Hi Everyone..

I really need some help here. I'm going to Europe the third week of February and flying into Frankfurt. From there I want to go directly to either Heidelberg or Strasbourg. I don't have the time to do both based on the rest of my itinerary. So, which city would any of you suggest? I just can't decide. Heidelberg, of course, would be the easiest to get to coming right off of an 8 hour flight. Please tell me what you think and also some hotel suggestions in whichever city you like. Thanks for your advise!!

Why are you going?

Heidelberg has easy train acces, is a wonderfull spot, has a beautyful old citie and a spectacular castle on top of the city mountain. But february can be very wet and cold.
Strasbourg has the french cuisine but can also be wet and is by far not that beautiful.
Take Heidelberg and if you fly with Star Alliance I guess theres a nonstop bus from the airport (lufthansa bus)

I would just like to weigh in here with an alternate point of view to that posted by :confidential". My wife and have vacationed in both places--Strasbourg this past March and Heildeberg the last time in 1998. The old part of Strasbourg (that part on the island formed by the two branches of the Ill River) is beautiful, with hundreds of half-timbered buildings, and is very pedestrian-friendly. The Alsation food and wines are delicious--kind of German-style, but with a French flair for excellence in cuisine. In Strasbourg we stayed at a hotel within a half block of the cathedral. There are many near there to choose from. Strasbourg also has an extraordinary archeology/anthropology museum with the biggest and most interesting collection of prehistoric, Celtic, Roman-era artifacts I have seen. Since Strasbourg is now the capital of the European Union, there is a sense of optimism and international cooperation about the place--hard to put into words, but it made us feel very good.
Heidelberg is beautiful and interesting, also, but the old part of town is much smaller and many of the buildings on the old main street have been given over to modern clothing and record stores.
If you could visit both, I would recommend doing so, but we would be happy to go back and spend three or four days and nights in Strasbourg any time, whereas it is possible to see and experience during two days in Heidelberg, especially in February, just about all that a tourist might enjoy seeing and doing. The train service to either place from Frankfurt will be excellent and very easy.

PS--socialworker *is* a woman--DH had to share his thoughts on our wonderful trip to Strasbourg last March, esp as we have been to both places.

Hi Savannah,

Are you a foodie? If so, Strasbourg.

Well, I can be a foodie, but that wouldn't be my main reason for going to Strasbourg. From either Heidelberg or Strasbourg I'm going on to Lucerne. I guess both cities are worth seeing. I may only be spending two nites in either place. I should draw straws. thanks for th advise.

Strasbourg. It combines the best of both worlds.

Strasbourg gets my vote. Stay at Hotel de Rohan, right across the pedestrian street from the cathedral.

What? Strasbourg is not beautiful? I disagree. I stayed one night in Strasbourg one October and it has been a nice memory for me. The Alsatian influence in the cuisine is exceptional. Petit France is beautiful as well as the cathedral. You will enjoy a visit there.

I've been to Heidelberg once too-a long time ago. It's nice but I prefer Strasbourg more.

Strasbourg gets my vote. Beautiful city, especially the old town. The food had German influences and was marvelous. Heidelberg is a good stop, but Strasbourg beats it.

I know Strasbourg and Heidelberg well and have visited each many times. Strasbourg would certainly be my choice of the two.

Thanks for all your help. Sounds like Strasbourg wins the day!