Destinations Archives - Melissa Hallais

COLMAR

jpwinkler — Thu, 02 Nov 2023 08:18:32 +0000

Colmar is a pocket-size city with a chill out atmosphere. A city filled with treasures – artistic masterpieces, gothic churches, renaissance architecture – and enchanting corners waiting to be discovered.

Strasbourg has la “ Petite France”, Colmar has “ Little Venice” , where colourful half-timbered houses decorate the banks of the canals.

But Colmar is much more than that…

If Strasbourg has become a European Capital, Colmar is the Alsatian capital by excellence. Its history (associated with the history of the wine in the region) and its location (over fertile soil and at the carrefour of many important routes) have led the city to be in the hub of important cultural and economic exchanges.

A guided walking tour in Colmar could be combined (depending on the duration of the tour) with a short visit to one of the following museums:

Unterlinden Museum: a former convent transformed into a museum that keeps precious works of art, such as the Issenheim Altarpiece: 11 painted panels that open to tell the story of Christ and St. Anthony. A renaissance masterpiece.

Bartholdi Museum: few people know that the Statue of Liberty – one of the most famous monuments in the world – was the work of this Alsatian. In his hometown – which was turned into a museum -, his story is told through personal notes, drawings and miniature models of his works.

Hansi Museum: Considered to be the “Ambassador of Popular Traditions in Alsace”, Jean Jacques Waltz was an Alsatian designer who was born and lived under the exchange of nationalities between France and Germany in Alsace. His works are filled with regional and national symbols, depicting an “idyllic Alsace”, prove of his strong attachment to his homeland.

Here are a few ideas on how to include a tour in Colmar on your Alsatian program:

2h Guided tour of the city centre of Colmar: During this tour we will see the main attractions of Colmar as well as my favourite corners/squares/points of view. *Transportation cost for the guide to be added to the price of the tour: 20 euros return.

On your Full Day programme along the Wine Road in Alsace: during this 8h long program (depart and return from Strasbourg), we will drive through a portion of the Wine Road (stopping to admire the landscape), visit Colmar (guided tour of the old town) and visit one other medieval village at your choice (have a look at my page ‘WINE ROAD IN ALSACE” for more info about them). Transportation type: private VTC (vehicle with a driver) from a partner company (please enquiry about prices) OR a rental car (paid for and driven by the client).

Return Day Trip by Train from Paris: yes, it is possible to do a full day tour in Alsace when you came (and return) by TGV train from Paris (1h45min each way). This full day excursion combines a guided walking tour of Strasbourg in the morning, followed by an afternoon guided walking tour in Colmar *Train Strasbourg-Colmar-Strasbourg at your own expensive. *Transportation cost for the guide to be added to the price of the tour: 20 euros return.

Get in touch now so we can organise together your memorable stay in Alsace.

A bientôt!

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STRASBOURG

Melissa Hallais — Fri, 06 Oct 2023 08:36:15 +0000

Strasbourg

Guided tours of Strasbourg combining must-see attractions with my personal favorites.

Strasbourg will surprise you, will inspire you…get ready to explore the old and the new, the historical and the modern…living side by side at this carrefour of cultural exhanges.

See for yourself why this city has inspired GUTEMBERG, GOETHE, MOZART, VICTOR HUGO and many others.

Strasbourg Highlights:

A stunning Gothic cathedral over 1000 years old

Two districts named UNESCO World Heritage Site

Quaint squares and neighbourhoods full of history

The picturesque district of La Petite France

The sumptuous former German district

The modern and symbolic European District

Strasbourg Classical Guided tours:

2h tour : guided tour of the old town including the picturesque Petite France district and the cathedral.

3h tour: guided tour of the old town including the picturesque Petite France district , the cathedral and the old German district of la Neustadt.

Strasbourg Unique (1h30m): Certainly a city that is more than 2000 thousand years old has a lot of history to tell. However, several surprising and unusual facts are hidden behind small details, which, in order to be revealed, require a closer look. This unusual visit to Strasbourg will further enrich your experience in the region.

Strasbourg Complimentary Guided Tours:

ASTRONOMICAL CLOCK (NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL): inside the cathedral of Strasbourg a hidden gem awaits to be discovered: one of the tallest astronomical clocks in the world. (Guided visit of the interior of the cathedral including explanatins about the astronomical clock can only be done if the group and guide are equipped with audiophones; these can be rented from the shop Batorama next to the Tourist Office.

STRASBOURG – CAPITAL OF EUROPE: Wow at the modern and exquisite architecture at the Europen District of Strasbourg and understand why the city was chosen to be the seat of some very important European Institutions. We can get theere by bike, tram or by walking (20min).

HISTORY MUSEUM: to better understand the region’s tumultuous and rich history.

ALSATIAN MUSEUM: traditional architecture and everyday objects to ilustrate the rural life in the 19th and 20th century rural Alsace.

STRASBOURG BY NIGHT : the same (outdoors) tours can be done at night when the city is even more enchanting.

STRASBOURG BY BIKE : Strabourg is considered one of the most bike-friendly cities in the world! During this 2-hour guided bike tour we will ride through the former German district, parks/squares and the European District. Bike rental not inclued in the price.

STRASBOURG BY BOAT: dicover the city from a different perspective by hiring a private boat and sailing through its many canals and locks while your guide unveils the history of this enchanting city. Private boats can be rented directly through the following companies websites: STRASBOAT (up to 7 people), NAO and CAPTAIN BRETZEL (up to 11 people).

