Strasbourg is one of those places that feels like it belongs in two worlds at once—because it kind of does. Nestled on the eastern edge of France, right by the German border, Strasbourg is a beautiful contradiction. Think timber-framed houses that look straight out of a Grimm fairytale, but also sleek political buildings like the European Parliament.

Before there were backpackers and interrail passes, there were pilgrims. And for centuries, they flocked by foot, horseback, or cart to one place above all others—Canterbury Cathedral. Rising like a gothic crown over the medieval streets of Kent, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is more than just a beautiful building. It’s the heart of a thousand stories, from martyrdom to miracles.