Medieval Villages, Wine Tasting

Medieval Villages, Wine Tasting, 10.5 hours, rated 4.9 across 399 traveller reviews.

Overview

This full-day trip runs south from Strasbourg along the Alsace wine route, trading city streets for a string of medieval villages. The coach leaves from the bus station at Place de l'étoile and covers a lot of ground over roughly 10.5 hours: Bergheim, Ribeauvillé, Hunawihr, a winemaker's cellar for a tasting, a long lunch stop in Riquewihr, then Kaysersberg and Eguisheim before the drive back. Kaysersberg and Eguisheim have both been named Favorite Villages of the French, in 2017 and 2013 respectively.

Time in each village is largely your own. You get an hour in Ribeauvillé, 105 minutes in Riquewihr, an hour in Kaysersberg and 45 minutes in Eguisheim, which is enough to wander, eat and photograph without a guide walking you through every street. Commentary comes through an audio guide in 12 languages, since the guide on board speaks French. The tasting at a local winemaker is built into the day, with non-alcoholic drinks available for anyone not drinking.

It suits travellers who want to see several villages in one outing. Lunch and other food are not included, so budget for a meal in Riquewihr. Reviewers describe friendly, informative guides and a comfortable bus, with some noting that a bit more time in a few villages would help.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Gare RoutièreThe tour starts at Place de l'étoile, the Strasbourg bus station. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.
2. Coach south through BergheimA 45-minute drive along the wine route, passing the walled village of Bergheim from the coach.
3. Ribeauvillé free timeOne hour on your own in the old fief of the Lords of Ribeaupierre, explored on its pedestrian streets.
4. Hunawihr and wine tastingA photo stop at the village fountain, then an hour with a local winemaker tasting traditional Alsatian wines. Non-alcoholic beverages are available.
5. Riquewihr lunch break105 minutes of free time in the heart of the vineyard. Food and drinks are not included, so lunch is at your own cost.
6. Kaysersberg free timeOne hour in the village named a Favorite Village of the French in 2017.
7. Eguisheim free time45 minutes in the village that won the same French program in 2013.
8. Coach back to StrasbourgA one-hour drive back at the end of the afternoon, returning to the city.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points shape how this day actually feels, from the language setup to the length of the stops.

• Language setup. The guide on board speaks French only. Commentary comes through an audio guide available in 12 languages, with headsets provided, so non-French speakers still get the history at each stage of the route.
• Pace and stamina. The day runs about 10.5 hours. Most village time is spent walking at your own pace, so comfortable shoes are on the operator's list of what to bring.
• Weather and sun. The tour runs rain or shine, and the operator lists a hat as something to bring. One reviewer who toured on a sunny day suggested packing a hat and sunscreen.
• Food and drink. Lunch is not included. The long stop in Riquewihr is the natural place to eat, at your own cost. The wine tasting with the winemaker is included, and non-alcoholic options exist for those who prefer them.
• Getting around. You meet at the Gare Routière at Place de l'étoile in Strasbourg, and hotel pickup and drop-off are not part of the package. The coach has free Wi-Fi and USB ports, and reviewers describe the transportation as comfortable.
• Photos and views. The route between villages is a scenic drive along the wine route, and reviewers single out the landscape and the villages as the highlight. With free time at each stop, there is room to photograph streets and fountains without rushing.

Common issues. The guide speaks only French, so anyone expecting live English commentary relies entirely on the audio guide. A few reviewers said they would have liked more time in some villages, and one noted the day runs late, reaching Eguisheim in the evening. The operator can cancel a booking with a full refund if not enough passengers sign up, and the tour runs rain or shine. Lunch, other food and tips are extra, and there is no hotel pickup.

Common Questions