Christmas Markets, Snow & Vin Chaud!
Strasbourg, France has been on my list to visit ever since I was a kid.
First things first… I apologise for the number of pictures and the length of this post…. but there’s so much to see and LOVE about this place – pictures really do speak for themselves!
Having seen the pictures of my workmate’s travels in December 2016, who literally did a long weekend there (her husband is an awesome Singapore Airlines Pilot), I made the absolute plan to skip Singapore for Christmas 2017 and to hop on a plane to Europe and to do a White Christmas in France. So after one semi-long long-haul flight into Paris CDG Airport and funnily enough it was on SIA… then fighting my way down to try and score a fast train to Strasbourg, I do arrive some 20+ hours later after checking in at Singapore Changi Airport.
To find out all the nitty gritty about Strasbourg, the journey continues here…. and for now let”s talk Christmas Markets! ♥
Christmas Markets
The Christmas Markets were a delight. To my surprise there is actually not just 1 Christmas market, but many many many dotted all around Strasbourg in the little areas… It is definitely one of the oldest and the biggest in Europe, running since the 1500’s… These cute little wooden replica houses, chalets, are all filled with local delicacies, treats, handicrafts and ornaments.
Unfortunately as I was in the midst of relocating in my life and floating around Europe, so no trinkets were bought to be cherished later on as souvenirs. Only admiration and me leaving footprints and spending some Euros to help the locals was done.
Rows and rows of shops. Vin Chaud and Cidre at every corner, it is like heaven…..
VIN CHAUD? What is it? It means hot wine. And it simply is hot wine, like mulled wine, gluwhein etc … you can fet white or red and it’s a nice hot beverage you walk around the markets holding on to. You simply purchase your vin chaud at one store, all the stores use re-usable cups and then you can go to another store and then exchange your empty cup for a new cup at the listed price. You basically pay a €1 deposit for the cup until you return it at the end of your Vin Chaud adventures for the day.
You can spend days, nights and weeks a the Christmas Markets looking at the wonders and delights of the locals.
Just walking around by night is amazing… it’s magical!
And one of my favourite stalls at the Christmas Markets combines my 2 loves – Chocolat & Frommage! ♥ Cheesy chocolat or chocolatie cheese?
I should note that unfortunately due to the event being on high terrorist alert, there was a lot of armed personnel around, markets are more spread out and smaller in size and less crowds then usual (as advised by my local mate). But the vibe other than that was amazing… And I can’t to check out my next Christmas Market in Europe!
And what is there not to love about with this beautiful scenery…. Joeyuex Noel! ♥
Til next time Strasbourg!
After all this is a post about one of the most X’mas-ie places in the world…. Had to sneak in a pic with one very famous X’mas Tree!
So anyone in to join me for my next Christmas Market adventure? & hopefully the next one has lots of beautiful fluffy snow ♥♥♥ and we can make snow angels!
Also … anyone in for a summer trip to Strasbourg? woot woot! Click here to find out more on the rest of Strasbourg.