Alsace Christmas Markets, 10 Hours 30

Alsace Christmas Markets, 10 Hours 30, 10 hours 30 minutes, rated 4.9 across 10 traveller reviews.

Overview

This full-day outing from Strasbourg packs three stops into a single trip: Riquewihr, Kaysersberg and Colmar, each visited at its own pace with free time rather than a guided walk. The day runs 10 hours 30 minutes, departing from the bus station at Parc de l'Étoile at 09:00 and returning to the same spot. Travel between villages is by minibus with air conditioning, WiFi on board and recorded audio commentary available in 11 languages.

The first stop is Riquewihr on the Wine Route, where the illuminated facades and decorations are the main draw. The route then continues through a series of small Alsatian villages before a longer stop in medieval Kaysersberg, whose Christmas market runs over the four Advent weekends and whose old centre of half-timbered houses can be explored the rest of the week. The final and longest stretch is Colmar, with three hours of free time to wander its different neighbourhood markets and sample seasonal delicacies.

No guide accompanies the stops, so time in each place is spent independently once the minibus parks. Lunch, gratuities and a guide during the stops are not included in the price. The group is capped at 15 travellers, and children under 4 are not allowed.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Parc de l'ÉtoileMeet at 09:00 at the Strasbourg bus station, Parc de l'Étoile, next to the Etoile/Bourse tram stop, by the black minibus. The tour ends back at the same point.
2. Drive the Wine RouteTravel by air-conditioned minibus with WiFi and audio commentary in 11 languages along the Alsatian Wine Route.
3. Riquewihr, 1 hourFree time in the illuminated Wine Route village, with decorated facades and monuments. Admission is free.
4. Crossing the villagesThe bus continues along the Wine Route through a series of small Alsatian villages.
5. Kaysersberg, 2 hoursFree time in the medieval village, whose Christmas market runs over the four Advent weekends and whose historic centre of half-timbered houses can be visited the other days. Admission is free.
6. Colmar, 3 hoursFree time in Colmar, where different Christmas markets across the neighbourhoods create different atmospheres, with chances to taste seasonal delicacies. Admission is free.
7. Return to StrasbourgThe minibus drives back to the meeting point at Parc de l'Étoile, arriving after the full 10 hours 30 minutes.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will shape the day, from the long hours on the road to what is and is not covered at the stops.

• Long day out. The tour lasts 10 hours 30 minutes with an early 09:00 start, and one reviewer found the return to Strasbourg ran later than they would have liked. Comfortable shoes matter, since most exploring is done on foot at each stop.
• Self-guided stops. No guide accompanies the group during the stops; the guiding happens through recorded audio commentary in 11 languages on the bus. Travellers who prefer structured walking tours should know they explore each village independently. Reviewers have praised both the audio guide and the commentary provided during the drive.
• Crowds in December. Multiple reviewers noted that the towns get very crowded during the Christmas season, with one calling it simply the nature of the period. Arriving with the group means moving through popular streets at peak times. A little patience goes a long way in the market lanes.
• Food and drink. Lunch is not included, so budget for food in one of the villages. The listing mentions tastings of seasonal delicacies during the visit. One reviewer mentioned water was available in the van, though this is not a listed inclusion.
• Group size. The tour is capped at a maximum of 15 travellers, so everyone travels together in the same minibus between stops. Children under 4 are not allowed on the tour.
• Dress for weather. One reviewer noted grey weather, which did not spoil the visits. Much of the day is spent outdoors at the stops, so conditions on the day matter for comfort. The vehicle itself is air-conditioned.

Common issues. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, and children under 4 cannot come along. It requires a minimum number of travellers to run; if that minimum is not met, travellers are offered a different date or a full refund. One reviewer felt three hours in Colmar was more than needed and made the return to Strasbourg late, and several noted the towns are very crowded at this time of year. Lunch, gratuities and guiding during stops are not included in the price.

Common Questions