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Message
Colmar France
Posted on 3/25/23 at 4:49 pm
Posted on 3/25/23 at 4:49 pm
Going in November. Anyone got any trip experiences they'd want to share on the location?
Also, we'll be a group of 6 and debating renting 1 vehicle (a large van) or 2 cars. Any suggestions with car rentals. Want one at all?
We'll be coming off a Rhine River Cruise from Basel Switzerland. Plan is to base in the old town of Colmar.
Thanks!
Also, we'll be a group of 6 and debating renting 1 vehicle (a large van) or 2 cars. Any suggestions with car rentals. Want one at all?
We'll be coming off a Rhine River Cruise from Basel Switzerland. Plan is to base in the old town of Colmar.
Thanks!
6
Posted on 3/25/23 at 4:53 pm to Nole Man
I spent four nights there a few years ago and we loved it. It is ideally located for trips to all of the small villages on the route du vin.
Things to eat and drink: besides being in the heart of Alsatian Reisling and Gewurtraminer country, Alsace has some pretty great cremants (champagne or sparkling wine by a different name since champagne can only be champagne if it comes from...Champagne). They also do some interesing pinot gris and can be counted on for decent pinot noir. If you aren't a resiling or gewurtz fan give them a chance. The Alsace varieties are known for being dryer and less sweet than the mass marketed German brands. As far as cru or grand cru wines go, this is one of the cheaper areas to buy from. For wine tastings, Louis Sipp (Ribeauville) and Dopff Au Moulin (Riquewhir) were great. For food, the Alsatians do a great Flammekueche or tarte flambee. Think thin crust pizza with creme fraiche and onions and/or bacon, meunster cheese, etc. They also are known for their choucroute and their coq au vin (uses thier local whites in an interesting way). For a splurge meal, Auberge De L'ill was fantastic. I'd recommend an afternoon sitting so that you can enjoy their creek side patio for drinks before and after.
Other food of note is Ferber preserves (found anywhere in france but local to alsace; bring a bunch back as gifts for yourself), their love of pork in the area, and if you are looking for fine dining the region (Alsace) held the highest number of michelin starred restaurants for a while. Not sure about now.
Things to do:
Colmar itself is beautiful and nice to walk around in (if a bit small). The real gem is found in the towns to the north (Ribeauville to Kaysersberg). When we went we started in ribeauville and walked via vineyard roads (with the vosges to one side and valley to other) through hunawihr, riquewihr, and on to kaysersberg. Just use google maps. It was a great days spent between wine houses and tarte flambee restaurants. Remember that tastings there are free, spitting is the norm, and buying a few bottles is expected and polite. Bring some travel wine glasses and stop at pretty views with some cheese and bread to enjoy the views. If you feel like making the walk up to Kaysersberg's castle (Château de Kaysersberg) it would be worth it. Kaysersberg has many places to eat for dinner.
Random: Alsace loves their storks and is known for them. There is a stork refuge and you can see their nests all over the region. We had a memorable moment after dinner at the splurge place above where the Haeberlin grandma came out to feed their two storks with leftover shellfish from the kitchen. The giant birds really are cool to watch.
Strasbourg is cool for a day trip and the old town is very neat to walk around. Great Cathedral too.
Things to eat and drink: besides being in the heart of Alsatian Reisling and Gewurtraminer country, Alsace has some pretty great cremants (champagne or sparkling wine by a different name since champagne can only be champagne if it comes from...Champagne). They also do some interesing pinot gris and can be counted on for decent pinot noir. If you aren't a resiling or gewurtz fan give them a chance. The Alsace varieties are known for being dryer and less sweet than the mass marketed German brands. As far as cru or grand cru wines go, this is one of the cheaper areas to buy from. For wine tastings, Louis Sipp (Ribeauville) and Dopff Au Moulin (Riquewhir) were great. For food, the Alsatians do a great Flammekueche or tarte flambee. Think thin crust pizza with creme fraiche and onions and/or bacon, meunster cheese, etc. They also are known for their choucroute and their coq au vin (uses thier local whites in an interesting way). For a splurge meal, Auberge De L'ill was fantastic. I'd recommend an afternoon sitting so that you can enjoy their creek side patio for drinks before and after.
Other food of note is Ferber preserves (found anywhere in france but local to alsace; bring a bunch back as gifts for yourself), their love of pork in the area, and if you are looking for fine dining the region (Alsace) held the highest number of michelin starred restaurants for a while. Not sure about now.
Things to do:
Colmar itself is beautiful and nice to walk around in (if a bit small). The real gem is found in the towns to the north (Ribeauville to Kaysersberg). When we went we started in ribeauville and walked via vineyard roads (with the vosges to one side and valley to other) through hunawihr, riquewihr, and on to kaysersberg. Just use google maps. It was a great days spent between wine houses and tarte flambee restaurants. Remember that tastings there are free, spitting is the norm, and buying a few bottles is expected and polite. Bring some travel wine glasses and stop at pretty views with some cheese and bread to enjoy the views. If you feel like making the walk up to Kaysersberg's castle (Château de Kaysersberg) it would be worth it. Kaysersberg has many places to eat for dinner.
