The season for this holiday is:
01 April 2020 - 12 October 2020
2 nights: 01 April 2020 - 12 October 2020
Start any day | End by latest date(s) shown above
| Starting | Price | Single room |
|---|---|---|
| 1 - 29 Apr 2020 | £165 | £125 |
| 30 Apr - 13 Jul 2020 | £195 | £155 |
| 14 Jul - 29 Aug 2020 | £165 | £125 |
| 30 Aug - 10 Oct 2020 | £195 | £155 |
| 3rd & 4th person discount | -£15 | |
| Single traveller supplement | £15 |
£ per person based on 2 sharing. Includes accommodation, meals and travel to the hotel as described.
Prices may be different if you are not arranging your transfers for your main holiday through Inntravel or have your own car; please contact us for a quotation.
Room upgrades (£ per person per room)
| Grand Hotel Bristol, Colmar | ||
|---|---|---|
| Deluxe: 01 Apr - 12 Oct 2020 | £20 | |
| Superior: 01 Apr - 12 Oct 2020 | £10 |
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Particular highlights were woodland paths strewn with sweet chestnuts, the sun shining through the trees onto the forest floor, great views across to the Black Forest, and seeing the beginnings of the grape harvest. We enjoyed mixing up the walking with a castle visit, being eyeballed by a stork at the Nature Park and watching the vultures and kites flying at the Volerie des Aigles. On this holiday there are many beautiful villages to explore, the people are friendly, and the buildings and museums in Colmar a delight. The walks were well marked with the descriptions easy to follow. The hearty food washed down with local wine ensured we had the energy to climb the hills the following day. Thank you Inntravel for another memorable trip.
INNTRAVEL NOTE: These customers extended their Castles, Vines and Forests self-guided walking holiday with a stay at the Grand Hotel Bristol in Colmar.
The walking through the forests in spring was wonderful - although it was slightly surprising to find ourselves in snow one day up on Tannenkirch! We loved the opportunity to walk through all those pretty villages and thought that the walks were very well planned with plenty of variety. The two days in Colmar worked out very well, enabling us to see all that Colmar had to offer plus giving us the chance to visit Strasbourg for the day. The evening meal in Eguisheim was of very high quality - one of the best we had - and the Winstub du Chateau in Kayserberg was good value. It was a good idea to offer all the options from Bergheim but the closure of the supermarket might make that difficult in terms of buying picnic provisions. We did detour into Les Trois Epis on the walk from Turckheim and it was worth it - it's a fascinating place. It was certainly one of the best walking holidays we have done.
When the vulture stood on my legs as I lay on the grass under the blazing sun, memories of all my previous Inntravel trips flashed past my eyes. I had seen vultures circle overhead on a previous trip but this close was a totally unexpected experience and the most memorable.
The walking on this holiday was as good as expected. Most of the walking was in a pleasant deciduous forest which was shady but not dark. The walks were longish but not arduous. In this landscape you cannot get too lost though a compass is useful.
The medieval villages, ruined castles and forests were romantic and the rebuilt Haut Koenigsburg was impressive. There were also stork nests with chicks in various village roofs. A trip to La Volerie des Aigles fitted the medieval theme of this holiday. The afternoon I was there they had an Andean condor walk on people’s legs including mine. The birds of prey in flight were impressive but moved too fast for my mobile phone camera.
On this holiday some basic French phrases are useful although there are English speakers. Some locals can speak German as there are many German tourists.
It is still important to know the meaning of French phrases like "eau non potable" to avoid medieval diseases.
I extended the holiday with two nights in Colmar. The Issenheim altarpiece in the Unterlinden Museum in Colmar is excellent. The museum also has interesting modern art works and some interesting ancient roman flooring (allow 3 hours). The Bartholdi Museum in Colmar about the sculptor of the Statue of Liberty is also worth a visit (allow 1 -2 hours). The area known as little Venice in Colmar is similar to villages visited earlier on this trip but still very pretty (allow 2 hours).
The food everywhere except for supermarket sandwiches was good. The Bergheim hotel restaurant was the one place I needed to book.
Some of the hotels were busy at breakfast and I found it best to eat early. The service in the hotels was very helpful and good.
