I am going on a Christmas market river cruise next year that starts in Nurnberg and ends in Basel Switzerland. Rather than just go home when it ends I'm trying to decide where to go and where to fly back to DTW from. The cruise does stop in Strasbourg, France for hopefully a full day into the evening, but it looks beautiful and I would consider going back there. The alternative is to train from Basel to Zurich and see their Christmas market. Anyone's thoughts?
Posted by
Boston
404 posts
Aside from the Christmas market, which I’ve not visited, Zurich is deadly dull. I’d go back to Strasbourg. Side trip to Colmar if you have time. And btw, you can a train directly to CDG from Strasbourg if you decide to.
Posted by
Washington, DC
181 posts
I would go back to Strasbourg. Spend a couple of nights there - you can do a day trip to Colmar, maybe go to some of the cute small Alsace towns nearby, and then take the train to Paris to fly home.
Posted by
Alsenborn, Germany
2514 posts
I have spent multiple nights in both cities during the Christmas season over the past three years. Strasbourg is, by far, the better. Zurich's main market is inside the main railroad station and along with wall to wall people you also have anyone trying to haul their luggage through the crowds. They have several other locations with stalls, the best of those is the one in the courtyard of the Landesmuseum, but it's only open after 5pm. Strasbourg also has multiple locations, but has so much more, in that the streets between all have their own light displays. You can easily spend 2-3 days in Strasbourg and not see the same things.
Posted by
Paris
7730 posts
If the question is strictly about Christmas Markets, then Strasbourg wins hands down.
But you can see a lot in a day in Strasbourg, so I'm not 100% sold on going back there from Basel.
Would Luzern & the Berner Oberland interest you? Not for markets, but as places to visit?
Posted by
OP
Michigan
114 posts
Strasbourg it is then. Then I can train to CDG or FRA for a non stop home. I went to Lucerne 2 years ago on Rick’s best of Switzerland. Thanks everyone