Visit to Colmar and Alcase
 

I am travelling to Basel, Switzeland and am interested in a day trip into France. I understand there is a "wine road" out of Colmar and that the area is very nice. Any suggestions?

The Route du Vin runs roughly from south of Colmar to a bit north of Strasbourg, with many attractions along the way. Some of the villages that attract the most attention are Riquewihr, Ribeauvillé, Obernai, Haute Koenigsburg, Séléstat. If you are interested in the wines of the region, it's certainly worth a trip. There are many places to taste wine and visit wine châteaux, and many of the towns are classically pretty, too, with the half-timbered architecture. If you visit Strasbourg, which is a very lively city, I would recommend Zum Strissel near the cathedral for an inexpensive lunch or dinner and wine sampling, or the Crocodile for a real gastronomic feast (for a hefty price).

A day trip from Basel will not give you a great deal of time to see the wine route, especially if you want to go as far north as Strasbourg. Just north of Colmar are several charming villages: Riquewihr, Ribeauville, and Eguisheim. You can see some photos of the area and read my trip report at: <BR>http://www.travelswithdiane.homestea...ip2001pg1.html

John, <BR>Diane is right. When you go just for a day then limit the trip to the towns she mentioned. Driving from one town to another will lead you through the vinyards. In Colmar the "Petite Venise" walk (very touristy) as well as the "Ville ancienne" with Musée d'Unterlinden are worth the trip. Riquewihr, Ribeauvillé, Eguisheim, Kaysersberg etc. are much smaller but very picturesque. Don't forget the wine-tasting caves overthere! And if you want to bring some wine home, be sure to buy year 1997 bottles. This was a superb year in Alsace for both Sylvaner, Riesling, Pinot, Edelzwicker, ... <BR>We're just back from yesterday and we really enjoyed the region, the food AND the wine.

The "Route des Vins d'Alsace" actually runs from Thann (about 30 miles from Mulhouse) up past Colmar (which is about the halfway point) then on to Strasbourg area. The towns mentioned in the previous postings are certainly the most popular and the Route itself is lovely. I agree that going to Strasbourg is not reasonable for a day trip out of Basel. (Coincidentally, the first response above mentions the two Strasbourg restaurants where we dined last month - both WONDERFUL!) We flew home from the Basel/Mulhouse airport. <BR>

I love that area- very much like Rhineland used to be in the 1960s--- Too bad you cant stay in Colmar in the old section- go to the grocery store on the south end of town-- fabulous-- Visit the museum in the church--- see little venice and shop for goodies to eat---You can go to the towns and get some sample macaroons and crepes--My favorite town is Riquewihr-- they say Eugishiem south of town has a wine coop A great vineyard there on the wine road called Pierre Sparr I brought back a case of gimurtzaminer