Inntravel were helpful in working around the rail strike.
If I was to sum up this trip in two words it would be ‘very civilised’.
Particular highlights were woodland paths strewn with sweet chestnuts, the sun shining through the trees onto the forest floor, great views across to the Black Forest, and seeing the beginnings of the grape harvest. We enjoyed mixing up the walking with a castle visit, being eyeballed by a stork at the Nature Park and watching the vultures and kites flying at the Volerie des Aigles. On this holiday there are many beautiful villages to explore, the people are friendly, and the buildings and museums in Colmar a delight. The walks were well marked with the descriptions easy to follow. The hearty food washed down with local wine ensured we had the energy to climb the hills the following day. Thank you Inntravel for another memorable trip.
INNTRAVEL NOTE: These customers extended their Castles, Vines and Forests self-guided walking holiday with a stay at the Grand Hotel Bristol in Colmar.
The walking through the forests in spring was wonderful - although it was slightly surprising to find ourselves in snow one day up on Tannenkirch! We loved the opportunity to walk through all those pretty villages and thought that the walks were very well planned with plenty of variety. The two days in Colmar worked out very well, enabling us to see all that Colmar had to offer plus giving us the chance to visit Strasbourg for the day. The evening meal in Eguisheim was of very high quality - one of the best we had - and the Winstub du Chateau in Kayserberg was good value. It was a good idea to offer all the options from Bergheim but the closure of the supermarket might make that difficult in terms of buying picnic provisions. We did detour into Les Trois Epis on the walk from Turckheim and it was worth it - it's a fascinating place. It was certainly one of the best walking holidays we have done.
When the vulture stood on my legs as I lay on the grass under the blazing sun, memories of all my previous Inntravel trips flashed past my eyes. I had seen vultures circle overhead on a previous trip but this close was a totally unexpected experience and the most memorable.
The walking on this holiday was as good as expected. Most of the walking was in a pleasant deciduous forest which was shady but not dark. The walks were longish but not arduous. In this landscape you cannot get too lost though a compass is useful.
The medieval villages, ruined castles and forests were romantic and the rebuilt Haut Koenigsburg was impressive. There were also stork nests with chicks in various village roofs. A trip to La Volerie des Aigles fitted the medieval theme of this holiday. The afternoon I was there they had an Andean condor walk on people’s legs including mine. The birds of prey in flight were impressive but moved too fast for my mobile phone camera.
On this holiday some basic French phrases are useful although there are English speakers. Some locals can speak German as there are many German tourists.
It is still important to know the meaning of French phrases like "eau non potable" to avoid medieval diseases.
I extended the holiday with two nights in Colmar. The Issenheim altarpiece in the Unterlinden Museum in Colmar is excellent. The museum also has interesting modern art works and some interesting ancient roman flooring (allow 3 hours). The Bartholdi Museum in Colmar about the sculptor of the Statue of Liberty is also worth a visit (allow 1 -2 hours). The area known as little Venice in Colmar is similar to villages visited earlier on this trip but still very pretty (allow 2 hours).
The food everywhere except for supermarket sandwiches was good. The Bergheim hotel restaurant was the one place I needed to book.
Some of the hotels were busy at breakfast and I found it best to eat early. The service in the hotels was very helpful and good.
Inntravel were helpful in working around the rail strike.
If I was to sum up this trip in two words it would be ‘very civilised’.
We thought this was another splendid Inntravel walking holiday in all respects. The reminders of the war were poignant, e.g. the Colmar Pocket Museum at Turkheim and the German cemetery above Bergheim, with the lime trees in flower. The people we met were friendly and helpful. The countryside is a delight and the variety of types of woodland is exceptional, and somehow added to a deep sense of tranquility, indeed peace.
INNTRAVEL NOTE: These customers combined our walk Castles, Vines & Forests of Alsace with our Colmar add-on
My personal highlights were the amazing thunderstorm in Colmar (our taxi driver waited for a long time for the rain to ease, almost driving into the front door of the Hotel Bristol, so we didn’t get too wet). Also, seeing a stork fly over Eguisheim then spotting several occupied nests up on the high buildings (and wondering how they coped with the downpour and lightening). Excellent vine & woodland walking to Les Trois Chateaux de Ribeauville.
