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Abroad, France, Guests, Strasbourg

Adventure: Gergana Angelova in Strasbourg

posted by Dario
Nov 21, 2017 1136 0 0
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Strasbourg – history, art and… tarte flambée

Strasbourg is situated in Alsace, a region with an atmosphere that isn’t typically French. Divided between two cultures, the French and the German, the city has its own charm and while walking down its streets you may think that you’re in a fairytale.

Coming here for the first time four years ago the cultural shock came over me. The weather – cloudy. August. Rain. People from different races and religions. I came with my parents and I couldn’t admire the beauty of the city. Everything seemed so dull in comparison to Bulgaria. I stared at the plane ticket to Sofia with teary eyes. I sobbed until I fell asleep, left powerless. I wanted to go home. On the next morning I opened my eyes and the warm French sun illuminated me, caressing me with its warm rays. The regret was gone and then came the excitement. And I found out right then and there that Strasbourg was going to become my second home.

My adventures in Strasbourg are in the museums, the grand cathedral, clouded in legends from ancient times, leering scarily over every small person looking at it; the restaurants and the small cafés, hidden in crooked streets. Strasbourg shelters a lot of different cultures and races. The city is home to Italians, Russians, Bulgarians, Africans, Indians, Americans… I cannot count all the people coming from every end of the world, the city is that colorful. The University of Strasbourg is the biggest in France with over 45 000 students. The campus is huge, but the buildings look like the work of a lazy socialist architect. But no, I’m exaggerating. In the middle of the campus there is a beautiful green garden where the students sit down to read or to talk with their friends. Some play the guitar (the faculty of music is right there), others fill the air with their laughter…

The young people go out with their friends to drink beers or eat tarte flambée, which is one of the most famous dishes in this region. A lot of people describe the tarte flambée like a thin pizza, but regional folk are offended by this comparison. The dish is made by a very thin layer of dough, sour cream, onions and lardons, this is the classical flambée, after that there are many variations. One of the most visited places is Au Brasseur and Flam’s where prices are cheaper, their most ordered dish is indeed the tarte flambée. Another famous dish is la choucroute, very fine cut cabbage with meat (which I’m in love with). I won’t continue praising the food of Strasbourg, because the text will resemble more  a recipe than impressions of the city.

In Strasbourg the museums are a lot and one of my favorites is Palais Rohan, situated next to the cathedral Notre Dame, where Marie Antoinette lived, and Napoleon visited and later accepted guests. There are three wings – art, archeology and the apartments of the aristocrats . People can visit all three and admire the beauty presented by renowned artists like Gustave Doré, who’s born in Strasbourg, Sandro Botticelli, Monnet, Renoir and many more. Other museums who can be interesting for the visitors of Strasbourg are The Museum of Modern Art, The Tomi Ungerer museum, the historical museum (a labyrinth of facts, pictures, decorations, clothes and jewelry), The Alsacian museum and a lot of others that I haven’t visited yet. Every month there are cultural events and competitions in different ends of the city; some are organized by the students of Université de Strasbourg.

The bars of Strasbourg are many and always full. Most of them are small and closed, but have their own charm, like La Taverne française, bar Berthom, L’Alchimiste, Académie de la bière, etc. All of the restaurants propose the famous tarte flambée and choucroute, les escargots are a luxury and the beer is mandatory. Some excellent restaurants are Au Canon, with a beautiful view of the river and the top of the cathedral, Le Tire-Bouchon, which is a little pricy, but the food is amazing and Au Quai de L’Ill.

Winter is the most anticipated season. Strasbourg is famous as the capital of Christmas and le marché de Noel attracts millions of tourists from all over the world. Warm wine (vin chaud) is flowing on the stands, typical Alsatian food is sold, as well as souvenirs, Christmas cookies and decorations. ‘‘’Le marché’’ is open for a month and the holiday spirit is hidden in every corner.

The cathedral Notre Dame is one of the biggest cathedrals in the world, finished in 1439, and looks down upon its visitors with its 143m, who can go on top of it and admire the beautiful panorama. An old Alsatian legend says that the cathedral is the windiest spot in Strasbourg because the devil’s grandmother lived there. And when he came to visit her, he got stuck between the sacred place and the outside world. Therefore every day he tries to escape his prison and the winds hurl in front of the cathedral.

Alsace is a one of a kind region, divided between France and Germany. The people are joyful and warm. The elders speak Alsatian, the street musicians are on every corner and the students fill the city with life and joy. Situated on the border with Germany and Switzerland, people occasionally visit the other countries. The city is a symbol of the diversity of nations and races, symbol of the splendid Alsatian cuisine, of the art, the literature and the music. The architecture is unique and can only be found in this region of France and every person visited the heart of Alsace rests amazed after the meeting. There’s always going to be a place in my heart for Strasbourg, I’m sure Strasbourg will always has a place for me as well.

