Obernai
Among the vineyards at the foot of the sacred mountain of Mont-Ste-Odile, Obernai is the epitome of an Alsace wine village with crumbling walls and ancient, narrow streets lined with timber-framed houses. In the Place du Marche stands the 15th century town hall, 16th century corn hall and Tour de la Chapelle. A walk around the medieval ramparts offers an excellent overview of the town.
Colmar
Colmar is the town that quintessentially captures the character of Alsace with its immaculately preserved town centre that boasts high-gabled timber framed houses that front the charming streets and squares. Outstanding are the galleried Old Customs House, the Maison Pfister adorned with frescos and medallions and Colmar’s own “Little Venice”, the picturesque Krutenau district. Other highlights include the Musee d’Unterlinden where Grunewald’s masterpiece, the Issenheim Altarpiece, is displayed; the Dominican Church and Collegiate Church of St. Martin.
Riquewihr
Dating from 1049, Riquewihr owes its considerable prosperity to the wine industry and boasts a wealth of sumptuous houses and public buildings. Highlights include the Gothic Church of Our Lady, the Dolder tower and Porte Superieure.
Strasbourg
The stunning city of Strasbourg is (in)famous as the headquarters of the European Parliament but is also a wonderful medieval city. Highlights include the towering Gothic cathedral, known as “the great pink angel” that also boasts a 19th century Astronomical clock that draws the crowds for its midday performance, Chateau Rohan, the delightful “Petit france” district - the oldest part of the city dating from the 1100’s, Rhine Palace, the Palais de l’Europe and lovely cobbled squares flanked with timber-framed houses.
Baden-Baden and Northern Alsace villages
Baden-Baden is an elegant spa town, and since the 19th century has been one of the most fashionable resorts in Germany with splendid Belle Epoque architecture, and a casino that is claimed as the most beautiful in the world. It is a delightful place that retains the feeling of a more unhurried, leisured age. After lunch we head back to Obernai via the Northern Alsace pottery villages including sleepy Hunspach, included as one of the most beautiful villages in France by the National Tourist Office.