Colmar

Train arrival and walk to old town hotel(30 minutes)

Colmar station is compact — follow signs to Centre Ville. Most old town hotels are within 10 minutes on foot, no taxi needed

Evening stroll through Petite Venise(1.5 hours)

Walk along the Lauch River past the pastel half-timbered houses. The Quai de la Poissonnerie (Fishmonger's Quay) is the most photogenic stretch. Golden hour light on the facades is stunning

Dinner at Winstub La Schwendi(1.5 hours)

Traditional Alsatian winstub on Place de l'Ancienne Douane. Try the choucroute garnie (€16) or baeckeoffe (€18) paired with a glass of local Riesling. Reservations recommended in high season

Unterlinden Museum(2 hours)

Open at 9AM — arrive early to see the Isenheim Altarpiece (1512-1516) by Matthias Grünewald without crowds. Entry €13. The Herzog & de Meuron modern extension is architecturally impressive. Audio guide worthwhile

Coffee at Salon de Thé Gilg(30 minutes)

On Rue des Têtes, this patisserie serves excellent kougelhopf (Alsatian brioche) with coffee for €6

Maison des Têtes and Rue des Têtes(30 minutes)

Admire the 1609 Renaissance facade covered in 106 sculpted grotesque heads. Look for the Bartholdi cooper statue on the gable. Free to photograph from the street

Lunch at a winstub near Place de la Cathédrale(1 hour)

Try Winstub Brenner for a plat du jour — expect tarte flambée gratinée (€12) or a generous salad with Munster cheese (€14). Lunch menus are the best deal

Eglise Saint-Martin and Tanners' Quarter(1.5 hours)

Visit the 13th-century Gothic church (free entry, open 8AM-6PM) then walk through the Quartier des Tanneurs — the narrow half-timbered houses with open lofts were used to dry animal hides

Flat-bottomed boat ride in Petite Venise(30 minutes)

Board at the Lauch River dock near Rue de Turenne. ~€7 per adult. The boatman narrates in French and English. A different perspective on the canal houses

Bus #208 to Eguisheim(20 minutes)

Departs from Colmar bus station, runs every 30-60 min. €2.30 one way. The ride passes through vineyards

Walk the concentric lanes of Eguisheim(1.5 hours)

Voted France's favorite village. Follow the circular layout — three concentric rings of half-timbered houses with flowering window boxes. The central fountain square with the chapel is the heart

Wine tasting at a cave in Eguisheim(45 minutes)

Domaine Emile Beyer or Cave Wolfberger offer free tastings of Crémant d'Alsace and Grands Crus. Try the Gewurztraminer — it's the grape that defines Alsace

Lunch at Auberge Alsacienne in Eguisheim(1 hour)

Flammekueche with lardons and crème fraîche (€11), paired with a carafe of Sylvaner. Outdoor terrace in the village center

Walk or cycle to Turckheim via the vineyard path(1.5 hours)

A flat, well-signed path through the Grands Crus vineyards. Bike rental €15/day from Colmar Vélo if you prefer cycling. Turckheim's fortified gateway and night watchman tradition are charming

Return to Colmar and evening at Covered Market (Marché Couvert)(1 hour)

Browse local cheeses, charcuterie, and Alsatian wines. Pick up Munster cheese and a bottle of Pinot Gris for a hotel room picnic

Musée Bartholdi(1.5 hours)

The birthplace of the Statue of Liberty's sculptor, at 30 Rue des Marchands. Entry €6. Models and studies for the statue, plus personal artifacts. The courtyard has a scaled replica. Open Wed-Mon 10AM-12PM and 2-6PM

Colmar Pass boat ride and wine tasting (if not done)(1.5 hours)

Pick up the Colmar Pass (€20) at the tourist office on Place Unterlinden — covers the museum, boat ride, and a wine tasting. Saves ~€10 versus buying separately

Cooking class or market lunch(2 hours)

Book a flammekueche cooking class through the tourist office (~€35) or self-cater from Marché Couvert with local bread, pâté, and wine for a picnic in Parc du Champ de Mars

