A few years ago, we were dying for a new travel but didn't find any plane tickets that would match our budget so we decided to hit the road directly from home. At that time we were living in Lyon, France. We decided to go enjoy the amazing landscapes of one of our neighbour: Germany.
As we were just a few days before Christmas, we also wanted to experience one of the best Christmas market of France in Colmar. So we started our roadtrip by a first stop in that beautiful small town in Alsace.
First stip: Colmar
The city of Belle in the Beauty and the Beast
We stayed one night in a very cute airbnb. We had a nice stay with a very good and fresh breakfast!
We enjoyed Colmar a lot, I don't really have any good addresses as the Christmas market was on we mainly enjoyed walking around between all the small houses. When we were there we tasted few amazing dishes though that I can recommend!
- one of Colmar specialty for Christmas: the warm orange juice with spices and honey, it's like an alcohol free mulled wine and it's a delish! Definitely worth trying
- some choucroute! They sell it in some of the stands and it's very good. Plus you can't really go to Colmar and not have a Choucroute! ;)
- their sausages: because being so close from Germany, they can only have good sausages ;)
Colmar looks like a fairy tale for Christmas with all the lights and decoration. It's definitely a very christmassy and nice destination to do. One of the plus side: all the city centre and point of interest are very closed and can be done by walking.
Second stop: Friedrischafen
The city by the lake
Niched in front of the lake bodensee, Friedrichshafen is a nice little city with the most amazing views. We found a nice house with a lake view to stay in so we decided to stop for the night. And we did well. It's a small and warm city. From the lake you get a view of the mountains of Switzerland and Austria. It's quite a view to be honest, you have a nice walk to do along the lake.
Third stop: Isny Im Allgaü
The place no one knows
Ok guys this stop was pure adventure. I booked a cheap hotel lost in the mountains on our way to Füssen (our last stop), but we couldn't find it so we had to ask locals to take us there. They were very surprised to see we were going to that place but hey, we found our hotel, it wasn't the best but at least it was a funny story to tell after.
Last stop: Füssen and Neuschwanstein Castle
The city out of a fairy tale
There's no words to say how much I enjoyed this place. Everywhere has a fairytale story. The road to get there is beautiful! You have amazing views on the mountains and you get fully the bavarian spirit when you look at your window. The village is situated between lakes and among them is the real swan lake, the one who inspired the story everyone knows now. And it's not all, you get two amazing castles built by one known as a mad king for ruining his county by wanting to create the castle of his dreams. But his dreams were amazing and his madness created one of the most spectacular castle ever. It inspired Walt Disney for his famous castle. When you look at it you completely see the castle of sleeping beauty. But the story doesn't stop here. When Disney visited the castle he saw inside a painting that was ordered by Ludwig II (the mad king) and it inspired...Bambi. It is actually the opening scene of the movie and it makes it very special when you visit the place as you feel like Disney made this. It's definitely a visit to do once in your life. You will rarely see such a scenic place.
About the village itself, it's at the image of the beauty surrounding it. We stayed in a beautiful hotel called Fantasia and it was fantastic! (sorry, too tempting ;) )
I could say a lot more but I prefer to let you see the images by yourself.
Thank you for reading this article, if you liked it, share it! If you have questions or any feedback to give, I LOVE feedback so come say hi in the comments! ;)
With love,
O.
