Colmar France for the New Year. Facrifical fairy tales and European wine roads

The trip this year began to emerge in October and other options except Strasbourg, we did not consider, although they were relatively recently there - in the summer of 2015. But here I will not tell about the city itself (about him in another review), and show the atmosphere of the holiday, which attracts in Alsace in general and in Strasbourg in particular annually millions of tourists.

That we felt when I started looking for accommodation options. I opened a bucking and was horrified - on the 10th-20th day of December, prices were just cosmic - from 150 euros per night plus breakfasts. Therefore, I had to remove from the holiday closer to November and eventually I found an acceptable option for the period from November 30 to December 5 in the Adagio Access Strasbourg Petite France already tested in the previous trip - I will write about it separately. As a result, for 5 nights it turned out with 740 euros taxes. And the savings at breakfast is just wonderful. The same omelette with sausages we prepared in the room, and cheese, ham, wine and sweet to tea, as well as excellent dishes for warming up in the microwave, we bought "for a penny" in the nearest store of Karrefur. In short, the excellent option. The hotel itself has not suggested anything new, but it did not get worse. True, the room was on the "zero" floor with direct access to the courtyard, but it absolutely did not strain.

Therefore, the first lifehak of this story is to begin to prepare for the trip in December strongly in advance. Otherwise you have to overpay. So with the hotel we were lucky.

But, before him, it was still necessary to get. I chose the flight option to Lufthansa to Frankfurt and then the bus. In the summer, the period between the landing of the aircraft and the bus departure was almost an hour and a half, but in the winter the schedule changed and I was offered 2 options - sending a bus after 1 or after 3.5 hours. I thought for a long time, I even called Lufthanza's office with a question - would you have time? I was convinced that these options were repeatedly tested and worked out, so there was nothing to be afraid. And I, the fool, believed ... Although, the weather was intervened - it was at night on November 30 in Petersburg in St. Petersburg and although we got to the airport easily (taxis 6000000 ordered at 4 am and for 40 minutes and 1120 rubles everything went fine), But before the attack of the aircraft, we were sent for anti-icing processing and instead of 6.15 we took off only at 7 o'clock. True, in the air, we almost compensated for this delay, but they still sat down 10 minutes later, then long touched the airfield and drove into the terminal by bus. Jumping the first to pass towards passport control. We saw a group of aggressive black women with children there, who proved the German border guards to enter the country, and they resisted together. Having lost some time waiting, we jumped out to freedom and headed, on the experience of the previous trip, for baggage. Quickly saw the ribbon with the designation of our flight and were very happy when at 8.05 she earned and threw several suitcases - but there was no ours there. Before sending the bus, there was still 25 minutes and I was not very worried. But another 10 minutes passed, and our suitcase did not appear. The wife began to worry and we decided that I had to run to the bus and persuade the driver to wait for us, since we were registered for a particular flight. I'vened to the bus and together with another lady from our flight persuaded the driver to wait for our luggage at least 5 minutes, after which I rushed back (and this is a completely different terminal), but just could not get into the luggage room - I could have run to Bypass. The wife was close to hysterics, since the ribbon stopped, the baggage was taken away and no prospects for the appearance of our suitcase did not foresee. I found an employee responsible for baggage, and I say - where is our suitcase? He looked at the boarding pass and says: "A, are you going to Strasbourg? Your luggage must be obtained in the railway station hall! "

Elya-Pali, this is near the landing site for the bus! Running there again and, really, I see - in the center of the hall is fenced with ribbons a certain plot and there is just so worth our suitcase! This place.

1 day Moscow - Frankfurt - Wiesbaden - Rudezheim
Departure from Moscow, arriving in Frankfurt on Main. Meeting at the airport 3 hours before departure. Accurate information on the flight and time of departure will be indicated 2 weeks before the start of the tour.
Tourists who independently flying to Frankfurt from their city should be in place of the meeting no later than arrival of the main group.
Placement on the bus, moving (~ 30 km) to the city of Wiesbaden, the capital of Hessse and one of the oldest thermal resorts Europe. Walk with accompanying. In the city there were Goethe and Dostoevsky, who in 1860 lost all his savings into the casino.
In the afternoon, moving (~ 30 km), in Rüdesheim-on-Rhine - the capital of winemakers, a walk and tasting * (from € 8) of the Rhine Wine. Recommended! "Eiswein" or Ice Wine.
In the evening, moving (~ 60 km), accommodation and night at the hotel in Germany.

