Day 20 – September 7, 2026

From Strasbourg to Colmar – A Journey Along the Alsace Wine Route

Our final morning in Strasbourg began with one last wonderful breakfast at Hotel Léonor. Their buffet had become one of the highlights of our stay—beautifully presented, relaxed, and filled with everything we could want to start the day: fresh pastries, fruit, cheeses, eggs, excellent coffee, and all the little details that made it feel special. It was a leisurely farewell to a city we had thoroughly enjoyed.

After breakfast, we made our way to Strasbourg’s train station to pick up our rental car—a cheerful little Fiat 600 that would accompany us through Alsace over the next few days. With the car loaded and Google Maps set to avoid the highway whenever possible, we left the city behind and headed into the vineyards, following the famous Alsace Wine Route.

The weather certainly made itself known. It was one of the hottest days of the trip, and by midday the sun was relentless. Thankfully, each stop offered shady streets, inviting cafés, and another excuse to slow down and admire our surroundings.

Our first stop was Obernai, a charming medieval town with colorful half-timbered houses, flower-filled squares, and a relaxed atmosphere that immediately eased us into the slower pace of the Alsace countryside. It was an enjoyable place to wander, stretch our legs, and begin appreciating the unique character of the region.

Continuing south through vineyards that seemed to blanket every hillside, we arrived in Ribeauvillé, where the main street buzzed with life. Brightly painted timber-framed buildings, wine cellars, boutiques, and cafés lined the narrow streets, while the ruins of three medieval castles watched over the town from the surrounding hills. It felt lively and authentic—a place that invited lingering rather than simply passing through.

A few kilometers later came Riquewihr, and if Ribeauvillé was charming, Riquewihr was simply enchanting. Protected by its medieval walls and remarkably preserved through the centuries, it felt like stepping into a fairy tale. Every corner revealed another beautifully restored house adorned with flowers, carved wooden signs, colorful shutters, and inviting wine shops. Despite the summer heat, it was impossible not to stop every few steps for another photograph.

Our final stop was Kaysersberg, another jewel of the Alsace Wine Route. The historic center, with its cobbled streets, half-timbered houses, flower-filled bridges crossing the Weiss River, and the ruins of its hilltop castle, had a wonderfully peaceful atmosphere. As the afternoon slowly gave way to evening, it was the perfect final chapter of a day spent exploring some of France’s most picturesque villages.

By the time we reached Colmar, it was already around 9:00 PM. After checking into our hotel, we quickly headed back out in search of dinner, eager to begin discovering the city despite the late hour.

We found exactly what we were looking for at Au Temps d’un Verre, a cozy wine bar that proved to be the perfect introduction to Colmar. We sampled two glasses of Gewürztraminer—one medium-sweet and the other noticeably sweeter. Both were wonderfully aromatic, bursting with notes of lychee, rose petals, and tropical fruit while retaining the freshness that makes Alsatian white wines so distinctive.

To accompany the wine, we shared a small selection of regional specialties: a cheese board featuring two local cheeses, fresh figs generously stuffed with foie gras, and delicious toasted bread topped with caramelized onions, melted local cheese, and crispy bacon. It was simple, flavorful, and unmistakably Alsatian—a perfect first meal in our new destination.

As we walked back through Colmar’s softly illuminated streets, there was just enough time to catch glimpses of the town’s colorful facades and quiet canals before calling it a night. After a long day of winding through vineyards, discovering medieval villages, and soaking in the beauty of the Alsace countryside, we couldn’t wait to wake up and explore Colmar properly the next morning.