Strasbourg

Cultural capital of Alsace, Strasbourg has weathered its political history with remarkable grace and physical integrity. Old border posts along the Rhine river have been converted to a Franco-German park for the peaceful benefit of residents of both banks. The center city's winding streets don't need much imagination to evoke their life in the middle ages, especially around the pink confection of the Cathedral of Notre Dame, but the city's cosmopolitan present day is clear in the variety of international restaurants that join local weinstub. These streets host the rightfully renowned annual Christmas markets, over a dozen of which are ...

Cultural capital of Alsace, Strasbourg has weathered its political history with remarkable grace and physical integrity. Old border posts along the Rhine river have been converted to a Franco-German park for the peaceful benefit of residents of both banks. The center city's winding streets don't need much imagination to evoke their life in the middle ages, especially around the pink confection of the Cathedral of Notre Dame, but the city's cosmopolitan present day is clear in the variety of international restaurants that join local weinstub. These streets host the rightfully renowned annual Christmas markets, over a dozen of which are tucked away in squares and plazas across town (look especially for the one specializing in regionally-produced foods, like bredle cookies and foie gras). The city is home to the European Parliament and Court of Human Rights, each of which allows observers when in session – but beware, lodgings may be hard to come by when the politicians are in town.

About the Expert

Juliette Rogers is coauthor of the guidebooks Eating New England: A Food Lovers Guide to Eating Locally, Secret Providence and Newport, and two Thomas Cook guides on France.