Day 3: Strasbourg and the Black Forest
Day 3: Strasbourg and the Black Forest
Traveling by river cruise is both easy and convenient. Everything is planned for you and you simply relax and enjoy the sights plus you can choose what suits your fancy. For instance, on the 2019 AAA Western and Central New York Member Appreciation Trip, travelers had the option to spend the day in Strasbourg, France in the Alsace region or to visit the Black Forest.
The river cruise company, in this case Uniworld, arranges all transportation necessary and luxury motor coaches were lined up waiting for travelers as they stepped off the ship.
Strasbourg is known for its museums and it has a lot of history. About 20 percent of the city was destroyed during World War II while much of the city was spared. You’ll notice both a French and German influence as Strasbourg bounced back and forth under the control of both countries over the years.
The Strasbourg Cathedral is awe-inspiring. Its windows appear dark from the outside, but once you step inside light radiates through the stained glass and it’s simply beautiful.
It’s a nice city to shop for souvenirs, stroll the canal, or visit many museums.
Travelers who chose to go to the Black Forest enjoyed a full day’s excursion with a scenic drive, lunch and an open air museum called Vogtsbauernhof. They also enjoyed visiting the famous “cuckoo clock place,” where the same family has been making German cuckoo clocks for generations.
After a long day, guests were invited to listen to live French music in the lounge before another gourmet dinner. With so many friendships already formed, it was great to hear so much chatter and laughter in the dining room as guests shared their experiences of the day.
It’s almost hard to believe that all of this is happening – more than 100 local travelers are all cruising along the Rhine River enjoying history and scenery along the way!
Many are already signing up for next year’s 2020 Member Appreciation trip, which will also be a river cruise with a special focus on history as it explores Paris and Normandy following the 75th anniversary of D-Day. You can find more information at: https://westerncentralny.aaa.com/travel/trips/paris-normandy.