Laverendrye gave you the names of some of the cutest towns along the Route du Vin. Actually, there is a much more charming road that links many of the villages at the Riquewihr end of Alsace. The Route du Vin runs along the eastern edge of most of the villages, and this "more charming" road runs along the western edge - amung the vineyards. The more famous Route du Vin has some not-so-charming commerce scattered here & there, and gets a lot of traffic - including heavy trucks.

As I mentioned earlier, the Jura hotel in Dijon is about 50 yard from the train station and a 5-10 min walk to downtown. We stayed there a few years ago, and will do so again this Sept. Don't forget to visit the covered market in Dijon - it's quite nice. On Saturday, it spreads outside & there is more "stuff" including some antiques.

Stu Dudley

hello San Francisco :-d Oh Susanna what a good idea! ;-)
Such a good value for a 4*(under 100€).

l'Hotel du Jura is near the station (225-240€ for a suite, 139-147€ for a double or a twin, bkft 11€) but this flat is right in the heart of history, the location is much nicer and you are picked up at the railway station. And you have more space, you can make your own cooking at any time and you'll never cross a noisy group! Anyway, you know a lot already because you were on that thread about owners :-)http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34655759
remember?
à bientôt!
coco

Bonjour Dijon, oui, I remember.

The flat looks lovely on the net, it does seem like a perfect location and I hear that the owner is a delight to deal with! I don't know when I will be there but I will definately stay in that apartment when I do. It's perfect!

a la prochain

à la prochaine! >:D<

and with internet you'll be able to make your trip report live!
coco

Stu Dudley

I had always thought that the easterly "more charming" road (roughly the D35 and D1) was in fact the Route du Vin. Certainly that's how it's marked in my ancient (1972) Michelin guide to Alsace. Perhaps since my last visit 5 years ago it's been moved westward to the busy N83 and N422.

In any event, the easterly route (marked in green on Michelin maps) is certainly the one to follow.

>>In any event, the easterly route (marked in green on Michelin maps) is certainly the one to follow.<<

That's not the one I was referring to. In '02, we stayed in a Gite for a week just outside of Riquewihr. The Gite is actually attached to a winery, sitting amung acres of vineyards. There is a small road (actually there are many small roads) that runs through these vineyards to the west of the Route Du Vin and also runs through many of the towns. It is very well marked, since it is also a popular bicycle route. There are markers everywhere indicating the kilometers to the next town, where to turn, etc. The road is not even shown on the Michelin map. I have several of the IGN detail maps that are on a scale of 1/25,000 that show the road. The best way to locate it is to go to Riquewhir on the south side of town, and try to locate one of the markers. Then follow it either north to Hunawihr then to Ribeauville, then further north - or south past our gite, to Kientzheim, Kayserberg and beyond. Approaching Kayserberg, it may merge with the Route du Vin.

Stu Dudley

Stu: Got it. That would be a nice alternative to get from Ribeauvillé to Kientzheim. As you say, there are lots of these small farmers' roads through the vineyards which would make attractive alternative routes, especially if one had a week to spend in the area as you did. Bicyclists in particular would enjoy them.

bumping to myself.

ttt for myself

bookmarking

I've visited both cities and would return to both. I stayed at the Rohan in Strasbourg and liked it very much, great location, helpful staff, nice room. We stayed in Beaune and drove to Dijon so no hotel rec. there.

I think you'd enjoy either city.

How funny this old posting from 2005 is going back to the top!
Any review now she must be back? I'm sure everybody wants to know! :-)