Around the World in Culinary Delights

The capital of Alsace, France's smallest region, is also known as the principal city of Europe because it's the official seat of European Parliament and home to important institutions like the European Court of Human Rights, but there's much more to Strasbourg than politics and officials in gray suits. While the city reigns as a political powerhouse, it also represents a perfect blend of cultures.

Built along the Rhine and located close to trading routes, Strasbourg borders Germany and Switzerland in the northeast of France and possesses a unique cultural and architectural heritage. Even dedicated Francophiles are often surprised how different the city is from the rest of the France. Once part of Germany, it offers the "best of both worlds," a combination that's most deliciously illustrated in its cuisine, which reflects a happy marriage of French flair and German heartiness.

With a history stretching back over 2,000 years, an obvious first stop for cruisers is Grande-Ile, the city's UNESCO-listed Old Town centre. Visitors can admire Strasbourg's landmark lopsided cathedral, the beautiful Petite France neighbourhood and the gateway to river cruises and streets chock-a-block with half-timbered Renaissance buildings. Many churches also went up in the Middle Ages, including Saint-Etienne, dating to the 12th century, and Saint-Thomas, which was built between the 12th and 14th centuries and ranks as the largest in size after the Strasbourg Cathedral.

Strasbourg is a town made for walking, but energetic visitors can also turn to pedal power and hop on a bike like the locals. Even the most haphazard stroll will take you past a wealth of well-preserved buildings, luxury shops and designer boutiques. More affordable buys can be found in Rue des Grandes Arcades, which is Strasbourg's main shopping area and features a variety of clothing stores.

Mannheim, Germany offers a captivating blend of history, culture, and modernity, making it an enticing destination for visitors. The city's rich heritage is reflected in its architectural wonders, including the Baroque-style Mannheim Palace and the impressive Jesuit Church. Art enthusiasts can indulge in the renowned Kunsthalle Mannheim, housing an extensive collection of masterpieces. Mannheim's vibrant music scene, birthplace of the iconic Mannheim School, continues to thrive with concerts and festivals. With its picturesque location on the Rhine River, visitors can enjoy scenic walks along the promenade and explore charming parks. Mannheim's dynamic atmosphere, coupled with its cultural gems, makes it a must-visit destination.

"The town lay, stretched along the river, its intricate cobweb of streets jewelled with twinkling lights. Behind the castle swells a dome-shaped hill, forest-clad, and beyond that a nobler and loftier one. The Castle looks down upon the compact brown-roofed town, and from the town, two picturesque old bridges span the river. I have never enjoyed a view which had such a satisfying charm about it as this one gives." --Mark Twain

With a population of 150,000, Heidelberg remains a small, charming city in a beautiful setting nearly 150 years after Mark Twain penned a glowing review in his 1879 travelogue "A Tramp Abroad." And Heidelberg's most charming aspects are, just as they were in Twain's day, focused on the quaint Altstadt (Old Town) and its surroundings. Below the ramparts of Heidelberg Castle nearly 300 feet above, the Old Town and its narrow, cobbled Hauptstrasse (main street) are nestled in snug, picturesque fashion between the Neckar River and the castle hill.

Heidelberg has truly ancient roots. Evidence of human habitation dates back thousands of years -- 500,000-year-old fossilized remains of a likely human ancestor were found nearby and named after Heidelberg -- and the city is also rich with a more tangible history, in its mishmash of ancient, medieval and modern architecture. And this is, perhaps, what makes Heidelberg such a pleasing place to visit. Amid its beautiful natural surroundings, the city's cultural landscape creates a kind of continuous historical narrative that visitors can follow back through the centuries. From the "Old Bridge" -- originally built of wood in the 13th century and most recently rebuilt after much of it was destroyed in the final days of World War II -- to the 2,500-year-old Celtic ruins of the Heiligenberg, you can hardly turn a corner without being confronted by some enduring edifice and its fascinating stories.

Mannheim, Germany offers a captivating blend of history, culture, and modernity, making it an enticing destination for visitors. The city's rich heritage is reflected in its architectural wonders, including the Baroque-style Mannheim Palace and the impressive Jesuit Church. Art enthusiasts can indulge in the renowned Kunsthalle Mannheim, housing an extensive collection of masterpieces. Mannheim's vibrant music scene, birthplace of the iconic Mannheim School, continues to thrive with concerts and festivals. With its picturesque location on the Rhine River, visitors can enjoy scenic walks along the promenade and explore charming parks. Mannheim's dynamic atmosphere, coupled with its cultural gems, makes it a must-visit destination.

The capital of Alsace, France's smallest region, is also known as the principal city of Europe because it's the official seat of European Parliament and home to important institutions like the European Court of Human Rights, but there's much more to Strasbourg than politics and officials in gray suits. While the city reigns as a political powerhouse, it also represents a perfect blend of cultures.

Built along the Rhine and located close to trading routes, Strasbourg borders Germany and Switzerland in the northeast of France and possesses a unique cultural and architectural heritage. Even dedicated Francophiles are often surprised how different the city is from the rest of the France. Once part of Germany, it offers the "best of both worlds," a combination that's most deliciously illustrated in its cuisine, which reflects a happy marriage of French flair and German heartiness.

With a history stretching back over 2,000 years, an obvious first stop for cruisers is Grande-Ile, the city's UNESCO-listed Old Town centre. Visitors can admire Strasbourg's landmark lopsided cathedral, the beautiful Petite France neighbourhood and the gateway to river cruises and streets chock-a-block with half-timbered Renaissance buildings. Many churches also went up in the Middle Ages, including Saint-Etienne, dating to the 12th century, and Saint-Thomas, which was built between the 12th and 14th centuries and ranks as the largest in size after the Strasbourg Cathedral.

Strasbourg is a town made for walking, but energetic visitors can also turn to pedal power and hop on a bike like the locals. Even the most haphazard stroll will take you past a wealth of well-preserved buildings, luxury shops and designer boutiques. More affordable buys can be found in Rue des Grandes Arcades, which is Strasbourg's main shopping area and features a variety of clothing stores.