Strasbourg

After some low-key days in Aix, which is pretty and slow, we drove to the Marseille airport and turned in the car and Celine. We boarded a very small jet (much to Liz' delight.... not) and made the 1-hour hop to the Alsace region (on the German border) and the enchanting city of Strasbourg.
We have been trying to visit here for a long time; it just never seemed to work out before. Liz found the deal of all deals on the room of all rooms... literally straddling the central canal in this story-book place. As a I write, there is a brass band concert going on in the square... just for us? Maybe not.
Strasbourg blends the best of Germany and France... clean, neat and yet gracious and filled with joie de vivre. We took a walk around the old city (Petite France), found a grocery store, and stocked up on fresh tomatoes. The buildings date to the 15th and 16th Century, are well-maintained, and give a timeless sense of beauty. Don't believe me? Check out the picture from outside our hotel.
We will be here for two nights. Onward.