Half-timbered fairy tales and wine roads of Europe. New Year in Strasbourg! Strasbourg new year

This year’s trip began to take shape in October and we did not consider other options besides Strasbourg, although we were there relatively recently - in the summer of 2015. But here I will not talk about the city itself (about it in another review), but will show the festive atmosphere that attracts millions of tourists to Alsace in general and to Strasbourg in particular every year.

We felt this when we started looking for accommodation options. I opened Booking and was horrified - on the 10th-20th of December the prices were simply astronomical - from 150 euros per night plus breakfast. Therefore, I had to move away from the holiday closer to November, and in the end I found an acceptable option for the period from November 30 to December 5 at the Adagio Access Strasbourg Petite France apart-hotel, which I had already checked on a previous trip - I will write about it separately. As a result, for 5 nights it turned out to be 740 euros with taxes. And the savings on breakfast are simply amazing. We cooked the same omelet with sausages in the room, and we bought cheese, ham, wine and sweets for tea, as well as excellent dishes for heating in the microwave “for pennies” at the nearest Carrefour store. Briefly speaking - great option. The hotel itself didn’t offer anything new, but it didn’t get any worse either. True, the room was on the “zero” floor with direct access to the courtyard, but this was absolutely not annoying.

Therefore, the first life hack of this story is to start preparing for your trip in December much in advance. Otherwise you will have to overpay. So we were lucky with the hotel.

But he still had to get to him. I again chose the option of flying with Lufthansa to Frankfurt and then by bus. In the summer, the period between the landing of the plane and the departure of the bus was almost an hour and a half, but in winter the schedule changed and I was offered 2 options - the bus would depart in 1 or 3.5 hours. I thought for a long time, even called the Lufthansa office with the question - will we make it in time? I was convinced that these options had been tested and tested many times, so there was nothing to be afraid of. And I, a fool, believed... Although, the weather intervened - it was on the night of November 30 that it snowed heavily in St. Petersburg and although we got to the airport easily (I ordered a taxi 6,000,000 for 4 in the morning and along the WHSD in 40 minutes and 1,120 rubles, everything went fine), but before the plane took off, we were sent for de-icing treatment and instead of 6.15 we took off only at 7 o’clock. True, in the air we almost compensated for this delay, but we still boarded 10 minutes later, then taxied around the airfield for a long time and went to the terminal by bus. Having jumped out first to passport control, we saw there a group of aggressive black women with children who were proving to the German border guards their right to enter the country, and they unanimously resisted. After wasting some more time waiting, we jumped out and headed, based on the experience of the previous trip, to get our luggage. We quickly saw a tape indicating our flight and were very happy when at 8.05 it started working and threw out several suitcases - but ours was not there. There were still 25 minutes left before the bus departed and I wasn’t too worried. But another 10 minutes passed, and our suitcase still did not appear. My wife began to worry and we decided that I should run to the bus and persuade the driver to wait for us, since we were registered for a specific flight. I ran to the bus and, together with another lady from our flight, persuaded the driver to wait for our luggage for at least 5 minutes, after which I rushed back (and this is a completely different terminal), but I couldn’t just get into the baggage claim hall - I had to run to bypass. The wife was close to hysterics, because the tape stopped, the luggage was taken away, and there was no prospect of our suitcase appearing. I found the employee in charge of luggage and said - where is our suitcase? He looked at the boarding pass and said: “Oh, are you going to Strasbourg? Your luggage must be collected in the railway station hall!”

Yoly-paly, this is next to the bus boarding point! I run there again and, indeed, I see - in the center of the hall there is a certain area fenced off with ribbons and our suitcase is just standing there! This is the place.

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Strasbourg immodestly calls itself Capitale de Noel- the capital of Christmas. We had to go there at the end of December 2016 to see for ourselves that the city rightfully appropriated this title!

