The Vacation Station » Alsace Wine Country

Duration: 5 or 7 day independent tour

Location: France and Germany

Price: $880 to $1580

On this new tour we ride right into the heart of Alsatian wine country and to one of the most beautiful towns of the wine route, picturesque Colmar. On the daily cycling tours you will experience the full diversity of this beautiful region, visiting the pearls of the Alsatian Wine Route – Ribeauvillé, Riquewihr, Kaysersberg and the ancient German and French fortresses in Breisach and Neuf-Brisach.

Highlights

• Cities of Strasbourg, Mulhouse and Colmar

• Alsace Wine Route and its typical villages

• Lovely itineraries on the Wine Route cycle paths and along the Rhine

• The amazing architecture of the city of Neuf-Brisach, listed in UNESCO World Heritage

• The welcoming and convivial hotel in Colmar

DAY TO DAY ITINERARY

Day 1: Colmar

Arrival in Colmar, check-in at the hotel and free time to tour the town.

Day 2: Round-trip to the famous wine villages ≈ 61 or 45 km

You leave Colmar heading north through Houssen and ride to Ribeauvillé, before returning to Colmar through the beautiful wine villages of Riquewihr, Turckheim and Eguisheim.

Day 3: Colmar – Munster ≈ 40 km

From Colmar, take the direction of the Munster Valley by Turckheim and Zimmerbach. The varied landscape of the Munster Valley is one of the most beautiful in Massif des Vosges boasting rounded peaks, high-growing stubble, steep mountainsides and lakes originating from glaciers. Discover a region and its emblematic cheese: the Munster! Discover all the stages in the production of this famous cheese thanks to almost 2,000 m² of exhibits in the Maison du Fromage. You will come back to Colmar on a cycle path through nature and little villages.

Day 4: Colmar – Breisach – Colmar ≈ 71 km

After the stages through the vineyards, today will be quite a comfortable ride along the Rhine Valley. In Neuf-Brisach, you ride through the octagonal Baroque fortification built around 1700 by Vauban, the master builder under Louis XIV. After passing the Rhine bridges you come to Breisgau. In Marckolsheim, where you can visit a bunker from the Maginot Line, you will ride back to France. Then you will follow the canal cycle path back to Colmar.

Day 5: Colmar – Guebwiller – Mulhouse ≈ 50/76 km + train

From Colmar you go to the south along the Alsace Wine Route and its typical villages. From Guebwiller, you cycle to Bollwiller and take the train or continue to Ungersheim, until the Ecomusee d’Alsace. From there, the cycle path guides you directly to Mulhouse. Return to Colmar by train

Day 6: Strasbourg ≈ 25 km

The trains to Strasbourg run almost every hour or half-hour. If you still want to ride a little bit, take the train with your bike and get off at the station Estein. You will then take the advantage of an attractive trail of 25 km until Strasbourg. You will come back to Colmar by train.

Day 7: Departure or extend your stay.

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RATING Moderate

You will ride mainly on cycle paths, on minor agricultural tarred roads or on little secondary roads without much traffic. The stages on Day 2 and 5 are a little bit hilly. Suitable for novice and experienced cyclists alike.

AIRPORT / TRANSFERS

The nearest airport is Strasbourg. There is an easy shuttle bus/tram connection to the city centre ($15.00), then onwards by train to Colmar. Colmar has excellent train connections from the following airports: Basel and Paris.

**3 * HOTEL BEAUSEJOUR**

Just a short walk from the historic centre of Colmar sits the charming family-run Hotel Beausejour. It features personalised guestrooms and a restaurant with a view of the summer garden. All rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV, free WiFi access and they are serviced by a lift. The Charm Rooms offer Provençal furniture and the Privilege Rooms are decorated with blue and red furniture. Each room has a private bathroom.

Enjoy traditional and regional cuisine in the candlelit dining room or in the garden during the warmer months. The hotel also serves a daily breakfast. The Keller-family spirit has ensured quality accommodation since 1913. From this privileged location, you can be in the town centre in just 8 minutes by foot to discover the areas rich cultural history.

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**4 * GRAND HOTEL BRISTOL – COLMAR**

Facing the attractive Colmar Train Station, this fine hotel with its flowery facade, an elegant building dating back to 1920: the Grand Hotel Bristol. A charming 4 star hotel designed to meet the expectations of demanding customers without denying the Alsatian traditions. 91 renovated and comfortable rooms offer upscale features: a work area equipped with free internet access (WiFi), cable TV and air-conditioning. Lovely wellness area with sauna, steam room and fitness.

SCHEDULE & PRICE

2019 Seasons: Arrival daily from April through September

Season 1: 6 April to 24 May / 31 Aug to 5 Oct

Season 2: 25 May to 30 Aug.

Price per person, season 1	CAD	$880
Single Supplement		$350
Season 2 surcharge		$50
E-bike option		$180
Half-board option (6 evening dinners) 4 star hotel upgrade (Grand Hotel Bristol)		$400 $250

This tour includes:

6 nights in the 3 star Hôtel Beauséjour
Breakfasts daily
Modern hybrid bicycle with 21 gears, lock, pannier and insurance
Signposted tour
Train Ticket Mulhouse-Colmar
Train Ticket Colmar-Strasbourg-Colmar
Luggage transfer as required
Road book in English, German and French
GPS tracks available
Detailed travel material, route guide and descriptions of places of interest
7-Day Service-hotline

4, 5 and 7 night tours are also available. Contact us for details / prices.