{"id":812,"date":"2013-12-02T17:07:20","date_gmt":"2013-12-02T17:07:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/livevoyagereports.com\/?page_id=812"},"modified":"2017-08-02T06:43:15","modified_gmt":"2017-08-02T12:43:15","slug":"day-3-strasbourg-france","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/live-voyage-reports\/viking-baldur-rhine-christmas\/day-3-strasbourg-france\/","title":{"rendered":"Day 3 – Strasbourg, France"},"content":{"rendered":"

Strasbourg: Capitale de Noel<\/h3>\n
\"Viking<\/a>

Viking Baldur docked in Kehl, Germany on another wonderfully moody day. Photo \u00a9 2013 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

Aaron Saunders, Live Voyage Reports<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

Still blanketed in a thick cloak of fog and swirling mist, Viking Rivers<\/b>\u2019 Viking Baldur<\/i><\/b> docked this morning in the German town of Kehl<\/b>. Our ultimate destination, however, was Strasbourg<\/b>, France – located across the Rhine.<\/p>\n

The Rhine acts as an informal border between the two countries, and our guide today made a point of joking that she had arrived in France before the rest of the bus as we crossed over the bridge that took us into the heart of the city.<\/p>\n

\"Fog<\/a>

Fog kept temperatures in both Kehl and Strasbourg below freezing all day. Photo \u00a9 2013 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

Of course, both France and Germany are part of the European Union (EU), and as such, there are no border formalities to clear; signage simply changes from German to French. Strasbourg is also the location of the European Parliament, which controls the EU budget and oversees some 20 member states from a building that looks remarkably like an ocean liner out of water.<\/p>\n

But in December, even the European Parliament takes a back-seat to the Capitale de Noel. <\/i>Strasbourg boasts ten March\u00e9s de Noel<\/i>, or Christmas Markets, spread throughout the historic city center.<\/p>\n

\"Haven't<\/a>

Haven’t read up on your next port of call? Don’t worry – Viking Baldur’s well-stocked Library can help! Photo \u00a9 2013 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

There may be ten, but don\u2019t assume that any two markets are alike. In fact, they\u2019re extremely different in terms of theme, wares, food, and even beverages.<\/p>\n

At the Place Gutenberg<\/i>, for example, you can find the Croatian-themed Christmas Market, with shops that have come up from Zagreb. Adjacent to Strasbourg\u2019s gorgeous Opera House at Place Broglie <\/i>is the German-themed Christkindlesmarik<\/i>, perhaps not surprising given the close proximity between the two countries here. And over at Place d\u2019Austerlitz<\/i>, near where the motorcoaches for visiting tourists park, is the market for everything from this local region of France, known as Alsace.<\/p>\n

\"Starting<\/a>

Starting our explorations ashore in Strasbourg in Petite France. Photo \u00a9 2013 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Looking<\/a>

Looking out over Ponts Couverts from Barrage Vauban. Photo \u00a9 2013 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

Our complimentary tour today involved a 45-minute motorcoach ride before setting out on a 90-minute stroll through Strasbourg. For guests who didn\u2019t want that much physical activity, a \u201cLeisure\u201d tour option was offered that eliminated the walk through the city center. It\u2019s great that Viking offers those options on many of their tours ashore, as it allows guests to tailor their day to suit their personal activity and mobility levels.<\/p>\n

\"Our<\/a>

Our local guide shows us the way in Strasbourg before the Christmas Markets snatch our attention. Photo \u00a9 2013 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Browsing<\/a>

Browsing through our first Christmas Market in front of the Strasbourg Cathedral. Photo \u00a9 2013 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

I enjoyed Strasbourg on all levels. It\u2019s a great city filled with very friendly people. When I pulled my map out while strolling along Rue de la Haute-Montee<\/i> en-route to Place Kleber<\/i>, I was impressed that a woman almost immediately stopped to ask if I needed any help \u2013 in both French and English.<\/p>\n

\"Gluhwein!<\/a>

Gluhwein! Or, since we are in France, Vin Chaud. Photo \u00a9 2013 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Each<\/a>

Each market has its own unique wares – like these chocolates styled as pencil crayons. Photo \u00a9 2013 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

