Strasbourg (strahss-boorg; pop. 270,000) suffers from a confusing history. Much like the beloved toy of a pair of siblings, Alsace went back and forth between France and Germany throughout history as the two countries squabbled over who should control it. After the Second World War, France reclaimed the region, but this couldn’t eliminate its heavy Germanic influences. In Strasbourg, you’re just as likely to hear German as you are French, and among the older generations you may even catch a few words of Alsatian, a mix of the two languages that is now dying out. As you wander through the streets of Strasbourg and explore the Alsace region, you will be blown away by the beautiful buildings, which have a certain Germanic appearance about them. Many streets and areas have German-sounding names, and this Germanic influence also extends into the city’s meaty cuisine. The region prides itself on its food, and a trip to Strasbourg would not be complete without sampling these delights.

Although the long history of conflict hangs over the head of the region, the capital of Alsace is now the home of a beacon for European democracy. Several European Union institutions, including the Council of Europe (which includes the European Court of Human Rights), lie just outside of the city and Strasbourg is full of Eurocrats working for the good of Europe (or at least that’s what they say).