#44 Leaving my cottage for France

This weeks video is a little bit different, instead of showing you my daily life around my countryside cottage, I take you along as I travel to Alsace in France.
Enjoy some exciting footage of the nature around the French village we're staying as I take you along for this weeks activities around French vineyards. Subscribe to follow along on my tiny house and country life journey and get your weekly dose of cottage core!
Instagram: @nikkydegraaf
Paypal: [e-mail]

[@katiegrier]

I really appreciate the extra time you and Dillon took to slow down and capture this beautiful place on camera for us.

[@nikkydegraaf]

Thank you! I really appreciate it. We loved sharing it with you! ♥️

[@margretkates1394]

I went traveling to France via armchair! Thank you and your brother for the trip!

[@nikkydegraaf]

Thank you, we enjoyed sharing it with you! ♥️

[@I_am_Kit7]

I really loved to see more of your Brother Nikky! I really enjoy his personality. He seems like a really great person. And of course I very much enjoyed seeing you and a little bit of France as well. What a beautiful trip. Sending love to you and the animals!

[@nikkydegraaf]

Thank you so much! He is a great person, I am very proud of him. I’m so glad you enjoyed the video and we loved sharing it with you. ♥️

[@Alex_0823]

What a beautiful vlog, Nikki! Thank you for sharing with us. I love that you and your brother enjoy traveling together. Glad you had a great time.

[@nikkydegraaf]

Thank you! ♥️

[@X3Jane]

How beautiful. I watch you from across the world in a place so different. A space in my mind and life so different. But I’d love to be there with you, on bikes discovering a new town. What a beautiful life you have crafted. You look so energized and happy and filled with love and life. Bravo!!

[@nikkydegraaf]

Thank you! I’m glad I got to share it with you ♥️

[@CharlotteUnser]

I am so impressed with your many abilities to build pens for the cats, care for all your animals and your many creative ways to enhance your little house and surrounding buildings. You are so self sufficient and talented. I look forward to each of your videos and also go back to former ones.

[@nikkydegraaf]

Thank you so much! ❤️

[@jacquelinegreen9157]

What a lovely video Nikky. Lovely to see more of Dillon too, he’s a really great brother. I have a similar relationship with my brother too. It was so good to be taken on your trip with you but I’m sure you missed your animals as well. Thank you for sharing it all with us. It was really enjoyable to watch, just like all your videos. Take care xx

[@nikkydegraaf]

Thank you, I’m so happy you liked it! He is a great brother and I’m very proud of him. I did really miss my animals, but I’m very lucky my mom takes good care of them. Thank you so much for your comment, I really appreciate it ♥️

[@Jana-kz9lj]

Thank you for sharing a beautiful video. You and your brother have a lovely relationship. Zeno was happy to have you back 😊 Seems like you had a wonderful trip.

[@nikkydegraaf]

Thank you so much, we really enjoyed it!

[@miamolin]

Thank you for taking us to France. So beautiful it where over there. It was nice to see you'r brother too. Nice that you can travel together. You'r video's make me so happy. You have nice energy to watch. Have a wonderful sunday and lot of regards to you'r animals. 🐕‍🦺🐎🐎🐎🐖🐖🐓🐔🐔🐔 You'r best friend was so happy to see you ❤🐾🐾

[@nikkydegraaf]

Thank you so much, it means a lot! ♥️

[@fsh57]

Hello Nikki....it was beautiful video! 2 times I drive with my motorhome from the middle of the coast of Sweden to Spain..... I passed from Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, France and the last country was Spain! It was beautiful all the way! lt is beautiful places around us....just see (Bee and dove how were thirsty) hear and enjoy the beauty around us!🕊🦋🐞🐝

[@nikkydegraaf]

Thank you! That sounds like an amazing journey, so much beauty on the way. ♥️

[@kathyayers8889]

France is wonderful! I wish I could visit but I know I never will! Love the brick roads, flowers and vineyards! The towns and the countryside just lovely! And (2) four leaf clovers and the sound of the church bells ringing in the distance. Thank you so much for bringing all of us with you! Enjoyed your brother in this video! My brother and I had a similar close relationship unti his passing in 2006. Thank you for allowing me to re-live that through you. What a long yesteryear treat! One of the best KZbin videos I’ve viewed, and plan to rewatch again! Thank you Nikky! 😊

