Strasbourg great food, wine and water tell a story

The "Crossroads of Europe City’ is a very green experience for visitors

Not for nothing is Strasbourg called "The Crossroads of Europe". In the Middle Ages, trade routes met here; goods from the Baltic, Britain, the Mediterranean and the Far East were exchanged for local wines, grain and fabrics; and traders speaking a dozen different languages met and conducted business.

The places where these meetings took place became the market places and squares that enliven the city and provide settings for today’s multilingual dialogues.

Strasbourg is immersed in the Franco-German culture and although violently disputed throughout history, has been a bridge of unity between France and Germany for centuries. The city is proud of its historical religious tolerance and houses the largest Islamic place of worship in France – the Strasbourg Grand Mosque, was inaugurated by French Interior Minister Manuel Valls in 2012.

Sitting in the centre of Europe – Strasbourg not only houses the Council of Europe, the European Court of Human Rights, the European Parliament, and the European Ombudsman  – but it also is home to the Central Commission for Navigation of the Rhine – the powerful river which Strasbourg straddles.

And now with 28 EU member states Europe and its polyglot institutions provide even more cultures to blend into Strasbourg’s melting pot, provide hospitality for, and move around the city.

So really good local food and effortless transportation are key to the city’s sustainable well-being and its attraction for visitors.

The focus on food in Strasbourg’s centre has to be seen to be believed, possibly nowhere in Europe is such consistently delicious fare available. Maybe it’s the blend of German and French cooking techniques that do the trick but it certainly works.

It is a nearly impossible task to walk down any central street without visiting at least one patisserie for superb cakes and Macarons or a chocolaterie, with superb sweets a boulangerie with local brioche breads an extraordinarily tempting charcuterie or a fromagerie stuffed full of great local cheeses. And you haven’t got to a restaurant yet, or even seen one of the local specialities  like Sauerkraut with at least 7 different meats – or Tarte Flambee!  It’s lucky that Strasbourg’s been redesigned as a walking city. But even that has been taken over by foodies – it’s possible to do a walking, tasting tour with 15 different tastes.

Thirsty? Apart from the local Alsace wine  (dry and delicious) the city is the centre of the French beer industry – Kronenbourg was born in Strasbourg in 1664. And it’s a natural to go with your local sausage.

So, if your legs fail you, after all that food and drink, what to do?

Try the tram – it’s a superb, modern, comfortable, cheap and easy way to get around the city and see the multitude of sights.

Or… go by water. Strasbourg, for an inland city is full of water (after all it is on Europe’s biggest historic transportation system – the River Rhine). Boat trips will help you see the sights and understand why this city is still built by the water.

And what is there to see in Strasbourg?

Strasbourg’s historic city centre, the Grande Île (Grand Island), was classified a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1988. It is simply stunning and it will take a day and a night to see this alone (much more if you stop for food).

Seeing the gothic cathedral and astronomical clock is a must, a walk across the covered bridge is an experience and strolling in the ancient tanners area is a delight. Half-timbered houses, romantic bridges, lovely canal and riverside walks all are there to be explored. And there is nothing like sitting in one of Strasbourg’s posh squares sipping a coffee – there are so many posh squares and shops that you quite want to get lost and stay.

But, being a crossroads in Europe has benefits and what could be challenges. One such challenge, which it is impossible not to notice, in Strasbourg’s historic centre is the vast numbers of beggars who appear to sleep in the streets at night.

In Strasbourg, they are tolerated by the local people, fed and watered and communicated with.  It’s a start.

If you’re going to visit Strasbourg – it’s a worthwhile experience at any time but be aware high season is Christmas when Strasbourg hosts the biggest Christmas Market in Europe.

Interesting inexpensive hotels in the city include the four*** Mercure (Accor has around 40 hotels in the city) – bright, colourful and central with a superb locally-sourced breakfast and a strong sustainable tourism policy

Valere Tjolle

Special pre-release offer at new http://www.SustainableTourism2015.com