My French is terrible and my accent isn\u2019t much better, but I am always trying when I visit France. Here\u2019s why: I appreciate the French way of life. I like that you can pop into a shop for some fresh bread, some meats and cheeses, and a bottle of wine, and you\u2019ve got yourself a heck of a good lunch \u2013 or dinner. An entire sandwich only runs about seven Euros, while at home something comparable would easily run $15 \u2013 if you could find<\/i> a place with fresh sandwiches.<\/p>\n

\"Christmas<\/a>

Christmas decor of all kinds is everywhere in Strasbourg. Photo \u00a9 2013 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

It\u2019s also worth mentioning that Strasbourg goes all out<\/i> when it comes to Christmas d\u00e9cor. From the Petite France<\/i> district to Place du Chateau<\/i>, buildings are adorned with teddy bears, oversized bobbles, wreaths, pinecones, lights, presents and even a ten-foot-tall Gingerbread man.<\/p>\n

One of the city\u2019s most well-known traditions towers over the Place Kleber<\/i>: a 30-metre tall Christmas tree known as Le Grand Sapin <\/i>in French is as imposing as it is magical. I assume it\u2019s strikingly beautiful when lit at night, illuminating the decoration work done by Antoinette Pflimlin.<\/p>\n

\"Spatzle<\/a>

Spatzle lunch! Photo \u00a9 2013 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

Lunch today was half-German, half-French, and enjoyed in front of Strasbourg\u2019s Opera House. Spatzle <\/i>is a German dish, typically, but this one was made with a creamy cheese sauce from Alsace, and topped with thinly-sliced cured meats, so I felt it was a nice cross-over. A very \u201cmiddle-of-the-Rhine\u201d sort of lunch. And at \u20ac5, it was super-affordable and far more than I could actually eat.<\/p>\n

After all, I had to save room for some Gluhwein<\/i> \u2013 or Vin Rouge Chaud<\/i> (Hot Red Wine) here in France. Every market had huts with massive steel pots simmering, the scent of mulling wine spilling out of them and wafting over the entire market.<\/p>\n

\"Vin<\/a>

Vin Rouge Chaud and a Bretzel! Photo \u00a9 2013 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

Strasbourg was quite interesting in that they utilised eco-friendly, biodegradeable plastic cups throughout their Christmas Markets. They\u2019re still attractively decorated, and you still get your \u20ac1 back should you elect to return the cup, but I missed the ceramic mugs. Fortunately, one vendor I went to in the Place du Temple neuf <\/i>still had them on offer for \u20ac4.<\/p>\n

\"Real,<\/a>

Real, fresh, tea – up for grabs. Photo \u00a9 2013 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

This afternoon, Viking offered an optional excursion at an additional cost to enjoy a wine tasting in Alsace. While pricing was very reasonable, I just couldn\u2019t bring myself to leave the Christmas markets of Strasbourg. Viking had shuttles running back and forth between the ship in Kehl and Strasbourg; all you had to do to return to the ship was to meet in front of the post office next to the Strasbourg Cathedral\u00a0 at the appointed times. To ensure you don\u2019t forget, times are printed on a small business card that you can simply tuck into your wallet. It\u2019s a very handy feature, and a great idea.<\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/a>

Photo \u00a9 2013 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

That\u2019s one thing I really like about Viking: they include plenty of nice little touches that, really, they probably don\u2019t have to. From fresh fruit and water in your stateroom to a policy that encourages guests to bring their own wine aboard from the towns they visit to enjoy onboard \u2013 with no corkage \u2013 the line seems to have clearly thought through the wants and needs of their guests.<\/p>\n

\"I'll<\/a>

I’ll take the one on the left. What the heck. Make it two. Photo \u00a9 2013 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

There was some grumbling today amongst the guests about the location of the ship relative to the road where motorcoaches were allowed to park, about 15 minutes walking distance away. But it is a flat, scenic walk \u2013 even in the cold fog that doesn\u2019t seem to want to leave us \u2013 and would probably be very pleasant during the summer months.<\/p>\n

\"Strasbourg<\/a>

Strasbourg Cathedral, in the mist. Photo \u00a9 2013 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

