Strasbourg turned out to be a nice little city that is very tourist-friendly without making you feel like you’re at EuroDisney.
First thing we did upon arrival was go to the tourism bureau, a small office hidden in the train station (there was a more conspicuous one right downtown near the cathedral, but we didn’t know that). Went in for a city map. Walked out with entrance to museum of our choice (historical museum, very modern and well-executed), ticket to climb cathedral tower, 1 1/2 hour boat tour, audio guide tour of downtown and a day’s bike rental. How much would you pay for this? 50€? 100€? Try 13€ ($19.99 give or take). What a deal, well done Strasbourg.
So yeah, we took up our task without abandon. Yesterday when it was threatening to rain we did the very nice boat tour (covered glass top) which touched on many parts of the city, including the European capital facilities like the European Parliament. This morning we double-dipped and did the “walking” tour of the city on our rented bikes this morning and then set out to ride to Germany. Germany complete, best ten minute visit to a country I’ve ever had.
For dinner tonight we started hopped from brasserie to brasserie and watched people, dogs, etc and then went for a Lebanese meal that was truly exceptional: traditional fare like grape leaves, hummus, falafel very well executed, but then variations that exceeded any expectations. House-made pita was a very nice touch.
Very early day tomorrow. Tickets back to Paris on the TGV at 6:45am, a day at the Louvre, and then a train to Grenoble and the Alps in the evening. Hope everything goes according to plan!
(pic related, me on pedestrian and bicycle bridge over the Rhine between Germany and France and Liz in front of cathedral at about 9pm)