[@nikkydegraaf]

Thank you so much for your kind words, I really appreciate it and reading your comment made my day! ♥️♥️

[@CindySutton-cq2zv]

So much fun traveling 🚲 with Dillon and you around France. Dillon is a welcome addition to your videos💕

[@nikkydegraaf]

Thank you so much, I will try to include him in more videos if I can 😉♥️

[@lillieandrews5619]

Hello, This was a wonderful video!!! Mixing business with pleasure in beautiful France. Nice to meet you Dillon, you are a cutie pie🙂 I know it was nice to be home with the animals. Thank you for sharing your trip.❤

[@nikkydegraaf]

Thank you, I’m happy you enjoyed it ♥️

[@tullophile]

Dillon seems like such a delightful travel companion! Thank you for taking us with you!

[@nikkydegraaf]

He is, we love to travel together! Thank you for watching and leaving a comment ♥️

[@nicolemabie2111]

Hi Nikki love the channel this episode was so fun and so beautiful I know you're on vacation but your camera work was so beautiful I love your brother and I hope that you guys do more videos together he's such a sweetheart and cute I like how you were teasing him about the wine❤❤❤❤❤

[@nikkydegraaf]

Thank you so much! I’m so happy you like it. Dylan will probably be in more videos, and we will travel some more this year. Thank you for watching! ♥️

[@StephanieJongsma-cw5jp]

What a wonderful trip! I enjoyed this so much. I've never been to Europe so seeing the beautiful landscape in France was special to me. Thank you!

[@nikkydegraaf]

Thank you so much, I’m happy I got to share it with you ♥️

[@ahitchcock6557]

Oh Nikky, I could not love this video more! What a GORGEOUS place France is! From seeing the gorgeous terrain, and architecture of the buildings, and seeing actual wine tasting. You both seemed to be enjoying your time alot. Your brother has the same calm personality as you and how wonderful you travel together. That castle area was stunning. I don't think I would have made it up the stairs, going down would be fun though 😃 You both lead such interesting lives, and I am glad you went away for some fun site seeing. I know your babies were happy to see you! It is always nice to travel, but theres no better feeling than coming home to your own bed! I laughed at all the wine tasting. He has an interesting job, and I am sure for him he had such a good time. Here in the United States, we don't have the places like you do to see and visit, I truly hope my daughter gets to see Japan some day as her heart has such a love for that country. Maybe she will study abroad at some point. Thank you so much for sharing your trip, we loved it!!! see you next week. ♥

[@nikkydegraaf]

Thank you so much, we really enjoyed it, it was so amazing! But I was definitely happy to be home again, with all the animals friends. The trip was amazing, but spending time with the animals is always amazing as well. I love seeing a bit of the world, it’s so beautiful. I understand she might want to study abroad and see that part of the world from up close. It must be an amazing experience. Thank you for watching and your kind comment, it always means a lot to me. ♥️

[@Pauline-m9m]

Thank you for taking us along with you and your brother. Thanks for the lovely views of the gorgeous countryside, the delightful wine tastings and trips into the villages, it was really enjoyable. I hope you both had a great time and Dillon got what he wanted from visiting the vineyards. Pauline

[@nikkydegraaf]

Thank you Pauline, I really appreciate it. We had an amazing time and I’m happy I get to share it with you. ♥️

[@sandrawilliams7318]

hi nikky i loved this video, you looked like you were having a great time, wonderful to enjoy your holiday with dillon, what an awsome brother xxx

[@nikkydegraaf]

Thank you! He is, I am very proud of him. I’m glad you liked the video, we enjoyed sharing it with you ♥️

[@vikkichafouleas1265]

My closest human in my life besides my mom and dad was my younger brother Chris . I used to tell my mom she had him for me. My greatest love of my life.

[@bnosnebkram]

Really enjoyable trip, I look forward to maybe another adventure, with you both. Best wishes x Rachel

[@nikkydegraaf]

I’m very lucky to have such an amazing brother as well. Thank you for watching ♥️

[@nikkydegraaf]

Thank you!

[@laurawelch2347]

What a beautiful vlog, Nikki! I really enjoyed this experience through your lens. Thank you for sharing this with us!