But more to the point, docking locations are what they are. Some are convenient, others are not. Nuremberg is a fantastic example of this: the docking location along the Main-Danube Canal is so far out of town that shuttles are the only practical way to access the city. Others, like Passau or yesterday in Breisach have you literally docked in the town.<\/p>\n

\"Reasons<\/a>

Reasons to Love France: fresh read – and lots of it. Photo \u00a9 2013 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

\"The<\/a>

The Christmas Markets of Strasbourg did not disappoint! Photo \u00a9 2013 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Strasbourg's<\/a>

Strasbourg’s iconic Christmas Tree in Place Kleber stands 30 metres tall. Photo \u00a9 2013 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Simply<\/a>

Simply wandering around Strasbourg’s ten markets is fun in and of itself. Photo \u00a9 2013 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

With shuttles provided to and from the ship on a complimentary basis this afternoon, there was no reason why guests couldn\u2019t choose to take advantage of the extra time in Strasbourg, and I love that Viking provides guests with the opportunity to, in effect, plan their own day, if they wish to.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The walk from the Viking Baldur to the motorcoaches may be long, but it’s very picturesque. Photo \u00a9 2013 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

\"The<\/a>

The Clown portrait? Not so much. Photo \u00a9 2013 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

As I write this, I am readying for another excellent dinner here onboard Viking Baldur<\/i>. I\u2019ve always enjoyed the food Viking puts out, but I feel like this menu is a definite step-up. Perhaps nothing has changed at all, but it struck me today that everything I have eaten has been nothing less than spectacular, and the wine continues to flow freely \u2013 just as Viking says it will in their brochures. In fact, I have yet to see the bottom of my wine glass at dinner on any Viking vessel to-date.<\/p>\n

Finally, I want to note something that I have pointed out in the past, but which I think is worth mentioning again: the Viking Longships are the quietest<\/i> ships I have ever sailed aboard. My stateroom is located almost all the way aft, yet I can only hear the propellers and feel vibration if we are docking or undocking. Otherwise, these ships are so whisper-quiet that you barely realize you\u2019re moving.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a subtle but powerful feature, and one that not every river cruise line can lay claim to.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>

A Towel Animal Greeting in my stateroom. Photo \u00a9 2013 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

Viking Baldur Rhine Getaway<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
DAY<\/B><\/td>PORT <\/B><\/td>ACTIVITIES<\/B><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
December 10, 2013<\/a><\/td>Basel, Switzerland<\/A><\/td>Arrive Basel and embark VIKING BALDUR<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
December 11<\/a><\/td>Breisach, Germany<\/a><\/td>Black Forest scenery tour with clock-making demonstration; optional vineyard tour or Colmar excursion<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
December 12<\/a><\/td> Strasbourg, France<\/a><\/td>Walking tour featuring Strasbourg Cathedral; afternoon at leisure.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
December 13<\/a><\/td> Heidelberg \/ Speyer, Germany<\/a><\/td>Half-day tour featuring Heidelberg Castle \/ Evening at leisure to enjoy cobbled streets & Speyer Cathedral.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
December 14<\/a><\/td> Braubach \/ Koblenz, Germany<\/a><\/td>Marksburg Castle excursion; free time along the Drosselgasse. <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
December 15<\/a><\/td> Cologne, Germany<\/a><\/td>Walking tour & Gothic Cathedral visit; free time to visit a local brewery and sample some Kolsch.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
December 16<\/a><\/td>Kinderdijk, Netherlands<\/a><\/td>Tour Kinderdijk Windmills, a UNESCO World Heritage Site<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
December 17, 2013<\/a><\/td>Amsterdam, Netherlands<\/a><\/td>Disembark VIKING BALDUR & onward journey.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Strasbourg: Capitale de Noel Aaron Saunders, Live Voyage Reports Still blanketed in a thick cloak of fog and swirling mist, Viking Rivers\u2019 Viking Baldur docked this morning in the German town of Kehl. Our ultimate destination, however, was Strasbourg, France – located across the Rhine. The Rhine acts as an informal border between the two […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":198,"parent":315,"menu_order":3,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/812"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=812"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/812\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/315"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=812"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}