Free afternoon — rest or explore independently(2 hours)

Browse the antique shops along Rue des Marchands, or sit with a tarte aux fruits and coffee at Pâtisserie Jacques on Rue des Boulangers

Dinner at JY'S (Michelin-starred)(2 hours)

Jean-Yves Schillinger's restaurant by the canal. Tasting menu from €65. Book well ahead. Alternatively, Aux Trois Poissons near Petite Venise for elevated Alsatian cuisine at €30-40 for a full meal

Bus to Riquewihr(30 minutes)

Bus #106 from Colmar to Riquewihr, ~€3. Runs several times daily. Or rent bikes and cycle the vineyard route (15 km, mostly flat)

Explore Riquewihr(1.5 hours)

A walled village that looks frozen in the 16th century. Walk the main street Rue du Général de Gaulle, see the Dolder tower (entry €4), and peek through the back alleys to vineyard views. Less touristy than Eguisheim on weekdays

Wine tasting at Hugel & Fils(45 minutes)

One of Alsace's most prestigious domaines, on the main street. Tastings from €8 for 4 wines. Their Riesling Jubilee is exceptional. Open Mon-Sat

Lunch in Kaysersberg at Winstub au Pont(1 hour)

Albert Schweitzer's birthplace village. The winstub overlooks the fortified bridge — try the fleischnaka (rolled meat pasta, €14) with a Pinot Blanc

Kaysersberg Castle ruins hike(45 minutes)

A short steep climb to the 13th-century castle tower above town. Free access. Panoramic views over the village and vineyards. The path starts behind the church

TER train Colmar to Strasbourg(35 minutes)

Trains run every 30 min, ~€13 each way. Strasbourg station is a 15-min walk from the cathedral

Strasbourg Cathedral and astronomical clock(1.5 hours)

The Gothic masterpiece took 400 years to build. Free entry to the nave. The astronomical clock performs at 12:30PM daily (arrive by noon). Platform climb €8 for city views (330 steps)

Petite France quarter(1 hour)

Half-timbered houses along canals, covered bridges (Ponts Couverts), and the Vauban Dam terrace for panoramic views. Free to explore. More canal-side charm, different character from Colmar's Petite Venise

Lunch at Maison Kammerzell(1.5 hours)

Strasbourg's most ornate building, right by the cathedral. Choucroute à la Strasbourgeoise (€22) in a carved-wood dining room. Tourist-priced but the setting is exceptional

European Parliament quarter and Parc de l'Orangerie(1.5 hours)

Walk or tram to the modern EU quarter to see the Parliament building (exterior only unless you book a free guided tour). The adjacent Orangerie park is ideal for a stroll

Morning market browsing(1 hour)

If it's Saturday, the outdoor market on Place de l'Ancienne Douane is lively. Otherwise, Marché Couvert is open Tue-Sat. Pick up bredele cookies, Munster cheese, or a bottle of Crémant to take home

Final walk through Petite Venise(30 minutes)

Early morning light on the canals, before the tour groups arrive. One last photo opportunity

Coffee and kougelhopf at Gilg or Helmstetter(30 minutes)

A farewell Alsatian breakfast — the fluted kougelhopf cake with coffee is the perfect sendoff

Checkout and transfer to station/airport(1 hour)

Walk to Colmar station (10 min from old town) for TGV connections. For EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse, the shuttle bus takes 1 hour — book ahead at kunegel.com (€28)

Train arrival and walk to old town hotel(30 minutes)

Colmar station is compact — follow signs to Centre Ville. Most old town hotels are within 10 minutes on foot, no taxi needed

Evening stroll through Petite Venise(1.5 hours)

Walk along the Lauch River past the pastel half-timbered houses. The Quai de la Poissonnerie (Fishmonger's Quay) is the most photogenic stretch. Golden hour light on the facades is stunning

Dinner at Winstub La Schwendi(1.5 hours)

Traditional Alsatian winstub on Place de l'Ancienne Douane. Try the choucroute garnie (€16) or baeckeoffe (€18) paired with a glass of local Riesling

