Category Archives: francophilia

colmar

Colmar

At the end of our Alsace wine journey, we reached Colmar, which oozes with charm. By this point I was completely smitten with the region, and this town only added to that love. This view is of the “petite venice” section of town, and they mean it…you can see the gondolas on the side! The people are so welcoming…and it’s the best comfort food you can imagine. YUM.

route des vins

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Traveling the Alsace wine route has always been on my wish list. We dedicated a day to the “route des vins”, and had so much fun. The wines from the region (mainly riesling) garner high praise, the scenery is beautiful, and the winding road is a relaxing journey. The small towns scattered along the route each have their own identity, some with historic sites, some with a grand cru, and all with Alsatian charm. We drank (and spit) all the way to Colmar…

 

strasbourg

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Continuing our journey, we drove from Heidelberg across the border into France.  Upon arriving in Strasbourg, we found our hotel…finally. We might have “accidentally” driven down a sidewalk and into a courtyard, but we found it. We ventured out into the heart of the city, and I felt immediately comfortable there. This trip had a lot of sentimental value…my great grandparents were born in Strasbourg. The structures are amazing, with their classic timber-framed charm. The surprise for me was the cathedral, which towers over the main square. It was the world’s tallest structure from 1647 to 1874. Victor Hugo described it as a “gigantic and delicate marvel”, and that is the perfect description. More to come on this historic city…