Strasbourg

Everything is now booked – I’m holding the train tickets (to and from Paris) and I’ve just booked the hotel. (The hotel looks great, if the website can be trusted, it’s in a fantastic location – close to the cathedral and one or two pubs I’m hoping to loiter in – and the rates are pretty damn good too).

I’m only going to be there a day and a half though, and I know that’s never going to be anywhere near enough time. The Cathedral and La Petite France should be (at least partially) do-able on the afternoon I arrive, and I’m hoping for an hour or two across the border the following day. If I can manage any of the European Institutions too, that’ll be a big bonus.

_{Can’t wait, can’t wait, can’t wait.}

I was planning on going here with a group when I spent the summer in Orléans, but the train tickets were so complicated that we just couldn’t work it out, at least not without risking spending the night in some unknown town without enough money. So when I go back for two semesters I’ll definitely go here, if for no other reason than to get my favorite beer right from the source. (Incidentally enough, before trying 1664 I didn’t know I could have a favorite beer.)

For my partner and I’s first trip out of the country together, we went here between Christmas and New Years for a couple of nights. The Christmas markets were still open, the vin chaud (hot mulled wine) was cheap and plentiful from the street vendors and it snowed almost the whole time we were there. It was absolutely magical walking around the town, watching the snow fall, finding a cute place for lunch/dinner – was the perfect romantic get-away…The charm of the Alsace region was amazing, the best of French cuisine, but without all of the traffic and noise of Paris and all mixed together with a hearty German influence.

Most beautiful city. Stayed here several times while working for the European Parliament. I got to sleep both in four star hotels, little private establishments and youth hostels. I was fortunate enough once to find a place that could accommodate me at immediate notice even though it was in the middle of a parliament week. Be well adviced to book in advance during those weeks when parliament is in session. If you’re looking for a cheap but good youth hostel I can recommend the CIARUS. I’ve heard bad things about the other two.

I went here in 2004 with my class! A trip I will never forget!!!

I went here on a foreign exchange program through my school. It was the most amazing experience of my life. Honestly, it’s not the same as just visiting this city. In my situation, I came here immediately having French friends to hang out with and go around having fun in the city. Developed great friendships and saw many great things.

I went to Strasbourg for a day with Sandra because she lives near France, in Germany.

It was a cool trip and full of terrible drivers. I ate snails and tarte flambée. Gorgeous.

The best time to go is for the Christmas Market, when the whole town is done up, there’s a mini-festival in every place and glu-wein (vin chaud) stands as far as the eye can see…

Beautiful village like charm. The Pflammkuchen or la tarte flambee are delicious.It’s great for shopping too and near Switzerland :-)

I want visit more of Alsace because of the wine growig landscape (and for degustation of course)

Apr., 2005