Strasbourg

France

"Gothic Spires, Half-Timbered Lanes & the Rhine"

Strasbourg is the capital of Alsace and a seat of the European Parliament, but visitors come for the old town. Notre-Dame Cathedral's single spire and rose window dominate a pedestrian square, and a short walk leads to Petite France, where covered bridges cross canals lined with timbered houses. The city is easy to pair with a Rhine river cruise or a Colmar day trip, and the Christmas market is one of Europe's most famous. English is widely used in the center; Alsatian wine and tarte flambée are the local signatures.

Notre-Dame Cathedral, Petite France, Ponts Couverts, Barrage Vauban, Palais Rohan, European Parliament quarter, Colmar day trip

April–June & September–October (December for the Christmas market)

Walk Petite France early, before tour groups; cathedral tower tickets sell out on sunny days

Strong add for Rhine river cruises and Christmas-market trips. Pair with Colmar or the Alsatian wine route.