Alsace – the land of wine and colors
One of the most interesting regions to go to by a car rented from PANEK Rent a Car is Alsace. The geographical region lying between the Rhine river valley and the Vosges Mountains in the past was passed from French to German hands many times and vice versa, but this did not make it unique. Alsace, which practically did not experience the horrors of World War II, today is a pearl of medieval architecture and a place of idyllic rest among castles and vineyards.
The easiest way to get there from Poland is by car, traversing the famous German highways to the south-west border with France. The journey from Warsaw should take around 12 hours, but what you will find there can compensate even the greatest hardships of the journey. Road traffic regulations in France allow you to travel on motorways at a speed of 130 km / h, on national roads, the so-called Nations, at a speed of 90 km / h, and in cities there is a limit to 50 km / h and in some places 30 km / h. However, be careful with uhlanic fantasy, because the penalties can be very high, and the police, contrary to what we know from the films about the gendarmes from Saint Tropez, are not discussed.
Half-timbered wall and colors
The largest city in Alsace is Strasbourg, which is the seat of the European Parliament and is often called the Capital of Europe. Due to its central location, Strasbourg is also the perfect base for smaller trips around Alsace. The city also has a lot to offer in terms of tourism. Extremely picturesque old town cut by canals, which are also tributaries of the Rhine, enchants with half-timbered buildings decorated with multicolored flowers. Highlights include the majestic Notre Dame Cathedral, the Palais Rohan and the Alsatian Museum.
Another capital, this time of French wines, is the city called Colmar. This small, charming town, enchanting with its architecture, looks like it has been captured in a medieval fairy tale. You must try the delicious Gewurztraminer and stroll the streets of La Petite Venice. An interesting fact is that Jean Georg Haffner was born in Colmar – a Napoleonic physician who in 1823 began the construction of a sea bathing beach in Sopot.
Only 7 km from Colmar is the village of Eguisheim, which in 2013 was voted “the favorite village of the French”. The town is also liked by storks, where you can find them as many as in Polish Podlasie and Masuria.
However, the village of Kaysersberg holds the title of “the most beautiful of the most beautiful”. The town seems as colorful as the other towns, but it is immersed in unusually lush greenery. The riot of colors and colors that interpenetrate each other can make you dizzy, but if someone would look for scenery for a Disney fairy tale, Kaysersberg is perfect for it.
Alsatian Wine Route
The history of this region dates back to Roman times, when a thousand years ago the imperial troops brought with them grapevines. However, history did not spare the grape bushes, which were completely consumed by the fire during the fires. In the middle of the 20th century, however, the vineyards were carefully rebuilt and in 1953 the Alsatian Wine Route was officially opened. The trail begins in Mulhouse and ends 170 kilometers further, in the town of Wissembourg, known, among other things, for the fact that the King of Poland, Stanisław Leszczyński, stayed here. There are 7 main types of grapevine grown here:
Sylvaner, Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Muscat, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir and the beloved Gewurztraminer by wine lovers.
The highlight of the trail is the fortified castle Haut-Koenigsbourg on top of a rocky hill between the towns of Sélestat and Colmar. The building from the 12th century was an inspiration to create the castle of Minas Tirith from the Lord of the rings. From its walls you can admire the panorama of the Vosges Mountains, and in good weather you can even see the Alps from here.
Alsace is a fairy-tale land that is perfectly explored by car. Colorful towns embedded in vineyards encourage you to make longer stops, and the wonderful landscapes will remain in your memory forever.