[@nikkydegraaf]

Thank you, I appreciate it! ♥️

[@labdian]

What an adventure! I loved it. I'm glad your brother was willing to talk as well, you really look like brother and sister, it was so nice to see you spend time together. I think I need to get in touch with my brother, perhaps spend some time together just the two of us - we haven't done that since we were kids.

[@nikkydegraaf]

Thank you so much! We enjoyed it very much and we loved sharing it with you! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I think it would be a great idea to spend some time with your brother, it can be so meaningful. ♥️

[@monicajans8651]

Unripe blueberries are supposed to be poiseness! Fun trip--thank you for sharing!

[@boldpicturesgardeners]

Afternoon Nick thank you for taking us along i really enjoyed your France trip 'i enjoyed the rain water flow 'wine tasting 'food am'bikes and the beauty of nature

[@nikkydegraaf]

Thank you! ♥️

[@lisaberthiaume6075]

what a treat ❤ thank you

[@nikkydegraaf]

Thank you for watching ♥️

[@sandralovegrove2805]

Thank you both for the tour🧚‍♀️ nice to get to know Dillon ☮️🦋💜

[@nikkydegraaf]

Thank you! We enjoyed sharing it with you!

[@tmarie7463]

Thank you for sharing your trip. I loved the little village you were walking around in. The little town with all the flowers looked so quaint. 😊

[@nikkydegraaf]

Thank you for watching! It was amazing ♥️

[@lady_alisa_o]

Looks like you had a lovely trip. Here in Ontario, Canada where I am we have the Niagara region which has over 100 vineyards. I love to go wine tasting, so much fun!

[@nikkydegraaf]

It was amazing! Dylan would probably thing all those vineyards are a very good reason for a trip to Canada 😉

[@sharonkelly606]

Beautiful trip!!!!!!! Thank you for taking us along!!!! ☺

[@nikkydegraaf]

Thank you, I’m so happy to be able to share it with you ♥️

[@Brenda-m4g]

Thank you so much guys! A totally enchanting trip. I enjoyed every minute.

[@nikkydegraaf]

Thank you so much, I’m so happy you enjoyed it ♥️

[@teresaboyd5267]

What a fabulous trip, you both looked like to had a wonderful time and the scenery was stunning. Thank you for sharing and I hope the wine you brought back gets thoroughly enjoyed. 😊

[@nikkydegraaf]

Thank you! ♥️

[@Jean-ko4xv]

Wishing you & your brother a wonderfull & safe trip. Gog Bless. 🤎&🙏'ers. Jean

[@nikkydegraaf]

Thank you! ♥️

[@CharlotteUnser]

Oh so lovely....to travel with you and Dillon. Such beautiful countryside. I can see the family resemblance as you look alike. Taking the bikes was such a wonderful adventure and I enjoyed watching you sample the wine and visiting the lovely small villages. What is your work Nikki? You are self employed and can manage your many animals and fit in some travel. A good life! I look forward to all your wonderful videos.

[@nikkydegraaf]

Thank you so much! We loved it! I help my mom around the homestead and I’m a photographer. I try my best to save some money to travel a few times a year, I love to see the world! I’m very lucky my mom takes care of the animals when I’m gone. ♥️

[@chasingsimpledreams]

I was gonna say, thank god for the electric bikes if you guys are toting around that many bottles of wine!! I would love to go to Europe and see how different it is from the States. So much history and what seems like a different pace of life.

[@nikkydegraaf]

Oh for sure, the bikes were amazing, especially with all the hills. It was very beautiful, thank you for watching ♥️

[@LeonaMcLinden]

What a lovely time away! Thank you for bringing us along. ❤

[@nikkydegraaf]

I’m very happy to be able to share it with you ♥️

[@user-um9vd2xm1v]

Thank you for taking us along on your beautiful getaway!😊

[@nikkydegraaf]

Thank you for watching ♥️

[@aquariusdebra]

Lovely visit to Alsace , thank you it’s beautiful 😊

[@nikkydegraaf]

Thank you!

[@gingermolinero8386]

Thank you for sharing your vacation with us. It was beautiful.

