Originally Published September 2, 2025
After all the travel yesterday, we slept like rocks. This morning’s first order of business was coffee—Peggy’s preferred fuel source. A quick stop at the local Starbucks did the trick, and we were ready to roll. Our first destination was the Colmar Tourist Information Center, where we picked up a pamphlet about the canal boat rides. Once we found a provider, we bought our tickets and climbed aboard one of the flat-bottomed boats. I was half-convinced I’d tip the thing over, but apparently they’re built to handle clumsy tourists.
The ride through La Petite Venise (“Little Venice”) was a peaceful glide along canals lined with pastel houses straight out of a storybook. Colmar’s canals were once used by fishmongers, tanners, and winemakers transporting goods, but today they mostly carry people like us craning our necks to take it all in. We ducked under bridges that were so low we nearly cracked our heads, and by the end of the trip the canals were swarming with tour groups following their “lollipop flag” leaders.
We had booked a walking tour, but it was canceled at the last minute—so instead we hopped on one of those goofy little tourist trains. I laugh every time we see them, but the truth is—we always ride them. This one rattled across cobblestones with all the suspension of a tin can on roller skates, leaving us feeling about 105 years old when we finally unfolded ourselves from the seats.
Pizza sounded like the cure, so we grabbed lunch and then returned to the hotel for a couple hours of rest. I downloaded photos while giving my feet a break. Later, we set off for what might be our last full stroll through Colmar. Between wandering the cobbled lanes, visiting the marché couvert (covered market), and—my personal victory—snagging some fresh figs (a rare treat back home in Michigan), we clocked about 7.5 miles of walking. Naturally, Peggy found a Christmas shop, but we kept the souvenir buying in check; our luggage is already whispering threats at us.
Colmar has been a delight, but tomorrow we trade canals for cathedrals—we’re off to Strasbourg.
