It's a little bit of Germany, a little bit of France. The city of Strasbourg, just west of the Rhine River, offers plenty to explore in the way of German-style architecture and French gastronomy, but when you're ready to branch out, the surrounding area also offers other opportunities, including skiing, sipping and cycling.
Explore Winter Wonders
- The Rhine River separates France from Germany in this region, and it's also the dividing line between two mountainous areas. What that means for you is plenty of skiing and snow sports. On the French side, the mountains are called the Vosges range; on the German side, they're known as Schwarzwald, or the Black Forest. You'll find dozens of ski resorts in both ranges. Closest to Strasbourg are the resorts of Gerardmer and Xonrept-Longemer, both about and hour and a half from the city, featuring Alpine and Nordic-style runs. On the German side, check out the cluster of resorts south of the town of Freiberg.
Ride a Bike
- The region of Alsace, which includes Strasbourg, is known as the bike-friendliest region in France. Bike trails leading from one village to another are abundant, as are in-city bike trails and bike rental shops. A popular destination is the village of Colmar, about 55 miles from Strasbourg. With their fresh flowers, ancient churches and cobblestone town squares, most of the villages in the area provide an air of enchantment, so even a shorter ride closer to the city is worth your time.
- Sample the Grapes
- It's not as well-known internationally, but the Alsace region is also a prominent wine-producing area. You'll find any number of tour operators willing to take you around to the region's wineries, but like the bike tours, you can also opt for a self-guided tour. Some of the highlights include Hunawihr, a small village with more than 20 wineries, and the area around the village of Eguisheim, which is surrounded by numerous vineyards and wineries.
Tour the Castles
- The area surrounding Strasbourg is dotted with more ancient castles than could seem possible in such as small area. Alsace has about 400 castles in various stages of decay. Some of the larger ones include the 12th-century Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle, one of the most popular monuments in France, as well as Fleckenstein Castle, where you can see as far as Switzerland on a clear day.
