Germany; Black Forest

JudiBoomergirl travel caricatureIt had been a glorious week on the Viking EIR, (courtesy of Viking River Cruises).* Our voyage on the “Rhineland Discovery” river cruise would soon be coming to an end. There was one last day to savor — with a morning excursion to the medieval village of Colmar, France and an afternoon exploring the beauty of Germany’s fabled Black Forest.

A Walking Tour Of Colmar, France

“Welcome aboard,” said our tour guide Rhona as we readied for the bus trip to Colmar. It was a brief ride and Rhona provided a history lesson on the way. She told us that this area of France was occupied by Germany during WWI and WWII.

Colmar, France; VIking River Cruises

Colmar, France is a quaint village

As we neared the roundabout there was a replica of the Statue of Liberty. “We have a tiny bit of New York City here,” said Rhona. “In 2004 an honorary statue was placed at the entrance of Colmar to honor it’s hometown creator Bartholdi, who designed the original monument as a thank you to Americans for their help in WWII.”

Statue of Liberty; Colmar, France

A replica of the Statue of Liberty stands at the entrance to Colmar

Statue of Liberty;  Bartholdi; Colmar, France

Bartholdi designed the real Statue of Liberty

 

Visiting the Hansi Museum

The village was charming with cobblestone streets and handmade shop signs produced by another Colmar artist, Hansi. Rhona told us that “Hansi liked to portray happy villages of the Alsace.” Maybe that’s why all of the Hansi signs were taken down by the Germans during WWII. So glad that they were reclaimed after the war and put back up.

Hansi street sign in Colmar, France;

A whimsical Hansi street sign

I spent my free hour visiting the Hansi Museum. It was filled with an eclectic collection of his artwork and a lovely shop to buy souvenirs.

Hansi Musee; Colmar, France

The Hansi Museum is worth a visit

Hansi Musee child artwork Colmar; France

Hansi drew pictures of whimsical children

Colmar, France flowers

The flowers and canals in Colmar were so pretty

An Afternoon of Beauty In The Black Forest

My boyfriend L and I were excited for our travels into the Black Forest, situated on a mountain range in Baden-Württemberg, southeast Germany. I told L I wanted to sit by the window so I could take in all the breathtaking views. He didn’t argue, knowing that perhaps he might nap along the way. Not me. My eyes were wide open the entire time.

Up, up, up we climbed into the mountains. I felt like I was in a storybook land. We saw the highest peak (at 4000 feet) where skiers down the mountains in winter and dense evergreens so close together that they appear black instead of green. We passed a thatched roof farm house and pastures covered with cows. Our guide Dominic said that there are more dairy cows in the Black Forest than people.

Black Forest; Germany

The trees are so close together in the forest that they almost look black

We traveled around sharp curves to reach Hofgut Sternen, a hotel and village, where we were educated on how cuckoo clocks are made (cuckoo birds are famous inhabitants of the forest) and learned how to prepare Black Forest Cake.

Black Forest; Germany; Hofgut Sternen

My boyfriend L and I walked around the Hofget Sternen at the top of the Black Forest

I passed on buying a cuckoo clock. If you ever want to buy a cuckoo clock you can order one online. I didn’t pass on purchasing a large slice of Black Forest Cake which L decided to share with me. “I don’t think I’m hungry for cake,” said L. “When in the Black Forest I must eat Black Forest Cake,” I replied.

cuckoo clocks; Germany; Black Forest

Cuckoo clocks are made in the Black Forest

Ooh, ooh, ooh, the whipped cream, was so light and airy going down. Ooh, ooh, ooh, the cherries were so tart and sweet at the same time. Ooh, ooh, ooh, the kirsch liquor soaked into the chocolate sponge cake adding just the right flavoring. Being a nice girlfriend, I gave L a fork and together we polished off every last bit of whipped cream. It was the best Black Forest Cake ever, ever, ever!

eating Black Forest Cake in Black Forest; Germany

The best-ever Black Forest Cake

We had experienced the forest through our senses. By listening to the sounds of the animals and trees wavering. By tasting the sweetness of the Black Forest Cake. And most of all, with our eyes, seeing all the beauty around us.

Black Forest; Germany

The Black Forest is beautiful

Saying Our Goodbyes
After a wonderful day in the Alsace region and Black Forest it was time to pack our bags. We would be taking many great memories with us.

man and woman in Germany; Black Forest;

My boyfriend L and I have many great memories from our river cruise on the Rhine

“This is our home and we hope you chose us again,” said the hotel manager Chris. “I learned at a very young age that ships that pass in the night are often forgotten. But nights that pass on the ship are never forgotten.”

So dear friends, did you book your Viking River Cruise yet? The 2017 and many of the 2018 schedules are already available. What are you waiting for? It’s time to live in the moment and enjoy your life after 50.

Bon Voyage!

Judi

P.S. – In case you missed my first recaps you can find them at:
My Travels on “Rhineland Discovery” – A Delight for the Senses
My Travels on “Rhineland Discovery” – First Stop Beautiful Bruges
My Travels on “Rhineland Discovery” – Adventures In Amsterdam
My Travels on “Rhineland Discovery” – A Lovely Last Day In Amsterdam
My Travels on “Rhineland Discovery” − Welcome To Kinderdijk and Cologne
My Travels on “Rhineland Discovery” – The Great Castles of Germany
My Travels on “Rhineland Discovery” – A Best Ever Full-Day Feast in Strasbourg

*Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored post.” Viking River Cruises provided me with a complimentary press trip river cruise on the Rhine. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.