Hello,
I am following my father's path through WWII and must visit the Colmar area. What is the best time to go and is English widely spoken there?
Many thanks

Hi bythecee
We were in that area in August, and it was very pretty; plenty of flower baskets in all the cities and towns, and the vines were all green.
We had no problem with being understood with our very limited french language - even if the person behind the counter doesn't speak much english, there's usually another handy customer nearby who can help with translations.
Happy travels, Di

I am quite often in the area, especially since we visit our winemaker in Gueberschwihr.

The best travelling time is between April and October.

The Alsace is a very beautiful area with lots to see and to do. Colmar is a beautiful city and is surrounded by most picturesque wine villages (Eguisheim, Riquewihr, Turckheim, Gueberschwihr...). The mountains are close with hiking trails, hidden lakes and grand views.

The food in Alsace is among the best in France, with lots of specialties with Riesling sauce. The wines are good as well as the fruit schnapps.

Lots of history & art. To catch a glimpse of Switzerland, drive to Basel, and for a look into Germany, drive to Freiburg.

The Alsacian speak "elsässisch" which is an Alemanni (German) dialect and French, but a every tourist venue (hotel, restaurant, attraction) English is spoken as well.

Other specific questions?

I find the local patois very hard to understand but you should be able to get by in French just about anywhere and English in the more international facilities. Now the good thing is that due to the wine road that flows through the area the internaitional areas include the larger wine producers and bettere hotels

Hi B,

Best times are mid-May/mid-June and mid-Sept/mid-Oct.

You will have little difficulty making yourself understood.

I can highly recommend http://perso.orange.fr/schwendi/index.htm
in Kientzheim, about 10 km from Colmar.

What's the rest of your itinerary.

Alsace has a high number of villages and towns that have won the Village Fleuri (flowered village) designation in annual contests. Winners are awarded up to 4 rosettes; towns that win the four usually have amazingly wonderful floral displays, both municipal and private houses.

Here's more information (in French, but you can ask for a translation):

http://www.villes-et-villages-fleuris.com/

Thanks everyone for your help.
ira, I will be visiting Mulhouse. It is there that my dad's last battle took place (Colmar Pocket.) Unfortunately it will be a short trip with only a couple of days for exploring, but I'm open to suggestions!
thanks again all.

Traveller,
What exactly is Riesling sauce?

Hi B,

There is train service between Colmar and Mulhouse.

Also to Strasbourg.

Riesling sauce is a creamy white sauce made with a generous amount of Riesling wine (Riesling is the crown of Alsatian wines - crisp and fresh).

Riesling sauce is served with all kinds of dishes - fish or meat. Most famous is rooster in Riesling - coq au riesling (here is a recipe):

http://tinyurl.com/2hofl2

Mulhouse is about 45min south of Colmar. Between Colmar and Mulhouse you will find very pretty towns and villages.

If you are interested in a special experience, I recommend the following:

Drive up into the Vosges and visit the Viel Armand/Hartmannsweilerkopf. It is a very famous battlefield of WW-I and very impressive. After visiting the sight (there is a small museum, a graveyard and a trail to the battleground) make a short drive to the Ferme Auberg Molkenrain.

This is a working farm, guesthouse and restaurant right in the mountains. They serve a wonderful, hearty meal for a very modest price. Do not miss one of the desserts which are prepared with fresh, home-made cream. This cream is to die for!

The home-made blueberry schnapps is also very good. And the place is very atmospheric. (It is, of course, very casual, a place for hikers.)

Ferme auberge du Molkenrain
Route des Crêtes, phone : 03.89.81.17.66, fax : 03 89 81 17 66

It is 25min driving time from Mulhouse.

If you want a gourmet menu prepared by a Michelin-star-awarded chef, go to the nice town Rouffach:

http://www.villes-et-vignoble.com/re...pe-bohrer.html

25min driving from Mulhouse, just in the middle between Mulhouse and Colmar.