We would like to spend a few days in and around Colmar. There seem to be a lot of great villages in that vicinity. So we are thinking to rent a car to get around. However, I am worried about high traffic in August, and parking issues in city centers.
Alternatively are there buses or trains between Colmar, Eguisheim, Riquewihr, etc?
I'm going for the first time in a couple of weeks. The area seems to call for a rental unless you take a specific wine tour bus that runs a curcuit of some wine towns then brings you back to Colmar.
Thanks. If you find out anything, I hope you might be able to report back. I found that out in the Dordogne region - that the ONLY choice to see many of the places was to rent a car (if not a bike or canoe). But it was not too bad in Renees, Mount St Michelle, Dinan with busses and trains even in off season. And in summer there might be more services, so thats why I am asking. I have also found that renting a car locally is super expensive, but reserving it in advance is not bad at all.
On one of our trips to Alsace we spent a week in Riquewihr w/o a car. We visited many wineries by a combination of walking and buses. I believe we also took a bus to Colmar. I think a car would make it easier for you, but I suspect there are several buses from Colmar to the various wine villages.
Thanks thats good to know. One of the other guidebooks recommends 5 days with car along the route from Obernai to Eguisheim.
We did the area with a car, too. I would think it would be much easier that way.
I might be a bit off, but I would think things would be a little emptier there during August, as French people like to go to the seaside or the mountains for August holidays. But maybe people like to go to Alsace too??
The other thing is that most public transportation schedules are a bit less frequent in August, so that's something to consider too.
My husband and I usually take public transportation when we travel. While in Colmar, we enjoyed the 10 min. train ride to the village of Turckheim. Also, we took a shuttle bus from the train station to Chateau du Haut-Koenigsbourg and visited the Monkey Mountain on the way back where you can hand feed Barbary macaques. Another day we took a bus to the town Riquewihr. The TI in Colmar helped us with all of the schedules. We had a wonderful time.
Consider it possible you may find that all the villages in that area all start to look the same.
So take cheapest mode of transport.
Consider it possible you may find that all the villages in that area all start to look the same.
Yes. And they're all beautiful.
For a change of scenery, you may want to consider an easy daytrip to Strasbourg and/or Freiburg, Germany.
thank you everyone. we're thinking (with some question marks still)
2 nights in Colmar
1 day in Colmar (is there enough to do to stay in town all day?)
next drive the road of wine through various villages and arrive in Strasbourg
2 nights in Strasbourg
one day make a day trip to Baden-Baden - which seems fairly expensive to stay, but there seem to be frequent trains
the canal area of Strasbourg is quite scenic at night (from past experience) and the city center is bustling and a good size
2 nights in Nancy
seems to be classy area. probably some nice restaurants (?)
