Travelling with Mom Sis to Alsace France and Cinque Terre Italy

Sis came to visit and travel around Europe this past July. 

When she arrived in Stuttgart, we took her to the Hamburg Fishmarket Festival.

Scott and Mom- wearing down winter warm coat, so much for a warm summer vacation

We devoured roasted salmon and flammkuchen (German pizza).

Flamkuchen with arugula, tomatoes, and creamy cheese on a flaky thin crust 

The next day, we took Sis on her first trip to France and stayed in Strasbourg.

Scoots and Sis in front of the famous Gothic Cathedral

There was a psychedelic movie projection onto the front facade of the church in the evening with music.

The next morning, we brought bikes on the local train and rode to the small town of Obernai in the Alsatian wine country.

Scott wearing his fanny pack from elementary school with Sis who is wearing a more fashionable modern fanny pack

The weather was not optimal for bike riding (rain clouds everywhere) but the scenery was beautiful.

Sis shared this, one of many photos she took  of us while riding so she is very coordinated

The ride was pleasant with just a few steep inclines and no other people in sight.

I was scared to bike one handed so stopped to take most pictures- perhaps a go-pro would be ideal

Grapes for crisp white wine

At one point, it started pouring rain so we got drenched but luckily found shelter and a train stop.  It looked sunnier to the North so we rode the train to the town of Rosheim.

A banner for an Escargot Festival (yum) and Scoots maneuvering into traffic.

We stopped at a cute boulangerie (French bakery) to get snacks for a picnic.
tarts and fruit pies oh my

Pastry filled with snails, cheese and spinach- garlicky and delicious

Massive wine barrel in the town of Molsheim

Later, we strolled the cobblestone streets of Strasbourg and admired the wood timbered buildings and observed a diverse mix of tourists.

Groom sharing condoms while celebrating his stag party - Sis did not approve

People and pet watching is always fun in a city square.

Notice the 2 gentleman with mohawks sitting with their hamster cage while passionate French dogs expressed their love

Neat fountain

The next day, Scott and Sis drove to the village of Colmar.

Scoots loving his old skoool fanny circa 1988

Sis enjoying Colmar, photo bombing gondola

Later that day, Sis took the high speed train to Paris and Scott and I drove back to Stuttgart.  A few days later, Scott's cousin Bill and his wife Carla came to visit from Ontario, Canada. 

Bill (tall guy in middle), Sis and Carla (on right) pregaming with local Germans

 Sis was back in town from Paris and the 5 of us went downtown for the Stuttgart Jazz Open because we had tickets to see Van Morrison!

Mother and child

Mavis Staples, from the Staple Sisters, opened for Van and she was incredible.

Mavis is 75 years old and threatened to pass out from heat exhaustion as she sweat and sang in the sunshine

The next morning, we woke up early to drive to Cinque Terre, Italy.  

We stopped for a photo op by a alpine lake in Switzerland.

Driving into Italy was exciting because it was Sis' first time.

Sign at customs on opposite side of road- "Bon Voyage"

Scott drove the entire way (8 hrs) and we arrived in Riomaggiore before sunset. 

Megano and Scoots near the fishing boat

Early the next morning (7:30), we took a train to the village of Monterosso al Mare to hike along the coastal cliffs. 

Scott, Bill, and Sis (Carla slept in)

The hike from Monterosso to Vernazza is considered the most challenging of the Blue Trails so we brought lots of water to stay hydrated.

First cousins - Bill and Sis

The view of the town of Vernazza from the hiking trail was phenomenal.

Scott's favorite swimming hole in the middle of pic bwteen the rocks and boats

Vernazza- my favorite town of the 5 in Cinque Terre

When we arrived in Vernazza, we chilled at a cafe with cappuccinos.

Not too shabby of a view with a morning brew

Scott, Sis and Bill went swimming in the harbor.

Sis and son wearing hats under the Italian sun

Later, we went to our apartment in Riomaggiore to shower.  The place was great for 3 people and there was only one minor issue.

Very small bathroom with low ceilings (but they did make room for a bidet)

Scott got to practice his limbo skills every time he needed to relieve himself.
I badly banged my head one time thanks to this silly toilet situation

We worked up an appetite from the hike and were excited for dinner.

Happy Shanks

Sis, Carla, Megano

Highly recommend this place in Vernazza which we found on TripAdvisor

The views of the Mediterranean and sunset from our table were spectacular.

I think we all agreed that the seafood marinara pasta was the best pasta EVER

Homemade pasta with marinara and homemade trofie pesto pasta 

The next day, we did an inland hike up even steeper terrain than the day before.

Scoots looking a bit winded from the climb, Sis smiling below

We started in Riomaggiore and followed the signs to the town of Manarola.

Sis was our navigator and by the end of her travels she was very skilled at reading maps

Vines, Boats, Rocks, Sea

Me & Scoots... almost to Manarola

Scoots and terraced vineyards in the distance

Megano hiking down to the town

The town of Manarola was Sis and Scott's favorite. 

We watched kids jump off rocks into the sea from a cute wine bar atop a cliff.

We discovered a hole in the wall snack bar with a jovial Italian owner.

Giovanni was proud to offer Gluten-free options

We ordered fresh crispy onion foccaccia and homemade polenta smothered in basil pesto sauce.

It was warm and creamy and amazeen

We wandered around the town of Manarola looking for a good swimming spot.

Big boat in the background

Scott was eager to swim in his new Italian Euro-speedo that he purchased in Sardinia.

Scott's pasty pale white thighs had never been exposed to the sun so it's good it was cloudy

Sis and Scott went for a swim near the caves and I relaxed by the shore.

Adventurous Shanks going for a swim

Rock On!

It started to rain as we waited for the ferry to take us back to Riomaggiore.

Why do we look like rice farmers somewhere in East Asia?

We had a really great time with Bill, Carla, and Sis on our last night in Italy.

Carla and Bill tried to get good pictures of the 3 of us (above) but we were lousy models

We are so happy that Sis came to visit.  She is the most adventurous and active mother-in-law that I know and we are really lucky she enjoys hiking and biking as much as we do.  It was strange not having Skip around but we are excited to see him in October.  Travel bloggers would easily label Sis a "solo world traveller."  After Cinque Terre, we went back to work and Sis went alone to explore Venice, Florence, and Rome.