Switzerland, Germany & France: The Black Forest & the Alsace Wine Route

7 days
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Group Tour
Experience a rich blend of French and German cultures as you crisscross borders and ride through quaint Alsatian towns, pause for wine tastings along the legendary Route des Vins, and wind along the canals of Colmar’s “Little Venice.” Pedal along well-marked bike routes, quiet country roads, and through rural paths open only to cyclists and farmers. Stroll co...
From$4,045
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Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Extreme
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

    • Explore three countries on a single journey—on one memorable day you eat breakfast in Switzerland, lunch in France, and dinner in Germany.
    • Cycle through idyllic countryside, framed by the Vosges Mountains, providing a stunning backdrop for your adventure.
    • Immerse yourself in the dual French and German culture of Alsace, and learn about the region’s history as a hotly contested territory.
    • Behold Eguisheim, one of the most beautiful villages in France. It’s even won awards for its overflowing flower boxes decorating the half-timbered buildings and cobblestone streets!
    • Stroll through the cobbled streets of Colmar’s old town and embark on a “floating tour” of La Petite Venise (Little Venice) aboard a small boat.
    • Cycle some of the most scenic stretches of the Route des Vins—the Wine Route. Pause along the way to taste some of the world-class wines produced here.

What's this trip about?

    Experience a rich blend of French and German cultures as you crisscross borders and ride through quaint Alsatian towns, pause for wine tastings along the legendary Route des Vins, and wind along the canals of Colmar’s “Little Venice.” Pedal along well-marked bike routes, quiet country roads, and through rural paths open only to cyclists and farmers. Stroll cobbled pedestrian streets, passing charming half-timbered facades adorned with overflowing flower boxes, and perhaps pausing to bite into the famous Black Forest cake of a skilled pastry chef. Step back in time and enjoy a guided tour of 2,000-year-old Roman ruins in the spa town of Badenweiler. Throughout your adventure, vineyard-clad hillsides form the backdrop to your picturesque bike routes through Switzerland, Germany, and France.

Details

Itinerary focusActive and Outdoor Sports
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 22 people
Age range13 to 80 years
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityBadenweiler
End CityStrasbourg

Travel Themes

  • Culinary & Wine
  • Cultural
  • Cycling & Biking
  • Nature & Wildlife

Destinations

  • Europe
  • Switzerland
  • Germany
  • France

Attractions

  • Badenweiler
  • Basel
  • Colmar
  • Obernai
  • Strasbourg

Activities

  • Culture
  • Cycling
  • Historic sightseeing
  • History
  • Mountain Biking
  • Nature
  • Wine Tasting
  • Guided Group

Min Group Size

  • Min Group Size: 10

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 22

Trip includes

    • Custom VBT Bike and Helmet
    • Two Local, Bilingual Trip Leaders
    • Support Vehicle
    • Luggage Transportation
    • Ride with GPS and Daily Route Notes
    • Welcome Reception
    • Facilitated Cultural Experiences
    • Your Choice of VBT Branded Gear for Your Adventure

Itinerary

Travel Map
DAY 1: VBT Bicycling Vacation begins / Badenweiler

At 12:30 p.m., meet one of your VBT trip leaders and the rest of the group in the lobby of the Hotel Basel. Please come dressed for cycling (with your pedals or saddle if you use your own), as there will be no place to change into cycling clothes before beginning the ...

DAY 2: Staufen / Badenweiler

Enjoy a copious breakfast before embarking on your ride. Given Badenweiler’s hillside location, you’ll start today’s ride with an exhilarating descent out of the village and down into the local vineyards. You’ll ride through the Rhine River Valley along a combination ...

DAY 3: Neuf-Brisach / Canal de Colmar

Begin with a ride from Badenweiler and the Black Forest. Today’s routes take you through France’s famous Alsace region. For centuries, this region has been deeply coveted and hotly contested by both France and Germany, and the influence of both cultures gives Alsace i...

DAY 4: La Route des Vins

Begin cycling the Route des Vins—the Wine Route—on a southbound route out of Colmar. Departing Colmar, you’ll follow a well-marked bike path through famous Alsatian wine towns such as Gueberschwihr, Obermorsschwihr, and Eguisheim.

