Christmas Markets, Castles and Hot Mulled Wine

Arrive in Strasbourg, either via train (under two hours from Paris) or by plane (easy connections via Paris), where our driver will pick you up.

Our first stay will be at a lovely 4-star spa hotel in the charming town of Obernai lo, just 20 minutes from Strasbourg. Depending on your arrival time, you could enjoy some quality spa time to settle in after your travels.

For our first evening, we’ll visit the local Christmas market. Then, enjoy a cozy, authentic dinner in the hotel’s winstub.

Hotel: Cour d’Alsace Obernai

What better place to start our day than at a medieval castle? We’ll visit Haut-Koenigsbourg on the top of a hill. It dates back to 1147. You can look out as far as the black forest from its turrets. Each room has some element dressed up for Christmas in an unusual yet authentic way. (Shh…it's a surprise!)

We’ll enjoy a satisfying lunch in the quirky and delightful Taverne du Château. The tables are always alight with candles, and the kitchen serves the best quiche we’ve ever tasted.

After lunch, we’ll visit the rural towns of Riquewher and Ribeauville, the inspiration for Beauty and the Beast. They both have markets and ambiance galore.

We’ll return to our hotel in the late afternoon to relax before heading out for dinner, a more modern take on regional cuisine using fresh market ingredients.

We’ll check out of the hotel after breakfast and head to the mountains to visit one of the most picturesque villages in France, Kaysersberg. Here, we’ll stroll the winding streets lined with charming half-timbered buildings. We'll enjoy a wine tasting at the world-famous Domaine Weinback winery. Then we're off to a savory lunch at Caveau du Schlossberg. It serves traditional Flammekuche, the Alsatian pizza, a specialty you must try in this region. Everyone loves them. You'll have plenty of time to shop in this fairytale spot.

This afternoon, we’ll visit Eguisheim, a picture-perfect town oozing Christmas spirit. Then we’ll travel to Colmar to decamp at our gorgeous hotel and spa for the next two nights. The hotel is an 8-minute walk from the center of Colmar. You’ll have time for a dip in the indoor pool, rest in the sauna, or enjoy one of the many spa treatments available.

Tonight, we’ll dine in high style at the 2-Michelin star restaurant in the hotel.

Hotel: L’Esquisse Hotel & Spa Colmar

We’ll tour Colmar with our guide in the morning. This town is filled with a fascinating history and is the birthplace of the sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, creator of the Statue of Liberty. You’ll find a smaller version here.

We’ll stop for lunch at Wistub Brenner, around the canals of Colmar, sometimes called little Venice. You may feel inclined to order the regional specialty, Choucroute. 

You’ll have plenty of free time to shop at the many Colmar Christmas markets after lunch. It's time to check off that gift list in this picture-perfect town. 

Tonight is yours to decide where you want to go and with whom. Perhaps room service and a quiet night in the hotel are all you need.

After checking out of the hotel, our first stop is Mulhouse, a former factory town re-imagined by artists and artisans. Every year, an original fabric is crafted to celebrate Christmas. We’ll have a chance to view the new 2023 fabric and shop around items at the Christmas market.

Then we’ll hit the Eco-Museum. This is an open-air museum/village consisting of typical Alsatian homes that are over 200 years old. Christmas comes to this open-air museum with gusto, as the houses are festooned with seasonal décor. We’ll enjoy a meal followed by a tour.  You’ll smell vin chaud brewing in one of the many hands-on workshops. You’ll see crafters at work and enjoy beautiful, traditional Alsatian Christmas decor. You may even spot Pere Noel riding by on a horse-drawn sleigh. Witness, feel, and taste Alsace life as once it was. A stop in the terrific gift shop is de-rigeur.

This evening, we're headed into Strasbourg for our final two-night stay at a delightful hotel. After checking in and unpacking, we’ll grab a bite to eat at the 12 Apostles, a convivial and relaxed brasserie near the Cathedral.

Hotel: Cour du Corbeau.

Today starts with a boat tour of Strasbourg along the Ill River. You’ll learn a little bit of history about the area, from the Middle Ages to the Neustadt and modern European institutions.

Then, we’ll tour the famous Strasbourg Christmas market, called Christkindelsmärik. This market has operated close to the cathedral in Strasbourg for over 450 years, making it the oldest in Europe. Sip vin chaud (mulled wine) to warm your bones as you shop for loved ones (or yourself). If you get peckish, nosh on Alsatian specialties sold at the market. Think bretzels (pretzels) and tarte flambée.

It is customary to step into the enormous gothic cathedral of Strasbourg, dating back nearly 1,000 years, to light a candle. You'll have the option of climbing to the top of the church to enjoy the panoramic view or choose to watch the clock chime at 12:30 p.m. (there is a small extra charge). You’ll be amazed by this world-famous astrological clock's dancing figures created back in the 1500s. It’s a work of science and art.

We’ll show you another Christmas market and walk you to Petite France, the oldest quarter in town, to see the charming shops, Christmas decorations, and markets. You have to taste some of the famous spiced bread, akin to gingerbread. It's unique to Alsace.

Enjoy some free time to buy those final treasures.

To cap our journey, we’ll reminisce while enjoying the stylish cuisine at Les Haras Brasserie. Then, we'll go for  healthy, after-meal walk to view the lights on the 100 ft. Christmas tree in the Place Kléber. It's the perfect opportunity to take group shots before we head back to the hotel.

Sadly, it’s time to head home, or onwards, either by train or by plane, but first we’ll have a hearty breakfast together!