Zurich to Strassbourg

The day dawned sunny and beautiful and we were ready to meet our taxi at 8:45. It took us to the train station where we picked up sandwiches for lunch and got the train to Basel where we were to transfer to a train to Strasbourg. We had purchased first class tickets so had comfortable seats and a place for our luggage. A one hour ride brought us to Basel where we looked for our connecting train expected at 11:21. We became concerned when we didn't see it listed. some other American women waiting told us that the 11:21 train only runs Monday through Friday. Next train is at 12:21. A check at the ticket desk showed that we were booked for the previous day! The ticket agent in Zurich had made a mistake and we did not catch it! Fortunately, our tickets were good for today on the 12:21 so all was good. A lesson learned...Another hour brought us to Strasbourg where we got a taxi to our hotel, Hotel Maison-Rouge. Strasbourg looks to be a busy city.

We are hungry so find a place in the nearby plaza to get a snack. We have one of the signature dishes of the region, a tarte flambée. These are very thin crusted with a white, cream type sauce and cpvarious toppings. I get the "traditional" tarte flambée with lardons (like bacon) and onions. I later happen to be in a store and look in a cookbook and see a recipe for tarte flambées. The cream sauce is white cheese (unspecified) and creme fraiche! This reduces their appeal somewhat due to calories but - hey - we have to try the local specialties, don't we?

We walk to the Cathedral Notre-Dame which is one of the premier cathedrals in Europe. It is made of a sal on colored stone though it's beauty is marred by the grime which covers the stone. It is huge and dominates the landscape of the city. There are beautiful stained glass windows and a famous astronomical clock. Dave, Kathy and John walk up the 328 steps to the top of one of the towers while Linda enjoys exploring the narrow streets of the old city surrounding the cathedral.

We meet Frank and Jeannie, Linda and Chas plus Kathy and John for dinner at Ancienne Douane Restaurnt near the water and enjoy a delicious meal together. As we return to the hotel, we see Gwendal and shortly after Phillip who is just arriving with the bikes from Italy with Joan. The trip starts tomorrow!

               Cathedral Notre-Dame in Strassbourg

             Astronomical clock in the cathedral