Tag: travel
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Tour du Mont Blanc: Our challenge begins
We were strongly advised to begin our trek with two gondola rides from Chamonix, taking us more than 5,000 feet up above spectacular terrain to Le Brevant, more than 8,000 feet high. Clouds blocked our view across the valley to Mont Blanc and made visibility poor for most of the day. So, after ascending…
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The way to Chamonix: Trains and costly surprises
Naïveté, bad luck and good fortune all had parts in our eventful journey from sunny Strasbourg to rainy Chamonix in the French Alps on Monday. Three trains were to take us on the nine-hour trip, but a bus and a very expensive taxi ride saved the day in the end. The second train ride,…
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France: Life hums on the sidewalks
Notes from France Does anyone drink and eat at home in France (other than us)? Tonight, after our dinner at our Strasbourg apartment, we went for a long walk. There were thousands and thousands out and about. And it did not seem crowded, although most seats were filled. That's because Strasbourg has more cafes, bars,…
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Château du Haut-Kœnigsbourg rises among the ruins
The Château du Haut-Krœnigsbourg would have slipped under our radar if not for two friendly American college students we met at dinner the other night. Sitting shoulder to shoulder, as is the custom at French sidewalk cafes, we struck up a conversation with the young men and were soon exchanging stories and travel tips. They…
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A walk to Germany and back in half a day
If you are a traveler, there is a lot to like about the European Union. The euro makes managing currency so easy as you go from country to country. Then there is the seamless movement across borders. So, today, we walked to Germany. No passport necessary. Easier than going from Oregon to California (no stopping…
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When in France…
The France vs. Germany semi-final Euro Cup match was cause for celebration in Strasbourg tonight. Crowds gathered early, grabbing good seats in the few cafes with outdoor TV screens. We were lucky enough to find a good seat, a great meal and entertaining company for an evening of good natured cheers and jeers. A France…
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Strasbourg Cathedral Survives the Ages
For nearly 600 years Strasbourg Cathedral has soared 466 feet above the cobbled streets of the city – an unmistakable landmark for the surrounding countryside. Work began on this Gothic wonder in the year 1176 and continued until the cathedral's completion in 1429. It's hard to imagine the manpower needed (and sacrificed) during construction…
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Strasbourg: World Heritage site is welcoming
Strasbourg, France greeted us Monday as we arrived via fast train from Paris. A city of about 370,000, it has been under French and German rule, including four years of Nazi occupation, 1940-1944. It has France's second-highest university student population and, after two days of exploring, we conclude that it must be one of Europe's…
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France is a winner
When we grabbed a dinner table at this casual Paris cafe we had no idea we would soon be hooting and hollering with the local football fans. Their energy was hard to resist. Little did we know when we planned our France trip that the Euro Cup would be in full swing during our stay.…
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