Unterlinden Museum(2 hours)

Open at 9AM — arrive early to see the Isenheim Altarpiece without crowds. Entry €13. The Herzog & de Meuron modern extension is architecturally impressive

Coffee at Salon de Thé Gilg(30 minutes)

On Rue des Têtes, excellent kougelhopf with coffee for €6

Maison des Têtes(30 minutes)

Admire the 1609 Renaissance facade covered in 106 sculpted grotesque heads. Look for the Bartholdi cooper statue on the gable

Lunch at Winstub Brenner(1 hour)

Plat du jour — tarte flambée gratinée (€12) or Munster cheese salad (€14). Lunch menus are the best value

Eglise Saint-Martin and Tanners' Quarter(1.5 hours)

Visit the 13th-century Gothic church (free) then walk through the Quartier des Tanneurs with its narrow half-timbered houses and open lofts

Flat-bottomed boat ride in Petite Venise(30 minutes)

~€7 per adult, departs from Rue de Turenne dock. Narrated in French and English

Bus #208 to Eguisheim(20 minutes)

€2.30 one way from Colmar bus station

Walk the concentric lanes of Eguisheim(1.5 hours)

Three concentric rings of half-timbered houses with flowering window boxes. The central fountain square with the chapel is the heart

Wine tasting at Domaine Emile Beyer(45 minutes)

Free tastings of Crémant d'Alsace and Grands Crus. Try the Gewurztraminer

Lunch at Auberge Alsacienne(1 hour)

Flammekueche with lardons (€11), outdoor terrace in the village center

Vineyard path walk to Turckheim(1.5 hours)

Flat, well-signed path through the Grands Crus vineyards. Turckheim's fortified gateway and evening night watchman are charming

Musée Bartholdi(1.5 hours)

Birthplace of Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi, sculptor of the Statue of Liberty. Entry €6. Models and studies for the statue. Open Wed-Mon 10AM-12PM and 2-6PM

Flammekueche cooking class(2 hours)

Book through the tourist office (~€35). Learn to stretch the thin dough and apply the classic crème fraîche, onion, and lardon topping

Afternoon at Parc du Champ de Mars(1 hour)

Relax in Colmar's central park. The Bartholdi Statue of Liberty replica stands at the park entrance

Dinner at Aux Trois Poissons(1.5 hours)

Near Petite Venise, elevated Alsatian cuisine. Fish dishes with local wines, €30-40 for a full meal

Bus #106 to Riquewihr(30 minutes)

~€3, runs several times daily

Explore Riquewihr's walled old town(1.5 hours)

Walk Rue du Général de Gaulle, see the Dolder tower (€4), peek through back alleys to vineyard views

Wine tasting at Hugel & Fils(45 minutes)

One of Alsace's most prestigious domaines. Tastings from €8 for 4 wines. Their Riesling Jubilee is exceptional

Lunch at Winstub au Pont(1 hour)

Albert Schweitzer's birthplace village. Fleischnaka (€14) overlooking the fortified bridge

Kaysersberg Castle ruins hike(45 minutes)

Short steep climb to the 13th-century tower. Free access. Panoramic vineyard views

Marché Couvert browsing and tasting(1 hour)

The covered market is open Tue-Sat. Sample Munster cheese, foie gras, charcuterie, and Alsatian honeys

Free afternoon — explore at your own pace(3 hours)

Wander the antique shops on Rue des Marchands, visit the Musée du Jouet (Toy Museum, €6) if it interests you, or simply sit at a café on Place de l'Ancienne Douane

Evening aperitif and dinner at Le Théâtre(2 hours)

Brasserie near the Municipal Theatre. Excellent choucroute royale (€20) and a well-curated Alsatian wine list

TER train Colmar to Strasbourg(35 minutes)

Trains every 30 min, ~€13 each way

Strasbourg Cathedral and astronomical clock(1.5 hours)

Gothic masterpiece, free entry. Astronomical clock performs at 12:30PM daily (arrive by noon). Platform climb €8 for views (330 steps)

