Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg occupies a strategic position over the Alsace plains, the Vosges, the Black Forest and the Alps. It was originally constructed in the 12th century for the purpose of watching over the wine and wheat routes to the north and the silver and salt routes running east-west. The castle sits 700 meters high […]
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Kaysersberg, France
Kaysersberg is another charming vineyard-enclosed medieval town with bright half-timbered 15th- and 16th-century houses and narrow pedestrian roads. The main industry is, of course, viticulture. The first vines were brought to Kaysersberg in the 16th century from Hungary. They originated from the Tokay vine, which now goes by the familiar name Pinot Gris. The ruins […]
Castello di Vezio
You have to really want to see the ruins of this 13th century castle because the hike is straight uphill along an old mule path, then (still uphill) on stone paths winding around houses inhabited by the town’s 50 residents. The good news is that it’s worth it. If the terrific views won’t get you […]
Le Palais des Princes de Monaco
This palace was originally constructed in the 12th century as a fortress. The Republic of Genoa had just acquired Monaco’s accessible harbor, and they needed to protect the coastline. Why not build a fortress atop a hill? The Genoese were weathly merchants – so rich, in fact, that they banked the other European nation states. […]
