Step into a winter wonderland on this 4-day festive journey through Alsace, Black forest and Basel! From the enchanting canals of Strasbourg’s La Petite France to the storybook villages of Colmar, Eguisheim, and Blackforest, this trip immerses you in the magic of European Christmas. Wander through twinkling markets, marvel at cathedral light shows, and savor the aromas of mulled wine, gingerbread, and traditional Alsatian dishes. Finish your adventure in Basel, enjoying Swiss chocolates and vibrant holiday markets before your departure. This is Europe at its most charming, cozy, and magical.
Booking
Please click on the button below to see the details of the available packages for this trip:✨ Why Take This Trip?
This isn’t just a sightseeing tour—it’s a celebration of the season, culture, and unforgettable moments.
- Stroll Strasbourg’s festive streets and admire the Great Christmas Tree illumination.
- Discover the hidden gems of Alsace, including Eguisheim’s fairy-tale streets.
- Experience medieval craft markets and the unique Advent Calendar Town Hall in Gengenbach.
- Savor Swiss chocolates and explore Basel’s bustling holiday markets.
Whether you’re seeking festive cheer, cultural immersion, or picture-perfect memories, this trip promises something truly special for everyone.
🎁 What Will You Gain?
This journey offers more than sights—it’s an experience for all your senses:
- Cultural immersion: Learn local holiday traditions, from Strasbourg’s markets to Colmar’s charming squares.
- Moments of wonder: Capture sunset views, admire cathedral illuminations, and wander magical village streets.
- Shared joy: Connect with fellow travelers over meals, markets, and seasonal experiences.
- Memories to treasure: Take home stories, photos, and the feeling of stepping into a European Christmas storybook.
❄️ Why Now?
Mid-December is the most enchanting time to visit Alsace, Blackforest and Basel:
- The villages and markets are glowing with festive lights, creating postcard-perfect scenes at every turn.
- Fewer crowds mean a more intimate and peaceful experience of Europe’s holiday traditions.
- Crisp winter skies, aromatic seasonal treats, and cozy Winstub dinners create the perfect atmosphere to end the year with joy and wonder.
Don’t miss this once-a-year opportunity to immerse yourself in the ultimate European Christmas adventure!
🎉 WHAT ARE SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS?
🏰 Strasbourg – Old Town Magic
Kick off your adventure in Strasbourg, wandering the charming canals and half-timbered streets of La Petite France. Marvel at the Cathedral light show and the Great Christmas Tree illumination, and soak up the festive atmosphere at the markets on Place Broglie and Place de la Cathédrale.
🌟 Colmar & Eguisheim – Fairy-Tale Villages
Step into a storybook as you stroll Colmar’s cobblestone streets and colorful façades. Explore Eguisheim, with its charming concentric lanes, and capture breathtaking sunset views. End the day wandering Colmar’s five Christmas markets as lights twinkle all around.
🕯️ Gengenbach – Black Forest Magic
Cross the Rhine to this hidden gem in the Black Forest. Witness the Advent Calendar Town Hall lighting and explore streets full of holiday charm, local shops, and traditional German festive spirit.
🍫 Basel – Swiss Finale
End your trip in Basel with a stroll through Barfüsserplatz and Münsterplatz Christmas markets, indulgent Swiss chocolates, and stunning cathedral views. Take in riverside walks and soak up the vibrant festive energy of this Swiss city.
🗓️ TRIP DETAILS
Start & End Date:
- Option A (3 nights) – Fri 13 Dec – Tue 16 Dec
- Option B (4 nights) – Thu evening, 12 Dec – Tue 16 Dec
Meeting Location:
- Option A: Meet your guide outside Strasbourg-Ville Train Station from 10 AM onwards on Sat, 13 Dec.Note: If you are arriving much later i.e. after 11am, then the guide will share their location in Strasbourg and you can meet them there.
- Option B: Meet your guide anytime after 8pm onwards directly at the accommodation in Offenburg (Germany) which is very close to Offenburg Train Station
Finishing Location: Basel Train Station preferably from 5pm onwards where you take the bus that takes you to the airport.
Note:
Exact accommodation details will be shared with confirmed participants closer to the trip via a dedicated WhatsApp group. If you plan to arrive earlier or leave later than the official dates, please update your plans in the shared sheet so we can make arrangements where possible.