Petite France quarter(1 hour)

Half-timbered houses along canals, Ponts Couverts, and the Vauban Dam terrace for panoramic views

Lunch at Maison Kammerzell(1.5 hours)

Choucroute à la Strasbourgeoise (€22) in a carved-wood dining room by the cathedral

Musée d'Art Moderne et Contemporain(1.5 hours)

Glass-fronted museum on the river. Impressionist to contemporary collection. Entry €7. A good contrast to Colmar's medieval focus

Train or drive to Breisach am Rhein(30 minutes)

Regional train from Colmar to Breisach, ~€5. The Rhine crossing takes minutes

Breisach Münster St. Stephan(45 minutes)

Hilltop Romanesque-Gothic cathedral with a stunning Martin Schongauer fresco 'Last Judgment.' Free entry. Views over the Rhine plain from the terrace

Browse Breisach old town(1 hour)

Small but charming. German bakeries and butchers. Pick up pretzels, Black Forest ham, and cheap German beer from a supermarket

Lunch at a Gasthaus in Breisach(1 hour)

Try Schnitzel with Spätzle (€12-15) or Flammkuchen (the German spelling). Different take on the same dish

Optional: Drive into the Black Forest to Staufen(2 hours round trip)

Staufen im Breisgau (30 min east) is a fairy-tale town where Dr. Faust allegedly met the devil. Wine tasting at Markgräflerland estates. Only feasible with a rental car

Train to Sélestat(15 minutes)

TER from Colmar, runs frequently, ~€5. Then shuttle bus #500 to the castle (20 min, seasonal)

Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg(2 hours)

A 12th-century fortress perched at 757 m with sweeping views over the Rhine plain to the Black Forest. Entry €9. Audio guide available. The medieval rooms and drawbridge are atmospheric

Lunch in Sélestat old town(1 hour)

Winstub Jean-Frédéric on Rue des Chevaliers — classic Alsatian menu with portions generous enough for hikers. Baeckeoffe (€17)

Bibliothèque Humaniste de Sélestat(1 hour)

A UNESCO-recognized Renaissance library housing one of Europe's finest collections of 15th-century books. Entry €7.50. Beautifully renovated space

Walk through Sélestat's old town(45 minutes)

Two churches (Romanesque and Gothic side by side), medieval ramparts, and a quieter Alsatian atmosphere than touristy Colmar

Rent bikes from Colmar Vélo (Place Rapp)(30 minutes)

Regular bikes €15/day, e-bikes €30/day. E-bikes recommended if you plan to cover more than 25 km

Cycle south through vineyards to Wettolsheim(45 minutes)

Flat path through Grand Cru Hengst vineyards. Stop at the orientation table for panoramic views

Cycle north to Niedermorschwihr(1 hour)

A tiny village with a crooked church spire and excellent domaines. Taste at Albert Boxler — one of Alsace's most respected small producers. Tasting free

Picnic lunch in the vineyards(1 hour)

Pack provisions from Marché Couvert: bread, Munster, charcuterie, a half-bottle of Riesling. Find a bench with a vineyard panorama

Train to Mulhouse(20 minutes)

TER from Colmar, frequent service, ~€9. Mulhouse is Alsace's industrial capital

Cité de l'Automobile (Schlumpf Collection)(2.5 hours)

The world's largest collection of automobiles — over 400 cars including Bugattis, Rolls-Royces, and Ferraris. Entry €18. Even non-car enthusiasts are impressed by the scale

Lunch at Winstub Henriette in Mulhouse(1 hour)

Old town restaurant with traditional Alsatian fare. Tarte flambée and salad for €14

Walk through Mulhouse's painted old town(1 hour)

Place de la Réunion has a striking painted town hall (Hôtel de Ville) and the Temple Saint-Étienne. Smaller and grittier than Colmar but authentic

Train to Obernai(30 minutes)

TER via Sélestat, ~€10. Obernai is one of the prettiest wine-route towns

Walk Obernai old town(1 hour)

