Add a Comment

1 Comment

Comment by gordon robertson on May 27, 2008 at 4:01pm

We did the Alsace Untour two years ago in early June. It was our first time in Europe and it was amazing. We stayed in Ribeuville, sorry about the spelling, I think the apartment we had is no longer available. We had a small balcony overlooking the town and many acres of grape vine covered hills.. After a long day of fun we would sit on our balcony and listen to the birds and the three sets of church bells ring while sipping a glass of a terrific local wine or a good French Beer. We drove lots of miles, went to Basel and a number of times to Germany, we loved the Black Forest and the Farmers Market in Freiberg. The Cathedral there was beautiful. We went to many small towns in Alsace and found the people warm and patient with our fractured French language attempts. We stopped at a lot Winerys for a taste. Untours sponsered a wine tasting at a local Vineyard and the owner took us out into his vines and described the varietys he grew and the we walked back to his place and he showed us how he made and bottled the wine and then we tried some of his wine. In early June there was a Night of Music in most of the Alsace towns, so we walked downtown, about 10 minutes away and listened to live Orchestra's, traditional French music and even some rock from the 50's and 60's. On Saturday morning we went to the local farmers market, great produce and breads and sausages. As we drove into Germany the first time we noticed a bunch of fruit stands selling Cherrys and Strawberries. Had to stop and try some. Wow are they good and picked the same day.
We did a lot of picnics, cheese, bread, fresh fruit and crackers.
If we saw a place that looked nice we would pull over and take pictures or hike a bit. We found the drivers to be very courteous and at every oppurtunity I would pull over to let them by. We spent a day in Colmar which we enjoyed, beautiful buildings, a really cool park and carousel. As we were driving to Colmar, what I think were French Mirage jets flew over with red, white and blue smoke coming out of the three planes. On our last day trip back from Germany we stopped off at the Maginot Line Museum, well worth it for me, my wife sat in the sun and relaxed while I toured the museum. The weather was about perfect. Warm sunny days, cooler nights and we slept with the windows open and were awoken by the birds singing every day. The sun did not set till late and rose early. Maybe the Alsace trip was special because it was our first, but I think it was the people and the place. If there were not so many place's we have not been to we would go again.
If you have any questions feel free to ask.