Strasbourg

During breakfast, I had the realization that we will have actually crossed all five major rivers - Garrone, Loire, Seine, Rhine, and Rhone -  by the time we return to Biarritz. With each new city we visit, I've been researching historical sites and points of interest. While the boys might be getting tired of the historical tidbits, I can't help but enjoy learning more about the places we stay in!

Liege probably won't be a place we revisit. Before leaving, we made a final stop at a bakery (the same one we visited last October) to buy some Liege waffles. It's a must-have when you're in Liege!

We made a lunch stop in Luxembourg. The bridges hanging high above the canyon with a river and houses were stunning. The scenery was filled with lush, green trees. Even though it was a quick visit, I'm really hoping we can return and properly explore this country. 

Our stay in Strasbourg was short but memorable. Gabe chose a boutique hotel in Kehl, just across the Rhine, where the family room option was once again a hit—a single large bed and two twin beds. Our evening took us to a Winstub restaurant (meaning: recreates the Alsatian way of life) in Strasbourg for a classic Alsatian dinner.

Strasbourg itself had a great vibe. Along the canals, people lounged with their feet in the water, boats glided by, and pedestrians crossed the flower-adorned bridges. The plazas were enlivened by light projections. Our dinner was in Strasbourg's medieval heart, surrounded by leaning buildings that almost whispered secrets to each other. We imagined people passing butter between the top windows, a funny thought that sparked laughter among us. The architecture — pitched roofs, stepped gables, and half-timbered facades. We saw another light show on the Strasbourg cathedral's facade. While not as mesmerizing as Chartres, it still was super cool.