1st time to Europe! Burgundy and Alsace advise, please?

It makes more sense to me to spend 3 nights in Colmar, not to break it up by staying in a town as close as Eguisheim. I have enjoyed a day each in Strasbourg and Dijon and I'm sure that you would too, and without the stress of driving too far. Their cultural and architectural charms will be similar to other towns in the region, within the bigger-city setting, and with some good museums available. You could feel you had seen those regions more thoroughly. On the other hand, I'd say that Rick would rate Luzern higher on his list than either Strasbourg or Dijon.

Thank you Laura! I really appreciate your input and will look into it all!

I would choose Semur en Auxois rather than Flavigny for a base in that part of Burgundy. There is really nothing in Flavigny including not much in the way of decent restaurants. Semur is both more picturesque and better equipped with restaurants and shops for basic needs than Flavigny. You can see our snapshots of both here:
https://janettravels.wordpress.com/category/burgundy/

It is too bad you don't have more time -- we spent a week in Semur and it wasn't enough for us. Remember two nights gives you only one full day in an area -- that doesn't leave a lot of time for exploring nearby abbeys and towns and such. I'd skip Switzerland this time out and put more time into Burgundy.

Thank you Janet! We actually REALLY wanted to stay in Semur en Auxious instead of Flavigny but we just can't seem to find anything in our price range :( I just loved looking at your pictures!

Hi there! I see your post shows you went last month... did you end up going on a bike wine tour in Beaune? If so, would appreciate any information/suggestions. We're on a budget but willing to splurge if it was really good.

Thanks!

suz - We did rent bikes in Beaune. The rental shop is named Bourgogne Randonnees. They have good maps and are very helpful with the routes. I think the bikes were $20 for the day and included a basket and spare tire tube with air pump. You can ride a short distance from the shop and access the main bike paths to the small wine villages. No tour required and it was alot of fun doing it on our own. We rode close to 30 miles that day I believe. I recommend it. Hope that helps.

Hi,
We spent two weeks near Semur en Auxois. I say near. We were a couple km north of Avallon in Vassy. We rented a house for about $43 per night. Nice place, clean, quiet, safe. English speakinghost. Could sleep six. Found it on Gites de France. Awkward website to use, buthas some very nice locations.

Avallon had some very nice restaurants with good food and reasonable prices. Semur en Auxois is cuter than a bug's ear and we visited it twice. There are 5 or 6 nice medieval cites within close driving range of Avallon or Semur en Auxois. And the cathedral in Sens is worth a visit. Actually the cathedral museum is what is terrific. Very historic place. And they are building a 13th century castle near west of Avallon about 40 miles.

wayne iNWI

Our favorite hotel is near Avalon -- we have stayed there a couple of times when just passing through driving from the south to Paris. Moulin des Ruats. They have a lovely terrace by the stream (it is on the edge of the Morvan forrest) and you can hike from the hotel into the national park. The restaurant is excellent and has a big clientele from the region so it is important to reserve if you plan to eat there. They serve trout bleau fresh from the millrace -- the presentation of this fish is like something out of 'Alien' but it is certainly fresh.

I am sorry the OP didn't find a place in Semurs -- our week there was just heavenly. Just walking around the ramparts of this town is such a pleasure.