Day Two - Strasbourg

I spent today walking around Strasbourg...it was warm, blue skies, and beautiful. I love how you can walk everywhere when in Europe, not like at home! There are always many modes of transportation here (metros, trams, etc). These are some of my photographs taken today, starting with fresh flowers at the stand down the street.

 Many people were sitting outside at cafes, eating breakfast.

I managed to find my favorite department store, Galleries Lafayette, with no problem!

Beautiful staircase there!

Lots of saleswomen wearing black dressses today!

 Some darling Jimmy Choo boots!

 This sheep dog was trying to buy some lingerie, but no one would wait on him!

 And the poodle was buying some Chanel cosmetics...

Down the street from the department store, I found quite a few patisseries.

A very cute shower curtain!

 And more fresh posies!

 This dog went to buy bread!

Here's a cat for my cat lovin' friends...

I'm not sure how the burritos would be here...

There was a book fair on Rue Gutenberg.

It's kind of cool to come around the corner and see the famous Strasbourg cathedral right in front of you. That said, the tourist quota immediately zooms up!

So, I turned and went back to the hotel, looking at new things all the way there!

And on this note, I'll sign off the evening. I'm off to the rail station to pick up my friend Victoria. We'll have dinner, and catch up on everything. We have tomorrow until 3pm in Strasbourg, and then we pick up my rental car and head south to Riquewihr, where we'll be spending eight nights in a holiday apartment.

Day One - Strasbourg

It's a beautiful day in Strasbourg!  A bit warm, but I can handle that. After a two-hour train trip from the Paris airport, I arrived mid-afternoon, and walked from the station to my hotel. I was happy to get rid of some mighty heavy baggage, and rest for a minute or two in my wonderfully air conditioned hotel room. So that I wouldn't go right to sleep, I set out for a walk, had an early dinner and some wine, and snapped a few photographs.  Unfortunately, my photos are taking forever to upload, which is beyond annoying.  The internet connections can be a bit of a pain when you're traveling...

Anyway, here's a bit of food porn for my fans:  you know who you are!

 Shutters are everywhere, in every color imaginable.

 Lots of water and bridges here.

 A squirrel pillow in a shop window reminded me of my favorite Galgas, Joy and Sofia!

 A Boston Terrier!

Dinner time...wine and flamkuchen.

These ladies sat at the table next to me. They are from Germany and on holiday. Of course I became their new best friend...

In front of many shops doors:  a bowl of water for fido!

Off to France!

It's finally time for France again...this trip will be a visit to the Alsace region, followed by Paris. I cannot get enough of this absolutely fantastic country; there's so much to see and do. I'll be flying to Paris on Thursday evening, arriving Friday morning. Conveniently, there's a train station in the airport, where I'll hop on the non-stop to Strasbourg.

It's a grand city, and great just to walk around and take it all in. I'll be there two nights, and will be joined by my "French daughter," Victoria, on Saturday evening. Sunday, I have a car rented and we are off to Riquewihr, to spend eight nights in an apartment I've rented in the past. Riquewihr is a small walled village, bearing the designation as being one of the "most beautiful villages in France." Surrounded by vineyards, it's in the heart of the Route du Vin, the Alsatian wine route. The location is perfect, and it makes a nice "base camp" to visit the many nearby villages: Ribeauville, Kaysersberg, Hunawihr, etc. My dear friends, Jean-Paul and Martine own these beautiful holiday apartments and homes in Riquewihr, and I'm looking forward to spending time with them, as well. If any readers are visiting Alsace for the first time, I highly recommend any of their perfect rentals. They are truly your home away from home!

On September 19th, we return the rental car, and take the train back to Paris. Victoria's "real" parents live there, and I will stay in my favorite hotel, the Hotel Sainte Beuve, in the sixth arrondisement. I'm only, unfortunately, there for three nights before flying home, but we have some great things planned!

As always, I'll be blogging each evening beginning on Friday night, so please do join me, and leave comments!  I love to read them! See you soon!