Switzerland-Alcase Itinerary---Advice requested
 

I have a trip coming up in late May-early June in a party of four, and I'd like comments and suggestions on the itinerary as it stands now.
May 25-26 fly USA to Zurich
Train to Lucerne---any hotel suggestions welcomed
May 29 train to Strasbourg
Rent car, drive to house rented for a week in Obernai, France
Day trips to sites along the wine route---suggestions welcomed
June 5 either (1) drive to Strasbourg, turn in car, train to Nancy or (2) drive to Nancy---recommendations?
June 5-7 see sights in Nancy---hotel recommendations? Different if driving or not?
June 7 either drive to Strasbourg, turn in car, train to Zurich or train from Nancy to Zurich.
Zurich: hotel recommendations?
June 8 fly Zurich to USA

Any recommendations for train tickets? First class vs. second? Purchase ahead of time or at the station?

Thanks.

Clearly I should learn to spell Alsace.

We really enjoyed our stay at Hotel Des Alpes in Lucerne. We had a nice room with a balcony overlooking the river.

Byrd

cwj--I have to ask...what house are you renting in Obernai? We are renting there in mid-June!

Hi cwj,
We stayed in Obernai for four days last fall and took several daytrips. We enjoyed Haut Konigsberg castle. It was foggy when we toured it which just added to the intrigue. We also had a fantastic hot lunch there in their restaurant.

We also liked driving the smaller back roads through the vineyards. If you have gps it is great because you won't get lost.

Riquiheir and Equisheim are darling little towns to wander through also.

wren,

We are staying here: http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-ren...a#location-bar

We are too!!!

Obernai is a charming town, although not directly in the wine-growing region. But it is very close - Ottrott and Boersch are charming wine villages. In Boersch, I recommend the restaurant Le Chatelain, which belongs to the Schaetzel winery. Their Flammkuchen is very popular among locals, and Schaetzel produces excellent wines. Also try their schnapps - 100% raspberry is outstanding!

http://www.lechatelain.com/

Otherwise, you are close to Strasbourg. As mentioned, Haut Koenigsburg is an excellent medieval castle, and around Colmar (another beautiful town with excellent museums) you find many picturesque villages. Riquewihr is considered the prettiest, but very touristy. Eguisheim is charming, but I recommend also to visit less-known villages like Gueberschwihr. Just leave the car on the marketplace, stroll through town and visit one or two wineries.

I also recommend a drive through the mountains, on the Route des Cretes. See the three lakes: lac blanc, lac noir, lac vert. The names are very appropriate.

If you are interested in WWI, the Viel Armand (Hartmannswillerkopf) is very impressive, maybe the most impressive warfield in Europe at all. Close to Viel Armand, you find the farmhouse/restaurant Molkenrain which serves homemade, rustic food and the best cream you have ever tasted! (eat a dessert with blueberries, icecream, meringue and whipped cream)

I second the Hotel Des Alpes in Lucerne. It's a short walk along the river from the train station.

Travel safe!

jdc

Since the owner does not print the rates, would either of you, Wren or Cwj, give an approximate cost for a week? Thank you. It looks lovely!

Of course it depends on the exchange rate, but we paid about $1,000 for the week.

I think everyone likes the Cave de Turkheim as a good starter for ten. Bit big and commercial but fun.

My favorites are Rene Mure and Materne Haeglin. Been to both a number of times and good value except the very highest level of Mure.

Hi Grandmere--yes--that is what we are paying--we are really looking forward to staying here...

Thanks, Cwj and Wren; that seems very reasonable for that pretty place with all the bathrooms!

Oh and Bruno Sorg. Next to the winery are two restaurants who offer his wine. I have not tried either but since they are in the middle of a big drawer they could be good

Hi CW,

I would drive to Nancy and drop the car. Train back to CH.

We liked the Hotel Guise in Nancy.

More details in my trip report:
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...2&tid=35014078

((I))

If I were staying in Luzern for a few nights, I would stay on the lake. Keith and I are staying at the Hotel Montana in August.

I have been to Luzern before and I stayed at the Palace, which is probably the best hotel in the city, but it is very expensive.

My parents stayed at the Hotel Wilden Mann years ago, and while they liked it, they wished they had stayed on the lake.

Thin

Ira,

Thanks for the response. It was partly from reading your trip report that I was leaning toward turning in the car and taking the train to Nancy. You didn't seem to have used the car in Nancy and walked (or took the bus) to most places. It does appear that without the car getting to the Hotel Guise would be difficult, but there appear to be acceptable alternatives. What are your thoughts?

CWJ