Blue Marble Travel loves Alsace, one of their favorite regions of France, and the place they most often go personally on vacation. In addition, over the past few years, it has been the most requested destination.
The highlights include Strasbourg and Colmar, the famous “Route des Vins” through the prettiest of the vineyards, the Munster Valley (source of the cheese, not Herman), and the “Route des Crêtes”, a beautiful forest road along the spine of the Vosges mountains.
Alsace is also home to one of France’s most luscious (and elaborate) cuisines. Those afraid of finding “German” food are in for a surprise. Though there is a commonality in some ingredients, there is little or none in their preparation, nor in the amount of attention lavished on les arts de la table. You won’t be disappointed.
Tour Details
Duration
8 Days/7 Nights
Location
Alsace
Season
July
Tour Type
Road Touring
Nearest City
Strasbourg
Physical Condition Required
Good
Destination(s)
Alsace, France
Distance Traveled
Varies Day to Day
Fully Guided
Yes
Guest Capacity
19
Support Vehicles
Local Rail Lines - No Sag Wagon
Bike Rentals Available
Yes
Bike Brands
Bikes are custom-built, 21-speed road tourers, designed for the biking that is done.
Accommodations
All hotels (and sleeping berths on overnight trains) are included in the cost of the trip.
Blue Marble bypasses chain hotels in favor of family-run inns: pretty in the country, central in the towns. A 17th century courtyard is preferred to an in-room TV.
Transportation to Start Site
Please Contact Blue Marble
Dining
Breakfast (continental) is included, except on overnight trains. It is generally taken at the hotel. Snore.
Most dinners are also included. You are on your own for dinner (and its expense) two nights per “trip week”.
Included dinners may be taken in a group, or you may dine on your own, or in smaller “sub-groups”, with suggestions offered by the coordinator. On nights when you prefer one of these latter options, funds will be distributed sufficient to permit a wide selection of restaurants.
Meals are special events, and a focus of the trips, especially in the Latin countries. Choice is never lacking. But Blue Marble pride themselves on their ability to show local cuisines, often different from anglo-American tradition. “Picky” eaters, or those with special diets which exclude food types or groups, may find this focus tiresome. And since special diets are rare in Latin Europe, hosts are surprised by them. Complex dishes may contain some food you wish to avoid, hidden as a seasoning. Chefs who take pride in their creations are not only unwilling (or unable) to remove the offending ingredient, but can be unwilling to even discuss the recipe! Fortunately, the flexibility of the meal program allows you to retreat to a pizza place if the cultural experience becomes oppressive.
About Liquor
Guides showcase regional wines and beers. Guests pay for their own drinks.
Rates
$1,995.00per personCurrency Converter (Rates shown are in US Dollars. Rates and terms are subject to change.)
Additional Rate Info
Optional Private Single Room Supplement: $380 See Blue Marble's website for Canadian and Euro prices.
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Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Road Biking: Black and White Villages of Protestant Alsace Trip Meeting: Those who can make it at midday will have time for an afternoon bike ride amongst the characteristic black-and-white villages of the lands north of Strasbourg. Hunspach is our favorite, and a must-see (work it in tomorrow if you can’t get there today).
Evening welcome dinner in a local tavern in Wissembourg. Curously, Wissembourg was long the hide-out of the King of Poland. Today it is home to a salt warehouse that looks remarkably like Harry Potter’s sorting hat.
Day 2: Road Biking Go for a spin in the hills on the French-German border. The 12th century ruined Château de Fleckenstein is a pretty destination: rooms carved out of rock, views of the surrounding valleys, and a goofy name. Charming small towns abound: Lembach, Niederschlettenbach, Burt Bacherbach ... and beautiful hiking is on offer in the forest around the castle. Back to Wissembourg, where the sorting hat will tell you what route you have to do tomorrow.
Day 3: Road Biking: The Piedmont of the Vosges Today, set out along the foot of the mountain range that separates Alsace from the rest of France. Skirt the hills you played in yesterday, following country lanes through sleepy farm towns, far from the urban centers that define the region to most visitors. Short, middle and long route options let you head into Strasbourg when the city lights beckon more strongly than the sleepy farms. Get on a tow path of the Saverne-to-Strasbourg canal, and burn some kilometers on a Leclerc-like dash into the city, following the famous general’s WWII path out of the hills.
Days 4-6: Road Biking: Canals, the 'Routes des Vins' and the Munster Valley A morning to explore the capital. Admire the cathedral, wander through the Petite France’s canals, head out when you’re ready. Today’s route takes you through fields of cabbage, and to the northern end of the “Route des Vins,” or Wine Road. The direct route is only 25k of flat riding, but if you are looking for more, head up the Bruche valley into the Vosges, for different scenery and a different level of effort.
The "Route des Vins" is what most non-Alsatians know of Alsace. It is, indeed, a source of pride. Give the days over to riding, passing through the northern vineyards, at the foot of the Vosges hills, which protect the grapes. Michelin says Obernai is “infused with a golden glow and surrounded by vineyards”, but the villages and towns further south are more appealing, and bustling with viticultural activity: Riquewihr, Ribeauvillé, Kaysersberg (birthplace of Albert Schweitzer) ... Full days of riding, which reaffirm your faith in your aluminum horse.
Day 7: Road Biking: the 'Route des Crêtes' or more 'Route des Vins' Two options exist to get to Thann, the destination for the night: you can go either over or around the Vosges Mountains. Colmar is at sea level, the peak of the “hill route” at circa 1,300m/4,000ft. ... so there is some real effort involved in option 1, but it may be worth it.
The famous “Route des Crêtes” runs along the spine of the mountains that separate Alsace from the rest of France. It was built by in the First World War, to allow communication between French troops stationed in the different valleys. Its path is perfect for a beautiful bike ride, once you have taken on the climb to reach it: it traces a line from ballon to ballon (the rounded summits characteristic of the Vosges), approaching the crown of each. The views are stupendous, “fermes-aubèrges” (farm inns) pop up to refresh, and when you tire of the whole business, you can drop into the Thur Valley for a pleasant ride through 19th century industrial villages (how did they get charming, all of a sudden?), to the night stop in Thann.
Not up for the mountain goat routine? Go around! You can rejoin the “Route des Vins” for the trip on south. More harvest scenes, more wine villages, more trouble getting the handlebars to point in the right direction.
Day 8: Departure Day (Optional Ride) An optional morning bike ride for those who have the time, otherwise on to your next project. The group breaks up at midday, though those catching a same-day flight can catch an early train directly from Thann (in general, a flight the following day will be a more comfortable solution).
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