Disappointed if we skip Strasbourg?

We stayed in Strasbourg because it was a more logical base for train travelers. We loved Strasbourg, but I wish we had stayed in Colmar and had more time for the sights there. The other places you mention were more compelling to me and I think it's okay to skip Strasbourg.

Spend an afternoon on Strasbourg to see the cathedral area and la Petite France which puts the la Venise area of Colmar to shame. Hope you get to Riquewihr, it is just fantastic. There is so much to see in the area, too bad you don't have a car.

Thank you both! We will have a car to explore the surrounding villages, etc. But if we visit Strasbourg I would train to avoid having to park.

We spent two nights in Strasbourg and then drove to Provence from there stopping in Colmar and another town as we drove. I thought Strasbourg was 10 times as interesting as Colmar. The old town, the EU headquarters buildings, the fabulous and unique Cathedral were all more interesting to me than what we found in Colmar which is also a lovely place. YMMV. Everyone can't do everything.

For me, I'd spend more time in Colmar and if time permits maybe say 1/2 day in Stasbourg.

Like Janet, I much preferred Strasbourg to Colmar for all the reasons she stated but as she says YMMV and everyone can't see everything.

Whether or not you'll be disappointed is a purely personal thing. I stayed in Colmar and loved it. I visited Strasbourg on a day trip from there. For myself, if I was that close and did not visit Strasbourg I would have been disappointed, but that's because I went there mainly for the cathedral which is magnificent. If you'd just be going to Strasbourg because others say you should, then you probably won't be disappointed if you skip it.

I've stayed in Strasbourg a couple of times, and liked it. But since your time is short, I think Colmar would be more manageable, and you should see some of the villages. If you have time for a quick train trip to the center of Strasbourg, so much the better, but I wouldn't say it's a necessity.

I am curious. what is it about Colmar that those of you who prefer it found so fascinating. It is pretty set there in the midst of the Vineyards; there are some lovely patterned roofs complete with occupied stork nests; there are some nice wine tasting salons. But then what? Maybe we didn't spend enough time there to be dazzled but we found it a rather ordinary town of its sort with nothing in particular to recommend it over other nice little towns in Alsace. Obviously I am missing something. What makes spending a couple of days here rather than in Strasbourg a better choice? Serious question.

janettravels,

I've visited both Colmar and Strasbourg, and much prefer to stay in Colmar as it's smaller and has a much nicer "character" (IMHO). I liked the more tranquil atmosphere, especially in the evenings, the scenic small canals and also the wonderful Unterlinden Museum. I found Strasbourg too large and busy, and frankly I was happy to get out of there and back to Colmar. Perhaps my opinion of Strasbourg was coloured by the puking drunk laying on the street that I encountered just after arrival, being tended by emergency services personal (reminded me of being back at work).

LOL We found the historic center and old town of Strasbourg quite village like and did not encounter said puking drunk so we had a nicer experience. We loved the canal filled old town and enjoyed dinner at a terrace on the bank of a canal. We didn't find Colmar as beautiful but they are both lovely places.

My first visit was a day each in Strasbourg and Colmar, mainly for the Christmas markets and I much preferred Colmar.

In June I went back, stayed in Eguisheim for 3 nights (loved it, but only spent €38 for a double room in a B&B) with a car which I returned in Strasbourg (2 nights). I enjoyed Strasbourg much more than Colmar. I saw nesting storks everywhere except in Strasbourg itself. Getting to/from Strasbourg by train will be time consuming. You'll need to drive into Colmar and park and get to the train station (or take the bus), then it will take time to get to the cathedral/Petite France area.

2.5 days is not enough for Alsace. I did enjoy the villages more than the castle.

We spent four nights in Colmar, spending a full day there, and spending the other ywo days exploring the wine route villages. Didn't miss Strasbourg at all and still have no regrets.

If you don't go some place, the place can't disappoint you. Will you have regrets about not going? Not if you have no knowledge of the place. Ignorance can be bliss. So you can pretend Strasbourg, which has one of the world's great cathedrals, doesn't exist. Then you'll have no regrets. But if you suspect you'll be sorry you missed it, then you know what to do.

I still kick myself for going all the way to Honfleur but not Etretat. I was tired that day. It's going to cost me a lot more to get over that regret when I was just a few kilometers away.

To add to my previous reply, I didn't regret that I did a day trip to Strasbourg. It's a beautiful city and the incredible Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg is absolutely magnificent. I didn't mind tolerating the crowds and chaos for a day, but much preferred Colmar as a place to stay in that area.

I avoided the Strasbourg Cathedral because after Alsace, we were going to Munich and Vienna and planned on visiting several of the churches and cathedrals there. I have learned the folly of visiting every available church/cathedral and ending up "churched out" before the end of the trip.

I loved both Strasbourg and Colmar. But I wish I had spent more time in Colmar because I wanted to see the Isenheim altar piece and the Bartholdi museum.

I agree with whoever said that Riquevihr (sp?) was another great place to visit.

It's hard to make a bad choice of where to go in Alsace.

I truly appreciate everyone's thoughts on this! Due to time, I believe we will leave S. to another trip. With nearly every trip on a schedule, there's bound to be something missed. However, it's nice to feel validated that missing something that probably IS worth seeing doesn't take away from what we decided to enjoy in other areas. I love Munich, but a vacation just to enjoy the Bavarian villages would be just as wonderful without Munich. We also lived in Europe for 3 years and traveled quite a bit; probably 2 years into it we became 'cathedralled out'. Happy travels everyone! (I'm sure I'll be back on the forum in the coming days :-) )