Which European city shines brightest by night?

In these strange new times in which all travel is virtual, we recently asked Stripes’ readers to treat us to photos from their favorite trips. And you rose to the call, gracing our Facebook page with enough pretty images to fuel our travel lust for another year.

Of the many photos you shared that were taken in Europe, nearly all showed its daytime face. Which got us to wondering, which European gems come into their own by night? St. Christopher’s Inns, a chain of 20 youth hostels in tourist-favorite cities dotting the continent, published a photo essay including such obvious choices as Berlin and Paris, Lisbon and Bruges. All solid picks, but my own list would likely make space for Strasbourg, France and Turin, Italy. Ultra-modern Frankfurt’s skyscrapers all lit up at night are also a sight to see, particularly when they form the backdrop to one of the many fests held on the banks of the Main River.

One city I recently had the chance to revisit after nearly 20 years was Ghent, Belgium. By the time my train pulled in, it was already evening, and the walk from the station to my hotel took close to 40 minutes. After settling into my cozy abode, it was tempting to just stay put for the night. A craving for the taste of the famed Belgian frites was just enough to propel me out into the dark, chill night. As I approached the city’s medieval core by way of the St. Michael’s Bridge, I was floored by a singularly stunning skyline bristling with spires. The interplay of darkness and light upon the Gothic facades made the ancient city appear curiously alive.

Which brings us to the question of the day – which is your favorite European city by night? Your photos, please!