2 day Koblenz - Bernkastel Cus
Breakfast in the hotel.
In the morning, a visit to the city of Koblenz, the inspection of the "German angle" is the fusion places of the rivers of the Moselle and Rhine.
Moving (~ 100 km) in the Moselle wine road into the romantic town of Bernkastel-Cous, famous for its wines and "fabulous" houses, walk from accompanying city. For wishing tasting * Moselle wines (from € 12).
In the afternoon, moving (~ 50 km) in oldest city Germany Trier - Inspection of the city with accompanying: port of Nigra, Cathedral and other historical monuments
In the evening, moving (220 km) to Strasbourg.
Accommodation and night in the hotel

3 day Strasbourg - Baden-Baden *
Breakfast in the hotel.
Pedestrian sightseeing tour of Strasbourg: historical Center Grand Ile, Gothic Cathedral Notre Dame, Little France quarter and much more. Free time.
Trip * (~ 60 km) to Baden-Baden (€ 15, shuttle). Inspection of the city with accompanying: Kurhaus with a casino, Drinkhalla's drinking gallery, ul. Lichtentallerallee.
For those who want to visit thermal complex - Caracalla (Caracalla Therme) ticket from € 15.
In the evening, return to Strasbourg, it is possible to organize a traditional Alsatian dinner * (from € 20).
Night in the same hotel.

4 day Strasbourg - Ribovil * - Colmar *
Breakfast in the hotel.
Free time in Strasbourg.
Walk * on the boat on the canals in Strasbourg (approx. € 13.5 / 7.8 to 12 years)
or a trip * on one of the most picturesque local areas of Europe - the trip "Wine Road of Alsace" - Ribovil - Colmar (€ 30, shuttle). Riboville winery, a walk with accompanying, it is possible to visit the wine cellab with tasting * (tasting of local white wines, from 10 cu), moving and inspection with the accompanying city of Colmar - "French Venice".
Night in the same hotel.

5 day Strasbourg - Schwarzvald *
Breakfast in the hotel.
Free time in Strasbourg or travel for the whole day of the Black Forest * (€ 35 Transfer).
Freiburg (~ 87 km) - Black Forest Pearl Schwarzvalda. Inspection of the Old Town: The famous Cathedral of Münster, Münsterplatz Square, Old and New Town Hall, vintage quarter Craftsmen, and much more.
Moving to the city of Staufen (~ 20 km) - "City of Faust", the city known in the works of Goethe. Inspection of the city with accompanying.
Moving to triberg capital famous watch With cuckoo, inspection with accompanying. Inspection of the biggest clock with cuckoo in the suburbs of Triberg - Shonakhbah.
In the evening, return to the hotel.

6 day Basel - Zurich
Breakfast in the hotel.
In the morning, moving (~ 140 km) to Switzerland to Basel. Sightseeing tour By the city of Basel, stretching on the two banks of the Rhine: Big Basel - Cathedral, Square Marktplatz and Fishplatz, Gate Truck, Market Tower, Theater Square and Other.
In the afternoon, moving (~ 90 km) in Zurich. Inspection of the city of Zurich with the accompanying: Banhefstrasse, the church of St. Peter, Quarter, Netherdorf, Cathedrals Grossmünster and Fraumyunster with stained-glass windows, Marc Chagal and more.
In the evening, moving (~ 160 km) to Germany, accommodation in the hotel.

7 Day Rothenburg-on-Tauber - Würzburg
Breakfast in the hotel.
In the morning, moving (~ 150 km) in the town of Rothenburg-on-Tauber. Inspection of the city museum under open sky, famous for its christmas traditions. Rothenburg-on-Tauber boasts the most impressive medieval architecture in Europe. Walk around the city with accompanying.
In the afternoon, moving (~ 60 km) to Würzburg. Sightseeing tour of the Bavarian city of Würzburg - the center of the Franconium region, famous for its winemaking. Cathedral St. Kiliana, Church of Hofkirch, Marienberg Fortress. Free time in Würzburg. Tasting * Franconian wines (from 12 €).
In the evening, moving (~ 120 km) in Germany.
Hotel night.

8 day Frankfurt am Main- Moscow
Breakfast in the hotel.
In the presence of time, an inspection of the city of Frankfurt am Main with the accompanying: Quarter of banks, half-timbered houses in the quarter Römer, House-Museum Goethe, Church of the CV. Paul, etc.
Moving to the airport, departure from Frankfurt. Arrival to Moscow.
Information on the flight and time of departure a week before the start of the tour.
Tourists who independently fly from Frankfurt to their city independently organize their transfer to the airport or can join the main group when coincided.

Illuminated by hundreds of Christmas lights and removed by colorful decorations, first of all, wreaths, which are made of fir branches, ostolist, laurels and ribbons. Each has four candles, which symbolize the weeks of the post preceding the onset of Christmas. But, of course, the main festive decoration is the city tree on Cleber Square.

