There is an easy flow today round the canals of Strasbourg, the historically sought-after and fought-after French border bastion.
Canal boats now float through the jewel of Alsace-Lorraine, passengers disembarking to walk its cobbled stones.
Where once they resounded to the heavy thuds of army boots.
Alsace-Lorraine, the very name resonates from the pages of school history books.
The French Revolution, the Franco-Prussian War, two world wars.
EuroCentral Strasbourg
Strasbourg is a symbol of the European project with the first meeting of the European Parliamentary Assembly held here in 1958.
The predecessor to the European Parliament which succeeded the Common Assembly of the European Coal and Steel Community.
And now home to the Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights.
The latter, the last refuge for British Europhiles, which Eurosceptics naturally want rid.
Too much politics already, we hear you scream.
Riviera of dreams
But that’s why we’re here, to persuade you to explore the corridors of power in Strasbourg, as we did in the late Eighties.
And why not do it in style with Riviera Travel?
With eight days from €1799pp based on two sharing.
Of course, you do the politics, Riviera will do the patisserie, plonk and picturesque vistas.
You’ll leave from Cathedral City Koln, drifting down to Koblenz, at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle.
Heidelberg for steins
If the Rhine and the Moselle conjure up wine then Heidelberg is home to a very special stein store.
A staple stop-off on an Oktoberfest bus booze cruise.
Your Riviera cruise will help you, as billed here, lap up the easy flow today round the canals of Strasbourg.
And take you deep into Colmar in the heart of Alsace as your terminus.
Toast of the canals
Before turning you around and taking you back to Koln.
You’ll get seven nights on board a five-star ship with a free drinks passage and full board dining.
With return flights and transfers, return Eurostar and transfers.
There will be 11 included experiences and a Riviera Cruise Director and Concierge.