| |
| |
|
classic alsace: beautiful villages
along the wine route
7 nights/8 days
|
| Printer-Friendly Version | All Alsace
Vacations | Book this Trip | |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Self-guided
trip: Start any day March thru October.
Daily
mileage: 50 km (or 32 miles).
Starts from and ends in Strasbourg.
Strasbourg
is serviced by train from Paris.
Closest major gateway is Basel-Mulhouse Airport, a short train ride
from Strasbourg
Accommodation:
two options are possible (Option A: 2/3-star properties and Option A+:
3/4-star properties).
From 560 euros per person based
on double occupancy.
|
|
|
|
With
more than 4,000 kilometers of greenways, bikeways, bicycle paths, and
lanes, Alsace is France’s bike-friendliest region. Young, old, fast,
and slow riders share this extensive network that links places of
amazing beauty, making cycling the best way—by far—to visit this very
unique region of France.
And
unique it certainly is! Having been fought over time and time again by
France and Germany, the Alsace has inherited traits and characteristics
from both cultures and countries and blended them together to create
its own special character! A perfect example is the Alsatian
language, which is neither French nor German…..it is Alsatian!
Our
Classic Alsace tour celebrates the uniqueness of the Alsace. It will
take you on bikeways and bike paths along waterways--including a short
ride on the German side of the Rhine--and from picturesque village to
postcard-perfect village and through vineyards of extraordinary beauty.
|
|
|
|
|
| Itinerary: |
| |
|
Day 1:
Arrive in Strasbourg
Arrive in Strasbourg at the time of your choice. This multilingual
city, home to the European Parliament, will no doubt seduce you with
its charm, sincerity, and flavour. Your hotel is located in the Petite
France - - the historic town centre surrounded by water - - and will
allow you the perfect opportunity for strolling through the narrow
cobbled streets and exploring the beauty of this European capital. With
its 430 kilometer-network of bicycle paths, Strasbourg is a city built
for bikes and respect for cyclists is not just a mere slogan
here!
|
|
| |
|
Day 2:
Strasbourg
– Huttenheim (or Sand or Osthouse) – 55 km (or 35 miles)
Following the “Rhone to Rhine Canal” on a traffic-free bikeway, you
will leave Strasbourg behind and head toward your destination for the
day. The bikeway will take you all to way to Sand in the heart of the
“Alsatian Ried,” referring to the humid area that borders the Rhone.
Rich in fauna and flora, part of the “Ried” has been turned into a
nature reserve.
|
| |
|
Day 3:
Huttenheim (or Sand or Osthouse) – Horbourg-Wihr – approx. 60 km (37
miles)
Today’s ride takes you through some typical Alsatian villages, filled
with beautiful houses showing off their distinctive architecture and
clothed with colorful flowers. One of the many villages worth stopping
in is Ebermunster, where you’ll discover a “German-baroque” church
considered by many to be the best example of this style. Your
destination is Horbourg-Wihr, a 5-minute ride from Colmar, one of the
nicest towns we’ve been to! Colmar is so lovingly pretty that you may
want to add a day or two here and make the most of it this Alsatian
jewel.
|
| |
|
Day 4:
Option A+: Horbourg-Wihr – Guebwiller or Murbach – approx.
40 km (24 miles)
The bicycle path will take you through the “Rhine and Ill” forest to
the wine-growing region where beauty will overwhelm you! The first town
on this tour is pretty Guebwiller, an ideal place to enjoy a quick
lunch or to buy your picnic supplies—beautiful picnic spots are a bit
further up. Guebwiller is also home to an open-air wine museum. Your
final destination is Murbach, a small city located on the Wine Route,
with an abbey that is definitely worth visiting.
Option A: Colmar – Ottmarsheim - approx.
