Alsace
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Contents
Alsace is a region in the north east of France.
[edit] Understand
Fabulous for walking from town to town trying a whole bunch of local wines.
[edit] Regions
The Bas-Rhin is the upper region of Alsace; Haut-Rhin generally refers to the area below Selestat.
[edit] Cities
The capital of Alsace is Strasbourg. 40km to the South of Strasbourg is Colmar, a reknowned tourist destination. Other towns include:
[edit] Other destinations
Alsace enjoys an extended rail network due to its sharing borders with Germany and Switzerland, with rail networks for both of these countries passing through the area. The French SNCF and TGV networks pass through Alsace. Rail links to Freiburg and Basel are found at Mulhouse, and Strasbourg has connections to Germany, Paris and other areas.
[edit] Understand
[edit] Talk
French and German are widely spoken, though English language can be limited to the younger generation. A traveller might not find it as easy to get by with only a smattering of French as in Paris, for example. In some areas, the older population may use Alsacien, an Allemanic German dialect similar to that spoken across the border in southern Baden or northwestern Switzerland.
[edit] Get in
The Haut-Rhine region is served by Euroairport, the airport that serves Mulhouse, Basel and Freiburg, with excellent links by road and train to these cities. Easyjet is a good provider, with links to London and Liverpool.
[edit] Get around
It is best to have a car so you can explore all the little villages, stop for wine tastings and see the ruins of castles.
[edit] See
[edit] Do
A drive or bike where the Vosges mountains meet the Rhine valley is a highlight of a visit to Alsace.
Drive on the Wine Road (Route du Vin) and visit all the small villes fleurie and wine towns.
[edit] Eat
Alsatian cuisine is very distinctive; heavily German-influenced with a Gallic flavour. According to Alsatians, sauerkraut (choucroute in French)was invented here. In addition, a traveller can expect to find tarte flambe (an onion, bacon, and creme fraiche 'pizza'-Flammkuchen in German), baekeoffe and strudel in abundance in Alsatian restaurants, nestling alongside escargots and creme brulee. Alsace is the smallest region in France, but it holds the records for possessing the largest number of five-star chefs per inhabitant.
[edit] Drink
The Alsatian Wine Route is a veritable rites-of-passage for the discerning wine buff. Visit the Vins Alsace website[1] for further information.
[edit] Stay safe
Alsace is a predominantly rural region with a relatively low crime rate. Visitors to Strasbourg should heed the same advice for any major city; do not flash cash, be sympathetic but not gullible with beggars; don't wander down dark alleys alone.
[edit] Get out
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