Day 1. Strasbourg, December 24

We arrived in Strasbourg by train, quickly checked into a hotel and went for a walk. The scale of the celebration impressed me from the first minutes: it seemed that there was not a single undecorated house or tree around, and the whole city was a continuous Christmas market! It became clear that a guidebook would not be needed: wherever we went, it would be beautiful, festive and delicious. And so it happened! What was most impressive was how local residents decorate houses. Each building is different from the neighboring one, there are many living Christmas tree branches and three-dimensional installations!

And this is little France - a medieval quarter with half-timbered houses and many canals:
(Placa Kleber), where the main city Christmas tree, about 30 meters high, is installed every year. At the end of the square there is a Christmas tree market - all the trees are already at a 50% discount.

(Notre Dame de Strasbourg) is the main attraction of the city. Its construction began at the beginning of the 11th century, and continued for many more centuries - because of this, elements of different styles can be traced in the architecture, and one of the towers has not yet been built. One of the main attractions of the cathedral is the unique astronomical clock showing the orbits of the planets solar system and calculating the exact numbers even of those holidays whose dates change from year to year.

Most We, of course, spent time at fairs, and when you write about French fairs, the topic of food inevitably comes to the fore! Here are just a few of the Alsatian gastronomic delights that you can try at the Christmas market or in any nearby restaurant:
v in chaud – mulled wine made from red or white wine. It costs 2-3 euros and they will take another 2 euros as a deposit for the mug. tarte flamb é e – translated into Russian as “flaming pie”. It is cooked over an open fire, so a “correct” tarte flambé will have slightly burnt edges. Reminiscent of pizza, but instead of tomato paste, soft cheese or cream is used. The traditional filling is with onions and bacon, but there are also vegetarian options and even sweet ones (for example, with apples and Calvados). Costs 7-10 euros.

Where to try: RestaurantFlam´ s – just 300 meters from the Cathedral!29 rue des Frè res, 67000 StrasbourgOpen daily from 11:30 to 24:00

G ewurztraminer (Gewurztraminer) - Alsatian wine, which deserves special mention. Sommeliers describe it as complex, aggressive, unique, spicy, original, adding many other epithets. But, as a rule, they agree on one thing: after the first sip, you will either fall in love with it forever, or from now on you will avoid it. Dry Gewürztraminer goes well with onion pie or foie gras, while sweet Gewürztraminer goes well with Münster. Foie gras (foie gras) - the famous goose liver pate. Served as a snack, often with something sweet (I especially like it with fig jam). Choucroute - a famous dish from Alsace cuisine. Quite simple, and will not appeal to vegetarians or lovers of healthy food at all: sauerkraut, potatoes and up to five types of meat on one plate - most often pork and local sausages. Very filling, but not very cheap - from 15 Euros. Munster – one of the most popular French cheeses in the world. And don’t let its sharp, knock-down smell scare you away - it’s strange, but the taste is surprisingly noble and subtle! At Christmas markets you can try gratin - jacket potatoes with melted muenster. You will find places of sale by smell, rest assured?

Advice: if you decide to bring Munster to friends, make sure the packaging is airtight! And keep an eye on the expiration date, because... After it expires, the cheese begins to smell 10 times stronger!!

Tarte à l'oignon - onion pie, light and satisfying at the same time. Can be an appetizer with wine or a separate dish. Even in the afternoon, we looked at the embankment near the Rohan Palace (Palais Rohan) and bought tickets from a machine for the Batorama pleasure boat with a glass roof. Tickets can be purchased in advance on the website https://www.batorama.com, but we acted impromptu. In 1 hour and 10 minutes we sailed along the River Ille, saw Petite France from the water, took part in a “passing the locks” adventure and sailed across the Vauban Dam to the European Quarter, where the European Parliament is located.

Well, then we went to wander around the evening city. Some streets, for example Rue des Orfèvres, are impossible to describe - see for yourself:

The streets began to empty, local residents had long gone home or, on the contrary, were in a hurry to attend Christmas services, and we went to rest at the hotel.

By the way: the Christmas service in the main Cathedral is open to everyone, but be prepared for possible long queues at the entrance due to increased security measures.