Feel the Spirit of Christmas and find yourself in a fairy tale, you will help you a well-known city-breeding guide, sign up for an excursion. We also recommend thinking about buying Strasbourg City Pass, which will greatly facilitate your walks in the city, more.

Where to settle in Strasbourg for the new year

Weather for New Year in Strasbourg

To wet the December weather, the weather did not spoil you Christmas mood, take care of warm clothes. In Strasbourg, the winter temperature may drop to 1.5 ° C, and the snow and rain is quite a frequent phenomenon for this season. Therefore, you will be very useful for a warm coat, a sweater or a cardigan and comfortable shoes on the fur. Also, do not forget to warm up the scarf, gloves and a headdress, very by the way will be a good durable umbrella. Thoroughly equipped, you will no longer cost all the fairs and festive events Strasbourg.

Celebration of Christmas and New Year in Strasbourg

The idea of \u200b\u200bdressing the Christmas tree to Christmas was originated in the 16th century in Alsace, the center of which is Strasbourg. Then there was still part of Germany. It is believed that the German Princess Elena Mecklenburg was faced with the spread of this tradition, when he married the Duke of Orleans. Initially, christmas trees decorated with apples and nuts. As the local legend says, 1858 turned out to be a lackalistic, and glass jewelery came to replace the deeds, which caused such a furor that since then was heard to dress up with special toys.

An important role in the celebration of Christmas and New Year in Alsace is played by the mythical characters: Saint Nikolai, Hans Trapp and Crystkindel. Alsas kids do not need to wait late December to get gifts: the local counterpart of Santa Claus, Saint Nikolai comes to them on December 6, when the holiday is celebrated. But for the Christmas, the defortion can get additional gifts if the Angel of Crystkindel will look at them and her assistant Hans Trapp with a large basket of sweets and other pleasant surprises.

Festive Fair in Strasbourg

From November to January, life in Strasbourg boils the key: almost every day there are pre-holiday events, live concerts, enchanting shows and exhibitions. But the main event in the city is considered the Legendary Christmas Fair - the oldest in Europe, the first one took place in 1570 and then called ChristkinDelsmärik (Baby Fair of Jesus). Since then, Strasbourg is considered a kind of Christmas capital and one of best places For immersion in the festive pre-New Year atmosphere.

The Christmas Fair in Strasbourg begins his work at the end of November and continues until Christmas. It covers almost the entire city, first of all the area of \u200b\u200bBrunce and the cathedral area. At the fair you can see more than 300 counters selling craft products, christmas deals, drinks and decorations.

Where to celebrate New Year in Strasbourg

These and other Christmas dishes you can try not only at the fair, but also on a festive dinner in Strasbourg restaurants. A classic Christmas lunch is usually begins with seafood and fua-gra-delicate duck liver, which is famous for Alsace. Beckoff is served - meat stewed in Elzass or roasted goose. Lunch ends with christmas gallers - a duple cake with nuts, raisins and lemon zest. But keep in mind that on the eve and on the day of Christmas, many restaurants and cafes will not work, so lunch or dinner is better to organize a couple of days before the holiday, and the feast can be postponed closer to the new year's meeting.

If you want to arrange a Christmas feast in a restaurant, we advise you to look at the traditional Alsace cuisine to look into the ancient taverno-wine-winrstub Zuem Strissel (5 Place de La Grande Boucherie), which is famous for its flame and a shukrut-stewed with smoked sprinkle. A good choice Alsas dishes also offers Brassury Le Gruber (11 Rue du Maroquin) - a very cozy place with a kind of decor. Here you can enjoy excellent meat stew and foie gras. If you are more attracted to an authentic atmosphere, and not just a beautiful setting, then you will probably like it in a simple, but very nice restaurant Le Troquet Des Kneckes (112 Grand "Rue), where you will be offered eight types of flamesheukhe and amazing fresh bretecels.

We wish you a fabulous Christmas and New Year in Strasbourg!

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Strasbourg indisputates himself Capitale de Noël. - Capital of Christmas. We had to go there at the end of December 2016, to personally make sure that the city had assigned this title by right!

Day 1. Strasbourg, December 24

We arrived in Strasbourg by train, quickly settled into the hotel and went for a walk. The scale of the celebration was impressed from the first minutes: it seemed that there was not a single unkwilled home or tree around, but the whole city is a solid Christmas fair! It became clear that the guide would not need: wherever we do not go, everywhere will be beautiful, festively and tasty. So it came out! Most impressed as local residents Decorate at home. Each building is unlikely to the neighboring, many living Christmas branches and bulk installations!

