Tuesday, December 10, 2013

What to do in Alsace and/or the Vosges Mountains with a family?

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 on ... childhood adventures, was the essence of a camping trip' Photo: ALAMY
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Teflonmon


I am going to spend 5 nights in a hotel near Colmar mid June and would like to know what there is to do in Alsace, the Vosges mountains and the surrounding area (Germany and Switzerland) for a young family (our son is nearly 5 years old).

We do have a particular in swimming in lakes and rivers so any suggestions that include that would be welcomed.

We will be hiring a car and I would like to know whether we can easily park in places like Ribeauville and Riquewihr. If not, what would be the best way to get to these kind of places.

Thank You.



Answer
Congratulations on selecting Alsace as your holiday destination. On a recent trip I was talking to the owner of a Michelin starred restaurant in Riquewhir who said that very few visitors came from the UK or the USA to the region. You are in for a treat: so many ravishing old villages and little towns with gorgeous houses dripping with flowers from spring to Autumn, quaint churches and monuments, and masses of folklore.The main activities, besides exploring these are walking and cycling. For people interested in wine, the Route du vin is the big draw, and for those who care about what happened under Hitler, the Strutof concentration camp is an eye opener.
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g187071-d247511-Reviews-Le_Struthof_concentration_camp-Alsace.html

There are spectacular waterfalls to walk up to but swimming in rivers is not recommended especially with a young child. Here are beaches which are safer:
http://www.tourisme67.com/en/open-air-bathing-places.htm

With regard to parking, that is easy in Colmar but smaller places like Riquewhir, Eguisheim, Ribauvillé have parkings just outside and it is a very short walk to the main attractions. The main tourist spots have a little train on wheels that takes you round the main streets but some of the finest things to see are often on narrow little streets than are only pedestrian. There are very few crossings across the Rhine and bear in mind that you will be driving on relatively small roads and not on parkways. Five nights actually means four days and you will not have the time to go to Germany or Switzerland as it involves a long drive and would not be worth your while. Strasbourg, with its magnificent cathedral, canals and the superb Petite France area, in itself takes a whole day and with a small child you will not be able to move very fast whatever you do. Likewise, the visit to the Haut-Koenigsbourg, which is an absolute must, requires at least half a day.
Your hotel will have tourist information and local maps, and there is a tourist information office in each important location that will provide you with brochures, etc...
Meanwhile If you look at the official Office du Tourisme website and select the headings that interest you (wild parks, animal kingdoms, folk museum, etc...) you will find a great deal of information already and can plan in advance.
http://www.tourisme-alsace.com/en/
There is a site map when you scroll down to the bottom of the page.
Whilst you are in Riquewhir, take your child to tour Kate Wohlfahrt's Christmas shop: it is pure magic even if you do not buy anything.
http://www.wohlfahrt.com/24-1-ferie_de_noel_in_riquewihr_france
Have a great time and I hope that you get a good view of the storks nesting and flying as they will be will be back from Africa when you get there.

Looking for a campsite in southwest UK, dog & child friendly, on a beach, near a train station?




Sarah


I'm looking for the above for a family camping holiday (tent not caravan) in August. Any recommendations would be fab. A campsite with a kids play area would be marvelous!!


Answer
dorset has a family friendly one dont know if they allow dogs its on a beach dont know if near train station

HERSTON CARAVAN AND CAMP SITE




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