[@nikkydegraaf]

Thank you for watching, I really appreciate it and we loved sharing it with you. ♥️

[@ravenscoven228]

Wauw, wat een prachtige plekjes! Ik heb er van genoten. Dank je wel dat wij mochten mee genieten van jullie heerlijke vakantie! ❤

[@nikkydegraaf]

Heel erg bedankt voor het kijken en je leuke reactie, dat doet mij altijd goed! ♥️

[@wandamullins2290]

Lovely! Thank you.❤

[@nikkydegraaf]

Thanks! ♥️

[@drthomason7043]

I can see you are drinking . Its your eyes, giving the show away. Dillion is tasting, most of the time thought, Thanks for an interesting trip

[@nikkydegraaf]

Thank you!

[@marycerullo8455]

I'm glad you took your viewers on your little adventure. However, I had hoped you would have told us where you were, where you stayed, what you ate, and if you made a pit stop, where and perhaps some video. I feel it was a missed opportunity. Those are my thoughts. Glad you're back safe.

[@nikkydegraaf]

I will keep it in mind for next time! Thank you!

[@susanmurphy1986]

Quite a beautiful drive and love where you stayed! That looks like my kind of Village / City. I don’t like really big cities… love to see the countryside ~ looks like a beautiful airbnb (?) what a nice getaway for you both. Thank you for sharing!

[@nikkydegraaf]

Thank you, we really enjoyed it. It was very beautiful. ♥️

[@anadorsamp3560]

Todo tan hermoso ❤❤

[@nikkydegraaf]

Thank you! ♥️

[@sweetjesusbyfaith3988]

Beautiful amazing place thank you for sharing

[@nikkydegraaf]

Thank you! ♥️

[@tamathagreen8574]

Your very very lucky!

[@thomasortiz4818]

I really enjoyed this Video, Very Nice, Thanks for Sharing!

[@nikkydegraaf]

Thank you!

[@alisonmayrhofer3039]

So very different and lovely, Thankyou❤️🇨🇦

[@nikkydegraaf]

Thank you, I’m happy you enjoyed it ♥️

[@amandainthewoods]

What a fun video and beautiful location! Wish I could pack my bag and head there right now. ✈️

[@nikkydegraaf]

Thank you! I’m glad you liked it! ♥️

[@rosarioochoa8035]

Loved it. Beautiful video. Thank you for sharing.

[@nikkydegraaf]

Thank you! ♥️

[@jacquelineleibfried4691]

Enjoy

[@nikkydegraaf]

Thanks!

[@SharonGeorge-kb9wu]

That place was so beautiful I wished I was there!

[@nikkydegraaf]

It was, I’m glad I get to share it with you guys. ♥️

[@SharonGeorge-kb9wu]

@@nikkydegraaf I went to Alsace once with my husband and we stayed at Le tre merle , it was a beautiful place

[@jacquelinesmyth3167]

Beautiful video, stunning views

[@nikkydegraaf]

Thank you ♥️

[@L0U1SE]

Here in Australia we drink pinot Gris mainly from around Australia and New Zealand. Would love to try French

[@nikkydegraaf]

Do you like it from Australia and New Zealand? I like the French, but I like all kinds of wine, Dylan knows more about it. I don’t know so much 😂

[@L0U1SE]

@@nikkydegraaf there are a lot of different flavours so it depends on the wine but we do have some very nice wines. We don’t get many overseas wines unless you go searching for them

[@tammyburke8111]

Beautiful life Nikky

[@nikkydegraaf]

Thank you!

[@DK-di1uh]

❤❤

[@sharrylocke4502]

Loved this video - thanks for the trip😊

[@nikkydegraaf]

I’m glad you liked it! Thank you for watching and leaving a comment ♥️

[@myramoran8847]

Great video

[@nikkydegraaf]

Thank you ♥️

[@empret7704]

Did you document the South Africa time?😊 Glad you enjoy the time - all the best to you brother💯💢

[@nikkydegraaf]

It was before I started KZbin, unfortunately. Thank you! ♥️

[@dragonfly7419]

ik dacht als ik de titel las dat je zou verhuizen naar Frankrijk , maar het is vakantie een heel leuke tijd voor jullie daar

[@nikkydegraaf]

Wie weet gaat dat ooit nog eens gebeuren, maar voor nu was het een hele fijne vakantie. Bedankt voor het kijken! ♥️

