Waltz, River and Wine

 We did the final train rides. Freiburg to Munich with one transfer then to the airport using local trains.  The local trains were bedlam. People all over and attendants to help people find the correct trains.  Crazy busy from one side of the platform to the other and back again. Trains to the airport changing numbers etc Sorted out and arrived dragging the bags. You would think we bought a ton of stuff. Not so.  We always staff at the airport as it eases the transfer. We are to leave at 9:15 local time and still need to get through TSA and passport control.  So I sit in the lounge as the alarm went off at 5:30 to learn the flight has been delayed 1 hour and 15 minutes. Gate agent assured us no problems should make the connection.  It took Dan forever through passport control they couldn’t find his entry stamp. All is well now just the waiting game.  Looking back on the trip. It was a great trip sure some minor inconveniences lost items broken wheels a...

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 Today we have a guide and are out to explore the the Black Forest.  I booked the guide online and I liked Simone immediately. She started out with maps of the region and discussed some of the history, regional variations and a planned route.  As Dan would say anyone with a map is my friend.  So what did we learn.  The Black Forest isn’t just a big forest but a region over 200 in length,  the two southern most sections in Germany Bavaria and Baden tend to have most of the wealth since the cantons are home to big industry these two areas are also heavily catholic compared with the Protestant area in the rest of Germany. At one time the area was completely deforested and has been replanted and now there are strict laws regarding lumber and cutting trees.   The area is highly agricultural and open space and meadows for cows and horses to graze. Yes there is a forest but small towns or villages is the rule.   The southern part of the area is less hill...

 We have a day to explore the Freiburg area. Like many of the towns we have seen it has the old town area and outside the old town is newer apartments and growth while the old town has lots of shopping and restaurants surrounding the cathedral. Overlooking the city is a castle/house that has views of the city.  This would have been great except today is Sunday. Nothing is open several restaurants are even closed.  This seems to be the norm for the towns we have seen this trip.  We were able to take the tram to the castle/house for a view. On the way down we got caught in a thunderstorm I was unprepared since the sun was shining when we left the hotel. Dan did have an umbrella but we really didn’t need it after 30 minutes.    Finished our walk and started to go into the cathedral when the entry is blocked off and several hundred people dressed in suits, ties, and dresses were waiting outside not to mention several clergy. Looked at our jeans and bedraggled r...

 Travel day almost the last stop. We are heading to Freiburg a town that sits at the southern aspect of the Black Forest close to France, Switzerland and German borders. Our train transfer is in Switzerland and during the transfer I noticed my bag was not pulling correctly.   I didn’t think too much about it thought maybe the just irregular floor granite. Upon arrival in Freiburg the wheel refused to budge.  Of course this was the only station the escalator and lift were not working. 2 flights up and then one down to get out of the station. As we look at the wheel the tread was totally off one wheel and half off  one of the others.  Our hotel is only 1/2 a block from the train station.   I am grateful that this did not happen 3 weeks ago or even last year. 

 So this trip was to experience wine of France and Germany.  I expected to find a lot of reisling in Germany and decent red in France. Remember we are going to Burgundy.  Well I was wrong. The Alsace region tends to grow Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sylvaner.  In the champagne area they grow Pinot Meunière, Pinot noir, and Chardonnay.  When we explored the German area of Platz for reds what did we find?  Chardonnay, Pinot noir, and Riesling.  So we are headed to Burgundy for a wine tasting tour.  This is a planned tour with 8 people in the van.  The tour title is Burgundy tasting 10 different wines including Grand Cru’s.  Now I have never heard of Grand Cru wines but this looks like it will fill the bill. Guess what Burgundy is an area not a grape and the wines they produce are Chardonnay and Pinot noir mostly. The Grand Cru is a label given to to wine usually from vines that are 30 years old and from one plot of land.   In the area t...

