Postcards to Rick Steves |
HISTORY
Straddling France and Germany and blending the two cultures, the Alsace region is a fine melting pot of tradition, architecture, food, language, and wine. The region changed hands many times throughout its history, but eventually became a part of France after World War I. (Read about our visit to Verdun here.)
Colmar is not the biggest city in the Alsace (that would be Strasbourg), but it is simply amazing! The town is a wonder to stroll, especially at night! One can't help to be enchanted by its colorful, half-timbered architecture; transported to Amsterdam or Venice by its canals; and amazed by its museums and history. Its restaurants and wine shops are complemented by markets, gelato stands, wine festivals, and pretzel carts. There is more to each building and church than meets the casual eye. At night the town sparkles with twinkling lights and the soft chatter from cafes surrounding the main squares. As you wander, you may stumble across Alsatian folk dancing and music.
Colmar is also a great home base for exploring the Alsace wine region along the 90-mile Route du Vin. You win with a Rick Steves tour! Three nights in Colmar, plenty of time to learn about and explore this beautiful city, and opportunities to bask in the countryside, its castles, and its vineyards.
Colmar was definitely one of my favorite stops!
Colmar is not the biggest city in the Alsace (that would be Strasbourg), but it is simply amazing! The town is a wonder to stroll, especially at night! One can't help to be enchanted by its colorful, half-timbered architecture; transported to Amsterdam or Venice by its canals; and amazed by its museums and history. Its restaurants and wine shops are complemented by markets, gelato stands, wine festivals, and pretzel carts. There is more to each building and church than meets the casual eye. At night the town sparkles with twinkling lights and the soft chatter from cafes surrounding the main squares. As you wander, you may stumble across Alsatian folk dancing and music.
Colmar is also a great home base for exploring the Alsace wine region along the 90-mile Route du Vin. You win with a Rick Steves tour! Three nights in Colmar, plenty of time to learn about and explore this beautiful city, and opportunities to bask in the countryside, its castles, and its vineyards.
Colmar was definitely one of my favorite stops!
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
~Three comfortable nights at the famous Hotel Le Rapp. Conveniently located near the town center, this is also the site of a memorable, very tasty dinner! It was even featured on Rick's show! ~An informative walking tour with a local guide. Muriel, our kind and humorous guide, led us on a two-hour walk through the cobble-stoned town, where she taught us the importance of its canals, the significance of its buildings, and pointing out landmarks along the way, such as the home of Frederic Bartholdi, who created the Statue of Liberty! (That's the benefit of a Rick Steves tour, getting sneak peaks at history you would have otherwise walked right by!) The tour ended with a visit to the Unterlinden Museum, home of Matthias Grunewald's Isenheim Altarpiece, a series of biblical paintings culminating in Christ's crucifixion. Originally created for a monastery treating plague sufferers, the emotional painting symbolizes Christ's understanding of our suffering. In the words of Daniela, "we are pilgrims to this place, not tourists... There may be suffering, but there is a Great Judgement after." ~Free time to explore Colmar on your own! It's a great town to wander and get lost in. There's lots to do: restaurants, wine tastings, canal rides, and shopping (clocks, wine, whisky, foie gras, Alsatian biscuits, dolls, gingerbread, and more)! ~All day along the Route du Vin! Our first stop is to the 12th century Chateau Haut Koenigsbourg. A long, winding road leads us up to this magnificant, well-preserved castle, which exchanged hands between Germany and France as the Alsace region was divided. We enjoy an informative tour of this castle (led by a Julliet, no less), and learn about its various rooms and why it was strategically placed on this hill in the Vosges mountains. The castle is an 8-year-old boy's dream! And the view from the top is to-die-for! You can see all the way to Germany and the Black Forest, some ten miles away. Our next stop is Kaysersburg, once home to Dr. Albert Schweitzer. We are set free to explore and have lunch. Here we meet our guide, Jean-Claude, who, during our drive, teaches us of the town's history. Jean-Claude is an expert on wine. As we drive past vineyards and cute villages, we learn about Alsatian wine. Our drive culminates in a local vineyard, which we walk through as we learn more. Our walk ends at a winery; we are rewarded with a tasting, and an opportunity to buy as well! See the Food & Wine page for more information. |
OLD TOWN COLMAR
LITTLE VENICE
CASTLES, VINEYARDS, AND KAYSERSBURG
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DID YOU KNOW?
~On many summer evenings, you can catch traditional Alsatian folk music and dancing in the town square.
~Enjoy a cruise on Le Petit Venise. Just watch your head as you go under those tunnels!
~Alsatian wine bottles are taller and thinner than traditional wine bottles.
~As you leave Colmar, you will drive past a replica of Statue of Liberty!
~Enjoy a cruise on Le Petit Venise. Just watch your head as you go under those tunnels!
~Alsatian wine bottles are taller and thinner than traditional wine bottles.
~As you leave Colmar, you will drive past a replica of Statue of Liberty!