Alsace/Lorraine

As border regions Alsace and Lorraine have been fought over for centuries by France and Germany as witnessed by numerous military strongholds and cemetaries. Since 1871 these two provinces have changed nationality four times. Inspite of that, the area has a strong identity of its own, taking pride in local costumes, traditions, dialects, and cuisine. Lorraine offers beer and quiche, while Alsace is known for its white wines and choucroute garni, a famous Sauerkraut dish. Visitors will be rewarded by charming medieval towns, excellent city museums, unspoiled countryside, magnificent forests, rugged mountain drives and the Route du Vin, which is particularly popular in the Fall during the wine harvest festivities.