful but also the most touristy village), Eguisheim, Turckheim, Gueberschwihr and many more.

Part of the Alsace experience is indeed driving or cycling the very small roads through the vineyards from village to village. So renting bicycles is a good idea, also basing yourself in one of these villages.

Another Alsace experience is driving through the mountains and exploring the three lakes which are named by their characeristic colours: Lac Noir, Lac Vert, Lac Blanc. I personally found the WW I site Vieil Armand very impressive (walking through the trenches), followed by a rustic meal at Molkenrain with the world's best homemade cream. However, I cannot see how a mountain experience would work without a rental car.

Otherwise, I would recommend, do not overplan. Weather is also a factor to take into consideration. Savoir vivre. It should not be a business trip.