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Alsace Wine Road – Tour & Train

Tour: FASC5
Circular Cycling Holiday
Hotel To Hotel Cycling Holiday

With over 1000 wine producers, breath-taking castle backdrops and countless fairytale villages, it’s no wonder Alsace boasts the best-loved ‘Route des Vins’ in the whole of France. Cycling here goes down a treat too, just like the local nectar. Follow easy canal paths and tiny lanes along gentle vineyard slopes to link Strasbourg with the Stork towers of Ribeauvillé and the timeless vineyard villages of the ‘Grand Crus’, then head back from colourful Colmar by train (ticket included in tour price), or cycle a final canal path back into the city if you prefer. A chance to savour the flavour of the place, drink in the stunning Vosges hills, views of woodlands and vineyards and even enjoy a refreshing trip around ‘Little Venice’ in the colourful town of Colmar. Read More

Destination

Europe, France

Start Day

Any Day

Board Basis

Bed & Breakfast

Prices from

£763.00

Duration

5 Days, 4 Nights

Availability

Apr - Oct

Tour Grade

Grade 3 (Moderate)

Read Overview
Home > Europe > Alsace Wine Road – Tour & Train

Overview

This superlative little tour from Strasbourg links Alsace Wine Road highlights through gentle cycling stretches along canal paths and vineyard lanes, finally letting the train take the strain back to the city. Visit the vineyard village homes of the famous Alsace ‘Grand Crus’; medieval Riquewihr -France’s 5th most favourite village; Strasbourg, the Capital of Europe; Colmar and ‘la Petite Venise’ plus there’s an opportunity to explore Haut Koenigsbourg Castle, France’s No.3 must-see after the Eifel Tower and Mont St Michel!

Take the train from Colmar to Strasbourg, or just as far as Erstein for a canal-side ride into the city and leave your bike at your Strasbourg hotel (train ticket included in the tour price). Alternatively leave your bike and the tour after your overnight in Colmar.

Tour Code:
FASC5
Activity:
Cycling
Type:
Circular Cycling Holiday, Hotel To Hotel Cycling Holiday
Country:
Europe, France
Area:
Alsace
Duration:
5 Days, 4 Nights
Board Basis:
Bed & Breakfast
Availability:
Apr - Oct

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive & explore Strasbourg

Strasbourg brings together the old and new, the flair of France and craftsmanship of Germany. It’s a place of contrasts and questions, of parliaments and palaces, ringed by waterways and in a world of its own. To get a real feel for the place, why not jump aboard a ‘bateau mouche’ by the must-see museums of Palais Rohan and experience the islands of the city from the River Ill? Alternatively, explore with an audio tour perhaps on foot from the cathedral to ‘La Petite France’, the impressive medieval quarter designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With so much to take in here, there’s plenty to return to at the end of your tour.

Overnight in Strasbourg.

Day 2 Waterways & Wine Routes

It’s a shame to leave France’s most cycling-friendly city behind as you head out along the canal path towards the monuments of Molesheim. Pedal past the old locks along La Bruche Canal, the waterway which once conveyed everything from red Vosges sandstone to wine, to join the ‘route des vins’ at the foothills of the wooded Vosges hills. Don’t miss the impressive town halls square, Jesuit Church and famous Bugatti Museum at Molesheim before heading on towards oh-so-Alsatian Obernai with its typical marketplace fountain, delightfully floral rampart-side walk and impressive ‘Kappelturm’ belfry.

Overnight in the Obernai area.

Miles: 22 Kms: 37

Day 3 From lofty castles to heavenly wines

Chances are there’ll be a castle in view high on some rocky Vosges outcrop every pedal-push of the way today as you weave in and out of vineyards and medieval villages towards Ribeauvillé and Riquewihr, home to some of the region’s finest ‘Grand Crus’. Mittelbergheim, Andlau, Itterswiller, Dambach-la-Ville… the names roll on the tongue like a delicious mouthful of rich Gewurztraminer as your wheels roll onwards along the rural lanes of the Wine Road. Flower-filled Dambach with its 14th century wall and three tower gateways is a firm favourite and Riquewihr with its Post and Stagecoach Museums is an obvious place to stop off a while, but did the Three Kings really stay over at a Ribeauvillé inn en route to Bethlehem? Legend perhaps, but this part of Alsace is certainly fit for a king!

Overnight in the Riquewihr area.

Miles: 31 Kms: 50

Day 4 Vineyards, villages & ‘Little Venice’

A final collection of castles, medieval villages and ‘Grand Cru’ vineyards today before arriving in Colmar with its famous canal area known as ‘La Petite Venise’. Pedal through Ammerschwirr and take time to tour the ramparts at the compact village of Eguisheim. There are memories of medieval prosperity and World War II tragedy at Turckheim, a village which once belonged to Munster Abbey, now home to brightly roofed church with a green tiled church steeple. When it comes to local colour though, Colmar wins the prizes with its patterned roofs and pinnacles, flower-filled balconies, half-timbered houses, brightly painted shutters and smart hanging signs.

Overnight in Colmar.

Miles: 23 Kms: 38

Day 5 Depart after breakfast – Choice of options

It’s up to you how you spend your last day in this fruitful region. A train ticket back to Strasbourg is included in the tour price, so you may wish to stay a while in Colmar or leave your bike and head off straight away to the city.
If you fancy a little more cycling, then simply leave your luggage for collection and take your bike on the train. Alight at Erstein where you can follow an attractive trail into Strasbourg and enjoy a bit more exploration of France’s most cycling-friendly city before picking up your luggage from your original Strasbourg hotel after 5pm.
Alternatively, you’re welcome to choose not to return to Strasbourg at all, taking your luggage and leaving your bike at your Colmar hotel to continue with onward travel directly.

Miles:15 Kms: 25

Extra nights can be booked in Strasbourg or Colmar to allow more time to explore Alsace at your leisure.

Dates & Prices

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For tour start days/dates, seasons and all prices, please click on the PRICES button above

PRICE INCLUDES

Ensuite accommodation as described with buffet/continental breakfast (prices based on two adults)

Hire of hybrid bicycle and ancillary equipment (single pannier and handlebar bag, pump, basic tools, spare inner tube & puncture repair equipment)

Insurance for theft or damage to the hire bicycle

Local assistance on call (although puncture repair is excluded)

Information pack with detailed joining instructions and daily route overviews sent out approximately 2 weeks before departure so you can plan ahead and look forward to your cycling adventure

Detailed route notes and maps with marked routes provided on arrival (1 per room)

GPS tracks available on request

Please note that the price EXCLUDES

City/tourist taxes in France (Taxes de Séjour )

Costs of getting to and from the tour area

Accommodation Options

Selected 2 and 3 star hotels in Strasbourg (3 star), the Obernai area (2 star), the Riquewihr area (2 star) and Colmar (3 star).

Upgrades:
  • Selected 3 star hotels throughout
  • Selected 4 and 5 star hotels – includes 5 star deluxe hotel in Strasbourg and 5 star deluxe hotel (historic monument) in Colmar
  • Half board is an option on all standard and upgraded tour accommodation packages.

We are pleased to discuss hotel details on request.

 

More Information

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