we're considering stopping on the area for 2 nights between Paris and Munich (family of 4, one small child) and trying to decide which would be the better place to stay for the 2 nights.
are there better places to visit considering the Christmas markets will have been closed?
just starting to look at the train routes so I am not sure what is most convenient for the 2 nights. dont want to relocate each night.
thanks!
Well, Strasbourg is on a direct route between Paris and Munich, although Colmar is just a small detour.
A lot of variables in this question. How are you traveling? Air is best. Car gives you flex. Train can be fastest, but that may not apply if you stop between locations.
If you take the fast train you need to know it will be faster in France than in Germany, so you want to take a break on the German side. It's going to be easier to ticket that also. So, then the place to stop is Stuttgart, which I recommend as there's much more to do for the kids than in Strasbourg.
Take the kids to the Porsche museum (they have a playground for the little kids as well as the full grown ones.)
Also take them to the State Museum of Natural History (NOT the Naturkundemuseum Stuttgart, Schloss Rosenstein). This is one of the best museums anywhere for anyone who likes dinosaurs, and they have displays built for kids and special tours.
Strasbourg and Colmar are beautiful towns any time of year. They are only 30 minutes apart by train, so you can stay in one place and visit the other as a day trip. Strasbourg would be the more convenient base. Otherwise you will be transferring trains in Strasbourg with luggage to get to Colmar. Stay on the Grande Ile. So charming.
Use the SNCF Connect app to see train options in France. If you happen to be in the area on the weekend, look into the Alsa+ Groupe Journee Alsace Territory pass. It covers up to 5 people for about 37€.
