France: Wine Route through the beautiful Region of Alsace, tailor-made by car

In the heart of Europe, ever-romantic Alsace cherishes natural, architectural, cultural, wine-related and culinary treasures that deserve to be savoured at a leisurely pace. Verdant, relaxing, delicious... The famous "Route des Vins d'Alsace" (Alsace Wine Route) is one of the most spectacular car journeys in France. The roads meander through rural and serene landscapes, ancient vineyards situated between the Rhine Valley and the Ballons des Vosges Nature Park, legendary forests, castles and medieval ruins such as the fortress of Haut-Koenigsbourg. Between the medieval, modern and European Strasbourg and the Vosges Mountains lies a fascinating Route linking a string of fairytale pastel-coloured villages, picturesque wine-producing towns; landscapes of sublime beauty and centuries-old wineries where you can improvise a tasting session of the world-famous Alsatian wines. You'll travel through historic lands, disputed for centuries by France and Germany, which have managed to masterfully incorporate the best of each culture. Discover a Route that encourages travellers to stop off, raise a glass and enjoy the simple pleasures of life at traditional bistros, cosy brasseries and the famed winstubs. No matter what time of year you decide to go, you'll always have a great time. At Christmas, the snow-covered villages and Christmas markets give the Route a magical touch. In spring, summer and autumn, the colours of the countryside and vineyards are constantly changing, plotting out the most evocative of landscapes. And as the finale, the stunning city of Strasbourg, a historic symbol of reconciliation. Witness to the signing of the armistice between the French and Germans after World War II, it's now one of the sites that best represents continental essence by playing host to the European Parliament, the Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights.