NANCY

MY HUSBAND AND I ARE GOING TO THE ALSACE IN OCTOBER.DOES ANYONE HAVE SUGGESTIONS FOR A ROUTE? THANKS, NANCY

Joseph

I love Alsace and have visited there twice. In fact, I am leaving on the 28th of August to live in Strasbourg as an English lector in an university there. I would suggest renting a car and driving from either the north to the south or from the south north along the "Route des vins d'Alsace" (Alsatian wine route). It goes through some of the most beautiful wine villages through the vineyards. There are several towns that are a must - Obernai, Colmar, Riquewihr, Kaysersberg (birth home of Albert Schwitzer with museum), to just name a few. Also just off the route on top of a peak there in the Vosges mountains is a château called Haute Koenigsberg that is very nice and offers a beautiful view. If you like wine, be sure to taste some of the wonderful Alsatian wines. There are free tastings all along the route in the little villages. In Colmar, there are few good points of interest - the Musée d'Unterlinden is a must see. It is a private art museum that dates back to antiquity up to the present. They have a few Picasso's. Also there is the Bartholdi museum (designer of the Statue of Liberty) since this is his home town. Be sure to try Alsatian pastries and cuisine!!! I love choucroûte and tarte flambée!! In Strasbourg there are a many good museums - I particularly love the Musée d'Alsace which covers Alsatian culture and way of life - very, very good museum. Just go and have fun. I think you will really enjoy Alsace and find that its character is much different than the rest of France.

Have

Here's are 2 site to research the area: <BR> <BR>http://www.tourism-alsace.com/english/sommaire.html <BR> <BR> <BR>http://www.visit-alsace.com/home_ang.html <BR> <BR>

kam

Oh Joseph, how I envy you! Alsace is a charming part of France! Add to the list of little towns Turkheim which still has a night watchman who makes his rounds at 10 pm as I recall. Strasbourg cathedral is fantastic and the town of Colmar is more than charming. As to itinerary we went from Paris to Champagne for one night near Epernay and then to Reims (to see another fantastic historical cathedral where all the French kings were crowned--remember Joan of Arc?) and then down to Strasbourg and finally to Colmar via the wine road and Turkheim. We want to return and think next time we will begin in Brussels and then Bruges and then down to France. Have a great trip and have a tarte flambe for me!

David

If you are interested in Art Nouveau visit the Musee de l'Ecole de Nancy. In Colmar the Isenheim altarpiece at the musee Unterlinden is a must see. Both cities are quite charming.

Randall Smith

Nancy, <BR> <BR>I agree whole heartedly with the others who have addressed your question. I would like to add a couple of other suggestions. <BR> <BR>If you like wine I would also recommend the route des vins and stop at some of the tastings that are offered. They use many of the German grapes, i.e. Gewertztraminer, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Muscat. Even though the first two are considered the best I think that you will find the Pinot Gris (Tokay Pinot Gris) excellent and you should try the herby, grassy, light Muscat from the region. <BR> <BR>Other suggestion take the boat ride on the Ill in Colmar (it's wonderful), and also the analog of the Bateau Mouche in Strasbourg. <BR> <BR>We also have rented bikes in Strasbourg (I think it was only 40 Francs for a half day) and was a wonderful way to see more of that beautiful city. <BR> <BR>Don't miss the cathedral in Strasbourg, I think is one of the most stunning in France. It's color changes as the light of day changes. You will also enjoy the unusual clock. <BR> <BR>If you like beer you can visit the Kronenbourg facility just outside of Strasbourg in the town of Cronenbourg - they changed the name of the town after the war because it looked to German with the "K". <BR> <BR>Finally you may want to take a drive though the Ballons of Alsace or the route des cretes, a beautiful drive through the Vosges Mountains. <BR> <BR>PS: I also recommend the food as noted above. You might try the Auberge de L'Ill, you will need to reserve about a month in advance. <BR> <BR>Have a great time, and Joseph, if you don't mind give us an update once you are settled in Strasbourg. <BR> <BR>Bonne chance, <BR> <BR>Randy Smith

nancytoon

Thank you All&lt; so much! I leave on Friday and I am VERY EXCITED TI TRY YOUR SUGGESTIONS! ANY IDES FOR HOTELS ALONG THE "WINE ROUTE"? NANCY

Fred

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. <BR>They give a recommended tour from Colmar - <BR> <BR>Les Circuits d'Alsace <BR>6, Place de la Gare <BR>68000 Colmar <BR>Alsace France <BR>Tél: : 03-89-41-90-88 <BR>Fax : 03 -9-41-90-99 <BR>E-Mail : [email protected] <BR>For Paris information e-mail me – [email protected]