Colmar is located in the French region of Alsace, just south of Strasbourg and minutes from the German border.  As early as the 13th century, Colmar was a prosperous town making their wealth on the wine trade.  It was also the home of the sculptor who created the Statue of Liberty.

Even though the city was captured by the Germans in both WWI and WWII, the historic half-timbered city center has survived.  These buildings contain many of the traditional shops, giving an 'Old World' feel as you wander through town--one of our favorite past-times.

 

The Christmas Markets

Alsace is the part of France that has historically passed back and forth between Germany and France and has taken some of the best from both cultures.  One of these 'captured' traditions is the Christmas market.  In fact, Colmar has three separate markets arranged around the old center.  Each market has a different theme and feel.  The market around the Cathedral is clearly religious, the market at the old city center is more commercial, and the Children's Market is full of entertainment for the children.  One common item across the three markets was the cookie counters selling fresh, warm, homemade Christmas cookies.  To walk by and smell was to want some and the freely offered samples sold boxes and boxes of the delicious treats.

 

The Children's Market

As you may well guess, the Children's Market was one of our favorites--and not only because it was the closest to our hotel.  Horse rides, the animated crèche, a Ferris wheel, hand made toys, hot mulled wine (for the adults), and tasty cookies made it easy to stay and hard to walk away.

 

Juli's Big Adventure

The narrow twisting streets, old buildings, and popular Christmas markets combine to make a busy, bustling, and festive environment.  This environment can become frightening and confusing, however, if you get separated from the rest of your party.  

Just ask Juli.  

While shopping on the Street of Merchants, Mom and Dad turned one way while Juli turned the other--just as a large group of other tourists passed by.  What resulted was a panic stricken search through crowded, winding streets for all of us.  The search finally ended when a French gentleman (the 'Grandpa Man') overheard our descriptions to the police and knew exactly where to find her--on the steps of the Cathedral.

Many, many thanks to helpful strangers!

"Snowball Fight!" 

Snow was beginning to fall as we were leaving town and headed up into the Vosges mountains for the return home.  At the top of a pass, snow had fallen the night before, leaving several inches of moist and ready snow.  A quick turn off into a rest area and 'let the snowball fight begin!'

We are not quite sure who got the worst (or best) of it as we were all wet and breathless when we called it quits.

Perri's Fun

Perri came with us as there are few things (a good nap being one) that Perri enjoys more than exploring city centers.  Here's a few of the sites Perri found for us:  the 'living' topiaries, the 'guard cat' in the shop door, and snow white on white snow.

Another wonderful Christmas adventure in one of our favorite parts of the world.  I wonder where we will go next year?