This 56 year old and her 23 year old daughter and boyfriend are traveling from Paris to stay with a friend in Freiburg im Breisgau in early December. We get into Freiburg at 22:00 on a Tuesday night and will have two full days to see Frieburg, Colmar and surrounding area, and Strasbourg. I was thinking I should rent a car for two days. Would love your suggestions on how to best divide our time amongst the 3 towns. What's deserving of more time? My daughter loves Christmas Markets. She'd like to see a castle (thinking Haut Koenigsbourg) and also cathedrals. Wasn't sure if wine tasting would be available in December. Is a boat ride in Strasbourg worth doing in December? Not sure we'll do any museums, although she's a college history major and would enjoy that.
Posted by
Bay Area
3551 posts
I would suggest concentrating on colmar and the small villages in between colmar and Strasbourg. That is if the weather is good for walking. Strasbourg is a big city that I found a bit gritty.
If it rains when u are in colmar the art museum there is vg.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15781 posts
Colmar has wonderful Christmas markets. See the website http://www.noel-colmar.com/en/ Strasbourg's markets were very nice too. http://noel.tourisme-alsace.com/en/strasbourg-oldest-christmas-market-france That website has so much information and recommendations. Too bad you only have 2 days. Too bad I'm not going.
You can spend the mornings and early afternoons sightseeing and still ahve lots of time to enjoy the markets.
I'd check with your friend whether it's better to use public transport or rent a car.
Posted by
Granite Bay, CA
1930 posts
Look into Eguisheim and the small villages of Alsace. They are magical! Not sure what is going on for the Christmas markets, but I would bet they have them. Oh, maybe you were not looking for other ideas, sorry, but we love small villages vs. bigger cities. Just something to consider. The distance will be about the same for you to get to Colmar or Eguisheim. I'd do the small villages of Alsace for one day and then Colmar for the other.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
I also wouldn't allocate any time to the bigger city of Strasbourg, given your time limit. Colmar deserves a full day.