Gourmet getaway: Ammerschwir

One of France's best kept secrets - right off the tourist trail Wonderful gastronomy and world-famous wines Gingerbread houses, cosy winstubs, mediaeval castles Lazy rivers, ancient oak forests, cherry orchards

Hotel l'Arbre Vert
Alsace is one of Frances greatest kept secrets with wonderful gastronomy and world-famous wines. This friendly family-run hotel is a great base from which to explore Alsace and the food is something pretty special too! M Gabel-Tournier is your chef and his menu is a wonderfully balanced choice ranging from local specialities to traditional classic French cuisine. The hotel, which is in the centre of the village, has recently added a bar, so you can enjoy an aperitif with the locals before sitting down to a gourmet feast! As expected, the restaurant offers a first class wine list (the local tipple is Kaefferkopf).

Just a few miles off the famous Route du Vin, Ammerschwihr is one of the few places in Alsace where you still see storks the local symbol perched on the top of houses! Much of the local charm lies in the fairy-tale towns and villages that can be found at every turn. Often fortified, they have narrow cobbled streets, Gothic churches and everywhere is festooned with bright flowers and cool fountains.