Dispatch from the Capital of Christmas

Written by Max | Dec 9, 2024 5:58:01 PM

My mother is what I’ll conservatively refer to as a Christmas enthusiast. Her dedication to the season is both authentic and egoless. She doesn’t need ostentatious displays of decorations in order to suffuse every moment of family time with the spirit of the noel. This, of course, was always a joy for my sister and I as kids.

Germany Christmas tree Growing up in a Christmas-positive household made for may wonderful Yuletide memories. She is also of German heritage, so our festivities always had a distinctly Bavarian flavor (both literally and figuratively). Growing up we also heard many stories of her time visiting our family in the Black Forest. However despite the prominence of these themes in our childhood, none of our family had been back to visit the region in about 50 years, so we set out to rectify that.

This year we planned to take a family trip back to the Black Forest to visit our ancestral village (a small town called Malsch). As part of this trip my mother requested we go during the Christmas market season as getting to experience a real German Christmas market has been a bucket list item for her. We planned to see a fair few, but the main event was a visit to the crown jewel of the entire Christmas market ecosystem: Strasbourg. While technically a French city, it really inhabits the spirit of a German Christmas market. It bills itself as the Christmas capital of the world and it really delivers. Most cities and towns in Germany will have a section devoted to a Christmas market this time of year. Big ones will even take up many city blocks. In Strasbourg, however, pretty much the entire city becomes one big Christmas market. It is, and I don’t use this word lightly, spectacular.

Of course, for me the main attraction of these markets is the food, and being in Strasbourg offers culinary delights even beyond those on offer in the Christmas market itself. Read on for some of the highlights of the sights and snacks to be enjoyed in the opening weekend of the world’s premiere Christmas destination.

Choucroute garni is a specialty of the region. Basically a gargantuan pile of cured meats on top of a gargantuan pile of sauerkraut with some boiled potatoes. It was every bit as glorious as it looks.

You can also get a plate of excellent foie gras terrine with assorted garnishes as your meal if you so desire (I so desired).

The Strasbourg cathedral is stunning. This imposing structure is built of pink sandstone and took over 400 years to complete.

All members of my family are almond freaks so real-deal marzipan fruit simply cannot be passed up. Also a marzipan croissant! Sehr niedlich, tres mignon.

Lightly sweetened and spiced warm glühwein is a must if one plans to power through hectares of Christmas markets

After dark, the entire city is illuminated with the glow of what must be tens of billions of tiny lights with Christmas decorations hanging on every main street.

Though an incredible display, if you’re not a fan of crowds be warned: opening weekend in Strasbourg is… extremely busy!

Our visit to Strasbourg was the perfect way to experience the start of the Christmas season. Our friends at Onward Travel are planning a trip to European Christmas Markets next year. Join the interest list here!

If this post has inspired the holiday spirit in you why not keep the ball rolling by checking out one of our many holiday themed classes. Frohe Weihnachten!

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