Alsace – Wine Route: Melana Drymos from Thessaloniki

Breakfast at our hotel, then we set out to explore the most beautiful section of the Romantic Road, highlighted by the cities of Rothenburg ob der Tauber and Würzburg. The Romantic Road stretches for approximately 350 km, starting in Würzburg and winding down to the Alps in the town of Füssen. It was given this name after World War II by the Allies, in recognition of its fairytale landscapes, distinctive architecture, and majestic castles. Our first stop is the enchanting Würzburg, where Bavarian tradition meets Baroque elegance. We begin our visually rich tour at the impressive square of the Residenz Palace, where we’ll get a taste of UNESCO’s splendor. We continue through the picturesque alleys of the historic center to reach the imposing St. Kilian’s Cathedral, and end up at the iconic Alte Mainbrücke bridge. There, we’ll wrap up our time in the most authentic way: enjoying a “Brückenschoppen” (a glass of local wine) with a view of the Marienberg Fortress towering on the hill, capturing the beauty of the Main River in the city’s most iconic postcard view. Then departure and arrival in the unique town of Rothenburg, followed by a tour of the historic center. Medieval Rothenburg, located in the state of Bavaria in the Franconia region, is one of Germany’s most picturesque towns, featuring distinctive medieval gates. Here we will have the opportunity to see the city walls, the Hospital Church, City Hall, the hall that once housed the City Council, and the cathedral. Free time to explore the city’s picturesque streets. Return to our hotel in Heidelberg.

We enjoy a hearty breakfast at the hotel, leave Heidelberg behind, 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 wooden and colorful houses, where the Cathedral of Our Lady of Strasbourg stands out. It’s worth admiring the astronomical clock and the 12th-century stained-glass windows. In 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, 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 get to 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.

Join us today on a wonderful tour of the famous wine villages. South of the city of Strasbourg and within a 100-kilometer radius, there are 67 famous wine villages on French soil. Because this region is bordered on one side by the Vosges Mountains and on the other by the Rhine, a unique microclimate is created that is ideal for viticulture. Our first stop will be the small town of Riquewihr, nestled among vast vineyards on the eastern slope of the Vosges Mountains. For centuries it was owned by the Dukes of Württemberg, and having escaped the wars that ravaged the region, it retains its 16th-century architectural style, while its few residents have continued to this day to cultivate Riesling grapes for wine production. It retains part of its fortifications, cobblestone streets and towers, old fountains, beautiful rooftops, timber-framed houses, a riot of colors on the walls, and a variety of flowers in the windows. We continue on to Colmar, a town that looks like a painting. Pastel-colored wooden houses lining the canals and colorful flowers create a unique atmosphere in what is perhaps the most beautiful city in Alsace. Its historic center is crossed by the Lauch, a tributary of the Ill, which flows into the Rhine. Don’t miss the chance to try a glass of the region’s exceptional white wine at one of the many shops in Colmar, which is rightly called the wine capital. We continue on to Eguisheim, our final destination, which has preserved its traditional architecture intact. Built in concentric circles around its 13th-century octagonal castle, it is surrounded by vineyards of two local grape varieties. We’ll… get lost without a care in its circular alleys: they always bring you back to where you started. Small houses with balconies, wooden frames, and protruding windows overflowing with geraniums impress us. The central square is no less beautiful, with its fountain, the 8th-century city castle with its outer wall dating to 720 AD, and the chapel of the reformist Pope Leo IX, who was born here. The tops of the castle tower and the church are home to stork nests. Other sites of historical interest include the Church of Saints Peter and Paul, which blends Romanesque and Gothic architectural styles, the city’s two Renaissance fountains, and the statue of Joan of Lorraine. Late in the afternoon, we return to our hotel in Strasbourg.

Today is yours to spend as you wish in Strasbourg. Alternatively, join us on an exciting full-day optional excursion to the heart of one of Central Europe’s most famous mountain ranges, the famous Black Forest, where we’ll discover a unique natural landscape that, despite its name (Black), is not “dark” at all. Picturesque villages with charming houses, lakes, waterfalls, pine and fir trees accompany us throughout our journey. Our first stop is Trimburg, a small mountain town with the famous Gutach River waterfalls, reaching a total height of 151 m, and traditional wood-carved cuckoo clocks —cuckoo clocks available in countless varieties in the town’s shops. We continue to the picturesque Lake Titisee with its wonderful cafes and shops. Next is Freiburg, one of Germany’s most famous university towns and also a major producer of quality wines, serving as the southern gateway to the Black Forest. It is Germany’s sunniest city, with 2,000 hours of sunshine, and one of the country’s most eco-friendly cities. It generates as much solar power as the entire United Kingdom. We begin with the massive 11th-century Gothic cathedral, whose 116-meter-tall bell tower rises majestically. To the east of the cathedral, in the square, the historic Kaufhaus—built in the 16th century—catches the eye with its bright red color, ornate facade, and colorful towers. the historic department store (Kaufhaus), built in the 16th century. We visit Town Hall Square with the Old and New Town Halls and the city’s university. Return late in the afternoon to our hotel in Strasbourg.