We remember Alsace for the glorious, German-inflected food and the array of fine wine. Plonk simply didn't exist, even in the most humble cafes where they served wine from a cask. We always thought we'd return, and now it seems unlikely, given all the other places we're hoping to see while time allows.
Let me know if you are driving South on the A20 motorway! I live just off it at Argenton-sur-Creuse. I would so love to meet you. My parents loved Alsace and stayed overnight in Kaysersberg on their way between their home in Bristol and their house in Switzerland. I know it well though I now live a few hundred km South of there.
Rona, I had to look up “plonk” (in reference to wine)! And I so agree about choosing where to visit, knowing that time is running out. As we were already in Paris, Alsace is a quick train ride away.
I find it’s also my mindset . When I return to Zermatt, a land filled with generations of fun and family memories, there’s no such thing as a cloudy day.
Chamonix, where I watched woman fall backwards off a hiking trail almost to her death, not so much.
Final Note on Food: if you brought me that pate of white asparagus to a damp basement room, I’d be over the moon anywhere! Enjoy. XoCooky
Oh! You were practically in my neighborhood! The Alsace is an excellent corner for food and wine; a dear friend of mine, sadly no longer with us, was a brilliant winemaker and we used to visit quite regularly to sample her latest work (and stuff ourselves with local foie gras). Le Chambard! such memories.
I'd love to travel to Europe again with my husband. I'm not an experienced trip planner unfortunately. Have you, or do you currently use, a tour planner you could recommend? There are so many options for tour companies on the web but we would like to use one that comes recommended by an experienced traveller like yourself. Thanks for any advice, enjoy your time in Europe.
Lisa, excellent question—to use a travel “planner,” or not. Honestly, I wasn’t familiar with this term until recently. A dear friend earnestly asked me, “Do you have a travel planner?” I blinked and giggled, because I did not. But as we had plans to travel to Japan (for the first time) over the holidays (cf my early January post with photos), I decided it might be helpful. In fact, it was amazing! My friend’s travel planner helped us find a guide and driver for two days of sightseeing in Kyoto (for six of us; my husband and myself, and our son and his family with two children ages 11 and 13). It was for Christmas Day and the day after—there is a lot to see in Kyoto and the guide knew just what would appeal to us as well as the children.
For Alsace, I met a U.S. couple last fall, when we were in Agen, France, who told us about their very helpful planner for a trip to Alsace. The guides this planner found for us were especially good, as well as their choice of hotel, what to see, arranging the car rental, etc. CAVEAT: both of these trip planners were ridiculously expensive. So in answer to your question, a personal rec seems the best way to find a trip planner, and if you are okay with the extra expense (I’m NOT entirely okay with it!), a good option. Hope this helps. P.S. In case I wasn’t clear, I’d only recommend a travel planner if you’re going someplace you’re completely unfamiliar with, or that’s off the beaten path.
Sacha, I can do two hours, but that’s the length of a long meal with friends. Honestly, the dance and flourishes of the young servers at this restaurant were as memorable as the food!
Beautiful pics. What a wonderful trip. I love making new friends abroad.
I wrote about our trip to Italy and another piece about my daughter’s wedding in Tuscany. She married a boy from Bologna. I now have Italian mishpucha. (Yiddish for family.)
![[B]OLD AGE with Debbie Weil](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!i8Z0!,w_80,h_80,c_fill,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep,g_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdaaca764-d8d6-4a1b-bf58-61dbb72810fc_842x842.png)
![[B]OLD AGE with Debbie Weil](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!i8Z0!,w_36,h_36,c_fill,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep,g_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdaaca764-d8d6-4a1b-bf58-61dbb72810fc_842x842.png)
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We remember Alsace for the glorious, German-inflected food and the array of fine wine. Plonk simply didn't exist, even in the most humble cafes where they served wine from a cask. We always thought we'd return, and now it seems unlikely, given all the other places we're hoping to see while time allows.