🥾 Difficulty Level (this is a non hiking trip)
Easy: This trip involves walking through villages, cobblestone streets, scenic viewpoints, and holiday markets. Participants should be comfortable with walking 2–5 km at a relaxed pace per day, including some uneven surfaces like cobblestones and hill paths. A moderate level of fitness is recommended for the best experience.
🎁 What’s Included?
- Experienced local guide for the entire trip.
- 3 / 4 nights accommodation in shared twin or triple rooms. Add-ons available for room upgrades.
- Breakfast included every morning.
- Local transport (trains and shuttles) between cities and villages.
- Organized visits to markets and highlights, with guidance on exploring villages and photo spots.
- Access to a WhatsApp group for real-time trip updates, group chats, and shared photos.
🍷 Optional Add-Ons (To be made available closer to the trip date and based on availability)
- 🎨 Alsatian Christmas Cookie Workshop (Strasbourg) – Learn to bake Bredele (traditional cookies) with a local artisan near La Petite France
- 🍷 Wine Tasting in Riquewihr (Colmar & Alsace Villages) – Guided tasting of 4 regional wines (Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, Crémant d’Alsace):
- Advent Calendar Town Hall Light Show or Medieval Market Craft Demo Evening craft & candle-making demo (souvenir included) in Gengenbach
- 🍫 Swiss Chocolate Experience at Läderach or Teuscher Boutique – Tasting & short chocolate-making workshop before heading home
✈️ How to Get There
By Air: Flying is the fastest and most convenient way to reach Strasbourg. The nearest airport is Strasbourg International Airport (SXB), with direct flights from major European cities including Paris, Amsterdam, London, Brussels, Lisbon, and Zurich. From the airport, you can take a short tram or taxi ride to Strasbourg-Ville Train Station, where the trip begins.
By Train: Strasbourg is very well connected via the TGV high-speed network. The journey from Paris Gare de l’Est takes around 1 hour 45 minutes, and from Frankfurt or Basel, it’s less than 2 hours. Arrive directly at Strasbourg-Ville Train Station, the official meeting point for the trip.
By Car: Strasbourg is accessible via the A35 and A4 motorways, offering scenic winter views of the Vosges Mountains along the way.
Regional Connections: For travelers coming from nearby towns, TER and Deutsche Bahn trains connect Colmar, Mulhouse, Freiburg, and Basel several times a day, making cross-border travel easy and picturesque.
WHAT IS THE PLAN?
Day 0 – Dec 12 (Friday night) | Optional Arrival & Welcome in Offenburg
Arrive at your hotel in Offenburg at your convenience and settle in. Take a gentle stroll around the town, enjoy a cozy café, or simply relax after your journey. This optional day is perfect to unwind and prepare for the adventures ahead, ensuring everyone starts the trip refreshed and ready to explore.
Day 1 – Dec 13 | Strasbourg & Old Town Magic
Begin the day with a scenic trip from Offenburg to Strasbourg. Explore the enchanting streets of La Petite France and the Cathedral Quarter with your guide, taking in the canals, half-timbered houses, and charming corners that make Strasbourg so magical. In the afternoon, meander through the Christmas markets at Place Broglie and Place de la Cathédrale, soaking up festive sights, smells, and sounds. As evening falls, marvel at the Cathedral light show and the Great Christmas Tree illumination, followed by a traditional Winstub dinner with the group. Return to Offenburg for overnight stay.
Day 2 – Dec 14 | Hidden Alsace Villages
Take a morning train to Colmar, where cobblestone streets and colorful façades set the scene for a day of festive exploration. Visit Eguisheim, a charming village with concentric streets straight out of a storybook. Capture the stunning sunset and wander through Colmar’s five Christmas markets as evening sets in. Return to Offenburg for another cozy overnight stay.
Day 3 – Dec 15 | Black Forest Magic
Venture across the Rhine into the Black Forest to visit Gengenbach, a picturesque town that feels like it’s come straight out of a Christmas card. Admire its traditional architecture, explore its market stalls, and witness the magic of the Advent Calendar Town Hall as the evening lights bring the square to life. Return to Offenburg for free time or a cozy wine bar evening.exploration.
