Planning and Budgeting for an Unexpected Return
When we passed through Alsace before, we hardly had enough time. We wanted to go back sooner rather than later, but was it even possible?
Read MoreA Morning of French Wine
Our last morning in France we spend getting in touch with some local wine. We talk about terroir and its impact on wine as we taste some of the winery’s finest. Beth tours the church, and I get some medicine and reflect on the difference between our health care and that in Europe.
Read MoreEvening in Alsace
When you are the home city of the designer of the most recognizable statue in the world, you have to make a dedication! We stopped and saw the tribute statue of Lady Liberty on the outskirts of Colmar before heading back into Eguisheim to wander the ancient streets. We settled in to the hotel restaurant for our first try of snails!
Read MoreColmar
Upon arriving to Colmar we were greeted by a severe storm. No worries, we just waited it out in a cafe, then went exploring! The city is just stunning, with the typical Alsatian style on a larger scale. We found a nice little artisan show, wandered the old streets, and checked through the city’s amazing covered market. We ventured through the Fishmonger District and Petite Venise, two of the most beautiful areas we’ve ever been through, and ended up at the quirky House of Heads!
Read MoreLes Trois-Châteaux du Eguisheim
The Trois Chateaux du Eguisheim are three castles that overlook the town. The oldest dates back from 1006! We took a hike up to the castles, climbed the old walls, and contemplated the way of life from one thousand years ago.
Read MoreArrival in Eguisheim
We arrived in the medieval town of Eguisheim and were again greeted by a sky-spanning rainbow! We walked through the narrow, circular streets, where the colorful, pretty houses contrasted with the old stone walls and crumbling doorways. The large square in the center of town stood tall with the old castle and church, and the statues paid homage to the town’s own Pope Leo IX. We finished the night with a wonderful dinner at a small Alsatian bistro…
Read MoreKaysersberg
On a whim we stopped in the beautiful town of Kaysersberg where we found colorful buildings lining the waterways and cobblestoned streets. We climbed up to the castle on the hill and were rewarded with the most amazing views, before heading back down to the church and the most unexpected find of our journeys - a wall of actual skeletons!
Read MoreRibeauville Morning
Despite some pain, we took our time walking through Ribeauville as we made our way down to the Trimbach Winery. This is French wine country after all, and what would wine country be without some wine?
Read MoreRibeauville Evening
Evening in Ribeauville, where we strolled the streets, popped into a grocery, and went back to the hotel for dinner. Over a wonderful meal full of wine, sauerkraut, sausages, and cheese, we pondered the duality of Alsatian culture… half French and half German, but in the end… all Alsace.
Read MoreRibeauville
The beautiful town of Ribeauville! We found our cute hotel, then took to the streets where we enjoyed the scenery by the little square, marveled at the colors and the narrow streets, enjoyed a keugelhopf, met some nice people, and wound up sipping garlic brandy at a local distillery!
Read MoreKintzheim
We found a castle ruin that housed a bird of prey sanctuary. After our hike up to the ruins, we found the most amazing birds all perched throughout. We wandered through the castle grounds and made our way to the show, where we were swooped over by vultures, amazed by hawks, walked on by a condor, and Beth even caught a falcon!
Read MoreStrasbourg
Morning in Strasbourg! We leave behind our cute little cabin and explore Alsace's largest city. We walk through the old bridge and see the crazy statues inside, visit the Notre Dame cathedral, and get some cookies!
Read MoreBienvenue à Alsace!
We arrived in Alsace! We check into our cute camp cabin before heading into Strasbourg, where we were greeted by a sky-spanning rainbow! We wander the old city streets, find a great little grocery, and head back to the cabin to cook a French dinner!
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