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We have three days to explore the Alsace. any suggestions on places to see and where to stay? The last night should be in the Reims area because we have an AM flight from CDG.

Bonjour, Walk the streets of Ribauville or Riquewihr, try a Kouglehof or choucroute garni, have some Alsacian Pinot Gris or Muscat, take a canal ride in Colmar and explore the picturesque half-timbered buildings, visit the awesome cathedral at Strasbourg and take a ride on the Ile river. Finally take are ride along the Route des Vins or even venture up into the Vosges Mountains. You will enjoy this enchanting and picturesque area of France. Bon Voyage, Randall Smith

There's the incredible altar piece in Colmar in the museum--name escapes me. Colmar is a jewel! Have a tarte flambe.

There are two restaurants in Alsace that I strongly recommend. I ate at both of these and they were excellent and the price reasonable. Wistub Zum Pfifferhus - 14 Grand rue, Ribeauville - Its like eating at you alsacian Moms! Its very Alsacian. I have seen this in the book Alsace Gastronomique and Fodors also recommends it. Au Tire Bouchon Winstub - 29 rue General de Gaulle, Riquewihr - Alsacian menu with French specialties. This restaurant has their own winery "Antoine Zimmer" which are sold in the cellar next door to the restaurant. Both restaurants are on the main pedestrian street of the villages and easy to find. I must say, be sure to respect the dinner hour. For the evening lunchtime and evening meal the restaurants fill up fast. Most have only one seating and do not turn over the tables for late arrivals. When they are full they are full and take no more guests. I cannot remember the hours, but if you know what time the restaurants open you will be in the right ballpark. I think its around noon for lunch and 7pm for dinner. The meal time is taken very seriousy here! Have you planned a day trip to Strasbourg? Its a lovely city, although hard to navigate by car. I stayed in the Hotel Des Rohan and thought it was a great price and good hotel. Its in the pedestrian zone right next to the cathedral. It is surrounded by greta restaurants and has a wonderful breakfast. Since they are in the pedestrian zone you will need to park your car in the public car park and walk to the hotel. The hotel is willing to send someone to help with your luggage. Their websight-- http://www.hotel-rohan.com Have fun in Alsace, its beautiful and the people are soooo friendly! I would also recommend skipping COLMAR. I found it a bit uninteresting, stick to the Route du Vin.

Kam It's the Isenheim Altar in MusŽe d'Unterlinden. I had wanted to see this altar piece since I studied it as an undergraduate in the 60s. Finally realized that dream last summer. It is stunning.

It's a wonderful area. Stay in Colmar - I can give you the name of a very moderate, old hotel right in the center of the old town if you want it. Colmar is a wonderful Alsatian town - looks like a Hollywood set but it's for real. See Colmar and spend a couple of days driving out to the little Alsatian wine villages north of Colmar an hour or so - Riquewihr, Ribeauville, others. It's very easy driving, small local roads winding through the vineyards, pretty little towns. Stop for a lunch of Choucroute and a bottle of Riesling - super. They give a recommended tour from Colmar - Les Circuits d'Alsace 6, Place de la Gare 68000 Colmar Alsace France Tél: : 03-89-41-90-88 Fax : 03 -9-41-90-99 E-Mail : [email protected] For Paris information e-mail me.

I found Colmar a good base for exploring the area. My very favorite villages/sites were Eguishem (extremely scenic and a great walking path is laid out to see the town), Kaysersberg (birthplace of Albert Schweitzer) and Haut Koenigsburg (I think near Hippolyte). I did see Ribeauville and Riquewihr and both are pleasant too. Ellen

I will be traveling to Reims, Clmar, and Strasbourg. What are the driving times between these cities? Can any one recommend hotel in or outside Reims and Strusburg? Thank you in advance.

We stayed in Strasbourg & took a day trip to Colmar. We wish we had done it the other way around. That said, we stayed at: Hotel de L’ill 8 rue des Bateliers 67000 Stasbourg (33) 03 88 36 20 01 Fax: (33) 03 88 35 30 03 340 ff per room, per night The rooms were smallish, but it was in a fairly good location & the staff friendly. There was a GREAT late-night kebab place around the corner! I want to say that it took a little less than an hour driving the main motorway between Colmar & Strasbourg. Of course, if you take the wine road (and you must!), it can take you days.