Day 4 – Dec 16 | Basel – Swiss Finale & Departure
Take the morning train to Basel, Switzerland, and immerse yourself in the city’s festive atmosphere. Wander through Barfüsserplatz and Münsterplatz Christmas markets, savor Swiss chocolates, and admire the Basel Cathedral. Enjoy riverside walks along the Rhine or an optional farewell lunch before we finish the trip at Basel train station, concluding your magical European holiday.
WHAT IS NEXT ?
- WhatsApp Group: In the ticket confirmation page, you will find a link to a whatsapp group dedicated to this event. This group is where you can connect with trip mates, coordinate arrival options & stay in touch.
- Trip Briefing: We will be sharing this document about 2 weeks before the trip providing details on what to expect, how to prepare etc.
- Trip Discussion Call: We will be scheduling a group call with the confirmed partcipants on this trip about 7 days before the trip where we can address any queries / concerns that you may have regarding the trip.
- Google Photos Album: You will find a link in the whatsapp group description to the shared google photos album where you can upload & view all shared photos & videos from the trip.
A Few Words About Me – Saraswathi Ravi
Hi, I’m Saraswathi! I’m a freelance tour manager and guide based in Paris, with experience leading cultural, scenic, and festive tours across Europe. From wandering the charming streets of Paris to exploring picturesque villages and Christmas markets across the continent, I love creating experiences that are memorable, joyful, and full of discovery.
For this Alsace & Basel trip, I’ll guide you through enchanting towns, twinkling markets, and scenic viewpoints, sharing stories, local insights, and little-known gems along the way. My goal is to make every moment of your holiday adventure enjoyable and effortless, balancing exploration with relaxation. I’ll be with you every step, answering questions, offering tips, and helping you soak in the magic of Europe’s festive season.
Let’s make this holiday trip an unforgettable journey filled with laughter, charm, and seasonal wonder!
HOW DO I CONTACT YOU FOR ANY QUERIES / CONCERNS?
-
Join our WhatsApp community to connect with fellow travelers and ask your questions:
Join the Whatsapp Group -
Or reach out to Vincent Scheidecker via WhatsApp private message or SMS:
+33 6 60 25 62 66
WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY TRANSACTION FEES?
Transaction fees apply only when you use the ticketing system available on this page.
If you prefer to avoid these fees, we offer the option of paying via bank transfer. To arrange a bank transfer or if you have any questions, please contact Vincent Scheidecker directly via WhatsApp private message:
+33 6 60 25 62 66
WHAT ARE YOUR REVIEW'S LIKE FROM PREVIOUS TRIPS?
To go through our amazing reviews by participants, please click on the links below:
WHAT IS NEXT?
- WhatsApp Group: In the ticket confirmation page, you will find a link to a whatsapp group dedicated to this event. This group is where you can connect with trip mates, coordinate arrival options & stay in touch.
- Trip Briefing: You will find a link in the whatsapp group description to a detailed trip briefing document providing details on what to expect, how to prepare etc.
- Google Photos Album: You will find a link in the whatsapp group description to the shared google photos album where you can upload & view all shared photos & videos from the trip.
WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION POLICY?
- Free cancellation up to 7 full days before the start of the trip. After that, cancel up to 5 days before the trip to get a 50% refund.
- If the event is cancelled by Urbanature Travel (UNT), you will get a full refund (excluding any airfares), unless you have purchased a flight inclusive package directly with Urbanature Travel (UNT) in which case you will get a refund including the flights.
- Please note that the program, as well as the venue is subject to change due to extreme weather conditions, as well as to the characteristics and size of the group.
- Urbanature Travel (UNT) needs a minimum of 5 participants for this trip to take place, else we may cancel this trip.
- UNT reserves the right to cancel the trip, modify the route, change the accommodation or re-schedule hikes and without prior notice.
- UNT is not responsible for any loss, theft, damage or personal injury that occurs during the trip.
ABOUT THE ORGANIZER
Organized by :
Urbanature Travel
Welcome my fellow travellers! We are looking to provide you with options to travel to amazing places with our like-minded community guides. Our trips would involve a mash-up of urban exploring and comfortable nature trails & hikes planned & designed by us to ensure that you have a great time & have a more holistic experience.
Looking forward to seeing you on our trips!!!
