Wine, Walks, and Wisteria 2001

Arrival in Frankfurt: We weren't too jetlagged after our trip on Icelandair. The change of planes in Reykjavik was easy. We went through passport control in Iceland, so we just walked off the plane in Germany.
Rhine River cruise: We picked up the rental car and drove to Bacharach along the Rhine River. We took a two-hour cruise to Boppard and returned by train. (Left, our cruise ship, Goethe, approaches Bacharach.)

Hiking in the rain: We left La Petite Pierre with the intention of visiting the ruins of Castle Nideck. When we arrived it was raining. Undeterred, we decided to make the one-mile hike to the ruin. We were thoroughly soaked in no time at all. (In the photo at left, you can see Chris in her raingear at Nideck.)
Arrival in Colmar: In our wet state, we decided to head for our hotel in Colmar. We welcomed the warmth of the four-star hotel. After drying out, we visited the Unterlinden Museum.

Returning the rental car: We had to return our rental car at the Strasbourg airport to avoid a dropoff charge. From the airport, we took the bus and tram to the Strasbourg train station. From there our train, the Vauban, a Brussels-to-Milan express, took us to Colmar.
Start of the walking tour: We met our fellow walkers in the afternoon and walked around Colmar. Our introductory walk included a boat trip in Petite Venise, pictured at right.

Eguisheim: After touring the charming walled village of Eguisheim, our fist hike was a gentle one, about three miles. The walk included a visit to the ruins of Chateau Hagueneck.
Winery tour: Following our hike, we took the bus to Wolfberger Cellars, where our winery tour (left) allowed us to sample six varieties of Alsatian wine -- Reisling, Gerwurztraminer, Tokay Pinot Gris, Muscat, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Noir.

Hunawihr: Our walk started in this village which featured a characteristic stork's nest (pictured at right) and a fortified church surrounded by vineyards. We had a hearty Alsatian lunch at St. Alexis.
Riquewihr: This charming village marked the end of our hike. After the hike we took the bus to our next hotel in Thannenkirch, a small village tucked into the Vosges.

Taennchel: Our bus took us to Croix de Ribeauville, where we began our walk through the zone of tranquility. The rest of our walk on Taennchel mountain took us back to our hotel at Thannenkirch. (In the photo at right, the group -- Bernanrd, Stan, Phyllis, Jayne, Myrna, Claire, Sue, Bill, Chris, and Rob -- poses along the trail.)

Early morning hike: Today's hike started at 6:30 am, so that we could experience the forest as it awakens. The walk featured three ruined castles above Ribeauvillé--Haut Ribeaupierre, Giersberg, and St. Ulrich. In the photo at right, Bill and Chris stand at Giersberg with St. Ulrich in the background.
Bergheim and Ribeauvillé: After the walk, we had tarte flambée for lunch in Bergheim. Then, as a concession to Bill's interests the group visited the German military cemetery outside Bergheim. The day's activities ended with a visit to Ribeauvillé.

Haut Koenigsburg: Before today's hike, we visited this magnificently restored castle. Afterwards, our hike took us from Ortenbourg to the church at St. Sebastian.

Spindler Marqueterie: After the hike, we visited the Spindler Marqueterie (pictured at left), where three generations have practiced wood inlay art. Afterwards, we transferred to our new hotel at Obernai.

Mont Saint Odile: Our hike started and ended at the convent of St. Odile (right), patron state of Alsace. Along the way, we hiked along the 6-mile-long, pre-Roman pagan wall.

Tour farewell: Our final hike was a three-mile walk from Obernai to Ottrott, where we visited a charming private park pictured at left.

Strasbourg: Our bus took us to Strasbourg, where the tour ended and tour members went their separate ways. After checking into our hotel, we examined the exterior of the cathederal and took a boat tour.

Relaxing in Strasbourg: After our walking tour, we had a slow-paced day in Strasbourg. We toured the interior of Strasbourg's cathederal, including the astronomical clock and the chancel, pictured at right. Bill visited the train station and Chris toured the Musée Alsacien.

Trains, planes and automobiles: Our trip home started with a taxi ride to Kehl, Germany. The international taxi ride testifies to how the borders have melted away within the European Community. At Kehl, we caught a train (pictured left) to Offenburg, where we transferred to a train for Frankfurt airport. Our first flight took us to Reykjavik. Another flight took us home to BWI Airport.