Itinerary
Strasbourg, seat of the new European Parliament, is an ancient and lively city, filled with treasures to explore. It was named a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1988, the first city to be honoured with the title in its entirety. This tour allows you time to meander the canals, cobblestoned streets, and small boutiques of Strasbourg. Visit the old town, its picturesque quarters and half-timbered houses in the neighbourhood known as “The Petite France”. Visit the Gothic cathedral and its famous astronomical clock, and the European Parliament. Be sure to sate your appetite as well with the pastries, giant soft pretzels and fresh cheeses at every corner. Dinner tonight in one of our favourite restaurants.
Your first ride in Alsace is quite easy, as it follows a flat bike path the entire way, along the Canal of the Rhine to the Rhone. You leave Strasbourg passing by the buildings of the modern and impressive European Parliament on the banks of the Ill River. Take advantage of the many opportunities along the way to stop and detour into the typical Alsatian towns and villages for a coffee, or perhaps some thin-crust crispy – and at the same time melt in your mouth – tarte flambee for lunch. your ride brings you at the end of the bike path to the Medieval town of Saverne, nestled up against the vineyard hills. You’ll want to take some time to explore this lovely town, with its pedestrian zone, half-timbered houses, and the Castle of Rohan perched above, before hopping on to one of the several local trains with your bike – you’ll love the easy half hour train ride right back to the heart of Strasbourg!
The first half of today’s ride follows the very easy riding along the Bruch Canal, one of the prettiest bike paths in Europe. It will lead you out of Strasbourg and towards the vineyards, in Molsheim (a lovely town, which is also the home of Bugatti), where you can stop to explore. From there you ride through vineyard villages (such as Rosenwiller, with its ancient and haunting Jewish cemetery, Rosheim, with its three arched town gates, and Bischofsheim, with its abbey, perched high above the village), before arriving in Obernai itself. All of the villages will seduce you with their half-timbered houses and typical Alsatian feel. Be sure to stop to have your camera handy! Obernai, a wine-growing village itself, is nestled at the base of the vineyard covered hills. During the summer it’s decked out with flowers; you’ll love its winding cobblestone streets that challenge motorists and enchant pedestrians and cyclists.
Today’s ride is quite stunning, as you spend the day riding through the many villages of the Alsace wine region. Winemaking in Alsace has a long history; it is a region that produces primarily white wines, with its famous Rieslings and aromatic Gewurtzraminers, but you can also get a very drinkable and inexpensive red pinot noir here. There are plenty of opportunities to stop and taste wine, as you hop from village to village (you actually ride through 19 different villages over the course of the day! The route also takes you through the lovely town of Selestat, where you can explore with the walking tour we provide, and find lunch. Tonight you stay in tiny Ribeauville, with beautiful half-timbered buildings from the 16th and 17th centuries, and a variety of shops, wineries, and historic sites. Dinner is included this evening.
The beginning of today’s ride has you pedalling along the Alsace Vineyard route again, through more tiny vineyard villages, starting almost immediately with Riquewihr. This town has much of its Medieval fortifications and a castle still intact; it largely escaped damage during the Second World War, and is quite beautiful. You’ll also want to stop for some explorations in both Kaysersberg and Eguisheim. The route then turns away from the vineyards and across the plains, entering the town of Colmar on a tranquil bike path. The center of this town, where you are based, reveals its charm: the colors and atmosphere of streets still embody much of the Middle Ages. Churches, cloisters, half-timbered houses, facades with ornate wood sculptures, paintings, and edifices from the Renaissance abound. The shorter distance today allows you plenty of time for explorations once you arrive.
Today’s ride is wonderful; a full day of very easygoing riding, through the small farming villages and forests to the east of Colmar. You will ride through the Vaubun-designed town of Neuf-Breisach (all of his fortified towns have been classified by UNESCO), with its typical protective walls and wheel-spoke design, before following a bike path over the Rhine River – au revoir to France, and hallo to Germany! You pass the old border crossing (before the European Union made them superfluous). Have some fun mixing up languages, while you explore the German medieval town of Breisach and get some lunch, before heading back over the river into France to finish your ride. The return ride is on another lovely bike path following a canal back into Colmar for a second night. Your final dinner is included this evening.
After a final delicious breakfast, there are easy connections out of Colmar train station for your continued travels. Bon Voyage!
What's included
- 6 nights’ accommodation in the comfort level of your choice * CLASSIC, CLASSIC+ or DELUXE
- All hotel taxes
- All breakfasts, 3 dinners (drinks not included with dinners)
- Fully equipped high quality touring bike **
- Orientation and bike fitting with our Trip Manager
- Detailed maps and step-by-step route instructions
- Regional information and advice
- Uploadable GPS file of the route to use on a free APP in your smartphone ***
- Luggage transfers from hotel to hotel
- Train back to Strasbourg from Saverne
- Phone call support 7 days a week
* Price based on double room occupancy – please contact us for details on single room supplements
** E-bikes or road bikes on request (supplement)
*** Can be used without international internet plan (offline)
Hotel Details
Classic Tour
1550 € / pers.
2 nights
Hotel Roses – Strasbourg
1 night
Hotel le Gouverneur – Obernai
1 night
Hotel de la Tour – Ribeauvillé
2 nights
Hotel Turenne – Colmar
Classic + Tour
1760 € / pers.
2 nights
Hotel Beaucour – Strasbourg
1 night
Hotel le Colombier – Obernai
1 night
Hotel du Mouton – Ribeauvillé
2 nights
Hotel Rapp – Colmar
Deluxe Tour
2370 € / pers.
2 nights
Cour du Corbeau – Strasbourg
1 night
La Cour d’Alsace – Obernai
1 night
Hotel Spa le Parc – Saint Hippolyte
2 nights
Maison des Têtes – Colmar
Our bikes
The high quality, light touring bike is the default bike included on the tour. It is perfectly suited to riding with lots of stops for explorations.
Upon request, and for a supplement, you can have a road bike or a pedal-assist electric bike – contact us for details.
All our touring bikes come equipped with removable handlebar bag with clear map case, flat tire kit (with extra inner tube), pump, lock, rear rack and back panniers, water bottle holder and new water bottle, bell and kickstand.
Ahead of the tour, we will ask you if you wish to use our helmets, and if you want toe cages on the pedals (both free of charge).
Each of our regions has its own bike fleet, often with a couple of different bike makes depending on sizing – if you want to know the specific bike details for your tour, just contact us, and we’ll be happy to send you the specs!
TOURING BIKE - men's frame (included in trip cost)
TOURING BIKE - women's Frame (included in trip cost)
E-bike - men's frame (supplement charge)
E-bike - women's frame (supplement charge)
Road (racing) bike (supplement charge)