Hotel Tricks

The best way to get to know the city is to walk around the Old Town in the early morning before the tourist hordes arrive. If you're staying nearby, you'll be in Little Venice when the sun comes up and the morning light is lovely, and there won't be anybody around. This is the time to take great pictures in a city that's so often marred by crowds: quiet and still very much like a fairy tale. After that, you can go back to your suite for a leisurely breakfast.

Use of the kitchen in the apartment to get the most of your stay in a very smart tip to visit the wonderful Marché Couvert. Here you can buy incredible local Alsatian products; Munster cheese, fresh bread, and a bottle of local Riesling or Gewürztraminer wine. Enjoying a simple, tasty meal with these high-quality local ingredients, on your private balcony or in your spacious suite - is an authentic as well as budget-friendly experience.

One of the best and most romantic things to do is take a ride on a flat-bottomed boat along the canals in Little Venice. This is something that A LOT of tourists do when visiting London BUT it offers a unique view of half-timbered houses and flower-filled waterways. The guides themselves are entertaining, often sharing anecdotes on the history of such areas as Tanners’ or Fishmonger’s districts.

Use Colmar as a base to visit some of the gorgeous wine villages nearby in an easy day trip. Your host, Axelle, knows so much about the area and gives great recommendations. Eguisheim is just 15 minutes by car and is a must-visit- it's been named one of the most beautiful villages in France. The design with concentric cobblestone streets forms a special appeal.