Place du Marché with its Renaissance fountain, the Six-Bucket Well, half-timbered houses. Less touristy than Riquewihr

Taxi or bus to Mont Sainte-Odile(20 minutes)

The Pagan Wall (Mur Païen) — a mysterious 10-km prehistoric stone wall — encircles the hilltop. Free to visit

Mont Sainte-Odile Convent(1.5 hours)

An active convent on a summit at 764 m with a panoramic terrace overlooking the Rhine plain. Free entry. The chapel, cloister, and tearoom are peaceful. A pilgrimage site since the 7th century

Lunch at the convent restaurant(1 hour)

Simple but honest Alsatian cooking with a spectacular view. Tarte flambée and Pinot Noir, ~€15

Last-chance shopping(2 hours)

Pottery and Alsatian ceramics from Poterie d'Alsace on Grand'Rue. Bredele cookie molds, Alsatian linens, and wines from domaines you visited. Ship heavy bottles home from the post office

Afternoon café terrace(1.5 hours)

Sit at a terrace on Place de l'Ancienne Douane with a slice of tarte aux myrtilles (blueberry tart) and an espresso

Farewell dinner at JY'S(2.5 hours)

Jean-Yves Schillinger's Michelin-starred restaurant on the canal. Tasting menu from €65. Pair with Grands Crus from the domaines you visited. Book well in advance

Early morning canal walk(30 minutes)

Petite Venise at 7AM, before the town wakes. The reflections in still water are perfect

Breakfast at Pâtisserie Helmstetter(30 minutes)

Kougelhopf and café crème. A proper Alsatian farewell

Checkout and transfer to station or airport(1 hour)

Colmar station for TGV to Paris (2h50) or TER to Strasbourg (35 min) for flights. For EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse, the Kunegel shuttle takes 1 hour (€28, book ahead)

Evening stroll through Petite Venise(1.5 hours)

Walk along the Lauch River past the pastel half-timbered houses. The Quai de la Poissonnerie is the most photogenic stretch

Dinner at Winstub La Schwendi(1.5 hours)

Traditional winstub on Place de l'Ancienne Douane. Choucroute garnie (€16) with local Riesling

Unterlinden Museum(2 hours)

Arrive at 9AM for the Isenheim Altarpiece without crowds. Entry €13

Coffee at Salon de Thé Gilg(30 minutes)

Kougelhopf with coffee for €6 on Rue des Têtes

Maison des Têtes(30 minutes)

1609 Renaissance facade with 106 sculpted heads

Lunch at Winstub Brenner(1 hour)

Tarte flambée gratinée (€12)

Flat-bottomed boat ride in Petite Venise(30 minutes)

~€7 per adult from Rue de Turenne dock

Wine tasting at Domaine Emile Beyer(45 minutes)

Free tastings of Crémant and Grands Crus

Lunch at Auberge Alsacienne(1 hour)

Flammekueche (€11) on the terrace

Musée Bartholdi(1.5 hours)

Entry €6. Models for the Statue of Liberty. Open Wed-Mon 10AM-12PM, 2-6PM

Flammekueche cooking class(2 hours)

Book through the tourist office (~€35)

Dinner at Aux Trois Poissons(1.5 hours)

Elevated Alsatian cuisine near Petite Venise, €30-40

Explore Riquewihr(1.5 hours)

Walled 16th-century village. Dolder tower (€4)

Wine tasting at Hugel & Fils(45 minutes)

Tastings from €8 for 4 wines

Lunch at Winstub au Pont(1 hour)

Fleischnaka (€14) overlooking the fortified bridge

Marché Couvert tasting(1 hour)

Sample Munster cheese, foie gras, charcuterie

Free afternoon(3 hours)

Antique shops on Rue des Marchands, Musée du Jouet (€6), or café terrace on Place de l'Ancienne Douane

Dinner at Le Théâtre(2 hours)

Choucroute royale (€20), well-curated wine list

TER train to Strasbourg(35 minutes)

~€13 each way

Strasbourg Cathedral and astronomical clock(1.5 hours)

