If this is Sunday...

The MS Viking Gullveig arrived in Kehl, Germany right at 9:00 am Sunday morning. Again it was a travellers dream day, bright, clear skies with a warm sun. Our first excursion of the day was to Strasbourg, France, taking a bus tour past the European Parliament, European Court, Imperial District and Synagogue, followed by a walking tour through La Petite France, the medieval quarter, ending outside the famous Cathedral of Strasbourg. It was a very jam-packed morning outing. So while our longship was docked in Germany, our tour took place in France; easily achieved by simply crossing the Rhine by bridge..no passports required! It is really something to see the number of river cruise companies plying these waters.. all of the lines familiar to Canadian agents, several more of the more local variety all competing for tourist/passengers.
Following our return to our ship, we were back out on the road, this time by bus to enjoy an Alsatian wine tour and tasting. Alsace, beyond Strasbourg's city limits, might be described by two distinct areas: its historic small towns and its vineyards. The people of this region pride themselves in the diversity of the terrain and landscapes and boast that it is the perfect balance for wine making. We enjoyed a winery tour, a family operation in which members of the family all have a role to play...even when visitors arrive. A delightful 7 1/2 year old daughter of the winemaker followed the tour closely and at the appropriate times, poured the sample wines that were being introduced. As you might expect, we did purchase a couple of bottles for reflection later on during the trip! We also found that this particular winery also exports to the SAQ in Quebec, so we'll be able to identify the label back in Canada. We also found the mix of Gewurztraminer  and Kougelhopf pastry were an amazing combination!
From the winery to a casual stroll along the streets of Obernai, where more than 100 Renaissance buildings, with its regal town hall and stalwart bell towers reflect the city's medieval past. The market square was crowded with Sunday visitors, most of whom seemed to have arrived by motorcycle!  It was like a summer festival with such mazing conditions.
A slow drive back to our ship reminded us that here too, people love to escape the city for the weekend, but by Sunday evening realize that they must return for the world of work!