European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - December 19, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Touring the Vosges route Duvin i Strasbourg much of the area is undeveloped wilderness making it Ideal for outdoor enthusiasts. Though not As famous As other French ski areas the Vosges has several resorts. Ont Mui ii tit tin a inc 9 resultant fierce Battles during the 1944-45 liberation by american and French forces brought near total destruction to some towns including Munster and Ger Ardmer. Today a visitor to Ger Ardmer must look Long and hard for any historic buildings among the postwar Concrete bloc houses. But outside the towns the scars of War Are All but non existent swallowed up among the Hills and the dark Evergreen Groves. Rique Wihr is one of Many attractive towns in the grape growing Region bordering the mountains. Mulhouse Vive Les Vosges a tour of the High Points the Vosges is a Region Worth taking a Lew Days to explore. Because of the terrain and the Small roads distances require greater driving time than it May appear from a map. Here Are a few suggested stops. A Rique Wihr a this wine Village about 40 Miles Southwest of Strasbourg is one of the most appealing towns in France. Its excellent wines and the Beauty of the nearby Vineyard lined Hills offset the sometimes too touristy shops. A haute Koenigsburg a the most impressive Castle fortress in the Region. A massive Monument to Feudal Power that towers above the Countryside. A be grand Ballon a the highest Mountain in the Vosges. Though a Mere Hump 4,669 feet compared to the Alps it is still affords a super View on Clear Days. A routes de cretes a the Quot Ridge Road Quot that snakes t through the High country along the world War i front line. Eye catching scenery and slow paced driving. A col de la Schluch a the highest pass in the Vosges. Features an excellent Scenic Panorama. A Ger Ardmer a a summer Winter resort near the Western Edge of the Vosges. Town itself is not especially attractive but the surrounding Countryside is. Main summer attraction is Lake Ger Ardmer. Winter drawing card is Ger Ardmer station ski area. A thann a a compact pocket size City with a splendid Cathedral cleaner and More prosperous looking than Many Vosges towns. Engelbourg ruin on Bluff above City is Worth the hike. A route Duvin a Quot wine Road Quot that skirts the Eastern Edge of the Vosges. Produces some of the world s Best White wines. A Wisse Bourg a resort town at the Northern Edge of the Vosges Many vineyards. Sights Worth seeing include the Westercamp museum and the St. Peter and Paul Church. A  a Mountain called the veil Armand in French. Site of fierce Battles during world War i. Military cemetery and War memorial on top. For More information about the Region Contact Alsace Louisme association depart mental do tourism Duhaut Rhin hotel do department f-68006 Colmar France Telephone 89-226800 Alsace tourism office departmental do tourism Dubas Rhin 9 Rue do dome f-67000 Strasbourg France Telephone 88220102, if calling from outside France be sure to add the proper country code. A Norm Zeigler 10 stripes Magazine december 19, 1991