Strasbourg, seat of the new European Parliament, is an ancient and lively city, filled with treasures to explore. It was named a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1988, the first city to be honoured with the title in its entirety. This tour allows you time to meander the canals, cobblestoned streets, and small boutiques of Strasbourg. Visit the old town, its picturesque quarters and half-timbered houses in the neighbourhood known as "The Petite France". Visit the Gothic cathedral and its famous astronomical clock, and the European Parliament. Be sure to sate your appetite as well with the pastries, giant soft pretzels and fresh cheeses at every corner.

Your first ride in Alsace is quite easy, as it follows a flat bike path the entire way, along the Canal of the Rhine to the Rhone. You leave Strasbourg passing through the various buildings of the modern and impressive European Parliament on the banks of the Ill River. Take advantage of the many opportunities along the way to stop and detour into the typical Alsatian towns and villages for a coffee, or perhaps some thin-crust crispy and at the same time melting tarte flambee for lunch. your ride brings you at the end of the bike path to the Medieval town of Saverne, nestled up against the vineyard hills. You'll want to take some time to explore this lovely town, with its pedestrian zone, half-timbered houses, and the Castle of Rohan perched above, before hopping on to one of the several local trains with your bike - you'll love the easy half hour train ride right back to the heart of Strasbourg!

Day 3 : Strasbourg - Obernai  41 km   

Today's ride is quite stunning, though more rolling than the previous days, as you spend the day riding through the many villages of the Alsace wine region. Winemaking in Alsace has a long history; it is a region that produces primarily white wines, with its famous Rieslings and aromatic Gewurtzraminers, but you can also get a very drinkable and inexpensive red pinot noir here. There are plenty of opportunities to stop and taste wine, as you hop from village to village (you actually ride through 19 different villages, over the course of the day! You can pick and choose where you want to spend more of your time today, but we highly recommend you stop and explore at least a little in Dambach (where you'll also certainly find lunch), Scherwiller, and Bergheim. Tonight you stay in tiny Ribeauville, with beautiful half-timbered buildings from the 16th and 17th centuries in the old town, and a variety of shops, wineries, and historic sites. Dinner is included this evening.

Day 5 :  Ribeauville to Colmar 32 Km

More riding the pretty vineyard roads and villages. the beginning of today's ride continues through a few more lovely vineyard villages, starting almost immediately with the village of Riquwihr. This town has much of its Medieval fortifications and a castle still intact; it largely escaped damage during the Second World War, and is quite beautiful. You'll also want to stop for some explorations in both Turkheim and Eguisheim. The route then turns away from the vineyards and across the plains, entering the town of Colmar on a tranquil bike path. The center of this town, where you are based, reveals its charm: the colors and atmosphere of streets still embody much of the Middle Ages. Churches, cloisters, half-timbered houses, facades with ornate wood sculptures, paintings, and edifices from the Renaissance abound.

Today's ride is wonderful; a full day of very easygoing riding, through the small farming villages and forests to the east of Colmar. You will ride through the Vaubun-designed town of Neuf-Breisach (all of his fortified towns have been classified by UNESCO), with its typical protective walls and wheel-spoke design, before following a bike path over the Rhine River - au revoir to France, and hallo to Germany! You pass the location of the old border crossing (before the European Union made them superfluous). Have some fun mixing up languages, while you explore the German medieval town of Breisach and get some lunch, before heading back over the river into France to finish your ride. The return ride is on another lovely bike path following a canal back into Colmar for a second night. Your final dinner is included this evening.
 

After a final delicious breakfast, there are easy connections out of Colmar train station for your continued travels from Alsace .