Let me know if you are driving South on the A20 motorway! I live just off it at Argenton-sur-Creuse. I would so love to meet you. My parents loved Alsace and stayed overnight in Kaysersberg on their way between their home in Bristol and their house in Switzerland. I know it well though I now live a few hundred km South of there.
Bonjour Sylvia, what a lovely invitation. We are back in Paris now (we took the train from Strasbourg), so not near the A20.
Where next in France?
Rona, I had to look up “plonk” (in reference to wine)! And I so agree about choosing where to visit, knowing that time is running out. As we were already in Paris, Alsace is a quick train ride away.
Me too, me too,Debbie. It’s the people and interactions I cherish wherever I go. Thank you for sharing these lovely interactions of yours.
Holly, that sounds just like you! thank you
I find it’s also my mindset . When I return to Zermatt, a land filled with generations of fun and family memories, there’s no such thing as a cloudy day.
Chamonix, where I watched woman fall backwards off a hiking trail almost to her death, not so much.
Final Note on Food: if you brought me that pate of white asparagus to a damp basement room, I’d be over the moon anywhere! Enjoy. XoCooky
Cooky, ha ha the perfect comment, as always. I had the white asparagus several times… this wasn’t the fanciest meal but it made the best photo! xx
Oh! You were practically in my neighborhood! The Alsace is an excellent corner for food and wine; a dear friend of mine, sadly no longer with us, was a brilliant winemaker and we used to visit quite regularly to sample her latest work (and stuff ourselves with local foie gras). Le Chambard! such memories.
Caroline, it would be a lot of fun to meet up in France. We'll have to look at the logistics!
Sounds like a marvelous visit and how moving your encounter with the Ukrainian man.
thank you Amy; it was such a surprising moment. It made the war in Ukraine seem so real, and so close by.
Thank you for returning me to Strasbourg. It has been many years, and I loved the photos.
thank you Candy. I love taking photos!
I'd love to travel to Europe again with my husband. I'm not an experienced trip planner unfortunately. Have you, or do you currently use, a tour planner you could recommend? There are so many options for tour companies on the web but we would like to use one that comes recommended by an experienced traveller like yourself. Thanks for any advice, enjoy your time in Europe.
Lisa, excellent question—to use a travel “planner,” or not. Honestly, I wasn’t familiar with this term until recently. A dear friend earnestly asked me, “Do you have a travel planner?” I blinked and giggled, because I did not. But as we had plans to travel to Japan (for the first time) over the holidays (cf my early January post with photos), I decided it might be helpful. In fact, it was amazing! My friend’s travel planner helped us find a guide and driver for two days of sightseeing in Kyoto (for six of us; my husband and myself, and our son and his family with two children ages 11 and 13). It was for Christmas Day and the day after—there is a lot to see in Kyoto and the guide knew just what would appeal to us as well as the children.
For Alsace, I met a U.S. couple last fall, when we were in Agen, France, who told us about their very helpful planner for a trip to Alsace. The guides this planner found for us were especially good, as well as their choice of hotel, what to see, arranging the car rental, etc. CAVEAT: both of these trip planners were ridiculously expensive. So in answer to your question, a personal rec seems the best way to find a trip planner, and if you are okay with the extra expense (I’m NOT entirely okay with it!), a good option. Hope this helps. P.S. In case I wasn’t clear, I’d only recommend a travel planner if you’re going someplace you’re completely unfamiliar with, or that’s off the beaten path.
I agree 💯% that the people and atmosphere are the most important part of memory making. Also, I can’t handle long multi -course meals at all any more.
Sacha, I can do two hours, but that’s the length of a long meal with friends. Honestly, the dance and flourishes of the young servers at this restaurant were as memorable as the food!
Beautiful pics. What a wonderful trip. I love making new friends abroad.
I wrote about our trip to Italy and another piece about my daughter’s wedding in Tuscany. She married a boy from Bologna. I now have Italian mishpucha. (Yiddish for family.)
Clarissa, I’ll look these two posts up - thank you!