Golf Holidays in Alsace

Once both part of Prussia, the Alsace region is at the east of France and Baden-Baden is just over the German border.  Both destinations retain a strong feeling of individuality and neither feel particular French or German – and that’s part of the charm.

Overview

Strasbourg is the well-known capital of Alsace and the accepted capital of federal Europe. Baden-Baden is the spa, casino and cultural resort that wealthy Europeans have enjoyed for nearly 200 years.  If ever there was a cultural crossroads of Europe, this is the place.

Put the two destinations together and you have two outstanding golf courses, six more that are enjoyable, many excellent hotels, and stunning countryside packed with forests, picture-postcard villages and vineyards.  In fact, one of the courses (Kempferhof) rates among the best in Europe and you’d be hard pressed to find a better hotel than Brenners in Baden-Baden.

Strasbourg is about six hours from Calais so I recommend to have a stop-off en route and Reims in Champagne, at 2 1/2 hours from Calais, is perfectly placed.  Baden-Baden is under an hour east of Strasbourg.  If you want a faster route, fly into Baden-Baden direct from London and nearby Stuttgart is served by several UK airports.

Food & Beverages

The food is hearty and the locals are known for their sweet tooth.  In fact, there are 21 restaurants in Alsace with Michelin-stars!   So whether you‘re looking for gastronomy or charming inns serving delicious local dishes, Alsace is definitely on your menu.  Baden-Baden is more orientated towards the bar and cafe culture (as well as a superb casino) but I know four good restaurants in the town and there are treats in the neighbouring villages, plus my contact at the local tourist office has given me the list of her 16 favourite eateries.  And last but not least is the “wine and dine” circuit of Baden-Baden with three wine estates and 10 restaurants among the vineyards.

Weather-wise, early Spring to late Autumn is ideal as winters can be cool.  So it’s a perfect climate for both the vineyards and thirsty golfers.

Why Alsace & Baden-Baden

For culture, laid-back enjoyment and a truly European atmosphere, a week or so touring in the Alsace and Baden-Baden makes for a break from the norm and well away from fellow British holidaymakers.  And let’s not forget that Baden-Baden has been famous for its spas since Roman times and been the haunt of spa enthusiasts for 200 years…The town itself boasts the Caracalla Spa and Roman-Irish bath and two of my hotels have excellent spas with Brenners Park having a world-class reputation.