After Sao Paulo by Nana Soma we are not trying to give your body a thermal shock by following up with Strasbourg.
It just happened that Eleonora's 10 Do's and Don'ts were ready to serve when others are still tweaked.
Eleonora starts by telling us about her itinerary.
"In two words, I come from the land of the sun, Italy and to be more precise, a beautiful place named Tuscany celebrated in many books and movies. I live in the region of good living: Alsace, the city of Strasbourg which turns into a fairy land during the Christmas holidays.
From these two sources, I inherited a strong taste for culinary arts and recipes. More recently, I became passionate about another field, photography. An appealing display brings out your appetite…
My daily creations and recollections can be found on Au fil de mes rêves d'amour et de recettes de cuisine (French only)."
Oh Strasbourg
Called Strassburg on the other side of the Rhine.I live in this city for more than 7 years. It is the 7th largest urban area in France. Imagine when she gets all dressed up around the Christmas holidays, she is even more gorgeous. The city attracts visitors year round with peaks in the summer months and at the end of the year when its magic brings back childhood memories. Since 1570, Strasbourg is famous for its Christmas Market set near the cathedral, market is worth visiting. As soon as you reach the cathedral's plaza, you can see it in all its majesty. You look at the sky and feel uplifted by the view.
As time goes by, I get to know more and more of its hidden treasures. I like to walk down pedestrian streets and discover small boutiques. One that keeps awing me is the Maison of Hanssen and Gretel. The window display by itself is a slice of Alsatian magic. We love the gingerbread from Mireille Oster. Pastries are royal and I admire the kougloff at Chez Naegel. You walk past Maison Kanmmerzell, the oldest building in Strasbourg with a view of the cathedral, a combination hotel and traditional restaurant in an historic building.
For restaurants, you will be spoiled for choice. I recommend Le Clou with its baeckeoffe. Another 'winstub' is Chez Yvonne and its traditional choucroute and typical decor. We might continue our walking exploration by heading towards 'Petite France' neighborhood where you can see the 'Bateaux Mouches' passing by. The Maison du Tanneur is another traditional restaurant which you will find adorning many postcards with of course the 'Cigogne' (Stork).
A place that will surprise you when you visit is Cave Historique des Hospices de Strasbourg. It still displays wines from 1472 vintage. The cellar is home to a wine press from 1727 and a huge barrel from 1881 with a 26080 liters's capacity. Alsace has a reputation for great wines like Gewurztraminer, Muscat d'Alsace, Riesling, Sylvaner, Pinot gris andC rémant d’Alsace (gor bubbly) that will be the perfect pairings for local gastronomy.
Say cheese and Muster dominates the scene under its orange robe, perfect with a slice of fresh bread.
Any visit in the Alsatian capital ends in a Winstub where wine or beer washes down a Flammekueche or flambee tart with onions, creme fraiche, lardons.
Its history and location made Strasbourg the natural place for European institutions from Parliament to European Council and Human Rights building.
All Do's, no Don'ts in Eleonora's book.
(* all pictures copyright Eleonora Zarbo)