Marché de Noël à Strasbourg

About the destination: Strasbourg, the capital of France’s Alsace region, is a city where French elegance meets German charm. Its historic center, the Grande Île, is a UNESCO World Heritage site filled with half-timbered houses, flower-lined canals and cobbled lanes. At its heart stands the magnificent Strasbourg Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture whose pink sandstone façade and intricate carvings are best admired from the square below. Climb the tower for sweeping views over the city’s rooftops and the nearby Black Forest on a clear day. Wandering on foot is the best way to discover Strasbourg. The Petite France district, once home to tanners and fishermen, is now one of the city’s most photogenic areas, with canals, locks and beautifully preserved houses reflected in the water. Take a boat tour along the Ill River to see the city from another angle, gliding past historic bridges and modern glass buildings that house the institutions of the European Union. In the evening, the old town fills with soft light and the smell of tarte flambée drifting from traditional winstubs (Alsatian taverns). Strasbourg’s cultural life is rich and varied. The city boasts excellent museums, including the Alsatian Museum, which gives a glimpse into regional traditions, and the Musée d’Art Moderne et Contemporain, with its impressive collection of modern art. Music lovers can attend performances at the Opéra national du Rhin or enjoy one of the many festivals held throughout the year, especially the famous Christmas market, one of the oldest and largest in Europe, which transforms the city into a winter fairy tale. Food and wine are essential parts of any visit. Alsatian cuisine blends hearty German influences with French refinement: don’t miss choucroute garnie, baeckeoffe and kougelhopf, paired with local white wines such as Riesling, Gewürztraminer or Pinot Gris from the nearby Route des Vins d’Alsace. With its efficient tram system, extensive cycle paths and central train station connecting it to Paris, Germany and Switzerland, Strasbourg is an easy and rewarding destination for a city break or a longer stay exploring the region.

About the destination: Utrecht is both the geographical centre of Holland, and one of its major university towns as well as one of one of the Netherlands' oldest cities, with a compact medieval centre set out around canals unique to the Netherlands. National demonstrations often start here, book and print shops dot tiny streets throughout the old tonw, and in summer, people sit near the Oude Gracht, the old canal. The Old Town of Utrecht really is a pleasant place to wander with its varying architecture and its uniquely-structured canals. As to be expected there are some magnificent churches, the most interesting being the Dom Tower and the remains of its church. In the 17th century, a hurricane separated the Domtoren, an imposing tower, from its cathedral. Don’t let the 465 steps to the tower put you off, the view is splendid. The cathedral’s chapel and enormous clocks are fascinating. Across the street is the Kloostergang, part of the cathedral’s Gothic cloister, a perfect place to sit down and relax, and listen to a Saturday morning carillon concert. The city has a fine number of museums, most of them situated in the Museum Quarter at 10 minutes walking distance from Central Station. Utrecht is known as a student city with a large population of single young people. This results in a booming nightlife with many places to have a quick meal, some drinks or a dance.