Day 2. Colmar, December 25

We knew that all fairs in Strasbourg were closed on December 25, but we were still amazed at how deserted the city looked in the morning. We walked along the embankment, stood in line with other tourists for coffee at the only working kiosk, walked to the train station and went to Colmar! This stunning city can rival Strasbourg in its beauty during Christmas, and most importantly, on January 25th in the afternoon, its Christmas markets reopen!

Train tickets can be purchased at the station, or in advance on the website: https://ru.voyages-sncf.com/travel time 25 minutes, round trip ticket 13.5 Euro

At the Christmas market, tourists happily go to the first stalls they see for mulled wine and pancakes, but this is not our first time here, and we know the secret! In Place Dominicans there is a nondescript kiosk from Colmar Gourmet with a couple of outdoor tables. The sign is inconspicuous, the plates are plastic... There, in the December sun, you can taste foie gras, Alsatian snails, oysters and wash it all down with a glass of local Cremant sparkling wine! Passing tourists slowed down in surprise when they saw this feast.

A portion of each delicacy cost 10 euros, which is incomparable to restaurant prices!

Official website of Christmas Strasbourg: http://www.noel-colmar.com/en/

Maya Vasilenko Strasbourg - Wiesbaden 2017

1 day Moscow – Frankfurt – Wiesbaden – Rüdesheim 28.12

Departure from Moscow DME on a morning flight. Meeting at the airport 3 hours before departure.Exact information on the flight and departure time will be indicated in the section 2 weeks before the start of the tour.

Tourists flying to Frankfurt from their own city must be at the meeting point no later than the arrival of the main group.

Accommodation on a bus, transfer (~30 km) to the city of Wiesbaden - the capital of Hesse and one of the oldest thermal resorts Europe. Walking with an accompanying person. Goethe and Dostoevsky visited the city, and in 1860 he lost all his savings in a casino.

In the afternoon, transfer (~30 km) to Rüdesheim am Rhein - the capital of winemakers, walk and tasting* (from €8) of Rhine wines. We recommend! "Eiswein" or ice wine.

In the evening, transfer (~60 km), accommodation and overnight at a hotel in Germany.

Day 2 Koblenz – Bernkastel-Kues – Trier – Strasbourg 29.12

Breakfast in the hotel.

Accommodation and overnight at the hotel

Day 3 Strasbourg – Baden-Baden* 30.12

Breakfast in the hotel.

Overnight at the same hotel.

4 day Strasbourg – Ribeauville* – Colmar* 31.12

Breakfast in the hotel.

Free time in Strasbourg. Boat trip* along the canals of Strasbourg (approx. €13.5 / 7.8 for children under 12 years old)

or a trip* (€30, transfer) through one of the most picturesque areas in Europe - the Alsace Wine Road. Wine village of Ribeauville, guided walk, possible visit wine cellars with tasting* (local white wines, from € 10), transfer and tour with an accompanying person of the city of Colmar - “French Venice”.

Return to the hotel in Strasbourg, preparation for leaving for the city to celebrate the New Year.

New Year's Eve dinner* in a Strasbourg restaurant ~ from 20:00 to 23:00, with a glass of wine.

We invite you to the Alsatian restaurant “Le Gruber”, located in one of the most beautiful buildings in Strasbourg, listed cultural heritage city, and participates unreservedly in the picturesque charm of the historic center of Strasbourg.

Musical animation accompanied by an accordionist and guitarist.

Celebrating the New Year on the festive streets of the city.

Around 01-00 return to the hotel.

5 day Strasbourg – Black Forest* 01.01

Breakfast in the hotel.

Free time in Strasbourg or a full day trip around the Black Forest* (€35 transfer).

Freiburg (~87 km) - “the pearl of the Black Forest” of the Black Forest. Inspection of the Old Town: the famous Münster Cathedral, Münsterplatz, Old and New Town Halls, the ancient artisans' quarter, and much more.

