Highlights

  • Vibrant mix of French and German culture
  • Fine Alsatian cuisine and wines
  • Fascinating military history from both World Wars
  • Vineyard covered hills
  • Picturesque villages with half-timbered houses and cobbled streets

Alsace offers distinctive cultural and gastronomic experiences shaped from strong French and German influences. Over the centuries both countries have laid claim to it. Today, we find a region with unsurpassed richness and diversity. There are fairy-tale landscapes with pastel hued villages, Europe's highest concentration of feudal castles, and the distinctive Franco-German cuisine and wines for which the region is famous. And the gardens! We walk along part of the famous Alsace Wine Trail, stopping to visit medieval fortresses and more recent WWI and WWII memorials as we trek along forest tracks near Obernai and the Vosges Mountains, wining and dining on the area's fine local delicacies.

Sunday Overnight: Hotel a la Cour d'Alsace

Rendezvous in Strasbourg for the short journey to our hotel in the heart of Obernai, one of the loveliest villages in Alsace. Take a stroll before the Welcome Dinner, our first taste of the renowned Alsatian cuisine.

Monday Overnight: Hotel a la Cour d'Alsace

Next morning, we follow a charming valley to Boersch, a typical Alsatian fortress community. On the way, we visit a handicraft marquetry studio, and head through vineyards and pastures to Rosheim for lunch. In the afternoon, we visit the 12th-century church before walking back through forests and vineyards.

Tuesday Overnight: Hotel Le Clos Saint Vincent

This morning we head to the mountaintop sanctuary and shrine at Mont Ste-Odile. After a visit, we cross the majestic Vosgienne forest, descending to beautiful Barr for lunch. Our afternoon trail varies between woody hills and vineyards, to Bernardvillé for a wine tasting. We transfer to our hotel before dinner in a traditional 'winstub' in picture-perfect Ribeauvillé.

Wednesday Overnight: Hotel Le Clos Saint Vincent

Bring your camera for our visit to the towering castle of Haut-Koenigsbourg, one of Europe's most important medieval fortresses, with far-reaching views to Germany's Black Forest. In the afternoon, we discover the ruins of two castles of the Ribeaupierre family.

Thursday Overnight: La Maison des Tetes

Begin the day with a walk into Ribeauvillé along the celebrated Alsace Route des Vins, through vineyards of Riesling, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir and Gewürztraminer grapes. After lunch in nearby Riquewihr we take time to explore this pretty village before transferring to Colmar. Our walk around town includes a visit to the famous Isenheimer altarpiece in the Unterlinden Museum.

Friday Overnight: La Maison des Tetes

Our final walk takes us to the Vosges Mountains on shaded forest paths, as we make our way to the moving WWI memorial at Le Linge. The battlefield contains numerous black and white crosses marking the final resting place of French and German troops. Lunch in a typical local auberge and an opportunity to taste the Munster cheese before returning to our hotel and our Farewell Dinner.

Saturday

After breakfast, the Wayfarers provide a courtesy bus transfer to the rail station in Colmar.
Moderate
Our Walk Leader was "especially kind to those of us who had special goals (to know about our fathers' experience in WWII/finding our roots.)" JE
Terrain: Undulating paths and tracks through forests, vineyards and picturesque villages. Occasional moderate ups and downs. 8-10 miles walking per day.

TRIP DETAILS

6 nights from
US $4,495.00
per person, double occupancy
(Single Supplement US $795.00)
Our Wayfarers friends' Price is US $4,270.00

Dates

From Sep 6 to Sep 12 (more dates)
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Arrival: Strasbourg
Departure: Colmar
Alsace September 2020 Map

Hotels - Where we stay

Hotel a la Cour d Alsace

Hotel a la Cour d Alsace

This former manor house and wine cellar of the distinguished Baron De Gail family has been stylishly renovated to provide a cosy, intimate hotel with courtly character. The hotel is located in the centre of the meticulously restored old town and the historic character of the building, including original wooden-beamed ceilings and refurbished half-timbering, has been painstakingly preserved. Each room features a spacious bathroom, hairdryer, safe, minibar, cable TV and a phone. In the lovely vaulted-ceiling wine cellar of the Gail manor house, the chefs introduce guests to the exquisite (and hearty) Alsatian specialities which make dinner an occasion worth remembering.

Hotel Le Clos Saint Vincent

Hotel Le Clos Saint Vincent

Perching on high ground with endless views of the Alsace vineyards, this hotel is inextricably linked with the world of wine. The well-furnished rooms at Le Clos Saint-Vincent are equipped with a telephone, hairdryer, flat-screen TV and private bathroom. The restaurant serves traditional French cuisine that varies with the seasons, either in the dining room with views of the countryside or on the terrace that overlooks the Vosges Mountains. Guests have access to Clos Saint-Vincents wellness centre, which has an indoor swimming pool, sauna and Jacuzzi. There is also a fitness centre and massage centre with Spa treatments available on request. Wi-Fi is available in the hotel.

La Maison des Tetes

La Maison des Tetes

In the heart of Colmar, this magnificent 17th century house is one of Colmar's most beautiful and emblematic buildings. Classed as an historical monument, it is full of local charm and conveniently located for guests to walk into the town. Each delightful bedroom has air-conditioning, TV, phone, miinibar, safe, WiFi internet access and ensuite bathroom with hairdryer. La Maison des Tetes has been a meeting place for over 100 years and the highly recommended restaurant is renowned for its gourmet food enriched with local flavors.

Start planning your trip

What Is Included in the Price of My Vacation

  • Full-time services of two staff - a Walk Leader and Walk Manager
  • A backup vehicle for resting walkers and moving luggage
  • Comprehensive Travel Information Package and Reading List
  • Diverse itineraries with an emphasis on history, geography, culture, peoples, flora and fauna
  • Demonstrations, wine tasting, admissions to museums and historic sites
  • All ground transfers (ferries, cable cars, trains, etc.)
  • Maps and unique souvenirs to commemorate your trip
  • First-class accommodations with cultural and historical interest
  • All meals - with choices - (Special dietary requirements? No problem!)
  • Wine with dinner
  • On-trail snacks and refreshments
  • All gratuities at hotels and restaurants