[@veronicashipley9123]

Hello again Nikky ☺. Lovely trip. But don't the bicycle hire folk send you out with safety helmets 🚴‍♀️🚴‍♂️? You should always wear one these days! So much more traffic about. Take care ... Oh how our fur babies love us to be home don't they. Sending love, light and blessings 🐶🐈🐎🐓xx

[@nikkydegraaf]

No, they didn’t and it’s your own choice. We are from the Netherlands and here you grow up riding bikes without helmets. It’s very normal for us, nobody here uses helmets. Thank you for your concern, but I rode a bike since I was 4 years old, every day of my life. So do most Dutch people. And the bike lanes were for bikes only, no cars allowed. That helps of course! I’m all about safety, but it’s also what you are used to and it depends on the situation and your experience. I believe we were safe at all times. I’m glad you liked the video, I really appreciate it! ♥️

[@veronicashipley9123]

@@nikkydegraaf Thanks for that Nikky. Of course you do, I didn't realise that there were so many cars only bike lanes. We're not so lucky here In the UK. When we were younger we never used an helmets on our cycling holidays but so much more traffic now. And we have a friend that is brain damaged from not wearing an Helmet that could have saved him, so sad xx

[@irenehao3878]

Dillons Cute , really smart . Thank you for sharing

[@nikkydegraaf]

Thank you! I’m very proud of him ♥️

[@carolbonnett7409]

It's nice that you got had😊 a little break away with your brother. 😁 it's a shame we didn't get to see the castle but the views were beautiful. :) I would love to visit Fance where some distant reletives are from. But living so far away & not being at all financial I don't believe it will ever happen so for now I love to just watch others enjoying the countryside. 😊 it's always a great feeling coming home again. :) 🇦🇺

[@nikkydegraaf]

Thank you! Well, the castle was only the wall, it was more of a ruin. The tower was the only thing standing, we got there mostly for the views of the town. I understand, it's very hard if a country is so far away. I'm glad I got to share it with you. Thank you for watching!

[@jeanhopman5659]

Really enjoyed this video. Made me want to go on my travels. x Could the blueberry be a sloe?

[@nikkydegraaf]

Thank you, I’m glad you liked this one! About the blueberry, I don’t know, I didn’t taste it, I should ask Dylan. ☺️

[@dylan-de-graaf]

Dylan here! I think it is indeed a sloe!

[@sandralovegrove2805]

Morning all🦋

[@nikkydegraaf]

Good morning! ❤️

[@MichelleM-ud1hx]

Hello Nikki: Love the video.......I was here at 6:00am, but just wanted to watch......not chat - I wanted to concentrate on the video and your speaking. I would be curious to know: the flowers and plants in the regions of the wines, do they infuse into the taste if the wine? Are the white wines very "dry" and the reds "robust"? I like a deep flavored red wine myself.... not too sweet, just complex. Kind regards, M.

[@nikkydegraaf]

Thank you! I'm also a big fan of deep flavored red wine, it's my favorite. And about your question, I will ask Dylan to answer it, because he knows best! Thank you for watching! ❤️

[@dylan-de-graaf]

Hi there! Dylan here :) In general, plants surrounding vineyards don't make it into the final wines. There are some exception though, like wines made close to eucalyptus forests in Australia, they can sometimes have a typical eucalyptus aroma! As for the wines from Alsace, the majority is white and very expressive and range from bone dry to off-dry and even quite a lot of sweet wines are produced. The red wines here are quite crisp and refreshing. But I do agree a deep and robust red wine every once in a while is very nice!

[@hlspicer4257]

Love your vlogs you are such a natural and love seeing this beautiful trip with your brother! Thank you for sharing your idyllic life 💕

[@Susie-se4mv]

Did you sew the net curtains yourself? I’d like to make something like this against the mosquitoes

[@nikkydegraaf]

No, I’m not that skilled unfortunately. I bought this one online, it’s actually for the bedroom.

[@Allie3613-i2z]

Hi, what are the names of the restaurant foods eaten? I’m from the U.S. not familiar with a couple of them.

[@nikkydegraaf]

Hey! I will ask Dylan, he will probably know all the names. But the dish that looks a bit like a very thin pizza is tarte flambee. It was amazing!