In 2013, Eguisheim was nominat...

DAY 5: Riquewihr / Ribeauvillé / Obernai

You’ll bid adieu to Colmar this morning and set out for one of the most scenic sections of the wine route.

Rolling hills reward adventurous riders with spectacular views and thrilling descents. The route leaves the plain with some hilly sections heading north a...

DAY 6: La Route des Vins / Rhine Canal / Obernai

Your small group’s final ride together takes you toward the northern end of the Alsace wine route. Here, rolling hills melt into the flat valley as you make your way to the Rhine Canal. This lovely bike path follows the canal toward Strasbourg. In the afternoon, you’l...

DAY 7: VBT Bicycling Vacation ends / Strasbourg

Your tour culminates with a hearty breakfast. You’ll say so-long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, and au revoir to our trip leaders and take a short train ride into Strasbourg. A local city guide meets you at the train station for a stroll and orientation through Strasbour...

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Dates & Availability

Price From $4,045
Price per day$578
Last Updated: 3/1/2024

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with VBT Bicycling Vacations.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

VBT Bicycling Vacations Reviews & Ratings

4.9/5  Excellent
Excellent
579
Great
42
Average
11
Disappointing
4
Terrible
3
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Ginger

Nov 2023

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The best vacation ever

This was the first organized tour my husband and I have ever joined, so we were not sure what to expect , but it turned out to be the best vacation we've ever had. T...

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Corvette01

Nov 2023

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Spectacular, Cycling the Dolomite Valleys

This trip is unbelievably fantastic. Two of the best rides of my life, were on this tour. The guides were very good and this was just the start, when we met them, at...

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DonaandConnie

Nov 2023

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Absolutely stunning scenery with relatively easy cycling.

This tour was one of our favorites. The tour leaders (Claudio and Tiziana) were great. The Dolomites and Italian Alps were breathtaking and the bike paths and towns ...

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Tour Operator

VBT Bicycling Vacations

premier
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Since 1971, VBT has crafted immersive and authentic biking vacations for active travelers. When you travel with VBT, you’re not just another tourist—you’re a traveler. With us, you’ll experience your destination with the help of a local, bilingual trip leader with a passion for sharing their home with you. You’ll eat in local restaurants, stay in accommodations that have been family-owned for generations and cycle through vineyards, olive groves, and medieval villages. 


With VBT, you won’t just visit a place—you’ll immerse yourself in it. You might follow a centuries-old pasta recipe while taking a cooking class in Rome—or learn a folk dance in Croatia, followed by sharing a bottle of locally-produced Grk wine with your new friends. Exploring the world on two wheels lets you experience your surroundings on a deeper level.

 

VBT offers exceptional value without compromising on quality. Simply put, no other US-based active travel company offers an experience this rich for such a reasonable price. On our tours, you can see more sights, have more local experiences, and enjoy more delicious, authentic meals—all while staying in high-quality, boutique hotels and charming, family-run inns.

 

All you have to do is show up at the airport—we’ll handle the rest! From tour consultants who help you find the perfect vacation to expert local trip leaders who show you the best place for gelato, we take care of all the little details that make your trip memorable. We book your flights, arrange all your transportation and accommodations, and move your luggage between hotels. Our support vans are available to give you a lift up a hill or quickly fix a flat tire. VBT takes care of your travel details and creates unique itineraries so you can relax and enjoy your small-group vacation from start to finish.

 

Friendly camaraderie, cultural immersion, and casual comforts are the hallmarks of our vacations. Discover delightful people, beautiful hotels, foreign cultures, and fascinating lifestyles that will enrich your life and provide memories for years to come.

What they’re known for
VBT Cycling are renowned for offering exceptional guided and self-guided bicycle tours worldwide.

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Logistics

Accommodation

6 nights in boutique hotels

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included

11 meals: 6 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners

Age Requirements
13 to 80 years
Additional Information

This tour features easy to moderate terrain on many paved bike lanes, with options for longer rides. Our VBT support vehicle is always available for those who would like assistance. This tour is ideal for both enthusiastic beginners and experienced cyclists.

Daily Mileage: 12 - 40 miles| Biking: 2 - 6 hours| Group Size: 22

Trip ID
vbt-vbt-SwGeFr

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