Moving to the city of Staufen(~20 km) - “the city of Faust”, a city known from the works of Goethe. City tour with an accompanying person.

Moving to Triberg the capital famous watches with a cuckoo, inspection with an accompanying person. Inspection of the largest cuckoo clock in the suburb of Triberg - Schonachbach.

In the evening return to the hotel.

Day 6 Basel – Zurich 02.01

Breakfast in the hotel.

In the morning, transfer (~140 km) to Switzerland to the city of Basel. Sightseeing tour of the city of Basel, located on both banks of the Rhine: Greater Basel - Cathedral, Marktplatz and Fischplatz squares, Spalentor gate, Market Tower, theatre square and other.

In the afternoon, transfer (~90 km) to Zurich. Tour of the city of Zurich with an accompanying person: Bahnhofstrasse, St. Peter, the Niederdorf quarter, the Grossmünster and Fraumünster cathedrals with stained glass windows by Marc Chagall and more.

In the evening, transfer (~160 km) to Germany, hotel accommodation.

Day 7 Rothenburg ob der Tauber - Wurzburg 03.01

Breakfast in the hotel.

In the morning, transfer (~150 km) to the town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, inspection of the city - the city-museum under open air, famous for its Christmas traditions. Walking around the city with an accompanying person, getting to know Christmas n traditions of Bavaria. Visit to the “Christmas Village”: the miracle store is located inside interconnected half-timbered houses. In romantic settings market square, decorated with a 5-meter white Christmas tree, you can find absolutely everything related to the Christmas theme. Visit to the Nativity Museum*, from €4.

In the afternoon, transfer (~60 km) to Wurzburg. Sightseeing tour of the Bavarian city of Würzburg - the center of the Franconia region, famous for its winemaking. Cathedral St. Kilian, Hofkirche Church, Marienberg Fortress. Free time in Wurzburg. Tasting* of Franconian wines (from 12 €).

In the evening, transfer (~120 km) across Germany.

Overnight at a hotel in Frankfurt (possibly in the suburbs).

Day 8 Frankfurt – Moscow 4.12

Breakfast in the hotel.

If you have time, explore the city of Frankfurt am Main with an accompanying person: the bank district, half-timbered houses in the Römer quarter, the Goethe house-museum, the Church of St. Pavla and others

Transfer to the airport, departure from Frankfurt, arrival in Moscow.
For information on flights and departure times, see the section one week before the start of the tour.

Tourists flying from Frankfurt to their home city independently organize their own transfer to the airport or can join the main group if the time coincides.

1 day Moscow - Frankfurt - Wiesbaden - Rüdesheim
Departure from Moscow, arrival in Frankfurt am Main. Meeting at the airport 3 hours before departure. Exact information on the flight and departure time will be indicated 2 weeks before the start of the tour.
Tourists flying to Frankfurt from their own city must be at the meeting point no later than the arrival of the main group.
Accommodation on a bus, transfer (~30 km) to the city of Wiesbaden, the capital of Hesse and one of the oldest thermal resorts in Europe. Walk with an accompanying person. Goethe and Dostoevsky visited the city, and in 1860 he lost all his savings in a casino.
In the afternoon, transfer (~30 km) to Rüdesheim am Rhein - the capital of winemakers, walk and tasting* (from €8) of Rhine wines. We recommend! "Eiswein" or ice wine.
In the evening, transfer (~60 km), accommodation and overnight at a hotel in Germany.

