We'd been moving at a pretty steady pace through Italy, Switzerland, and now France -- but this day gave us a chance to go slower, take a few scenic detours, and find joy in the in-between places. We started in Strasbourg, a city full of canals, cathedrals, and crepes, and ended up back at our country rental house after winding through German villages that weren't on any "Top 10" list but felt like they should've been.
We drove from our Airbnb outside of Colmar to Strasbourg, about an hour north. Strasbourg sits right on the border of France and Germany, and you can feel both cultures in the architecture, the food, even the language. It's big enough to explore but not overwhelming, and we arrived early enough to beat the heat and most of the crowds.
Strasbourg's Mix of Cultures
In Strasbourg, we parked and just started walking -- with no real plan other than "find a good pastry and a view." This city has a vibe all its own: French cafes on one corner, German beer gardens on the next. The blend is seamless, and the result is a city that feels both familiar and totally unique.
We walked along the canals of La Petite France, browsed a few shops, and admired the Strasbourg Cathedral, whose towering Gothic spire made us all pause and look up in awe. We grabbed snacks from a bakery -- yes, more pastries -- and sat in a shaded plaza, people-watching and letting the moment stretch. It was a reminder that some cities don't need to impress you loudly. They just invite you in, quietly, and offer you space to breathe.
The Scenic Route Back: German Wine Towns
After lunch, instead of heading straight back, we took the long route through Germany's wine country -- a stretch of rolling hills, vineyard-covered slopes, and towns that look like postcards. We stopped in a few villages along the way, wandering down main streets, poking into bakeries, and snapping photos of timbered buildings and flower boxes. The names blur a little now, but the feeling doesn't. It was peaceful. Easy. And a part of Europe we hadn't really seen before: the ordinary, everyday beauty of small-town life.
We didn't go wine tasting -- the kids weren't quite ready for that -- but we did appreciate how every turn seemed to reveal something new.
It was one of those drives where no one asked "how much longer." Everyone just looked out the window. That's a win in any family travel vocabulary.
Small Town Vibes and Flammkuchen
After a full day of walking and winding roads, we decided to eat out in the small village walking distance from our rental house -- a village so charming and so under-the-radar that we still occasionally debate how to pronounce it. The restaurant was cozy and casual, tucked into a little square where locals lingered over beers and slow conversations.
The menu? Traditional German fare, with a surprise twist: a version of German "pizza" called Flammkuchen that we couldn't not order. Was it Italian? Of course not. But it was delicious -- crispy, cheesy, topped with regional ingredients -- and it made for a fun dinner adventure. The kids were skeptical at first but ultimately gave it a thumbs-up. And hey, when in Rome... or Germany... or wherever we were that day. It wasn't a fancy night, but it was the kind of evening that sticks with you, not because of what was on the plate, but because of the people around it.
Practical Tips
- Strasbourg is best explored on foot. Park near the city center and give yourself time to just roam -- no rush, no agenda.
- Don't plan every stop. The best part of the German wine country is stumbling upon towns you didn't expect to love.
- Have snacks on hand. Smaller towns may not have open restaurants in the afternoons, especially on weekdays.
- Let the scenery guide you. Even if you don't stop, driving through these areas is worth it for the views alone.
- Try the local cuisine. Every culture has their version of pizza -- be open to a pleasant surprise.
This day wasn't about seeing something new -- it was about seeing things differently. Letting go of the schedule. Saying yes to the scenic route. Remembering that travel isn't always about doing more -- it's about noticing more.
Where We Went
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