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3rd Day: Haut-Koenigsbourg castle - Séles- Pierre-et-Saint-Paul Church is a must-see along
The typical wine-growing tat-Chatenois-Barr (Km.72) the Wine Route. On the main road you can enjoy
a beautiful Romanesque house, a fine example of
Breakfast and departure for the Haut-Koe-
Alsace nigsbourg castle, located in the commune of medieval civic architecture. Molsheim preserved
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5 days Orschwiller, at an altitude of 750m. This medi- the big Jesuit Church, dating from the 17 centu-
eval fortress preserved the look of a big feudal
ry and the charterhouse which nowadays hosts
castle. It majestically dominates the Wine Route a museum dedicated to the city history and to
1st Day: Guebwiller- Colmar (km. 30) and the Alsatian plain. Proceed to Sélestat, an the memories of the Bugatti family. In fact, the
The Wine Route definitely is one of the most ancient strategic stronghold on the III river which city is notorious for being the historical seat of
suggestive tours in Alsace: 120km from north to was part of the famous Alsatian Decapolis, the the sports car manufacturer Bugatti as well as of
south, passing through a magnificent countryside alliance of ten free Alsatian cities within the the manufacturing of commercial motor vehicles
lined with vineyards, perched castles and colour- Holy Roman Empire. The fourteenth city walls Mercedes-Benz.
ful villages made up of half-timbered houses, lo- host the Romanic St.Faith’s Church, the Gothic Typical lunch based on typical region dishes
oking like straight out of a fairy tale. St. George’s Church and the Humanist Library, tasting in a characteristic restaurant. Proceed to
The wine tour begins with the small wine-grow- Colmar
ing town of Guebwiller, nicknamed the “City of
the 3 churches”, that we will visit: the Saint-Léger Business Proposals in France
Church, built in late Romanesque style and in
pink sandstone; the former Dominican monas-
tery dating from the 14 century, with its typical
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architecture of the mendicant orders. The nave
of the Gothic church is famous for its acoustics,
one of the best in Europe. The third church is No-
tre-Dame and the canonical neighbourhood.
During this first day we will enjoy the first wine
and delicacies tasting in Alsace (almond biscuits,
jams...). Arrival at one of the jewel-towns of Al-
sace, Colmar. Dinner and overnight.
Pinot Gris d’Alsace: is a noble grape variety de-
riving from the Pinot Noir. Its fruity wines reveal
citrus scents, as well as peach, abricot and ha-
zelnut. Flowery hints of acacia and jasmine; ho-
ney and cinnamon, with a smoky finish. It goes
well with food with strong personalities, risotto,
grains, chicken, foie gras.
2nd Day: Colmar - Kayserberg- igolsheim-Ribeau-
villé (Km. 43)

After breakfast visit of Colmar and its canals, pi-
cturesque corners, maze of characteristics and
pedestrian alleys full of half-timbered houses displaying medieval volums of very great value. Mont St.Odile, whose monastery is located at an
with pastel colours. The heart of Colmar is repre- Quick stop in Châtenois, a town located on the altitude of 63 meters and represents a significant
sented by the Old Town, reminding of a postcard. Wine Route with an interesting architectural and pilgrimage site.
The guided tour includes 3 places not to be mis- historical heritage. This religious site is dedicated to St. Odile, the pa-
sed: the “Koifhus” (customs house), the Maison Proceed to Barr, the wine capital of the Bas-Rhin tron saint of Alsace. The Pagan Wall, about 10km
des Tetes (House of Heads), so named because region. Wine tasting in one of the most important long, is a notable city wall which encircles Mont
its facade is adorned with 106 sculptures of ca- historical wine cellars in Alsace, housing thou- St. Odile. Its origins are still mysterious.
ricatural animals and faces; the Maison Pflister, sands of bottles, including many fine ones. The A path allows visitors to walk along this odd wall.
covered by inlaid wooden panels. wine cellar stretches for 40 hectares of vineyards At last, arrival in Obernai, a city full of history
Rue des Tanneurs, the tanners, is characterised and the tastings take place in a typical Alsatian characterised by half-tempered houses, that visi-
by wide roofs where the hides are hanged, and location dating from the 19 century, afterwards tors can easily enjoy from the top of the bell tow-
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Quai de la Poissonerie, the fisher’s area along the visit of the Museum of grape harvest with hun- er. This iconic reference point is topped by a spire
river Lauch. dreds of ancient tools used for the wine-making. rising to 59.60 metres. Dinner and overnight in
We go ahead to the St. Martin’s Church, symbol Dinner and overnight. Obernai.
of the Gothic style, and to the Dominican Chur- Alsace Muscat: also called “Muscat à petits
ch. Lunch and in the afternoon proceed through grains”, it’s an aromatic grape variety displaying 5th Day: Obernai -Riquewihr (Km. 60) - Return
the vineyards region: Kaysersberg, a gorgeous a dry white wine, with intense fruity and flowery trip
fortified village with a city wall dating back to notes followed by a pleasant freshness and per- Breakfast and departure for Riquewihr, an ador-
the 13 century, the Ste-Croix Church, housing a sistence. It goes well with beans, asparagus and able rural town in the middle of the wine-grow-
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magnificent wooden tryptique of the 16 centu- dishes of vegetarian cuisine. ing Riesling region, where you can admire the
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ry; the Church in Sigolsheim dating from the 12 fortresses with double curtain walls, the nice 263
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century. Ribeauvillé with its amazing Saint Ulrich 4th Day: Ottrott - Rosheim-Molsheim - Mont St. half-tempered houses and the medieval streets:
Castle. Everywhere you will find small delicacies Odile -Obernai (Km. 60) the Dolder Tower Beffroi, the Cour des Bergères,
shops and wineries where to taste wines and Breakfast and departure for several typical com- the High Door.
stills. Dinner and overnight. munes: Ottrott, on the old roman road leading to Riesling: it’s a white grape variety displaying
Alsace Gewurztraminer: a white aromatic gra- Mont St. Odile, with its 2 castles: Lutzelbourg, a one of the best white wines in the world, used
pe, classified among the “noble Alsatian grape square building with a round tower dating back to make dry wine, with scents of peach, citrus,
varieties”, derives from the aromatic Traminer to the 12 century, and Rathsamhausen, dating hydrocarbures, herbs and mineral stones. The as-
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vineyard. Heady notes of tropical fruits, flowers from the 13 century, the most imposing and sociation of kerosene and petroleum notes may
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and sweet spices. With its freshness and inten- adorned one. The city is known for its “Rouge seem weird and they are not always assumed,
sity, it’s a good match with spicy dishes or blue Ottrott”, a Pinot noir red wine with fruity and but they add a really intriguing touch. The perfect
cheese. full-bodied taste. match is with fish, shellfish and seafood, white
Rosheim, famous for its magnificent Roman- meat and choucroute, a typical Alsatian dish.
esque buildings. The 12C yellow sandstone Saint- After a typical lunch in restaurant, return trip.
Eno-Gastronomia, il meglio della regione Wines & Gastronomy, the best of region