Best For: Culture, Culinary Scene, Charm, Natural Beauty, Off the Beaten Path
Best Time to Visit: April through October
Best Time to Visit: April through October
Bergheim, France |
Streets of Strasbourg |
Culinary Scene: Many people visit Alsace solely for its delicious cuisine - and with good reason, as it's home to 27 Michelin star restaurants. The Route du Vin spans over 100 miles and is dotted with 67 wine villages. Winemakers happily open the doors of their winstubs (wine cellars) to tourists who come to sample the white varietals grown in the area. Alsace's bi-cultural history is especially evident in its food, as many traditional French dishes are served with a German twist. Coq au vin comes with a side of spaetzel, and duck confit is dished up with sauerkraut. Regional specialties include tarte flambe and Baeckeoffe. The Route du Vin celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, making 2013 an excellent time to visit and savor Alsace's culinary delights.
Charm: Alsace's villes fleuries (flower towns) are bursting with charm. Characterized by half-timbered houses and flower boxes on every window, these near perfectly-preserved medieval villages will make visitors feel as if they've stumbled into a real-life fairy tale. Explore the nooks and crannies of the towns' cobblestone streets, or park yourself at a cafe and watch village life pass by. You'll especially love Riquewihr's old town walls and Kaysersberg's castle views.
Colmar canals |
Natural Beauty: Nature enthusiasts will be entranced by Alsace's rolling vineyards, set against the backdrop of the Vosges Mountains. Vineyard walks and hillside hikes are great ways to get immersed in the scenery. The Sentier Viticole des Perles du Vignoble is one of the area's most scenic vineyard trails.
Off the Beaten Path: Alsace is one of France's best-kept secrets. Though you will find other tourists here, the majority of them will not be American. Conversations will involve exaggerated hand signals and piecing together bits of the French (or German) that you learned in high school. Bring a car, a bike, or a good pair of walking shoes - many of the sites you'll want to see in this region are not accessible by train.
Many people can see the highlights of Alsace in about three days. Here are some suggestions for adding on to your trip:
Nearby destinations that are similar to Alsace include Luxembourg and Germany's Romantic Road. You can get to either destination in under 3 hours.
Want to add a little hustle and bustle to your trip? Try nearby Paris, which has French culture, cuisine, and charm, but also offers great shopping and nightlife.
Off the Beaten Path: Alsace is one of France's best-kept secrets. Though you will find other tourists here, the majority of them will not be American. Conversations will involve exaggerated hand signals and piecing together bits of the French (or German) that you learned in high school. Bring a car, a bike, or a good pair of walking shoes - many of the sites you'll want to see in this region are not accessible by train.
Many people can see the highlights of Alsace in about three days. Here are some suggestions for adding on to your trip:
Vineyards along the Route du Vin |
Nearby destinations that are similar to Alsace include Luxembourg and Germany's Romantic Road. You can get to either destination in under 3 hours.
Want to add a little hustle and bustle to your trip? Try nearby Paris, which has French culture, cuisine, and charm, but also offers great shopping and nightlife.