Random: Alsace loves their storks and is known for them. There is a stork refuge and you can see their nests all over the region. We had a memorable moment after dinner at the splurge place above where the Haeberlin grandma came out to feed their two storks with leftover shellfish from the kitchen. The giant birds really are cool to watch.
Strasbourg is cool for a day trip and the old town is very neat to walk around. Great Cathedral too.
Posted on 3/25/23 at 4:55 pm to Foch
For the money, Alsatian Cremant is an absolutely fantastic buy. Riquewihr consistently is named the most/one of the most idyllic French villages.
Posted on 3/25/23 at 4:58 pm to Nole Man
If you are into WW1 history, Verdun is not too far away and would make for an interesting day trip to view the memorial.
I copied the above two posts from previous threads, but there is bunch more to do by looking up each of the towns on the route du vin. It is a wonderful area. Are you starting in Paris and then driving over?
I copied the above two posts from previous threads, but there is bunch more to do by looking up each of the towns on the route du vin. It is a wonderful area. Are you starting in Paris and then driving over?
Posted on 3/25/23 at 6:40 pm to Foch
Catch boat in Amsterdam. Off the boat in Basel. Then to Colmar.
Posted on 3/26/23 at 1:29 pm to Foch
quote:
Colmar itself is beautiful and nice to walk around in (if a bit small). The real gem is found in the towns to the north (Ribeauville to Kaysersberg). When we went we started in ribeauville and walked via vineyard roads (with the vosges to one side and valley to other) through hunawihr, riquewihr, and on to kaysersberg. Just use google maps. It was a great days spent between wine houses and tarte flambee restaurants. Remember that tastings there are free, spitting is the norm, and buying a few bottles is expected and polite. Bring some travel wine glasses and stop at pretty views with some cheese and bread to enjoy the views. If you feel like making the walk up to Kaysersberg's castle (Château de Kaysersberg) it would be worth it. Kaysersberg has many places to eat for dinner.
This all sounds lovely
Posted on 3/26/23 at 2:43 pm to Nole Man
Colmar is phenomenal.
The Deer and Beer is a very cool bar that is one of the only ones open late.
Beautiful town. Definitely do the boat tour.
The wine road is beautiful. Riquewihr is awesome.
If you go to wineries the tastings are usually free and they give you a ton of pours. They just expect you to buy a bottle.
The Deer and Beer is a very cool bar that is one of the only ones open late.
Beautiful town. Definitely do the boat tour.
The wine road is beautiful. Riquewihr is awesome.
If you go to wineries the tastings are usually free and they give you a ton of pours. They just expect you to buy a bottle.
Posted on 3/26/23 at 8:55 pm to Nole Man
I can only second what Foch recommended. We did a very similar trip. The Cremant is fantastic. Have friends in Basel that say Mure Cremant is one of their favorites. We tried and agreed. Brought several bottles back. Very reasonable price. By the way I hope you have time for Basel. That is a great city. Be glad to provide some recs for sights if needed.
This post was edited on 3/26/23 at 8:57 pm
Posted on 3/27/23 at 6:01 pm to Uroblast
Ditto’s to all previous posters. Wonderfully beautiful area. Lots of WW2 things to see also. One negative is be careful, I almost got pickpocketed while waiting in line for boat tour
Posted on 3/27/23 at 6:44 pm to kjntgr
Foch is that your real name? Reason for asking is because that was my dads name, and have never know anone else named Foch but my dad.
Posted on 3/27/23 at 6:57 pm to Nole Man
I'd try to go with two smaller cars vs. a van. Europe isn't a place you want to try to park a Benz Sprinter or similar. I haven't been to that area of France in particular, but my view is that the smaller the car you can get away with, the more convenient it'll be. I went through some areas in northern Europe (off the beaten path) where I wasn't sure my Nissan Micra!! would make it through a tunnel or road area without damage.
Posted on 3/28/23 at 1:05 pm to kjntgr
quote:
Foch is that your real name?
It is not my name but I am an admirer of Ferdinand Foch. He was a devout Catholic at a time when when French republicanism made such a stance limiting for advancement. He also was a great operational architect who didn't fall into the trap of seeking decisive battle amongst the static lines of the later ww1 period.
Posted on 3/28/23 at 2:51 pm to Nole Man
I’ll be there Friday. I’ll let you know
Posted on 3/28/23 at 5:22 pm to Gulf Coast Tiger
quote:
I’ll be there Friday. I’ll let you know
That'd be amazing. Any insights would be greatly appreciated, particularly transportation!
Posted on 3/29/23 at 8:45 am to Foch
My dad was named after General Foch. My dad was born on the day the General visited the US on Oct 21, 1921. I think it is a great name.
Posted on 3/29/23 at 8:50 am to Foch
His his full name was Ferdinand Foch Plauche. He died in 1986. Everyone called him Foch.
Posted on 4/13/23 at 9:32 am to Nole Man
quote:
Catch boat in Amsterdam. Off the boat in Basel. Then to Colmar.
We just did this trip. It is a fantastic trip. We did the opposite of your trip and spent 2 days post trip in Amsterdam.
Strausburg was my wife's favorite city on the trip.
Be prepared to be worn out. We were surprised at how tired we were by the end of the trip.
Viking did a great job with the tours and the trip. The castle day on the Rhine was awesome. The visit to Marksburg castle is a must
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