Strasbourg, France

Travelers heading to France often concentrate on the big cities, yet overlooking the Alsace region and its key cities like Strasbourg would be a missed opportunity. Situated about five hours east of Paris by car, this region is easily accessible. What sets it apart is its German influence, stemming from its history as part of Germany and retaining much of that heritage. This blend makes it a captivating destination to discover, with a variety of must-see attractions in Strasbourg, along with the surrounding areas.

The Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Strasbourg stands on par with its Parisian counterpart in various aspects. Historically, it held the title of the largest cathedral in Christendom until the 19th century. Noteworthy is the astronomical clock, a major attraction, presenting a daily performance with apostles moving in and out of the clockworks. For a breathtaking city view, visitors can climb to an outdoor viewing platform, weather permitting.

One of the best ways to get an overview of Strasbourg is to take a boat tour. This allows visitors to see the must-see attractions of the Alsatian capital, including the Petite France quarter with its 16th and 17th century houses, the covered bridges, the Vauban dam, the German quarter, and the major European government buildings.

This beautiful city is an enchanting place to visit any time of year, but attending the Strasbourg Christmas Market will provide a vacation experience that's truly extraordinary. Multiple marketplaces and events spread throughout the center of the city offer unique opportunities to taste seasonal foods, buy one-of-a-kind crafts, and see the local sights in a radiating glow that beckons an atmosphere of joyfulness.

Haut-Koenigsberg Castle

Located 40 minutes south west of Strasbourg, this magnificent fortress has an interesting history. It was built in the 12th century to watch over trade routes, but was destroyed by Swedes during the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648). Left in ruins for centuries, Kaiser Wilhelm II decided to rebuild it in 1899, wanting to make it a museum that would symbolize Alsace's return to Germany. Although built in modern times, the castle reflects the architecture and art of the medieval times and those who didn't know the story might believe it was the original castle.

Colmar

The best way to see the sights in Colmar is on foot. Once you have arrived, head for the town center and start exploring. Whether on your own or with a guided tour, you'll want to look for the Dominican Church (it is massive and hard to miss), Little Venice (charming area of town where colorful houses line the canals), the Unterlinden Museum (a former monastery converted to a museum known for its Issenheim Altarpiece), and the Bartholdi museum (home of Bartholdi, creator of the Statue of Liberty).

Approximately 20 minutes southeast of Colmar is the fortified town of Neuf-Brisach. Built in 1699 for Louix XIV, the fortress is unique as it is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the most accomplished defense system of the 17th century. Guided tours are offered or visitors can explore on their own by walking around the outer ramparts.

Colmar's "Little Venice" - Colmar, Alsace, France

On a full day tour, discover the German wine route known as the Badische Wein Strasse. The famous wine road stretches from Heidelberg to Baden-Baden in the northern part of the Black Forest. It then reaches the Swiss border next to Weil Am Rhein and Basel. The Baden Wine Road not only offers great wine tasting opportunities, but it is also one of the most scenic roads in Germany, running through the Black Forest and valleys.

The Black Forest is a forested mountain range that is bounded by the Rhine valley to the west and south. The name "Black Forest" originates from the predominantly dark hue of the numerous pine trees in the area.

One of the most renowned themed drives is the Black Forest Route (Schwarzwald Hochstrasse). Initially utilized for transporting logs, this road has now become a favoured tourist destination due to its stunning scenery, landscapes, and charming traditional villages.

The town of Oberkirch (Germany) is about 40 minutes outside of Strasbourg and is surrounded by vineyards, orchards, and forests. They grow grape varieties such as Müller-Thurgau, Riesling, Spätburgunder, Gewürztraminer, Grauer Burgunder and many others.

Another village nearby is Sasbachwalden, Germany, where you can find cured meats or the famous Black Forest Cake.

The Village of Schiltach in the Black Forest, Germany

Baden-Baden, Germany, is a town on the banks of the Oos River, in the region of Karlsruhe. The town has hot springs, luxury hotels, horse races, and the gardens of the Lichtentaler Allee.