Cruise through the Crowds in Colmar France on a Canal Boat Tour

On By oregongirlaroundtheworldIn France14 Comments
Experience the Sweet Charm of Alsace 
Cruise past the crowds IN LITTLE VENICE, COLMAR

I’ve had Colmar, France – cute little Alsatian sweetheart – on my must-see list for a while. So when this summer’s grand European road trip from our home in Copenhagen to the south of France had some wiggle room, we added it to the itinerary. Apparently, so did everyone else visiting western Europe this year. Known as the setting inspiration for Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, there is good reason why everyone feels the need to see it for themselves. But how to ditch the masses and circumnavigate the selfie sticks in this pretty little Alsatian sweet spot? Step aboard a canal boat. For twenty-five minutes you are afforded a small-group guided tour of these canals chock full of charm.

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See a Sustainable City in Action on a Green Bike Tour of Copenhagen

On By oregongirlaroundtheworldIn Copenhagen, Green TravelLeave a comment
 Copenhagen Wants to Be the World’s First Carbon Neutral Capital
LEARN MORE AND GET INSPIRED ON A GREEN BIKE TOUR

Copenhagen – Denmark’s charming capital city is working diligently to become the greenest city in the world. Want to see what sustainable city planning and green urban development look like in action? No better way than behind the handlebars of a bicycle – a truly Danish way to do it. Don’t worry, there are plenty of places to stop and take it all in. (You can even take a walking tour.) The guides at Green Bike Tours have tons to tell you about Copenhagen’s goal to be carbon-neutral by 2025. Let’s go for a ride.

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Copenhagen Color: Where to Get Your Autumn On

On By oregongirlaroundtheworldIn Copenhagen, Fall46 Comments

Best Places to Find Fall Color in Copenhagen

A Self-Guided Bicycle/Walking Tour of Autumn Foliage and Danish Café Hygge

Fall is fantastisk in Copenhagen. Deciduous trees that dominate the landscape start changing colors to coordinate perfectly with the classic Scandinavian architecture painted in rusty reds and oranges and ochres. This town is built for autumn. The long Nordic summer days slowly get shorter as they slip into autumn. It is my favorite season here, even as the light gets less and the air turns cool. Pull on a sweater. Or a jumper if you’re British. Bring layers and something to stave off the very real potential of rain. Fall can be crisp like a tart Danish apple, famous from the island of Fejø, ripe and ready.

But autumn can also be sunny and bright here. In Danish, there is a name for that hybrid season as summer turns to fall, sensommer. It can be sublime. Come soak it up. And even when the weather wanes, as it is wont to do in Denmark, you can enjoy the season change from inside one of Copenhagen’s many cozy cafés and delicious craft coffeehouses. Continue reading “Copenhagen Color: Where to Get Your Autumn On” →

Finding Pink Flamingos in the Camargue, South of France

On By oregongirlaroundtheworldIn France29 Comments
Pay a Visit to the Parc Ornithologique du Pont de Gau
Come to the Camargue, she said

In the south of France, the Rhône river delta spreads out wide through reedy marshes, farmland and salt flats before flowing right into the Mediterranean. This region is called the Camargue. At once mythical and medieval, this beautiful area is home to cowboys, gypsies, black bulls, wild white horses and graceful pink flamingos. These are what we came to see. The Ornithological Park at Pont de Gau is a perfect place to experience the unique long-legged and pink feathered fowl up close and personal. Continue reading “Finding Pink Flamingos in the Camargue, South of France” →

Exploring the Swiss Alps | A Royal Ride to Männlichen and Hiking Down

On By oregongirlaroundtheworldIn Switzerland21 Comments
A beautiful day out in Switzerland’s Jungfrau region
WE’RE TAKING TRAINS, GONDOLAS AND WALKING SHOES

Switzerland is stunning. I’ve been here before. But it has taken me 25 years to get back. I can’t tell you why. It took so long. It was wonderful then. As a Teva wearing, backpack toting recent college graduate from the United States, together with my boyfriend – now husband – we adored our stops in Switzerland on a two-month European tour back in 1994. So when the opportunity arose to route our grand European road trip through the Swiss Alps this summer, I was seriously excited. The mountains were calling and I needed to go. And so do you. Come to the Bernese Oberland, she said. Continue reading “Exploring the Swiss Alps | A Royal Ride to Männlichen and Hiking Down” →