Last week, boarded the ICE from Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof at 06:50 and 2 hours later was in Strassbourg. Had booked a bed with booking dot com in a 4 woman room at a hostel named Ciarus. They had said to take the #10 bus from the train station 3 stops. Speaking no French, was grateful that the ticket machines switched to English. Finding one that took coins or bills was tougher. Finally found one and got a 1 way ticket for 1.70€ and found my bus. Not sure of which direction, it turned out to be a nice long ride as had picked a bus going the opposite way. Having only been to Strassbourg once for a few hours at their Xmas market, it was actuallly ok to ride around the city.
Found the hostel, checked in and set out to explore. You could see the Cathedral so headed that direction. Spent about an hour inside, the place is huge, then wandered around some more. On my way to find Petite France, stopped for lunch at an Indian restaurant. Found Petite France, wandered around, took a ton of photos, and finally went back to the hostel to rest my feet. Grabbed a pastry from a cute shop on my way to tide me over til dinner. Tasty cinnamon cake. Had the room to myself so far which was nice. Went back out for dinner and had Indian again at a cosy little place around the corner. The guys were so nice, that I went back the next night too. They were impressed that I wanted my dinner spicy. They laughed when I asked did the French not like spicy food. Bed time at 20:30, and slept with the windows open as the day had turned warm.
Next day, bought the breakfast at the hostel for 8€, then walked to the train station as wanted to see more of the neighborhoods. It was only 3km away and it was sunny, but cold. got round trip tickets for Colmar for 14.50€ each way. Train only took 30 min. and had comfy, velour couch seats. Yes, I took photos. The historic part of Colmar is an easy 15min. walk from the station. You pass by a park that has a beautiful, antique carousel which was running later that day, so got photos and video of that. Wandered all around Colmar, including the TI, the Cathedral, Petite Venice, and the Bertholdi Museum. Lunch was 2 fabulous Pain au Chocolat, cappucino and fresh OJ. Walked some more and then caught my train at 17:00. Rode the correct bus this time, after figuring out how to top up my ticket. Dinner at the Indian place again, then off to bed. Two days in a row, walking 16km did me in.
Thought I had the room to myself again, but another woman came in at 22:30 and then she stayed up almost an hour. The downside of staying in a hostel. But at 34€ for a comfy bed, with blankets, etc. and a bathroom just for our room, it was still ok.
Breakfast again at the hostel, stored my bag, and went back out to explore the city, take more photos and more videos. Came back for lunch at the hostel, sat around the lobby for a bit, got my back pack and rode the bus to the station for my ICE train back to Frankfurt. Garnered another 15km.
The ICE train tickets were 29€ each, but probably could have gotten them cheaper with an earlier purchase. This was a last minute trip and I no longer have my 50% bahn card. Total amount for the 3 days - 87 for trains, 70€ for a bed, about 100€ for food.
Had a great time and will definetly go back. Everyone was really nice, they all accepted my almost total lack of French, and had a few that spoke German to me, which was funny.
Yes, there are videos on YouTube if you are following me. Colmar is posted, Strassbourg wil be up in a couple of days.