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SWEET TOOTH ON THE RUN
OO-so Delicious Strasbourg

So, I’ve come to Strasbourg to explore this Alsatian city which has flipped back and forth across the border between France and Germany over the centuries. An off the beaten track destination, Strasbourg lies along the Rhöne-Rhine canal where freight barges trundle between Southern France and the ports of the Rhine on the North Sea. Strasbourg has been in the news due to some of the recent immigrant community problems, and suffers from some of the problems of many modern cosmopolitan European cities, but for the casual visitor, Strasbourg boasts a beautiful central section full of Medieval town squares with canals like Amsterdam and 15th and 16th Century architecture. Crossing the border into France from the Black Forest region of Germany the still recognizable pre-European Union crossing station reminds of more tense times between the two countries. Napoleon, the Romans, and Patton all came this way at varying times.

The Strasbourg Cathedral is early gothic and boasts a unique Astrological Clock from the 1400’s. The nave entrance also presents a curious bas relief of the female saints in the curious and whimsical form of beautiful young ladies crushing devils under their feet and stabbing them through the eyes with righteous pike points in agonizing triumph of good over evil. Between astrology and “girl power” this region of Alsace-Lorraine had its own unique view of Catholic piety.

My wanderings are fascinating, but suddenly I realize my parking meter is going to run out of time. On the way back, I stop in a little shop to grab a quick pastry, one of many quaint little places where the locals speak French with that odd clipped twist to the accent. As I hurry back toward my parked rental car I take a bite into the pastry. My knees almost buckle! The sweet succulent smooth cream of an Alsatian French pastry can stop you in your tracks. No wonder the language makes all those “oo” sounds. This stuff is incredible! Anyway, you’ll be glad I got back to my car without a parking ticket. But if you make it to Strasbourg, calculate a little pastry time into your trip. © Bargain Travel Europe

The Choice Strasbourg Center is located within walking distance of the Strasbourg Cathedral and minutes from museums like the Musee de l'Oeuvre Notre-Dame, the Modern Art Museum, the Musée des Beaux-Arts, and Louis Pasteur University.

For other Strasbourg area destinations:

EVERYTHING'S FINE ON THE MAGINOT LINE
History’s Magnificent Blunder in Alsace

CHATEAU HAUT-KOENIGSBOURG
King’s Fairy Tale Castle in Alcace Wine Region

Strasbourg Info

GUTENBERG’S BIBLE AND LITTLE GUT WEIN
Read a good book with a glass of burgundy

Another visitor to Strasbourg was Johann Gutenberg who lived there for 10 years before inventing moveable type and changing the world in 1457. The Hotel Gutenberg, originally built in 1745 is just off Gutenberg Square near where the Strasbourg shop was located, but he didn't actually create his printing press until he gave up on Strasbourg and returned to Mainz where he was born.

Should you be heading back to Mainz (see Mainz - Gutenberg, Roman Galleons and Bubbly Wine), following Gutenburg's footsteps, to search for a sample of one of his bibles take a stop in Heidelberg, another name synonymous with printing, for the Heidelberg printing press, the mechanical advancement on Gutenburg's invention. In fact, Gutenberg was never able to capitalize on his invention and died penniless. While the monster machines from Heidelberg developed in 1805 can be seen in printing shops around the world. But while you're reading the old master's illustrated bible, sample some of Heidelberg's award winning wine. The family-owned Seeger Winery (Seeger Weingut) founded in 1707, recently received the German Award for the best burgundy for its 2003 Heidelberger Herrenberg.

Situated in the heart of Germany's largest wine-growing region, Heidelberg has a long tradition of wine production. and its local varieties regularly receive awards. And stop in the city's castle to see the worlds largest wine barrel. But don't fall in. ©Bargain Travel Europe

Find the best hotel deals in Strasbourg and Heidelberg

These articles are copyrighted and the sole property of Bargain Travel Europe and WLPV, LLC. and may not be copied or reprinted without permission.

SEE ALSO:

MAINZ MUSEUMS
Gutenberg, Roman Galleons and Bubbly Wine

HEADLESS KNIGHT, SLEEPY NIGHT
Burg Reichenstein - Romantic Rhine Castle next door

BEAUNE AND OLD VIRGINS OF BURGUNDY
Center of Burgundy's Wine Region

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