Day 2 Koblenz - Bernkastel-Kues
Breakfast in the hotel.
In the morning, visit the city of Koblenz, visiting the “German Corner” - the confluence of the Moselle and Rhine rivers.
Transfer (~100 km) along the Mosel wine road to the romantic town of Bernkastel-Kues, famous for its wines and “fairytale” houses, a walk with an accompanying person around the city. For those interested, tasting* of Mosel wines (from €12).
In the afternoon, transfer (~50 km) to oldest city Germany Trier - tour of the city with an accompanying person: Porta Nigra, Cathedral and other historical monuments
In the evening transfer (220 km) to Strasbourg.
Accommodation and overnight at the hotel

Day 3 Strasbourg - Baden-Baden*
Breakfast in the hotel.
Walking tour of Strasbourg: historical Center Grand Ile, gothic cathedral Notre Dame, Petite France and much more. Free time.
Trip* (~60 km) to Baden-Baden (€15, transfer). Guided tour of the city: Kurhaus with casino, Trinkhalle drinking gallery, st. Lichtentallerallee.
For those wishing to visit the thermal complex - Caracalla Therme - ticket from €15.
In the evening, return to Strasbourg, it is possible to organize a traditional Alsatian dinner* (from €20).
Overnight at the same hotel.

Day 4 Strasbourg - Ribeauville* - Colmar*
Breakfast in the hotel.
Free time in Strasbourg.
Boat trip* along the canals in Strasbourg (approx. €13.5/ 7.8 up to 12 years)
or a trip* through one of the most picturesque areas in Europe - Trip "Alsace Wine Road" - Ribeauville - Colmar (€30, transfer). The wine-growing village of Ribeauville, a walk with an accompanying person, it is possible to visit wine cellars with tasting* (tasting of local white wines, from 10 USD), transfer and inspection with an accompanying person of the city of Colmar - “French Venice”.
Overnight at the same hotel.

Day 5 Strasbourg - Black Forest*
Breakfast in the hotel.
Free time in Strasbourg or a full day trip around the Black Forest* (€35 transfer).
Freiburg (~87 km) - “the pearl of the Black Forest” of the Black Forest. Inspection of the Old Town: the famous Münster Cathedral, Münsterplatz, Old and New Town Halls, the ancient artisans' quarter, and much more.
Transfer to the city of Staufen (~20 km) - “the city of Faust”, a city known from the works of Goethe. City tour with an accompanying person.
Transfer to Triberg, the capital of the famous cuckoo clock, inspection with an accompanying person. Inspection of the largest cuckoo clock in the suburb of Triberg - Schonachbach.
In the evening return to the hotel.

Day 6 Basel - Zurich
Breakfast in the hotel.
In the morning, transfer (~140 km) to Switzerland to the city of Basel. Sightseeing tour through the city of Basel, located on two banks of the Rhine: Greater Basel - the cathedral, Marktplatz and Fischplatz squares, Spalentor gate, Market Tower, Theater Square and more.
In the afternoon, transfer (~90 km) to Zurich. Tour of the city of Zurich with an accompanying person: Bahnhofstrasse, St. Peter, the Niederdorf quarter, the Grossmünster and Fraumünster cathedrals with stained glass windows by Marc Chagall and more.
In the evening, transfer (~160 km) to Germany, hotel accommodation.

Day 7 Rothenburg ob der Tauber - Wurzburg
Breakfast in the hotel.
In the morning, transfer (~150 km) to the town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Tour of the open-air museum city, famous for its Christmas traditions. Rothenburg ob der Tauber boasts some of the most impressive medieval architecture in Europe. Walk around the city with an accompanying person.
In the afternoon, transfer (~60 km) to Wurzburg. Sightseeing tour of the Bavarian city of Würzburg - the center of the Franconia region, famous for its winemaking. St. Kilian's Cathedral, Hofkirche Church, Marienberg Fortress. Free time in Wurzburg. Tasting* of Franconian wines (from 12 €).
In the evening, transfer (~120 km) across Germany.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 8 Frankfurt am Main - Moscow
Breakfast in the hotel.
If you have time, explore the city of Frankfurt am Main with an accompanying person: the banking district, half-timbered houses in the Römer quarter, the Goethe House Museum, the Church of St. Pavla and others
Transfer to the airport, departure from Frankfurt. Arrival in Moscow.
Information on the flight and departure time a week before the start of the tour.
Tourists flying from Frankfurt to their home city independently organize their own transfer to the airport or can join the main group if the time coincides.