Holidays in Alsace, France
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Alsace, situated in the East of France, is the smallest of the main french regions. Bordered by the Vosges mountains which incorporate many beautiful forests and lakes, Switzerland and Germany, it has a charm and culture that is unique within France. The language spoken is mostly french but due to its position and having a history which has seen it chopping and changing its nationality between German and French, there are Alsatian dialects similar to that which is spoken in some German border towns.
Strasbourg, the capital city of Alsace, has a metropolis that spans the river Ill into the German city of Kehlis. It is an important european city and is where you will find the European Parliament, the Court of Human Rights and the Council of Europe. Strasbourg is a city full of history and the central part, the Grande Īle, was classified a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1988. Strasbourg's historic centre, the Grande Īle ("Grand Island"), was classified a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1988. It is reknowned for its sandstone Gothic Cathedral which has an astronomical clock, Romanesque churches and its black and white timber framed buildings. A city full of museums and splendid parks, Strasbourg is truely a tourists delight.
The climate of Alsace is heavily influenced by the continent with cold, dry winters and warm to hot summers. The influence of the Vosges Mountains make it a rain shadow area (dry) and the town of Colmar is one of the dryest and sunniest in France. All of this makes it ideal for the vineyards and goes towards making it one of France's main wine producing areas.
The "Route du Vin", a famous wine producing area within Alsace, encompasses over 100 villages between Strasbourg and Colmar that produce some of finest white wines of France and this together with its reputation as a gastronomic centre make it a must for those who appreciate good food and wine. It is a region that possesses many high class 5 star chefs and the cuisine has a distinctive Germanic influence. Sauerkraut is said to have been invented here and there are varieties of tartes and strudels to be found on many of the excellent restaurants' menus.
With its history, architecture, culture, cuisine, pleasant landscapes and being very central within Europe, this all goes to make Alsace a great place for a holiday.
Strasbourg, the capital city of Alsace, has a metropolis that spans the river Ill into the German city of Kehlis. It is an important european city and is where you will find the European Parliament, the Court of Human Rights and the Council of Europe. Strasbourg is a city full of history and the central part, the Grande Īle, was classified a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1988. Strasbourg's historic centre, the Grande Īle ("Grand Island"), was classified a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1988. It is reknowned for its sandstone Gothic Cathedral which has an astronomical clock, Romanesque churches and its black and white timber framed buildings. A city full of museums and splendid parks, Strasbourg is truely a tourists delight.
The climate of Alsace is heavily influenced by the continent with cold, dry winters and warm to hot summers. The influence of the Vosges Mountains make it a rain shadow area (dry) and the town of Colmar is one of the dryest and sunniest in France. All of this makes it ideal for the vineyards and goes towards making it one of France's main wine producing areas.
The "Route du Vin", a famous wine producing area within Alsace, encompasses over 100 villages between Strasbourg and Colmar that produce some of finest white wines of France and this together with its reputation as a gastronomic centre make it a must for those who appreciate good food and wine. It is a region that possesses many high class 5 star chefs and the cuisine has a distinctive Germanic influence. Sauerkraut is said to have been invented here and there are varieties of tartes and strudels to be found on many of the excellent restaurants' menus.
With its history, architecture, culture, cuisine, pleasant landscapes and being very central within Europe, this all goes to make Alsace a great place for a holiday.