Do US citizens need a visa for France, Germany, and Switzerland?

No. France, Germany, and Switzerland are all part of the Schengen Area, and US citizens can visit for up to 90 days within any 180-day period without a visa. This tour crosses all three countries. Confirm current entry requirements on the U.S. State Department's France travel page before departure.

Where is Alsace, France?

Alsace is a region in eastern France, running along the western bank of the Rhine River directly on the German border. To the west, the Vosges Mountains form a natural boundary; to the east, the Rhine and then Baden-Württemberg (Germany). The region was part of Germany from 1871 to 1918 and again from 1940 to 1945, which explains why Alsatian villages look and sound like a hybrid of France and Germany: cobblestone streets and half-timbered houses, Riesling alongside Pinot Noir, French menus with German-inflected names on the chalkboard.

When is the best time to cycle Alsace and the Black Forest?

May through October is the primary season, with May and June particularly good: the Alsatian vineyards are a vivid green, the historic villages have space to breathe, and temperatures are comfortable for cycling. Late August through early October bring the wine harvest to the Route des Vins, which adds a specific energy to the area that's worth seeking out. For specific departure dates, see the trip details above or call us at 1.800.245.3868.

What fitness level does this tour require?

Rated easy to moderate biking, daily distances run 12 to 40 miles over 2 to 6 hours. The Alsace plain routes along the Grand Canal d'Alsace are flat; the Black Forest sections involve ascents through forested terrain. The full range is manageable for regular cyclists, and E-bikes are available for the hill days.

Are bags transported between hotels?

Yes. Luggage transfers between all accommodations across the 7 days. You carry only a day pack or handlebar bag.

Are E-bikes available?

Yes. E-bikes can be reserved in advance and are a popular choice for the Black Forest climbing days. We provide quality bikes, helmets, and GPS navigation for all riders.

What's the group size, and do solo travelers join?

Groups run up to 22 people. Solo travelers join every departure; the three-country format and shared meals tend to generate good conversation across the week. Our group travel program is a great option if you're planning a trip with friends.

What's included in the Alsace Bike Tour price?

This is one of our guided biking tours: boutique accommodations (including a 19th-century Black Forest villa), 11 meals (6 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners with local wine and beer), all bike equipment, luggage transfers, entrance fees, and Trip Leaders throughout the 7 days. For current pricing and Tour + Travel Packages with airfare, see the trip details above or call us at 1.800.245.3868.

What does the "three countries in one day" experience involve?

One day on this tour takes you across three national borders, beginning with breakfast in Switzerland, shuttling across the border into France for lunch and a ride through the Alsace plain, then crossing the Rhine into Germany for dinner and overnight in the Black Forest. The borders are open and unmarked within Schengen, but the architecture, language, and food shift noticeably with each crossing. It's a genuinely European experience that makes the abstract idea of connected nations feel concrete.

What is Colmar, and what does the "Little Venice" float tour include?

Colmar is Alsace's most iconic city and one of the best-preserved medieval towns in France. The "Petite Venise" (Little Venice) district is a cluster of half-timbered houses and tanners' workshops that back directly onto the Lauch River. The tour includes a guided flat-boat tour along this canal through the city. Colmar also contains the Unterlinden Museum, home to the Isenheim Altarpiece, one of the most significant works of German Renaissance painting.

What is Eguisheim, and why does the tour visit it?

Eguisheim is a small village on the wine route south of Colmar, built in concentric rings around a central octagonal courtyard. It's consistently listed among the most beautiful villages in France, an accurate description, and it functions as a living wine-producing village rather than a museum piece. The walk through its one circular street takes twenty minutes at a comfortable pace; an independent tasting at one of the local wine cellars adds considerably to that time.

Alsace Bike Tour & the Black Forest

7-day Tour from $5,445 per person

Tour with travel package from $6,895 per person

Activity Level

Easy/Moderate

Daily Mileage

12-40 miles

Bike Style

E-Bikes Available

Black Forest & Wine Route Cycling

The borders of Alsace have changed throughout history—so why limit your exploration to just one country? Join VBT | Country Walkers on this epic cycling adventure through the Alsace regions of France, Germany, and Switzerland—discovering its complex history from three national perspectives. Our innovative itinerary lets you traverse borders with...

Tour 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.
Explore 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.

Activity Level

Easy/Moderate

Daily Mileage

12 to 40 miles

Biking Time

2 to 6 hours

Max Group Size

Great For

Beginner to Experienced Cyclists, Groups

Accommodations

Vehicle Support Available

This was our first VBT trip and we thoroughly enjoyed it. The guides were knowledgeable, positive, friendly, helpful and very professional. The GPS navigation was great. The routes were scenic, culturally diverse, and well thought out. The excursions/tours were interesting too. Recommend the ebike for the hills!

L Byrne, Outside Philadelphia PA

What's Included

	Tour + Travel Package	Tour Only
Exceptional Boutique Accommodations
Luggage Transportation
Entrance Fees and Special Events as Noted in the Itinerary
Free Branded Gear
Local Leaders Throughout the Tour
Support Vehicle
11 Included Meals: 6 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 3 Dinners
Local Wine and/or Beer with Included Dinners
High-Quality Bike or E-bike for Use on Tour
Helmet and Bike Bag for Use on Tour
Ride with GPS Navigation
Roundtrip Airfare		Not included
Airport Pickup and Drop-off		Not included
Pre-Tour Hotel Night in Basel		Not included
Post-Tour Hotel Night in Strasbourg		Not included
2 Additional Meals: 2 Breakfasts		Not included
City Highlights Information		Not included

Black Forest & Wine Route Cycling

Tour 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.
Explore 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.

Activity Level

Easy/Moderate

Daily Mileage

12 to 40 miles

Biking Time

2 to 6 hours

Max Group Size

Great For

Beginner to Experienced Cyclists, Groups

Accommodations

Vehicle Support Available

L Byrne, Outside Philadelphia PA

What's Included

	Tour + Travel Package	Tour Only
Exceptional Boutique Accommodations
Luggage Transportation
Entrance Fees and Special Events as Noted in the Itinerary
Free Branded Gear
Local Leaders Throughout the Tour
Support Vehicle
11 Included Meals: 6 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 3 Dinners
Local Wine and/or Beer with Included Dinners
High-Quality Bike or E-bike for Use on Tour
Helmet and Bike Bag for Use on Tour
Ride with GPS Navigation
Roundtrip Airfare		Not included
Airport Pickup and Drop-off		Not included
Pre-Tour Hotel Night in Basel		Not included
Post-Tour Hotel Night in Strasbourg		Not included
2 Additional Meals: 2 Breakfasts		Not included
City Highlights Information		Not included