ALSACE FRANCE
Traveling to Alsace
by: Jennifer Marie Jordan
For those of you who are avid travelers, there are probably several
places on your wish list that you want to see. You may be determined
to pull the slots of Las Vegas, or you may desperately wish to journey
into Graceland, glancing at the bed where Elvis once slept, the pillows
where he once drooled. You may desire to camp in the Australian
outback, under the stars and the wishful eyes of the hungry dingos, or
you may, in a personal challenge, go to New York, knowing that if you
can make it there, you will make it anywhere. No matter where it is you
choose to travel, one place well worth seeing is Alsace, France.
Alsace is the smallest region in metropolitan France. Nearly four
times longer than it is wide, it borders Germany, Switzerland, Franche-
Comte, and Lorraine. Sunny, dry, and protectively shielded by the
Vosges Mountains, Alsace maintains a very storybook quality. With
white cottages and brown trim, flower boxes in windowsills, and
people uttering cheery hellos while they sweep front porches, the only
thing Alsace is missing is seven singing dwarfs. It is like a place
manufactured purely for happiness, a place that will make you want to
get up bright and early and yodel.
Alsace was heavily influenced by Germany, mainly because the
Germans kept invading. While this probably got annoying among the
citizens of Alsace - Dang it, the Germans are here again and I just
opened a new bottle of wine - the German’s presence heavily
influenced the cuisine and architecture that Alsace has since become
famous for.
There are several places to go in this area; it is a region with the rare
talent of offering perpetual entertainment. However, if you go to
Alsace, there are certain places to which you must journey. Not doing
so will leave you berating - or beret-ing - yourself all the way home.
A Boat Ride on the River III - The III is a river located in the eastern
tributary of the Rhine. Starting in the mountain town of Winkel, this
river runs northward, eventually meeting the Rhine in the city of
Strasbourg, the main city in Alsace. Riding on a boat while the river
flows through Strasbourg will allow you to see some of Alsace’s truly
historic features, including walls and defenses built in the 17th
century.
A Visit to Colmar - This old city is one of the most well-preserved in all
of Europe. Home to buildings made in German gothic style,
architecture of the early Renaissance, and several historic churches,
Colmar is a place where tourists can go to bask in the sun. The driest
city in all of France, the climate of this area is ideal for growing wine.
Raising its glasses in a toast to Mother Nature, Colmar is the Capital
of Alsatian Wine.
Claiming the Throne at Château du Haut-Kœnigsbourg - The Château
du Haut-Kœnigsbourg is the biggest tourist attraction in all of Alsace;
going to Alsace and not seeing this castle is like going to Paris and
not seeing the Eiffel Tower. Located in the protective Vosges
Mountains, this castle was routinely occupied by successive powers.
During the Thirty Year’s War, however, the castle was abandoned,
and lay deserted for several centuries. While unoccupied, it served as
an inspiration for poets, writers, and artists. In 1900, Emperor Wihelm
II had it restored, giving it the fairytale-esque feel that has made it so
popular among visitors.
The Alsace Wine Tour - The Alsace Wine Tour is enjoyable for
anyone. From those who don’t drink wine to those who named their
first child, “Brandy,” the beauty this wine tour captures will leave you in
awe. The entire route goes for more than 170 kilometers, running
through hills, villages, churches, and houses made of timber. For
those who wish to sample some of the goods, tasting cellars and
accessible vineyards are located along the path.
The Museums of Strasbourg - The principal city in Alsace, Strasbourg
serves as the backbone of the Alsace economy. Home to
manufacturing, engineering, and road, river, and rail communications,
Strasbourg also contains the Council of Europe, the European
Parliament, and the European Court of Human Rights. In addition to
this, Strasbourg is home to a plethora of museums. From the Musee
Zoologique, which is renown for its huge collection of birds, to the
Musee Archeologique, which displays regional findings from the
beginning of man through the 6th century, both the Dr. Doolittle and
the Indiana Jones in you are sure to be appeased.
Right now, Alsace may be French to you. But, once you journey there
you will find the customs, cultures, and atmosphere very appealing
and welcoming. It’s like a place you’ve never experienced and you‘ll
want to return; going there once will make you understand why the
Germans kept on coming back for more.
About The Author
Jennifer Jordan is a senior editor for http://www.mirage-limo.com. Having been to
five continents and over 40 countries, her travel column can be found at the
Mirage limo website.
