Alsace! I loved every minute I was here. A couple I know, one of whom an Alsace local, made my four day stay absolutely wonderful. One day we visited the city square of Strasbourg, sipping coffee in a little cafe directly across from the gorgeous Strasbourg Cathedral. Another day was spent here, in Mittelbergheim, a small village in Alsace. The charming homes and other buildings reflect German influence, while the vineyard that we visited for the most enjoyable wine tasting I have ever had 'dripped' with French influence. It was quiet, and surrounded by picturesque sights like this one, and I'm fairly certain we were the only tourists in the village that day. If you find yourself in Alsace, I highly recommend a stop at this friendly vineyard, Vins d'Alsace Rietsch (http://www.alsace-rietsch.eu/photographies/). They offered us a tour and lessons about the grapes and tastes of each stage of the wine making process, concluding the experience with a stop at their small but charming wine shop. They use both traditional methods with a large "barrel room," as well as modern fermentation tanks. I'll let you discover the rest for yourself!