Weekend Escape

I decided to take a few trips this autumn to places that are not too far and that can be enjoyed over a weekend. Because I have a tour guide friend in Strasbourg, I asked her if she could share a few interesting things about the city.

The French university city with magical architecture is located on the border of France and Germany, and so has both a French and a German past.

Founded as a Roman military fortress more than two millennia ago, Strasbourg later became a French royal town in the 17th century and was decorated with magnificent palaces influenced by Parisian architecture. In the 19th century, the Germans acquired it and Strasbourg became the capital of Alsace. The Germans expanded the city and built there one of the most modern universities in Europe.

After the First World War, Strasbourg fell back in to the hands of the French, but was annexed by Nazi Germany during the Second World War. The city was liberated by the Americans and became part of France once again. Some of its inhabitants changed their nationalities five times during this period. Today Strasbourg is the seat of the European Parliament and a lively university city - students from all across the globe come here to study.

For me, Strasbourg is primarily a magical city full of amazing architecture that mixes the influences of its French and German past. What you cannot miss here is the district called "Little France" with restaurants right next to the river. In addition, of course, the medieval cathedral, Notre-Dame, which was the tallest building in the Christian world for four centuries. Prague is just an hour and twenty minutes away by plane, and a great tip not only for an autumn weekend, but also as perhaps my next destination for the Christmas markets- they are said to provide a fairy-tale- like atmosphere. I am looking forward to it already! :)