Desmond slipped out of the hotel room early and came back with fresh espresso for us. What a treat! We woke up over the coffee and conversation about the day to come. We hadn't made any firm plans, but chose instead to simply wing it. It was wonderful to have no schedule to adhere to.
Our first stop was a cute little bakery just around the corner from the hotel. We were pleased to discover that they served coffee to go with the beautiful assortment of pastries in the gleaming glass cases. There were shelves of enticing artisan breads as well. Des and I discovered a new pastry, called a Tropezienne. It was made of brioche dough and baked in a shape that resembled a large hamburger bun, which made Craig's apricot tart look tiny. It was split and filled with a thick layer of Crème au Beurre, and was delightful!
Breakfast in Annecy, France.
We strolled toward the lake, marveling over the beauty of our surroundings. There were many captivating scenes to admire and photograph. Annecy is truly one of the most picturesque places I have ever visited.
A peaceful canal in Annecy, France.
A riot of glorious spring flowers.
We followed the canals through the vieux ville toward the lake. A tour boat bobbed gently on the water, beckoning us to come aboard. After a short wait to purchase tickets, our boat pulled away from the dock and headed out into the calm turquoise waters of Lac d'Annecy. No wonder it is often called "the blue lake." The lake is fed by snowmelt in addition to pure water from an underground spring. We were treated to spectacular views of the shoreline and the looming mountains as we cruised.
An inviting tour boat on Lake Annecy.
The weather was perfect yet again.
The snow-capped Alps were sometimes obscured by clouds.
I wouldn't mind a long-term stay in one of those!
It was easy to see why this area is such a popular vacation spot. In addition to bicycling, swimming, boating, and fishing, the lake offers opportunities for windsurfing and scuba diving. There are archaeological sites to explore underwater which date back to the Neolithic era. Annecy is a place I could easily visit again!
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