You'll find Europe's largest collection of modern and contemporary art at the Centre Pompidou (or Beaubourg as it's often called), housed in a striking building covered in pipes and scaffolding. Inside, you'll find temporary exhibitions alongside the permanent collection that includes masterpieces like Duchamp's Fountain, and recognisable works by Frida Kahlo, Robert Delaunay and Wassily Kandinsky.

Take a trip out to the Jardin Albert Kahn and immerse yourself in orchards, rose gardens and forests that combine French, Japanese and English garden design. They were originally created by banker Albert Kahn before the Wall Street Crash, after which he lost his bank and his fortunes – including this garden.

Stroll along the Canal Saint-Martin, for boutique shopping by day and buzzing bars and restaurants by night.

Take a bus from Colmar to the Vosges mountain range to hike in the Grand Ballon National Park, home to the highest mountains in the region, with stunning panoramic views.

Visit Domaine Josmeyer in nearby Wintzenheim, a pioneering biodynamic vineyard, to learn more about sustainable wine production.

Visit Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle by train from Colmar; this unique site is the only fully restored medieval castle in the region. There are exceptional panoramic views of the Alsace plain, the Vosges, the Black Forest and, on a very clear day, the Alps.

Rent a canoe or kayak and take to the river for a different view of Strasbourg city and the surrounding countryside. You can opt for full-day guided tours that take in the tranquil waterways of the nearby Ill Walt Nature Reserve, or just head out for a couple of hours around the city.

The Palais Rohan was built in the 18th century for the Prince-Bishop of Strasbourg and designed to emulate the style of a grand Parisian residence. Today it's where you'll find the best insights into Alsatian history with three museums dedicated to Archaelogy, the Decorative Arts and the Fine Arts.

Join a boat tour through the meandering waterways around Strasbourg and admire the city from a different perspective.