61 or 49 km – two options (38 or 30 miles)
The Option A itinerary is not dramatically different… It involves a few
extra pedal strokes—on flat terrain--as Ottmarsheim, your day’s
destination is further south. As a reward, you’ll have the opportunity
to visit its impressive church dating back to the 10th century,
believed to be the oldest in Alsace. It is a “copy” of Charlemagne’s
Palatine Chapel in Aachen (Aix-la-Chapelle).
|
| |
|
Day 5:
Option A+: Guebwiller or Murbach – Riquewihr – approx. 50 km or 46 km -
two options (31 or 29 miles)
Although today’s ride is short, we recommend an early start if you want
to see it all! The pretty villages of Eguisheim, Turckheim, and
Kaysersberg are on your way and all three are worth a stop. Lock your
bike and walk around……you’re bound to find a terrace to linger in and
what’s better than sipping a bit of Riesling while admiring the
bountiful beauty all around?!
Option A: Ottmarsheim – Guebwiller -
approx. 45 Km (28 miles)
Leaving the flat area by the Rhine river, you’ll head inland to the
rolling hills of the wine-making area and its pretty villages such as
Murbach and its Abbey founded in the 8th century. Your final
destination, Guebwiller is located a bit further, in the foothills of
the Vosges’ tallest mountain, “Le Grand Ballon.” An early arrival will
allow you to visit and discover its rich architectural heritage.
|
| |
|
Day 6:
Option A+: Rest day in Riquewihr
Of all the villages you’ll see on this ride, Riquewihr is
tops! Like Eguisheim from the day before, Riquewihr has been
deemed so beautiful that it is now “Un des Plus Beaux Villages de
France,” one of France’s prettiest villages. It is so beautiful that
you may actually wonder if it’s real, or if perhaps you haven’t stepped
into a movie set! You’ll have the whole day to enjoy it unless you
choose to relax by the pool at your hotel.
Option A: Guebwiller – Riquewihr – approx.
50 km or 46 km – Two options (31 or 29 miles)
Our standard route—similar to Day 5 of option A—will take you through
what some consider the jewels of the Wine Route: Eguisheim, Turckheim,
and Kaysersberg. Have your camera ready! You may think then that you’ve
seen the best and the most remarkable! You’re bound to change your mind
when you reach Riquewihr!
|
| |
|
Day 7:
Riquewihr – Obernai – 55 km (or 35 miles)
The Wine Route will take you through even more beautiful villages
today, including Hunawihr, Ribeauvillé, Bergheim, Andlau, Barr, and
Boesh, which are all filled to the brim with charm and character. Each
one has remarkable architectural wonders and should be visited “heads
up!” Some of their tall sculpted, timbered houses are worth
some neck stretching - ride carefully! Your final destination is
Obernai, the second most visited town in the Alsace…and for good
reason!
|
| |
|
Day 8:
Obernai – Strasbourg
– 30 km (or 19 miles)
If you haven’t had time to do so, make sure you take a stroll though
Obernai to discover its charms. A short walking tour will take you
through some of the town’s most remarkable sites, such as the city
hall, the Kapelturm (the belfry), a trip round the medieval walls, and
much, much more. Your ride from Obernai will take you to Strasbourg,
your final destination and resting point. Although this is the end of
your tour, you may choose to stay an extra night or two in Strasbourg,
which we can arrange for you beforehand.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Booking
& Pricing: |
| |
|
Pricing: From
560
Euros per person sharing a room.
Option A: 2 nights in
3-star hotels, 5 nights in 2-star hotels
- 560 euros per person
sharing a double. Single supplement is 175 euros.
Option A+: 2 nights in
4-star hotels, 5 nights in 3-star hotels
- 805 euros per person
sharing a double. Single supplement is 304 euros.
These prices include:
- 7-night accommodations
- Daily breakfast
- Meeting with our local representative
- Detailed directions and route notes
- Luggage transfers
- Marked maps
- Tourist information
- Telephone assistance
- Tax and service charges
This price does not include:
- Expenses of personal nature
- Travel insurance
- Rental bikes. Hybrids are available at the rate of 95
euros per person
Note:
Additional nights in Strasbourg can be arranged at the rate of 60 euros
per person, double occupancy, or 95 euros in a single room. Both rates
include breakfast.
|
| |
To
book this trip: Please book
online at your earliest convenience as this trip is subject
to hotel availability.
For further information:. Our e-mail address: info@cyclomundo.com.
|
| |