Two days among the most unknown Christmas markets of Alsace, France

Arrives in December. it's time to markets. Now we can not do without!

After visiting the most famous markets of Germany, France and Austria, we now focus our attention on smaller towns, small towns and villages that still have Christmas markets but also interesting places to visit.

This year we decided to return to Alsace, but this time visiting some smaller towns.

In this regard there has been very useful site: http://www.marche-de-noel-alsace.com/

citing the Alsatian town that host markets in alphabetical order with their times.

 

Mulhouse

We start from Varese around 6.30. Peaceful journey through Switzerland and the tunnel of S. Gotthard.

We have not had to buy a customs seal on the highways because the Swiss had already valid.

Shortly after 11 we are already in Mulhouse, and with the help of our navigator, easily reach the Hotel de Bale, booked through the Federal Hotel convenient portal.
This is a simple, basic, inexpensive 2 star hotel but located in the center of Mulhouse. The hotel has all you need, apart from the lift. However, parking is a bit 'distant and uncomfortable. However, if interested, next to ours, there is a hotel with private parking just behind the hotel: Inter Hotel Salvator.

Let's start the sightseeing. We realize that Mulhouse, while nice, apart from the pretty market square, Place de la Réunion, has nothing particularly interesting to visit.

So focus our attention on the stalls of the market (about 80) and shops. The visit of the center is nice because it is completely pedestrian. Lunch with the Croque Monsieur (French toast covered with cheese) and the fantastic sweet churros (fritters narrow and elongated shape, typical of Spain).
In the afternoon we make the first purchases: Alsatian pottery, a lamp house door and other small items.

Drink something hot to market: Max classic mulled wine. I, however, I do not drink alcohol, are torn between the apple juice or orange juice, hot hot. I choose the apple juice and I love it. Too bad that here there are the famous marketplace for drinking cups memory of all these things. This would have gladly bought and instead simply drink in plastic cups.

When night falls Mulhouse gives its best with its fantastic lights. Take the opportunity to take some photos of most influence in the square of mercatino.Per dinner, we see in a side street a lovely Creperie, Creperie Crampus Mad - rue Tondeurs, with a well on the front. Cracks have dinner with a sweet and salty.

Eguisheim and Thann

After a good breakfast and after some difficulties in recovering our car in the parking agreement with the hotel (the park is closed on Sundays and automatic mechanisms were not so clear) we start at the next stop on our short trip: Eguisheim.

Enguisheim is a typical village fantastic. The signs indicate that it is "one of the most beautiful villages of France" and it is true.
Now we regret not having booked in one of the fabulous style hotel in the village center. It would be really nice stay here in this fantastic atmosphere. In this regard, we advise those who want to follow our advice book for all 'HOSTELLERIE DU PAPE or Auberge Alsacienne.

The village is entirely pedestrian, is colored by ancient half-timbered houses with small streets, pretty squares and spectacular fountains. Let's photos on the photo. Every corner is quaint and worth.
The marketplace is not great but at this point, given the beauty of the village, goes far into the background.
Late morning we head Thann, where we booked for the night.

Our hotel, called Hotel Du Parc and it is fantastic. This is a building that resembles a castle, however, a historical residence, nestled in a small park near the center but you can walk. Belongs to the chain that we have already experienced several times "Romantik Hotels" (which we were never disappointed) and is a truly romantic hotel.
The interiors are stylish, as in a real castle. The hotel also has outdoor swimming pool (for summer, naturally) and indoor spa with a nice hot tub, sauna, turkish bath and gym.

Unfortunately we do not deliver the room until 15 o'clock. So we head for lunch in downtown Thann. Even the Christmas market opens only in the afternoon, so lunch in a sweet and savory crepe with Creperie: Crêperie MELUSINA - rue 1ere Armee.

After lunch we go on patrol for the small town of Thann. Pleasant along the river and striking the "Witches Tower". The historic center but is nothing special, and also the market is pretty disappointing (only twenty exhibitors).
Christmas, however, include a composition made with real pine branches as a gift at Christmas.

Around 15 waiting patiently back at the hotel where the room is ready.

In the afternoon we access to the wellness area, which we booked from home. The area is very nice but .... Alas ... there as a disinfectant in water hydromassage. Our eyes burn and there is even a cough. Well .... We remain a bit 'but then decided to return to your room.

The room is obviously nice, fairly large and tastefully furnished.

We go out when you turn on the lights and look for a place for dinner.

To the church every evening at 18:30, there is a play Christmas: The Snow Queen. Look for a few minutes and then go looking for a restaurant.

We find a very typical place where you can eat cheese fondue: Restaurant Le Caseus - rue 1ere Armee. Without hesitation we go and find even the staff of Italian origin. It cool to eat the full-bodied cheese fondue dip pieces of bread with forks and accompany all of the meats with the French. At the end we are more than satisfied and happy. Although the bill is not excessive. Average prices.

It rains, we can do is return to the hotel.

Basel and the trip back home

Breakfast at the Hotel Du Parc And really princely 'cost a bit' but is certainly worth the effort. And that atmosphere, lovely breakfast room in the castle!

After breakfast we drive to Basel and after one hour, we're there.

It 'Monday morning and, as occurred in previous years, in many places, the markets are closed and only open in the afternoon. But in Basel, in the case of large cities, the markets open at mid-morning, just when we arrive.

The Christmas market is quite large. We are in Switzerland and then the items sold are a bit 'different from what is seen in France or Germany in previous years, so we see different objects. Among other things, houses / stands are very comfortable and decorated in an artistic way. Often show a typical mountain chalet with bright decorations on the roofs.

Max buys a stand in a Swiss boxcutter a super-famous brand. In Italy it costs more and also stores the Basel price is slightly higher. Among other things the seller has kindly offered the engraving of the same name on boxcutter.

Then Max, does not miss anything and drinking hot wine cup in remembrance of the market in Basel we buy for our collection.

We visit the nearby Markt Platz with conspicuous Red Palace and stroll through the streets of downtown with many shops (especially watch stores, perfume shops and department stores).
Shortly after 11 we lose in the car to begin the return journey.

We stop along the highway in the motorway to buy the famous Swiss chocolate and munching the same, we go home quickly, without traffic.
Dani and Max
For more information, please visit our website:
http://digilander.iol.it/danidisa