In the morning, guided tour of the city of Colmar

Colmar was founded in the 9th century. This was the location where Charles the Fat held a diet in 884. Colmar was granted the status of a free imperial city of the Holy Roman Empire in 1226. During the Thirty Years' War, the city was taken by the armies of Sweden in 1632, who held it for two years. The city was conquered by France under Louis XIV in 1697.

In 1679 (Treaties of Nijmegen) Colmar was ceded to France. With the rest of Alsace, Colmar was annexed by the newly formed German Empire in 1871 as a result of the Franco-Prussian War. It returned to France after World War I, was annexed by Nazi Germany in 1940, and then reverted to French control after the battle of the "Colmar Pocket" in 1945.

Lunch at leisure upon your guide's recommendations.

In the afternoon, discover the small villages of Ribeauvillé and Riquewihr, in the Christmas atmosphere

Ribeauvillé has a long History. It is first mentioned under "Ratbaldovillare" in an official document. It meant "Villa of Ratbold", which in old german "means "the boldest man of the counsel". Masters of great and little things, the Counts of Ribeaupierre who were the last lords of the town before the French revolution, were also the protectors of the travelling musicians and actors who filled the town every 8th of September. This tradition is still alive nowadays, and visitors from around the world gather in Ribeauvillé to see traveling musicians put up a tribute show to their ancient sponsors.

Around 17h30, drop off at your hotel.

Dinner at leisure.

Day 3: Discover the Route des Vins

Guided tour of the castle of Haut Koenisbourg (entrances included)

Since its construction in the 12th century, the Haut-Kœnigsbourg castle has been a constant witness to both European conflicts and rivalry between lords, kings and emperors.

A number of illustrious owners each left their mark on the castle’s history, and successive events even led to changes in the castle’s structure…

Transfer to Obernai for lunch.

Lunch at leisure upon your guide's recommendations.

Sightseeing of the city of Obernai

Obernai is one of the rare Alsace towns to have retained its traditional character and charm, with its medieval defences, its fortified towers, its half-timbered houses and its narrow lanes.

Wine tasting at a local winery

The “Alsace Grand Cru” AOC is attributed to wines whose key characteristic is the originality of the terroir in which they are grown (soil, exposure, climate etc.). It mainly concerns Gewurztraminer, Muscat, Tokay Pinot Gris, Riesling and, since the end of 2005, the Sylvaner of the Grand Cru Zotzenberg of Mittelbergheim, as well as assemblage wines from the Grand Cru Altenberg of Bergheim. These wines are harvested at the 50 Alsatian locations specified by the AOC designation. Furthermore, under certain conditions of ripeness, the bottle labels may say "Late Harvest" (long ripening of the grapes) or “Selection of Noble Grapes” (a selection of grapes affected by noble rot, or botrytis).

Drop off at Strasbourg airport or train station.

End of the services.