{"id":3280,"date":"2015-06-08T08:51:04","date_gmt":"2015-06-08T12:51:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.eurotriptips.com\/?p=3280"},"modified":"2025-04-18T14:36:25","modified_gmt":"2025-04-18T18:36:25","slug":"alsace-roadtrip-itinerary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/alsace-roadtrip-itinerary\/","title":{"rendered":"Alsace road trip: a 7-day itinerary"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

With candy-coloured villages that look like they could be in a children’s bedtime story and an abundance of gastronomically-heavy sins governed by centuries of traditions, and with a culturally complex heritage, Alsace is unquestionably a sight for sore eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Panoramas stretching between Strasbourg and Mulhouse, flanked by the soaring Vosges mountains, are dotted with ruby-coloured fortresses, rolling hills striped with luxuriant vines fueled by the mighty Rhine River, and make for an infinitely interesting incursion into la province.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miraculously unscathed by the widespread ravages of both great wards \u2014at least, nowhere as extensively as other French and German regions\u2014 Alsace is culturally sandwiched between Germany and France and yet has only been officially part of the latter since 1945. It was, however, regularly contested and handed over by both countries as their frontiers evolved ever since the Thirty Year’s War.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“A glass of Alsace wine is like a summer dress or a flower in spring, it’s the ray of sunshine that simply makes life brighter.<\/em>“<\/p>

– Christian Dior<\/p><\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The local dialect is, in fact, much closely related to Swabian and Swiss German than it is to the region’s national language, French.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is precisely what made me so interested in the region at first; that dual identity. How it is so definitely French in some ways, yet infinitely German in others, and how, at times, it is neither, simply 100% Alsatian.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In preparation for your trip to Alsace, here are a few places I myself have visited (believe it or not but I did squeeze in a few cultural stops, not just wineries) and which I strongly recommend. Bon voyage!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strasbourg<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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As the seat of the European Parliament and many international organisations, Strasbourg has so many different faces it’s hard to find the right word to describe it. \u00dcber-modern in some areas, beautifully historic in others, it boasts an eclectic combination in both its culture and its architecture\u2015it is, appropriately, Alsace’s capital city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first place you want to visit in Strasbourg is the Petite France neighbourhood, the oldest part of the city. It comprises multi-centennial half-timber houses, numerous canals, impossibly charming cobblestone streets and mature trees, which, in addition to being picture-perfect, certainly make for an enjoyable backdrop for an indulgent post-dinner stroll.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking of which, I recommend that you try the famous flammkuchen<\/em>, a traditional Alsatian pizza with extra thin crust topped with cr\u00e8me fraiche<\/em>, lardons and thinly sliced onions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another important stop is the Strasbourg Cathedral. It was the world’s highest structure for well over 200 years (and now the 6th tallest church), it’s one of the finest works of the late Gothic architecture. Visible far across the plains of Alsace and sometimes as far as the Black Forest on clear days, Strasbourg Cathedral is famous for its intricate, detailed carvings and its characteristic pinkish hue. Entry is free of charge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you visit in the summer, make sure to plan some time to attend the very entertaining daily light show at 10 PM.<\/p>\n\n\n