Picture fairytale villages laced with cobbled streets and quaint buildings, perched at the edge of the river Rhine. Imagine sitting on a café patio, drenched in the afternoon sunlight after a morning of cycling, reflecting on a place as enigmatic as it is beautiful. It may only sound like a dream when you’re sat at home, but on our Alsace tour, a laidback luxury cycling holiday awaits you. Alsace is a truly unique region, and of course, we believe it’s best explored by bicycle. Here’s a few highlights to look forward to on our 9-day Route du Vin in the Alsace cycling tour in France.
Cycle from one vineyard to another, stopping off to sample exceptional gastronomy and world-class wines along the way.
A Region Steeped in History
You can feel it in the old stones of medieval buildings, in the farm tracks running between the vines and in the ancient church spires rising high above the buildings – history lives everywhere in Alsace. Positioned between Germany and France, the region also played a huge role in both world wars.
As part of your tour you’ll get the chance to visit the Château du Haut Koenigsbourg, which dates back to the year 1114. Despite being destroyed twice during its lifetime this lovingly restored castle hasn’t lost any of its charm. Afterwards, head to Sélestat. Famous for its intellectual influence during the Renaissance, the town is home to an excellent library containing some of the earliest printed books.
A Delicious Experience
On a cycling tour with us, your tastebuds will also embark upon a journey of discovery. You’ll be able to sample cuisine from some of the region’s finest chefs, including the many Michelin-starred restaurants of Colmar. Alsatian food is distinctive for its merging together of Germanic and French influences – with delicious results. For some of the finest cuisine in the Alsace and indeed France, head to JY’S – a twice Michelin-starred restaurant serving fine modern french dishes such as smoked pigeon with lemon and thyme.
No one can pay a visit to the Alsace region without sampling a few of the local grapes. Alsace is peppered with rustic, authentic wine bars giving you the opportunity to try some of the world’s most renowned wines. The village of Beblenheim is a particular hotspot – pay a visit to Cave de Beblenheim to sample some of the region’s award-winning bottles.
Featured Highlights
It’s impossible to appreciate the many, complex delights of Alsace in a single visit, but we’ve tried to include as many experiences as possible into our carefully curated cycling tour. Here are some highlights we haven’t mentioned yet but think you’ll enjoy:
– A visit to the idyllic village of Riquewihr, which is famed for its architecture and production of sophisticated Riesling wine
– Dining like an Alsatian on Choucroute à l’Alsacienne at Caveau St Pierre in Colmar. This traditional dish features sausages and cold meats prepared alongside sauerkraut
– Staying at Hotel le Verger des Chateaux – a traditional hotel located in the middle of a vineyard near Dieffenthal and close to Haut-Koenigsbourg castle and the Celtic rocks. Enjoy a drink on the terrace or in the peaceful garden after a day on the road.
To find out more about the Alsace, call our cycling experts on 020 7471 7760.