And this is a little France - a medieval quarter with half-timbered houses and a multitude of channels:
(Placa Kleber), where every year set the main city tree with a height of about 30 meters. At the end of the square, the Christmas Bazaar unfolded - all the Christmas trees with a 50% discount.

NOTRE DAME DE STRASBOURG) - Main landmark of the city. Its construction began at the beginning of the 11th century, and many more centuries continued - because of this, elements of different styles are traced in the architecture, and one of the towers has not yet been built. One of the main attractions of the Cathedral is a unique astronomical watch, showing the orbits of the planets of the solar system and the calculating exact numbers of even those holidays whose dates are changing from year to year.

Most of the time we, of course, spent at the fairs, and when you write about French fairs, it is inevitable to the fore the topic of food comes out! Here are just a few of the elsasy gastronomic delights that can be tried at the Christmas Fair or in any neighborhood restaurant:
v. iN. chaud. - Mulled wine from red or white wine. It costs 2-3 euros and another 2 euros will take a deposit for a mug. tarte flamb. é e. - Translated into Russian "Flaming Pie". It is preparing on an open fire, so the "right" Tarta Flambes will have a little burnt edges. Reminds pizza, but instead of tomato paste uses soft cheese or cream. Traditional filling - with bow and bacon, but there are vegetarian options, and even sweet (for example, with apples and Calvados). Worth 7-10 euros.

Where to try: A restaurantFlam´ s. - just 300 meters from the cathedral!29 rue dES. Fr.è rES., 67000 Strasbourg.Works daily from 11:30 to 24:00

G. eWURZTRAMINER (Gevurztraminer) - Alsace Wine, which is worth saying. The sommelier describes it, as a complex, aggressive, unique, spicy, distinctive, adding many other epithets. But converge, as a rule, in one: after the first throat you either fall in love with it forever, or you will be bypass from the side. The dry hevureztraminer is well suited to the onion pie or fu gras, and the sweet is perfectly combined with Münster. Foie Gras (Fu Grazh) - The famous pate from goose liver. Served for a snack, often with something sweet (I especially like with fir jam). Choucrute ("Shukrut") - Famous dish of Elsa Kitchen. Pretty simple, and not at all like vegetarians or healthy food lovers: sauerkraut, potatoes and up to five types of meat on one plate - most often pork and local sausages. Very satisfying, but not very cheap - from 15 euros. Muntster. - One of the most popular French cheese in the world. And let you do not scare off his sharp, knocking the smell - strange, but the taste is surprisingly noble and thin! At Christmas fairs, you can try Greaten - Potatoes in Mundire with molten Münster. We will find the place of sale by smell, be sure?

Council: If you decide to bring Münster to friends - make sure the packaging tightness! And follow the expiration date, because By his expiration, cheese begins to smell 10 times stronger !!

Tarte à l'Oignon - onion pie, light and satisfying at the same time. It may be snack to guilt or an independent dish. Another day we looked at the embankment from the Rogan Palace (Palais Rohan) and bought tickets for the Batorama pleasure ship with a glass roof. Tickets can be bought in advance on the site https://www.batorama.com, but we actually acted. In 1 hour, 10 minutes we sailed along the River Chall, looked at the "little France" from the water, we took part in the adventure of the "passage of gateways" and sailed through the Damb of Voban to the European Quarter, where the European Parliament is located.

Well, after went to wander around the evening. Some streets, for example, Rue des orfèvres, cannot be described - see:

On the streets began to be allowed, the locals have long searched home or vice versa, hurried to Christmas services, and we went to relax at the hotel.

By the way: the Christmas service in the main cathedral is open to everyone, but be prepared for possible greater queues on the entrance due to increased security measures.

Day 2. Colmar, December 25

We knew that on December 25, all the fairs of Strasbourg were closed - but still amazed the city's desert in the morning. We walked along the embankment, stood with other tourists in line for coffee in a single working kiosk, reached the station and went to Colmar! This stunning city in beauty in Christmas days can quit Strasbourg, and most importantly - on January 25, after dinner, Christmas fairs are reserved in it!

Train tickets can be bought at the train station, or in advance on the site: https://ru.voyages-sncf.com/travel time 25 minutes, round trip 13.5 euro

At the Christmas Fair, tourists joyfully go to the first seen kiosks for Mulled wine and pancakes, but we are not here for the first time, and we know the secret! At the Dominican Square (Place Dominicans) there is a unparalleled kiosk from Colmar Gourmet with a pair of street tables. The sign is inconspicuous, plastic plates ... there, on the December sun, you can taste fu gras, snails in Elsass, oysters and wash everything with a glass of local sparkling wine Cremant! Passing by tourists slowed down a step from surprise, seeing this feast.