Alsace, Germany and out!

From the great French Alps we move on reluctantly to explore the Alsace region, edging gradually closer to Cologne our eventual point of departure. At this stage we are both finding it difficult to stay focused and appreciate what's around us as we start to think more and more of home.

In our quaint country hotel (Hôtel Restaurant Au Tilleul) the staff speak absolutely no english so we are for the first time challenged to string a few french words together. Luckily they are very helpful and patient and we manage to communicate the necessities. The food is simple and unpretentious, but is a huge step down from the cuisine we were spoilt with in our last French accommodation. On our first full day we spend several hours doing hikes around various scenic trails between Labaroche and Lac Blanc, and on our departure day we wander through small towns (Katzenthal & Ammerschwihr) surrounded by endless rows of grape vines.

Ammerschwihr, Alsace France

Katzenthal, Alsace, France

From Alsace we move back into Germany for a revisit to the charm of the Black Forest. But this time we tackle the northern parts and tour through Baden Baden, Gernsbach and stop over in Dobel. From Dobel we take a day trek down to Kaltenbronn and then enjoy briefly the town festivities of Bad Herrenalb.

Views from Dobel, Black Forest Germany

One of the many peaceful paths through the Black Forest.

The next day we make our final push to Cologne, signifying the final days of this trip! On the way we stop at Worms to enjoy the romanesque cathedral, and Mainz for the same but also the birthplace of the Gutenburg Press! Michelle loves anything to do with letter press and is enthralled by the little workshop they give free public access to.

Letterpress Workshop at the Gutenberg Shop

Mainz

Mainz

Worms Cathedral

We spend a whole day in Cologne, but to be honest we are ready to go home and whilst the Cathedral is awesome, the city fails to keep us distracted from the fact that we will soon be back in Australia. Determined to leave germany on a good note we enjoy a fantastic meal of typical German food in an authentic beer house the night before our departure. On our last morning we have planned a visit to the castle "Burg Eltz" before heading to the airport but its all too hard at this stage and we forgo the full tour for a glimpse through the trees from afar.

Cologne cathedral - Biggest in Germany!

Streets of Cologne

Colognes Main train station

Our last German dinner including bratwurst, Schnitzel, Sauerkraut und Beir

la Chapelle d'Abondance

How did we end up here? I have no idea but what a fantastic place we've stumbled upon.

We're staying in la Chapelle d'Abondance, a valley in the Rhone Alps somewhere between Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc and it's a mountain bikers and hikers dream destination here in summer.

The majority of the ski lifts are open and for 1 euro a day we get an unlimited pass to ride up and down the mountains!

Our hotel is wonderful and from our room we have fantastic views of the mountains and the nearby ski town of Chatel. The newly opened hotel is run by a lovely Dutch couple and the Belgian chef prepares amazing 3 course gourmet french meals each night! Ok, we thought the black forrest was good but this place is heaven.

view from our room

enjoying the chairlifts

chairlift to another mountain

view of la Chapelle d'Abondance from another chairlift

yes, we actually did some walking

lake view

Switzerland

For the start of August we head to Switzerland to enjoy some of the local festivities surrounding Swiss national day. We drive down from the black forest to Basel where festivities begin on the 31st July. Finding a reasonably priced hotel in Switzerland is always difficult, but we managed to book an overnighter in a great little hotel just across the border in France for a good rate. From here it was a 10 minute walk into Switzerland and rows of food stalls, beer tents, bands, sporting events and fireworks.

The following day we drive across to Wittenbach to pay a visit to my Aunt and Uncle and enjoy a traditional home cooked meal! Margrit cooks some kind of magnificent ricotta cake (complete with swiss flag in berries) to finish off the perfect lunch. We then head to Zurich for the night and more fireworks and revelry.

People and Stalls lining the river at Basel

Alp horn on the Main bridge

Fireworks

Zurich

Aunty Margrit and her awesome swiss national cake

Fireworks in Basel

One of the family businesses...