Create*Bloom*Grow

Growing through life creatively…


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Christmas in Strasbourg, France

Continuing up the Rhine on our amazing Viking River Cruise along to visit the Christmas Markets. Here are my photos from the day we visited Strasbourg, France. Some were taken during the included walking tour. We stayed in town for lunch and until the last shuttle went back to the ship. Probably my favorite city that we visited.

I just loved how there were decorations over many shop & restaurant doors. Sometimes the whole front of the building was covered in decoration!Christmas Market CruiseChristmas Market Cruise

Christmas Market Cruise

Christmas Market Cruise

Christmas Market Cruise

Christmas Market Cruise

Christmas Market Cruise

Christmas Market Cruise

Christmas Market Cruise

Christmas Market Cruise

Christmas Market Cruise

Christmas Market Cruise

Christmas Market Cruise

Christmas Market Cruise

The storks are a huge deal in the Alsace (area of France that has gone back and forth between France and Germany and retains characteristics of both beautifully blended into their own culture).

Christmas Market Cruise

Christmas Market Cruise

Not Christmassy, but who doesn’t need one of these? My kids would say that I don’t.Christmas Market Cruise

Another attempt to annoy my kids…. I think I might need one of these dresses.

Christmas Market Cruise

Who can pass up a beautiful display of macaroons. Not I!Christmas Market Cruise

There are a number of Christmas Markets in Strasbourg (7 if I remember correctly). One of the markets hosts a guest country each year. This year it is Portugal. There are all sorts of cool Portuguese treats and crafts. I picked up some port wine jelly. Hmmmm…

Christmas Market Cruise

Christmas Market Cruise

The cathedral in Strasbourg is stunning! This was our first glimpse of it. The red sandstone is really something.Christmas Market Cruise

A cute little side of one of the booths in front of the cathedral.Christmas Market Cruise

Christmas Market Cruise

Christmas Market CruiseSaw different versions of these funny little guys at a few of the markets.Christmas Market Cruise

Christmas Market Cruise

Christmas Market Cruise

This was the little bistro where we had am amazing lunch. Straight down one of the side streets on the opposite side of the square in front of the cathedral.Christmas Market Cruise

Christmas Market Cruise

Strasbourg is the French Capital of Christmas and I can see how it got that name & reputation. So fun!Christmas Market Cruise

These charming little trains were at many of the markets selling warm nuts, etc.Christmas Market Cruise

We didn’t bother to go into many/any chain stores we have at home, but we did enjoy some of the window displays. We thought it was funny to see a few signs advertising “Black Friday” sales.Christmas Market Cruise

One of the other theme markets in Strasbourg each year is the charity market. Different booths selling different items to benefit a variety of worthy organizations. This big tree is the centerpiece of that market.Christmas Market Cruise

Christmas Market Cruise

Inside the cathedral was magical. They had the most extensive nativity display I had seen covering events from the Annunciation all the way to the Presentation. I also like that they had en elephant visiting with the Three Magi.Christmas Market CruiseChristmas Market CruiseChristmas Market CruiseChristmas Market CruiseChristmas Market CruiseChristmas Market Cruise

These tapestries are only on display during Advent. They are massive and beautiful and I felt so lucky to see them.Christmas Market CruiseChristmas Market CruiseChristmas Market CruiseChristmas Market CruiseChristmas Market CruiseChristmas Market Cruise

I saw a number of places that had really nice selections of Advent wreaths like this. SO much harder to find in the States.Christmas Market Cruise

Hope you enjoyed my tour of Strasbourg at Christmas. It was my favorite stop along the Rhine.


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Christmas in Basel, Switzerland

Just got back from an amazing Viking River Cruise along the Rhine River to visit the Christmas Markets. Our cruise took off from Basel, Switzerland. We had just a quick afternoon trip into Basel, but it was well worth it.

A quick helpful note about money in Basel. We were not sure if we would have any time to go into Basel and Switzerland does not use the Euro. I pondered getting some Swizz Francs, but didn’t want to be stuck with them if we didn’t have any time to explore. People online recommended that they had some cash machines in the area that exchanged Euros. As it ends up, you can pay at most of the markets in Euros. They will ony give you change in Swiss Francs, so you need to be strategic, but at least you can shop :-).

After doing a year’s research preparing for this trip, seeing one of these giant pyramids was high on my “Christmas Market Bucket List”. I would be lying if I said I didn’t get a little excited when this in was my very first glimpse of a Christmas Market.

Christmas Market Cruise

They had adorable boot shaped mugs for the gluhwein & hot chocolate which we enjoyed!Christmas Market CruiseChristmas Market Cruise

These guys were animated and singing. I felt like I was back at Disneyland back when they had the Country Bear Jamboree.Christmas Market CruiseChristmas Market Cruise

This was a decoration on top of one of the booths. They also had these in mini sizes you could buy. The prices were far better than anywhere else we saw later in the tip. This is a little odd because Switzerland is known for being super expensive.Christmas Market CruiseChristmas Market Cruise

The Christmas Markets in Basel wound up, down and around the streets with a main one in front of the church.Christmas Market Cruise

I really enjoyed some of the different spice booths at the various Christmas Markets. Christmas Market CruiseChristmas Market Cruise

I never made it to an official Kathe Wohlfahrt shop, but this mini one in the main Christmas Market was handy. I also saw one like this in Strasbourg.

Christmas Market CruiseChristmas Market Cruise

The pretzel we got here was larger than our heads! Super yumChristmas Market CruiseChristmas Market CruiseChristmas Market Cruise

I was intrigued at how often they decorated with stuffed animals. Not sure how well these would withstand the weather, but we were early in the season so they all looked good.Christmas Market Cruise