France
Along the Route du Vin
No better activity than to drive along the beautiful roads of the Alsation Route du Vin and trying some Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Muscat or Sylvaner in the wineries.
The most beautiful villages of the Route du Vin
Between the Rhine and the mountains, the Alsatian Wine Route is a slender strip stretching over 170 kilometers through 120 towns and typical Alsatian villages. We are covering the part from Strasbourg to Sélestat, which covers about 50 km. These are some villages not to miss on this roadtrip: - Obernai - Millerbergheim - Andlau - Barr - Saint-Hypolite
Where to taste wines
- Klein au vieux Remparts in Saint-Hyppolite: the owners of this cave have stopped making wine, but sell their best bottles for a reasonable price. Try the Gewürztraminer of 2009 or the Muscat of 2000. You'll love it. Make a phone call to set up your visit. - Domaine du Petit Bouchon: this micro domain makes natural wines and agro-biological wines. Sit between the oak barrels and learn about the winemaking process. - Domaine Marc Kreydenweiss - Domaine Aslace Charles Frey - Domaine Geyer (small prices for great wines)
Where to eat
In the hills of the Alsace, there are plenty of restaurants to choose from. Google "Ferme Auberge" for typical Alsatian specialties in a rural setting. We ate at Le Spes in Andlau - a not so typical restaurant with a daily changing menu and nature wines. Lovely to sit outside and very modestly priced. In the evening, we stopped at Winstub Rouge d'Ottrott for a Tarte Flambée and other delicacies. Other places to eat: - Ferme Auberge Hungerplatz - Ferme Auberge des cimes - Ferme Auberge du Kreuzweg - Restaurant Elmerforst
On top of Mont Sainte-Odile
Looking out over the plain of Alsace, Mont Sainte-Odile was an influential convent for many centuries. Today, it has been converted into a hotel and this sacred place once dedicated to Odile, the patron saint of Alsace, still attracts many pilgrims. Enjoy the natural woodlands surrounding the area and indulge the views that you have over the valley. Hikers can stride along the sign-posted paths and discover, in particular, the pagans' wall built in around 1000 BC or Odile's well. On the convent terrace with its two orientation tables, you can enjoy a superb view over the surrounding forest, the Alsace Plain, and the Black Forest on a clear day!