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WINE ROAD ALSACE

jpwinkler — Wed, 04 Oct 2023 09:37:05 +0000

Panoramic routes, breakating views, magnificient archtiecture and delicious wine.

Alsace is a wine-growing region…a tradition that dates back to the Roman times.

But what most people don’t know is that “la Route des Vins d’Alsace” (the Wine Road in Alsace), was the first wine road to be created in France!

After the Second World War the winegrowers in Alsace got together to create something to boost the local economy.

Nowadays more than 60 villages and tows are part of this panoramic road.

Along the road, I will show you some of my favorite spots to admire the landscape…with extraordinary views over the vineyards.

Besides, you can choose one (or more) medieval villages to visit during our day (8h) in the Wine Road.

Some of these medieval villages have received the tittle “le plus beau village en France” (the most breautiful village en France), “le village préfére des Français” (the favorite village of the French people).

Eguisheim, Ribeauvillé, Riquewhir, Kaysersberg, Turckheim…

…chosing which medieval village to visit is a difficult task…but don’t worry, you can’t go wrong.

They were chosen to be part of the Wine Road precisely because they have meet all the criteira: parts of the fortification walls, half-timbered buildings, romanesque churches, local cuisine and winemaking.

Come with me in this journey of discovery to learn about:

the turbulent history of Alsace
the history of the wine in the region
the local architecture

…to explore amazing lookout points over the vineyards.

… and to do a wine tasting in one of the many independent wineries of the region! (specific villages; in English or French).

Dont’t wait any longer! Get in touch to check my availabilty and to discuss the perfect programme for you.

A bientôt!

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ALSACE

jpwinkler — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 09:30:29 +0000

FORTIFIED CASTLES, MUSEUMS AND RELIGIOUS MONUMENTS.

MOUNT ST ODILE*

Even today a pilgrimage center, the convent is one of the most visited places in the region. A visit to its interior allows you to learn about the life story (and legends) of the patron saint of Alsace. Outside – which offers the most beautiful panoramic view in the region – a route can be taken to observe how the convent was built on a rock, visit the miraculous well and the pagan wall.

* Can be combined with a visit to the charming little town of Obernai.

HAUT-KOENIGSBOURG CASTLE

Although small, the Alsace region has one of the largest concentrations of medieval castle ruins. A visit to the Haut-Koenigsbourg – nowadays a museum from the Middle Ages – allows you to understand the tumultuous history of the region and discover why this castle is considered one of the main symbols of German influence in the region.

ECOMUSEE D’ALSACE

Several half-timbered houses have been regrouped to recreate a typical 19th-century Alsatian village. A visit to this open-air museum allows you to learn about the way of life and customs of a population that was, for the most part, rural.

THE 3 CASTLES OF RIBEAUVILLE

Ribeauvillé is one of the most charming villages along the Wine Route. This active route option combines a brief guided tour of the village with a hike uphill to visit the ruins of the castles of the “lords” of Ribeauvillé.

NORTH OF ALSACE

Northern Alsace is still a region little explored by visitors. But there are many options for original itineraries that can include: ruins of medieval castles, military constructions of the Maginot Line, typical villages, visits to ceramics manufacturing workshops (typical handicrafts in the region) and the Lalique Museum.

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BLACK FOREST

jpwinkler — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 14:41:33 +0000

Learn about the history, culture and local cuisine of the Black Forest by combining scenic panoramic routes with some of the attractions along the way.

2 OPTIONS OF PANORAMIC ROUTES IN THE BLACK FOREST TO CHOOSE FROM:

EXPLORING THE NORTH OF THE BLACK FOREST

A scenic panoramic drive up and down the mountains to explore the villages along the valley, stopping every now and then to admire the views and to explore ancient mills. We will stop to visit the Mummelsee lake (one of the many glacier lakes in the Black Forest), followed by a walk through the enchanting town of Sasbachwalden (option to hike to the water fall to see one of the many schnapps’ fountains of the region).

EXPLORING THE CENTRE OF THE BLACK FOREST

A panoramic drive will take us to our first stop: the enchanting medieval village of Gengenbach.

Strolling through it’s charming alleys filled with half-timerbred houses, you will learn about the importance of the timber in the region. You will also marvel at its medieval towers and walls. During the Xmas time, the town hall becomes the largest Advent Calendar in the world!

Another memorable stop will be at the Vogtsbauernhof (Open Air Museum of the Black Forest). An exceptional location where several old farmhouses were reassembled to showcase the farm way of living of the old centuries.

And last, but not least, we will make a stop at a Cuckoo shop to admire a work of a passionate craftsman: one of the largest cuckoo clocks in the world!

Cuckoo Clock
Gengenbach
Black Forest Open Air Museum

29. September 202312. October 2023

VOGTSBAUERNHOF

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BASEL

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BADEN-BADEN

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FREIBOURG

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CHRISTMAS MARKETS

jpwinkler — Sun, 01 Oct 2023 09:39:16 +0000

Military Fortifications

Fortifications of the Maginot Line *(fortification line built along the eastern border of France, between the two wars), Fort Mutzig* (most important and modern of the Second German Empire). *Visits with local guides.

War memorials

Memorial du Linge (first war trenches), Memorial Alsace-Moselle (history of the great conflicts and wars in the region) and Vieil Armand (first war battlefield).

Natzweiler-Struthof Concentration Camp

The only concentration camp located on French territory. History of the Nazi concentration camp system and visit to the museum that displays objects that testify to the cruel history of its past.

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