Alsace Lorraine

After a splendid 8 days in Paris we got a train to Nancy with the Stewart family.  We had an unforgettable experience enjoying time with Aimee's brother-in-law and niece exploring Nancy and then later that night at the opera watching Aimee's sister kill it as the lead soprano followed by a pretty cool back stage tour and gaufres au chocolate in Nancy's stunning main square.  A day for the books, one of those rare, unique experiences that you just can't put a price on, and I shall treasure it forever.

After our magical operatic day in Nancy we said goodbye to the Stewarts and Morleys and went our separate ways exploring more of the region.  For as many times as I've been to France I have not explored much in Alsace Lorraine, so I was excited to see some places I had been wanting to visit for a long time, for instance Ronchamp.  This somewhat odd, very modern catherdral is something I have wanted to see for over 20 years!  I studied it at uni and it's been on the list ever since.  I always sort of thought it was reminiscent of a mushroom.  Really cool to see in person! 

Dallin is a pretty keen automobile fanatic.  Who knew France's national automobile museum was also in this region of France.  So of course we had to include that in the plan.  Dallin was in car heaven exploring this place.  Even for a lesser car enthusiast, I'd say it was pretty impressive!

Of course this area is also home to the legendary Bugatti cars.  To Dallin the Bugatti is like the Mecca of cars, so to see one in real life was pretty epic.  We also paid a visit to some Bugatti historical sights in Molsheim, including the Bugatti headquarters, Chateau St. Jean.  Dallin was all smiles!  

Colmar was at the top of my list.  I remember my dear Aunt Dorothy raving about this place.  One of the things I loved about our relationship was our bond over the love of travel.  We were very similar this way, and she inspired me.  This was one of the places I remember her telling me about that I must visit.  It took me longer than I had expected to make it here, but boy was she ever spot on.  Even for a travelogger like me this place ranks up there with some of the prettiest towns I have ever seen.  

The next day we visited Colmar's big brother, Strasbourg.  The capital of the region, Strasbourg loses some of the charm to its size and status, but still enjoyable!  

Biding farewell to France we drove our hire car back to Paris and flew off to continue our family summer holidays in warmer climes.  Sunny Sicily awaits!