Weihnachts-& Winterzauber im Dreiländereck!

About the destination: Strasbourg, the capital of France’s Alsace region, is a city where French elegance meets German charm. Its historic center, the Grande Île, is a UNESCO World Heritage site filled with half-timbered houses, flower-lined canals and cobbled lanes. At its heart stands the magnificent Strasbourg Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture whose pink sandstone façade and intricate carvings are best admired from the square below. Climb the tower for sweeping views over the city’s rooftops and the nearby Black Forest on a clear day. Wandering on foot is the best way to discover Strasbourg. The Petite France district, once home to tanners and fishermen, is now one of the city’s most photogenic areas, with canals, locks and beautifully preserved houses reflected in the water. Take a boat tour along the Ill River to see the city from another angle, gliding past historic bridges and modern glass buildings that house the institutions of the European Union. In the evening, the old town fills with soft light and the smell of tarte flambée drifting from traditional winstubs (Alsatian taverns). Strasbourg’s cultural life is rich and varied. The city boasts excellent museums, including the Alsatian Museum, which gives a glimpse into regional traditions, and the Musée d’Art Moderne et Contemporain, with its impressive collection of modern art. Music lovers can attend performances at the Opéra national du Rhin or enjoy one of the many festivals held throughout the year, especially the famous Christmas market, one of the oldest and largest in Europe, which transforms the city into a winter fairy tale. Food and wine are essential parts of any visit. Alsatian cuisine blends hearty German influences with French refinement: don’t miss choucroute garnie, baeckeoffe and kougelhopf, paired with local white wines such as Riesling, Gewürztraminer or Pinot Gris from the nearby Route des Vins d’Alsace. With its efficient tram system, extensive cycle paths and central train station connecting it to Paris, Germany and Switzerland, Strasbourg is an easy and rewarding destination for a city break or a longer stay exploring the region.

About the destination: Zurich labours under the misconception that it is nothing more than a sterile banking city – don't believe a word of it. True, Zurich plays home to one of the largest stock exchanges in the world and is the financial motor of Switzerland itself, but step back from the markets and share prices and you'll find an arty, trend-conscious and vibrant city. Just hang in Zurich West for a while. Its former warehouses, viaducts and ship building caverns have been converted into art centres, funky bars and quirky boutiques. Along Langstrasse, the city’s notorious red light district, you’re now as likely to take home a chic handbag crafted by an emerging designer as you are a piece of skirt. Zurich’s character booms from the speakers of the annual Street Parade, a mammoth techno festival that weaves through the city with DJs and minimally-clad dancers on floats. There isn’t a banker’s tie in sight. If there is in the pretty east bank quarter of Niederdorf, it’s loosened. These medieval streets are abuzz with cafés on corners, trendy taprooms and world-class restaurants. It’s easy to while away an afternoon just absorbing its laidback atmosphere, especially in summer when the riverside take on a beach vibe. Winter is special too. Under the spell of snow, the cobbled alleyways, fountains, lakeside promenades and stunning architecture of the Old Town were made for the stroke of an artist’s brush. This is when one of Europe’s best Christmas markets rolls into town and the warming citruses and cinnamons of the glühwein (mulled wine) stalls fill the air. Shoppers will be in their element here at any time of year. Zurich’s flashy side is evident in the upmarket designer boutiques of Bahnhofstrasse, the city’s main shopping drag. But this is no longer a city for the smart set alone; there are plenty of unusual shops to be discovered down hidden streets. Sitting astride the River Limmat and the northern tip of Lake Zurich, Mother Nature certainly smiles down on Switzerland’s biggest city. Architects were courteous in their additions too - just check out the Fraumünster and Grossmünster churches, which face each other across the river. Then, when you’ve had enough of the city’s diverse array of restaurants, first-rate museums and pulsing nightlife, there’s always the nearby Uetliberg mountain or a boat trip on Lake Zurich to enjoy – if only to catch your breath before diving back into the city’s delights again.

About the destination: Munich, located at the river Isar in the south of Bavaria, is famous for its Word-class museums, beautiful parks, the annual Oktoberfest beer celebration and architecture. The beautiful public buildings and monuments are testaments to the imperial aspirations of the Wittelsbach family, rulers of Bavaria from the 12th to the 20th century. Although it was heavily damaged by allied bombing during World War II, many of its historic buildings have been rebuilt and the city center appears mostly as it did in the late 1800s including its largest church, the Frauenkirche, and the famous city hall (Neues Rathaus). An odd mix of proud traditionalism and avant-garde culture will keep you interested and active and the town does stay up until all hours, with its many students and earthly Bavarian joie de vivre.