A Couple's Guide to Strasbourg

The old city is on an island formed by the river Ill opening to lovely waterside promenades. Watch the changing colors at sundown as they create a magical play of light reflecting on the water as you while away the hours aimlessly strolling along the waterside holding hands.

Perch on an open terrace if the weather is warm, or snuggle in a cozy dining room in one of the many traditional restaurants in Petite France in the historical center. The cuisine of Alsace draws from German and French traditions with delicious local specialties such as a hearty baeckeoffe baked casserole, or a coq au riesling chicken braised in dry white wine.

A romantic and convenient way to see the sights – and burn off some calories – is to explore the streets pedaling away at your own pace. Strasbourg is a very cycle-friendly city and you can find the Vélhop bike-sharing stations speckled all over town. Just find your nearest pick-up point, enter your code, and you’re off.

Half the fun of going on a picnic is picking up supplies at the fantastic specialist shops brimming with gourmet charcuterie, farmhouse cheeses, local wines, fresh bread and pastries. Head out to one of the beautiful parks in the city and enjoy the view as you feed each other from your tasty selection of treats.

Awaken the senses as you learn how to combine flavors and textures in a culinary workshop such as the one offered at The Hotel Suisse near the Cathedral, which hosts a school of pastry-making headed by virtuoso Chef Christophe Felder, former pastry chef at the Hôtel de Crillon, Paris. As you learn new skills (and have a good belly laugh at your inevitable mistakes) from then on every time you recreate the recipe at home it will evoke heart-warming memories of your adventure.