Clock performs at 12:30PM. Platform climb €8 (330 steps)

Lunch at Maison Kammerzell(1.5 hours)

Choucroute à la Strasbourgeoise (€22)

Train to Breisach am Rhein(30 minutes)

~€5

Breisach Münster St. Stephan(45 minutes)

Martin Schongauer fresco. Free entry. Rhine plain views

Lunch at a Gasthaus(1 hour)

Schnitzel with Spätzle (€12-15)

Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg(2 hours)

Entry €9. 12th-century fortress at 757 m with Rhine plain views

Lunch in Sélestat(1 hour)

Winstub Jean-Frédéric, baeckeoffe (€17)

Bibliothèque Humaniste(1 hour)

UNESCO-recognized Renaissance library. Entry €7.50

Rent e-bikes from Colmar Vélo(30 minutes)

€30/day from Place Rapp

Continue north to Niedermorschwihr(1 hour)

Taste at Albert Boxler — one of Alsace's finest small producers. Free tasting

Picnic lunch in the vineyards(1 hour)

Pack from Marché Couvert: bread, Munster, charcuterie, half-bottle of Riesling

Train to Mulhouse(20 minutes)

~€9

Cité de l'Automobile (Schlumpf Collection)(2.5 hours)

400+ cars including Bugattis. Entry €18

Lunch at Winstub Henriette(1 hour)

Tarte flambée and salad (€14)

Mulhouse painted old town(1 hour)

Painted Hôtel de Ville, Temple Saint-Étienne

Obernai old town walk(1 hour)

Place du Marché, Six-Bucket Well, half-timbered houses

Mont Sainte-Odile Convent and Pagan Wall(2 hours)

Active convent on a 764 m summit. Free entry. Panoramic terrace

Lunch at the convent restaurant(1 hour)

Tarte flambée with a view, ~€15

Sunrise photography at Petite Venise(1.5 hours)

The canals at 6-7AM with no one around. Mirror reflections in still water

Aperitif at La Soi(1 hour)

Natural wine bar on Rue Berthe Molly. Local Alsatian wines by the glass from €5

Dinner at Le Fer Rouge(1.5 hours)

Creative Alsatian cuisine in a 17th-century house. Foie gras with Gewurztraminer jelly, €22. Full menu €35-50

Train to Freiburg via Breisach(1 hour)

Change at Breisach. ~€12 total

Freiburg Münster (Cathedral)(1 hour)

Spectacular Gothic cathedral. Free entry. Tower climb €2 for Black Forest views. The daily market around the Münsterplatz sells Lange Rote sausages (€3)

Bächle water channels walk(45 minutes)

Narrow medieval water channels running through the streets — unique to Freiburg. Legend says if you step in one, you'll marry a Freiburger

Lunch at Markthalle Freiburg(1 hour)

Indoor market with international food stalls. Excellent German and Turkish options, €8-12

Schlossberg cable car and viewpoint(1 hour)

Cable car (€5 round trip) to the castle hill for panoramic views. Walk down through the forest in 20 minutes

Drive or bus to Route des Crêtes(45 minutes)

The Vosges ridge road runs along WWI frontlines. Best accessed by car or tourist shuttle from Colmar (check seasonal services)

Hike from Col du Bonhomme to Lac Blanc(3 hours)

A forested trail to a glacial lake at 1,050 m. Moderate difficulty, well-marked (GR5 red-white blazes). Bring lunch and water

Picnic at Lac Blanc(1 hour)

Crystal-clear mountain lake surrounded by forest. In winter it's a ski area; in summer, serenity

Drive to Grand Ballon viewpoint(30 minutes)

At 1,424 m, the highest point in the Vosges. On clear days you can see the Alps. Free parking at the summit

Drive or cycle to Ammerschwihr(20 minutes)

A quiet wine village 8 km northwest of Colmar. Less tourist traffic than Riquewihr or Eguisheim

Tasting at Domaine Weinbach(1 hour)