Tips:
If you climb the tower of Kaysersberg Castle in a thunderstorm then be ready to bet back down quickly - a great view.
Carry plenty of water (unusually hot this June, according to the locals)
The museum at Turkheim was very good. We also liked the stork sanctuary and the falconry display. The walks were well chosen, varied and interesting and the notes and background were excellent. We enjoyed Haut-Koenigsbourg castle.
The walking routes were excellent, very well way-marked, and distances were good. We tended to exceed the designated route distances which resulted in walking about 20kms each day, adding for walking in towns we passed through and small deviations just to look around. The Voges forest experience mixed with vineyards made the walks interesting and varied. The walk from Thannenkirch should not be missed, it was the most rewarding of the walks and was very manageable.
Of course, the Alsace wines were excellent and we are sorry not to have visited more wineries to enjoy tastings, but those we did visit were a highlight and the knowledge of the sommeliers was impressive.
After a good day's walk we wanted to enjoy good French/Alsatian food – unfortunately this was not always the case. However In Kayserberg we did enjoy and can recommend the Brasserie Bratschall Manala and the Vieille Forge restaurants - both were very good and exceeded our expectations. The Boulangerie L'Enfarine in Kayserberg can also be recommended for their breads and pastries and we bought an excellent picnic for our day's walk there.
In Bergheim do visit the Winstub le Sommelier for one of the best meals in Alsace. Also the hotel's other restaurant next to their wine tasting is far better than the on-premises restaurant.
Colmar is a worthwhile add on but not on a Tuesday when the Unterlinden Museum is closed. Although the Bristol Hotel is not very central, it was convenient for the Colmar station. In Colmar do visit le Petit Bidon restaurant for an excellent meal in a small family run restaurant serving refined regional food together with an impressive wine list – booking is recommended/essential.
Strasbourg is an essential add on to any Alsatian visit. We spent 4 nights at the Hotel du Dragon which we can recommend for location and service. Plenty to see in Strasbourg and we can recommend the following restaurants for special and tasty local cuisine. The restaurant at the Hotel Les Haras and Pierre Bois & Feu.
INNTRAVEL NOTE: These customers enjoyed our Castles, Vines & Forests of Alsace walking holiday, followed by our 2 night add-on in Colmar at the Grand Hotel Bristol and then an independently organised break in Strasbourg.
The villages (and Colmar) were all interesting and attractive.
Probably the most satisfying day was the Taennchel from Tannenkirch. The summit was atmospheric and invariably interesting (even in the rain). Also liked the castles above Ribeauville.
Don't have your day in Colmar on a Tuesday - the museums are closed! We didn't know this when booking (though it's in your notes).
Restaurants - in Kaysersberg, we liked "du Chateau" (recommended by the hotel). In Bergheim, the Winstub l'Altenberg was rather good.
Our 3 highlights: the village of Turckheim; the parade past our hotel in Bergheim for the Gewurztraminer festival; the Unterlinden museum in Colmar. The walking was a pleasure throughout.
We recommend for dinner in Colmar, the Hotel Le Rapp, on Rue Weinemer and Rue Berthe Molly - 10 minute walk from the Hotel Bristol. The menu terroir at €29.80 plus 3 matched wines for €10.00 was amazing value, and served with aplomb!
INNTRAVEL NOTE: These customers did our Castles, Vines & Forests of Alsace holiday followed by our optional add-on of two nights at the Hotel Bristol in Colmar.
Make sure you spend time enjoying the villages as they are so gorgeous! A couple of restaurants worth praising were l'Abreuvoir in Turckheim and Restaurant L'Altenburg in Bergheim.
If you can then definitely add the couple of days at the end to visit both Colmar and Strasbourg - both stunning!
Splendid walking area. Good contrasts between stretches of wild forest (we twice saw small herds of boar piglets ...brilliant!) and the charming villages reflective of illustrations from Grimm's fairy tales complete with stork nests on church roofs.
Colmar was certainly worth the extra two nights although I would recommend better in low season unless you like crowds.