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Some might say that the best travel experiences are those that happen by chance, or by a decision you make on a whim.  Chance took me to Alsace, where I visited the picturesque and picture-perfect little town of Colmar, labeled by Condé Nast Traveler as one of the 10 most beautiful little towns in France,  and Strasbourg in a long weekend.  Time was tight and I did not have the chance to travel along the Alsace Wine Route, but after my first real glimpse of the stunning Alsatian countryside,  I am determined to go back and discover those picturesque little villages surrounded by amazing scenery with Les Vosges mountains as a backdrop. The tasty Alsatian wine is also a powerful incentive to go back, of course, especially if you have a soft spot for white wine, in particular.

My trip to Colmar was unplanned and more spontaneous than anything, so my recommendations would be as spontaneous and basic as my trip was: rent a bike or stroll around for as long as you can, soaking up the fairy-tale scenery around you and refuel with a bite to eat in any of the many cafés dotted along the cobbled streets, taste the escargot if you are feeling adventurous ( though, they’re meant to be an absolute delicacy), and wash them down with a chilled Alsatian white or rosé. I decided my palate was not ready to taste the escargot yet, but I did try the Alsatian wines: I was ready to continue with my stroll after two glasses of the lovely, fruity and almost unpronounceable Gewürtztraminer; ready and slightly tipsy, too 😉

Santé!