 

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Travel Blogger

Dario Dionisi



If you want to know something more about me – my soul is a traveler, my origin is Italian and my true essence is a faithful friend. I am always open to new ideas and will be very happy if you want to contact me at dario@beyondsofia.com

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Dario • Exploring beyond Sofia
February brings the rain, thaws the frozen lake ag February brings the rain, thaws the frozen lake again. 

Yuki-Doro is challenging me who is the better poser. 🧐

#dog #hike # winter
I guess I am starting this year with a true challe I guess I am starting this year with a true challenge - hiking during winter under -15 degrees.

That was the case with the Boyana waterfall. Last year I visited them during the late summer and decided that I want to visit this place during the winter because, to be honest, I have never seen in person a big and full waterfall to be completely frozen.

So, let’s say it was something as a target for me to see it sooner or later. 

But as you can see it was really pleasant conquering this adventure because I had with me the best assistant ever - Mr. little adventurer Yuki-Doro. 

And yes, I won’t lie, I almost lost my hands and one of my legs from the extremely low temperature.

#dog #hike #winter
Most people are fascinated by the natural beauty o Most people are fascinated by the natural beauty of Yuki-Doro and I don’t blame them, to be honest. 

But as it is said - the devilish creations are the sweetest. Well, I can confirm this through my dog. 

SWIPE to the next picture and witness yourself that I have a true monster as a pet, he is twisted and scary, like a loooooot.

#dog #hiking #winter
Is it a fox? Is it a wolf? Is it Hachiko? No, it' Is it a fox? Is it a wolf? Is it Hachiko? 
No, it's Yuki-Doro conquering Cherni vrah peak at the age of 4 months.

Who would think that this little guy would manage to accomplish this so early stage in his life.

Imagine what he would do in the future, Everest here we come! 😂

#hiking #winter #dog
People have said it well that the dog is man's bes People have said it well that the dog is man's best friend.

This weekend was Yuki-Doro's first real adventure-challenge.

We wandered through the winter landscapes of snowy Vitosha.  Based on the amount of snow he ate, yes, he definitely liked the snow, it's good that it is low in calories, otherwise I would have returned to Sofia with a meatball.

Definitely this little one knows how to brighten up the atmosphere and make the trips more interesting.

I look forward to our next adventures.

Do you travel with your pets?

#winter #mountain #dog
Winter etudes of Vitosha Mountain • So, let us Winter etudes of Vitosha Mountain •

So, let us be clear here - I cannot stand winter and I really do not like the snow and cold. It is probably inherited from my Italian bloodline, who knows, but anyways.

However, I must confess, I have been multiple times in Vitosha mountain but probably for the first time I visit it for a whole hike to the peak during winter. Won’t lie, I enjoyed a lot the nature scenes I saw during my hike but still I was going to loose my hands no matter I had gloves all the time.

Overall, the experience was pleasant because it is good to remind ourselves what a true winter looks like. We all know that because of the global warming we do not have that heavy winter that we used to have back in the early 2000s. So, to see so much snow and peace at one place was a delight for my senses.

As I always say, it is good to challenge yourself and go out of your comfort zone. Only then you can discover many intriguing things, but most importantly -  to learn so many new things about yourself.

#winter #hiking #nature
Cherni vruh, the highest point of Vitosha mountain Cherni vruh, the highest point of Vitosha mountain 2290 m the peak is the fourth highest mountain summit in Bulgaria.

It presents the best spontaneous getaway if you want to go out in the nature. Also is way to good challenge yourself. I myself did it multiple times and must confess every time I climb it from different points it amazes me with the beauty that this mountain contains.

#Bulgaria #nature #mountain
The stone river in Vitosha or also known as The Go The stone river in Vitosha or also known as The Golden Bridges - amazingly beautiful natural phenomenon - the largest stone river in the Vitosha National Park. Massive stones (average size 2-3 meters) flow down from the mountain top to the valley for more than 2 miles long and 150 meters wide.

The stone river is ‘descending’ from elevation 1800 m above sea level to 1410 m at Golden Bridges site.

#Bulgaria #nature #stoneriver
Etudes of Vitosha • Is there anyone who lives i Etudes of Vitosha •

Is there anyone who lives in Sofia and had never visited Vitosha Mountain?

Because clearly this mountain is a pure nature gift for us all!

Vitosha Mountain is the oldest nature park on the Balkan Peninsula. Its gorgeous silhouette is visible from almost all positions in the city and is inseparable part of Sofia’ image.

Vitosha Naturе Park is the most broadly protected territory in Bulgaria, and due to its proximity to Sofia it has turned into a site of education in responsible attitude towards nature.

And don’t forget Sofia is the only European capital with such a big mountain so close to the city center.

So no matter the time and season Vitosha is always a good choice for adventures.

#Bulgaria #mountain #tourism
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