 After the last several days in France I can say it is not my favorite country.  Of course there are croissants and pane a chocolate but those are the positives.  Things I wish were better that have to be endured.  Small hotel rooms.  We have been staying in upscale hotels but there is no place to unpack and no place to put a second suitcase. Clearly this is probably a problem with my travel style not France Second up air conditioning.  There is no way to cool the room to a comfortable sleeping temperature   The thermostat will read 19 C and it feels like 25C.    Of course it got down to the 40’s at night and we would have the windows open. This is definitely and upside over US hotels.  Train travel.   Why is France the only country to require seat reservations. This is over and above ticket prices. This adds from $12 to $52 to each ticket. This was unexpected and I didn’t plan the trip well enough to know what time and which train ...

 Champagne tasting in Reims went we1ll. We can honestly say there is a difference. Weather or not we know what to buy is still a question that needs to be answered  Travel day yet again.  We are headed back to Strasbourg to make the connection but first we have a stop at the small station of champagne-Ardennes.   Now anyone who knows Dan understands that when he is traveling he becomes antsy to be at the terminal or transit point. Our train out is at 11:05. There are 2 additional trains leaving earlier. Since we are at the station let’s go earlier.   I just hate him to be right but alas he was correct.  Of the 2 scheduled trains 1 didn’t come   We made the first change connection but almost missed the second as a matter of fact ended up in second class because we couldn’t find the correct car to board as the announcement of the train is leaving occurred. We arrived in Dijon and apple maps say it is a 4 minute walk to our hotel. We realize the route wil...

 Today was a moving day. Dan can’t wait and is hoping our new hotel will have more room than the one we have had for the past 3 nights. It had a terrific view but no where to sit, except the bed and no place to put anything away. We took an Uber to the station which was much better than walking. The bags are getting heavier as we travel. Not from anything we have purchased.  We have one change of train. When we got to the station we had the wrong platform and train personnel advised us and said it is the 3rd stop.  Our train app said the first stop. Why don’t I listen to advice given sometimes?  So for an extra 30 minutes we sat at the platform waiting for another train to connect. Oh well nice to see some of the outskirts of Reims According to my mapping it was less than a mile to the hotel and flat. Problem with the mapping program it did not account for dragging a 50 plus pound bag or cobblestones. Seems much of Reims has cobblestones or so we learned on our walk ...

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 Today we had planned to see the village of Colmar but opted to explore Strasbourg since we had not seen any of the old town. So off we walked toward the cathedral du Notre Dame   It is a great day we have blue sky although rain is forecast for later today.   A view of the cathedral and the Atomic clock. Next we decided on a boat ride actually wanted an open boat but would have an hour and half wait. The rain was due in about 2 hours and no umbrellas can be used on the boat so closed it was. Found a WC and boarded the boat. An enjoyable hour.   A stroll back to the cathedral passed by some restaurants and decided lunch was in order.  On our tour yesterday Stephania told us about an Alsace special Tarte Flambé. This is similar to pizza or a crepe. Time to try it. We stopped at a cafe with outside tables and umbrellas and was told No. inside. Inside turned out to be the best option. The rain came down in buckets associated with thunder and lightning. Two thoughts ...

 Today we have a private guide to tour the Alsace. Today’s guide is the wife of our guide yesterday. The company is a small French company who provides private guides and day trips. The interesting fact is all guides drive Teslas. Dan was excited and spent the day since we had lots of driving asking car questions.  Today our guide is Stephania she is originally from Romania, lived in Italy then moved to France.   Stephania organized and planned our tour. We started out at the Haut du Koenigsbourg castle   Great castle built of red sandstone in 1100 or so but restored in 1901.  It was a great castle and you followed a set route through all the buildings. There was often written information that was in English so we had a better appreciation of the castle. Dan did learn the down side of a private guide and that was we only had one hour in the castle.   Hardly enough time.  We got the the castle at 9:50 which was a great time by the time we left it was ov...