Traveling to Alsace
by: Jennifer Marie Jordan
For those of you who are avid travelers, there are probably several
places on your wish list that you want to see. You may be determined
to pull the slots of Las Vegas, or you may desperately wish to journey
into Graceland, glancing at the bed where Elvis once slept, the pillows
where he once drooled. You may desire to camp in the Australian
outback, under the stars and the wishful eyes of the hungry dingos, or
you may, in a personal challenge, go to New York, knowing that if you
can make it there, you will make it anywhere. No matter where it is you
choose to travel, one place well worth seeing is Alsace, France.
Alsace is the smallest region in metropolitan France. Nearly four
times longer than it is wide, it borders Germany, Switzerland, Franche-
Comte, and Lorraine. Sunny, dry, and protectively shielded by the
Vosges Mountains, Alsace maintains a very storybook quality. With
white cottages and brown trim, flower boxes in windowsills, and
people uttering cheery hellos while they sweep front porches, the only
thing Alsace is missing is seven singing dwarfs. It is like a place
manufactured purely for happiness, a place that will make you want to
get up bright and early and yodel.
Alsace was heavily influenced by Germany, mainly because the
Germans kept invading. While this probably got annoying among the
citizens of Alsace - Dang it, the Germans are here again and I just
opened a new bottle of wine - the German’s presence heavily
influenced the cuisine and architecture that Alsace has since become
famous for.
There are several places to go in this area; it is a region with the rare
talent of offering perpetual entertainment. However, if you go to
Alsace, there are certain places to which you must journey. Not doing
so will leave you berating - or beret-ing - yourself all the way home.
A Boat Ride on the River III - The III is a river located in the eastern
tributary of the Rhine. Starting in the mountain town of Winkel, this
river runs northward, eventually meeting the Rhine in the city of
Strasbourg, the main city in Alsace. Riding on a boat while the river
flows through Strasbourg will allow you to see some of Alsace’s truly
historic features, including walls and defenses built in the 17th
century.
A Visit to Colmar - This old city is one of the most well-preserved in all
of Europe. Home to buildings made in German gothic style,
architecture of the early Renaissance, and several historic churches,
Colmar is a place where tourists can go to bask in the sun. The driest
city in all of France, the climate of this area is ideal for growing wine.
Raising its glasses in a toast to Mother Nature, Colmar is the Capital
of Alsatian Wine.
Claiming the Throne at Château du Haut-Kœnigsbourg - The Château
du Haut-Kœnigsbourg is the biggest tourist attraction in all of Alsace;
going to Alsace and not seeing this castle is like going to Paris and
not seeing the Eiffel Tower. Located in the protective Vosges
Mountains, this castle was routinely occupied by successive powers.
During the Thirty Year’s War, however, the castle was abandoned,
and lay deserted for several centuries. While unoccupied, it served as
an inspiration for poets, writers, and artists. In 1900, Emperor Wihelm
II had it restored, giving it the fairytale-esque feel that has made it so
popular among visitors.
The Alsace Wine Tour - The Alsace Wine Tour is enjoyable for
anyone. From those who don’t drink wine to those who named their
first child, “Brandy,” the beauty this wine tour captures will leave you in
awe. The entire route goes for more than 170 kilometers, running
through hills, villages, churches, and houses made of timber. For
those who wish to sample some of the goods, tasting cellars and
accessible vineyards are located along the path.
The Museums of Strasbourg - The principal city in Alsace, Strasbourg
serves as the backbone of the Alsace economy. Home to
manufacturing, engineering, and road, river, and rail communications,
Strasbourg also contains the Council of Europe, the European
Parliament, and the European Court of Human Rights. In addition to
this, Strasbourg is home to a plethora of museums. From the Musee
Zoologique, which is renown for its huge collection of birds, to the
Musee Archeologique, which displays regional findings from the
beginning of man through the 6th century, both the Dr. Doolittle and
the Indiana Jones in you are sure to be appeased.
Right now, Alsace may be French to you. But, once you journey there
you will find the customs, cultures, and atmosphere very appealing
and welcoming. It’s like a place you’ve never experienced and you‘ll
want to return; going there once will make you understand why the
Germans kept on coming back for more.
About The Author
Jennifer Jordan is a senior editor for http://www.mirage-limo.com. Having been to
five continents and over 40 countries, her travel column can be found at the
Mirage limo website.
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