Alsace – Luxembourg – Black Forest (from Thessaloniki)

We had a nice breakfast at the hotel and set off for the unique city of Strasbourg to begin our tour, in the city that feels more like the capital of Europe than an old Alsatian town. The historic center, known as “Petite France” (Little France), was designated a “World Heritage Site” by UNESCO in 1988. It has the vibrancy of a university town, thanks to the University of Strasbourg, founded in 1566. We’ll stroll through the old town, filled with picturesque little houses made of wood and painted in bright colors, where the Cathedral of Our Lady of Strasbourg stands out. It’s worth taking a moment to admire the astronomical clock and the 12th-century stained-glass windows. On Place du Château, next to the cathedral, stands the 18th-century Roan Tower, once the archbishop’s residence, which today houses the city’s main museums: the Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of Decorative Arts and Archaeology, and the Camérzel House. At noon, enjoy some free time in the city’s pedestrian streets for coffee or a meal at the excellent Alsatian restaurants, followed by check-in at the hotel. In the afternoon, we recommend exploring the city by boat: One of the most romantic ways to discover the city’s beauty is by cruising down the Ill River on a 75-minute boat tour. You’ll see the entire historic center, enjoy panoramic views of the buildings in the Petite France district, the traditional houses along the river, the covered bridges, the German Quarter, and the impressive, state-of-the-art buildings of the European Parliament.

Today we have an all-day excursion planned along the “Wine Routes” of Alsace. So, after breakfast, we’ll set out for the small villages around Strasbourg, with our first stop being the charming Ribeauville (Ribeauville), on the slopes of the Vosges Hills. The entire region where we are lives and breathes for viticulture, as evidenced by the vast vineyards we see, as well as the numerous cooperatives that bring local producers together. Moreover, the region’s climate—with the Vosges Mountains on one side and the Black Forest on the other— is exceptionally favorable for cultivation, and Alsace has taken full advantage of it. One of the most famous Alsatian wines is the so-called “Riesling” (Riesling), a dry wine well worth trying. We’ll also make a stop in the picturesque village of Eguisheim before continuing our journey to Colmar, the “jewel of Alsace” and the undisputed highlight of the Wine Routes. On a stroll through the city’s fairy-tale historic center, we’ll see the Cathedral, the Little Venice district, through which the Laach—a tributary of the Ill—flows, as well as the home of the sculptor Frédéric Bartholdi; if his name doesn’t ring a bell, he is the one who sculpted the Statue of Liberty, which the French government gifted to the United States! In your free time in Colmar, you can enjoy the restaurants at the Covered Market before we board the bus for our return to Strasbourg.

Breakfast, followed by an early morning departure for an optional day trip to Luxembourg, one of the smallest and wealthiest countries in the world, which looks like something out of a fairy tale with kings, knights, castles, palaces, underground shelters, cobblestone alleys, and ancient buildings that adorn the historic center. Home to many European organizations, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg—as it is officially known—borders Belgium, France, and Germany. The capital resembles a movie set, situated as it is at the confluence of the Alzette and Petris rivers. In the old fortified city, the Roman fortifications, the cathedral, and the ducal palace have been preserved to this day. We’ll see the medieval walls and their turrets, the palace, the oldest church, the European Quarter, the Cathedral, and the shopping center. Free time for strolling or shopping. Board the bus and return to Strasbourg.

After breakfast, we set out early, with our luggage, for an excursion to the Black Forest, a landscape of dense forests, traditional villages, and natural beauty. Our first destination is Freiburg, a lively university town at the foot of the Black Forest. We’ll walk through the historic center and across Münsterplatz, the cathedral square, where the Gothic cathedral stands out. We’ll admire the distinctive red Historic Department Store, Historisches Kaufhaus, explore Town Hall Square, and observe the small Bächle canals that wind through the streets of the old town. Free time for coffee and exploring on your own. We’ll continue on to Lake Titisee, nestled in the natural landscape of the Black Forest. We’ll have time for a stroll through the lakeside village, photos, and lunch. In the local shops, we’ll find traditional souvenirs and the characteristic cuckoo clocks, while a stop for a slice of Black Forest cake perfectly rounds out the experience. We then head to Stuttgart Airport for our return flight with Aegean at 7:35 p.m. Arrival in Thessaloniki at 10:45 p.m., with our minds filled with memories of Heidelberg, Alsace, and the Black Forest.

Notes: The order of the itinerary may vary depending on circumstances, without any omissions.