My husband and I plan to travel to the Alsace region of France for five nights during the second week of September. We will fly into CDG, travel to Reims to refresh for two days, and then most likely take a train to the Alsace region (Colmar, Kaysersberg, Strasbourg), and possibly take a train into Switzerland for a day. We have done some research and have ideas of where to stay and what to do, but additional suggestions would be much appreciated. We are seeking information on hotels (3-star and above), restaurants, wine tours/caves, walking/light hiking, history, boat rides, or other suggestions. TIA!
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3245 posts
In 2015, we really enjoyed our stay at the Hotel Hannong in Strasbourg, an easy walk to and from the train station and close to the Cathedral.
https://www.hotel-hannong.com/en/
Our favorite meal in Strasbourg was at le Tire Bouchon: https://www.letirebouchon.fr/fr/Restaurant/
We used Ophorus for an excellent, comprehensive "Pearls of Alsace" small-group day tour: https://www.ophorus.com/
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
6534 posts
For an upcoming trip we’ll be staying 2 nights in Eguisheim at the Le Hameau d'Eguisheim, and 4 nights in Colmar at the Colmar Hotel by the train station. We will have a car. One walk we plan on making is round trip Riquewihr, Hunawihr, and Ribeauvillé.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
13934 posts
I spent 3 nights last April in Hotel Saint-Martin in the middle of Colmar on a pedestrian street (so not sure how this would work if you have a car). I thought the hotel was terrific...so cute and staff was very nice. Plus it was right in the middle of everything. I loved Colmar!
Posted by
98 posts
I'm doing similar research for my wife and i for a trip there in October, basing ourselves in Colmar, and just in case it helps (a) we are looking at Ophorus tours to do a couple of days in the area (one the wineries, the other day the vilages and castles) and they seem to be the best priced option with good reviews, and (b) Rick Steves has some info in his guide book on some interesting hikes in the area (through vineyard type areas) which we think we will do (maybe taxi from Colmar to one of the village destinations, then hike back to Colmar). With 4 days there, we are planning 2 days of touring the area around with Ophorus, one day to dedicate just to walking around and seeing Colmar, and one day maybe doing the hike and just having an extra day to wander around and get lost in Colmar itself. We are leaning towards looking at AirBNB there, since we will be there 5 nights (that usually is my breakeven point on an AirBNB vs hotel, where it is nicer to just have some room to hang out in with a kitchen).
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760 posts
Some of the smaller locales that are still filled with quaint buildings, squares, fountains, etc. are Riquewhir, Sélestat, Obernai, and Molsheim. I always call these the "Beauty and the Beast" towns because (supposedly) this is where the Disney animators got their inspiration for Belle's village in the movie... Maybe urban legend, but they are all quite wonderful to explore.