Day 2 of WInter Holiday: @ Strasbourg

Date: 12 December 2013

This is our first trip to Strasbourg, which is the capital city of Alsace region in eastern France. It lies very close to the Germany border and we intend to use Strasbourg as a starting point to our Black Forest region tour. 

Strasbourg can be very cold in winter and it will snow too. It is well know for its Christmas market, which hb and I fell in love with during our last winter trip to Europe.

We booked ourselves a hotel (Ibis Strasbourg Centre Ponts Couverts) which looks pretty near to the main train station but stills it required us to walk at least 15mins. This can be challenging as we had 2 large suitcase, a medium size one and a carry-one one, and not forgetting our 5 year old girl with us. Next trip I am going to remind myself not to book a hotel so far away to save cost!!

When we reached our hotel, we can't wait to check into our room. BUT upon seeing our room, it was sooo small and tiny that we don't even bother to take a picture of it. Luckily, we are only going to stay here for 2 nights. Unpack a little of our luggage and off we went to explore the town of Strasbourg.

On our way to the city centre, we walked past a restaurant with lots of people inside and thus decided to have our lunch there.
Verdict: It tastes pretty good. 
Location: Restaurant Marco Polo
 5 Ponts couverts, 67000 Strasbourg, France

After lunch, we decided to explore Strasbourg Town. Every building in every corner of the town are nicely decorated for Christmas. If only it started snowing now, it will be sooo romantic. 

Princess and I at the Christmas market in the city centre of Strasbourg with Strasbourg Cathedral behind us.

Ending the day with a cup of hot mulled wine and warm orange juice. We slept real early that night due to jet lag. 

Romantic France

While deciding on where should we go for our year end vacation, my dearest darling discovered a cheap air ticket to Paris. At only $700++ per person, it is the cheapest fare to Europe, so how can we not catch the opportunity! :) We decided to start our trip from Paris due to the cheap fare. It is going to be a Europe rail trip across 4 countries: France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy.

With 2 large suitcases, off we depart to Paris!

Princess Shayne getting excited with her upcoming trip with mum and dad while her little brother went for his Bedok camp. Sorry boy, we will try out with your big sister first, before we commit with bringing both kids out on our own. 

On board Saudi Air. I am glad it feels comfortable with personal inflight entertainment. Princess Shayne enjoyed the child meal too. Verdict: Value for Money

The flight required a transit in Saudi Arabia airport. Luckily we have no problem waking our little princess up from her sleep. I can't imagine carrying her off the plane. She weighs 20kg now. :)

Shortly after the transit, she is back to watching movies again. Her sleep is totally disturbed as she treasured using the time to watch movies than sleeping. 

Not long after, we reached Paris CDG. Princess Shayne is a great help in pushing the luggages. Since we had been to Paris airport before, we could find the train station easily. 

And we kicked start of journey with a 3hr train ride from Paris to Strasbourg. Can't wait to visit the christmas market in Strasbourg. :)

Shortly after this photo, our little princess fell asleep. Can't blame her as she hardly sleep on board the plane. And so, it was a quiet train ride for darling and I. 

Dar went to buy breakfast from the restaurant carriage, and that kick start my days of bread journey. Bread and butter are my favorite and I am so glad to be able to taste of the best crossiants in this trip. 

After 3hrs, we finally reached Strasbourg. The temperature is 0 degree. Decided to dress my princess up as an eskimo! This is her first trip to such a cold weather.