My days were coming to an end in Germany. Soon I would be hopping on a plane headed to Bangkok embarking on a new adventure. I wanted to make the most of the few days I had left in Europe. Escaping the gloomy rain in the otherwise often sunny Freiburg, I sat around a table with my host sister and several of her friends in Café Atlantik. The walls were covered in posters and other novelty items. Soccer played on the many screens throughout the restaurant and rock music blared over the speakers. Over dinner and the perfection that is German beer I fished for suggestions as to what I should do with my remaining time. I didn’t want to travel too far and was on a budget, but I knew I wanted to get out of Freiburg to explore somewhere new before my departure. Without hesitation a friend suggested Strasbourg, France, a beautiful and unique city that could be reached easily with an hour long bus ride. I was sold. It sounded like a perfect day trip.
As the name implies, Strasbourg has a German past. While the city currently belongs to France it has actually belonged to Germany 3 different times throughout history. Talk about an identity crisis! However, this unique history has created a fusion of French and German culture throughout the city.
As soon as I stepped off the bus in Strasbourg I spotted its famous cathedral and headed directly for it. This gothic inspired cathedral blew me away. While completely different in style from the Cathedral of Fulda, it was equally as beautiful. Its intricate exterior and stained glass windows are not to be missed. I may not be the most enthusiastic churchgoer, but this cathedral alone is well worth a trip to Strasbourg.
After admiring the cathedral I set out on foot to explore the city. I wandered up and down cobblestoned streets window shopping and stopping here or there for a snack or a glass of wine. It was amusing to see restaurants offering different dishes with both traditional French and German influences.
Eventually I made my way down to picturesque Petite France. These streets lined with old timbered buildings can only be described as adorable. After wandering for a while and snapping photos at my leisurely pace I decided to stop for lunch along the river. Honestly, the food was incredibly disappointing. In obviously a touristy part of town, I realized my restaurant choice had been a mistake. While the view was stunning, the regional dish I ordered came out cold despite its hefty price tag. I would have been much better off to find a little place away from the crowds as there are many unique cafes, shops, and restaurants to choose from.
With my time running regrettably short I decided to head back to the bus stop and await my ride back to Deutschland. I could have easily spent a whole weekend or longer in Strasbourg. It’s great shopping, historic sites, and several museums and galleries left me wanting more. A unique city with a unique history, Strasbourg was the perfect getaway to end my time in Germany.
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