May 9-21
M/S River Voyager
After two more “perfect weather” days of cruising with stops in Mainz and Mannheim, we arrived in Gambsheim, France, a little town 15 km. north of Strasbourg, where we docked for the day. A short motor coach ride and we were in Strasbourg, the capital city of the Alsace region in northeastern France and the seat of the European Parliament. After living in France many years ago and spending several summers with French friends in the southwest (Basque country), being back on French soil was a day of nostalgia and complete pleasure as I “lost myself” in the language and sounds of a country that played an important part in my life.
Mainz
The Dom (Cathedral), the most important church in Germany with a foundation stone laid in 975, is a central point in the old city.
Pedestrian area with shops, restaurants, and this lovely fountain near the Dom.
Market
Lots of fresh products and lively energy!
Statue of Gutenberg
Not far from the Gutenberg Museum where two copies of the 42-line Gutenberg Bible can be seen.
Stained glass (one of several windows done by Marc Chagall) in St. Stephen's Church
Strasbourg
La Petite France
A historical center known for its half-timbered townhouses and cobbled streets, old tanning houses, baroque sandstone buildings, and ancient canals and having some of the most photogenic sights in Strasbourg.
Cathedrale de Notre Dame
Built between 1176 and 1439
Stained glass window
During World War II, all of the stained glass windows in the Cathedrale de Notre Dame were stored in the salt mines of Heilbronn.
Astronomic Clock
(Horloge Astronomique)
In the cathedral, this 300 year old clock changes hours at noon.
Crossing The Canal
Cafe Henri
Site of the "perfect espresso" and a lively political conversation with a local (in French, of course!)
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