One of Alsace's top estates, in a former Capuchin monastery. Grand Cru Schlossberg Riesling is extraordinary. Tastings by appointment, ~€15 for 5 wines

Walk through Grand Cru Kaefferkopf vineyards(1 hour)

Follow the vineyard trail markers. Information boards explain the terroir. Views back to Colmar and across the Rhine plain

Lunch at Aux Armes de France in Ammerschwihr(1.5 hours)

A Michelin-guide institution. Classic Alsatian dishes elevated — foie gras poêlé (€24), paired with local Grand Cru

Continue to Kientzheim(15 minutes)

Another quiet wine village with the Confrérie Saint-Étienne wine brotherhood museum and a fortified gate

Les Bains Municipaux de Colmar(2 hours)

The municipal swimming complex has a sauna, steam room, and pool. Entry ~€8. Or drive 30 min to Les Trois Frontières spa in Saint-Louis for full thermal treatments

Afternoon reading at a canal-side café(2 hours)

Café Maison Rouge near the Koïfhus has a terrace overlooking the Lauch

Early dinner at La Maison Rouge(1.5 hours)

Brasserie with reliable Alsatian standards. Presskopf (pressed pork head terrine, €9) followed by coq au Riesling (€19)

Train to Basel SBB(50 minutes)

Direct TER, ~€14. Swiss Francs needed for some purchases, but many places accept Euros

Kunstmuseum Basel(2 hours)

Switzerland's greatest art museum — Holbeins, Warhols, and a superb modern extension. Entry CHF 16 (~€16). Open Tue-Sun 10AM-6PM

Walk across Mittlere Brücke and through the Altstadt(1 hour)

The red sandstone Münster (cathedral) on the Rhine, the colorful Marktplatz, and the Rathaus (town hall) are all within walking distance

Lunch at Zum Goldenen Sternen(1.5 hours)

Claimed to be Switzerland's oldest restaurant (since 1421). Rösti with veal (CHF 28) by the Rhine. Reserve a riverside table

Rhine ferry crossing(15 minutes)

The cable ferries (Fähri) cross the Rhine using only the river current — no motor. CHF 2. A unique Basel experience

Musée du Jouet (Toy Museum)(1 hour)

A quirky collection of toys from the 19th century to present in a former cinema. Entry €6. Fun even for adults — the model train collection is impressive

Walk to Quartier de la Krutenau(45 minutes)

The old market gardeners' district south of Petite Venise. Quieter canals, less photographed but equally charming houses

Lunch at Wistub de la Petite Venise(1 hour)

Canal-side table with views. Try the bibeleskäs (fresh cheese with herbs, €8) as a starter, then roasted pike-perch (€18)

Visit the Dominican Church(30 minutes)

Houses Martin Schongauer's 'Madonna of the Rose Bower' (1473). Entry €2. The painting is luminous and delicate

Bartholdi Statue of Liberty replica at Place Rapp(15 minutes)

A 12-m replica standing at the roundabout. Photo opportunity with Colmar's most famous son's most famous work

Aperitif at Le Quai 21 wine bar(1 hour)

Modern wine bar on the Quai de la Poissonnerie. Natural and biodynamic Alsatian wines, glasses from €5

Morning revisit to your favorite village or vineyard(3 hours)

Take the bus or bike back to Eguisheim, Kaysersberg, or wherever felt most special. No agenda — just soak it in

Final wine purchases from visited domaines(1 hour)

Most domaines will ship internationally. Budget €8-25 per bottle for excellent Alsatian wines

Late lunch at a winstub(1.5 hours)

One last baeckeoffe or choucroute garnie at your favorite spot

Farewell dinner at JY'S(2.5 hours)

Michelin-starred finale. Tasting menu from €65 with paired Grands Crus wines. Book well ahead

Early morning canal walk(30 minutes)

Petite Venise at dawn, one last time

Breakfast at Pâtisserie Helmstetter(30 minutes)

Kougelhopf and café crème

Checkout and transfer to station or airport(1 hour)

Colmar station for TGV to Paris (2h50). EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse shuttle 1 hour (€28, kunegel.com)