Beginner's Guide to Luxembourg

Luxembourg in Two Days

Wed, 10 May 2006 19:36:55 +0000

Spend your first day in Luxembourg as recommended in “Luxembourg in One Day.” In other words, spend the entire time in the capital, Luxembourg City. If you feel like one day is not enough (which is very possible), spend your second day in the city as well. Walk the entire Wenzel Walk to make sure you don’t miss any of the historic sites. At one end is the Chemin de la Corniche, which offers the city’s best views. Browse the downtown shops or explore a new restaurant.

On the other hand, we recommend getting out of Luxembourg City and exploring a different side of the country. Take a bus from the capital to one of the towns of the Ardennes, the wooded northern region of Luxembourg.

Our suggestion is that you visit Vianden, which is about thirty miles north of Luxembourg City, on the Our River—the eastern border of the country. Vianden only has two thousand residents, so it is a classic European village that you will love exploring.

In the morning, tour the town’s castle, which Let’s Go Travel Guide calls “one of the most impressive castles in Western Europe.” After lunch, rent a bike at the bus station, and head outside of the city. You could ride to the town of Diekirch (eight miles south), which has a museum commemorating the Battle of the Bulge, or simply spend a couple of hours enjoying the beautiful landscape. If you have any time left when you return the bike, you could tour Victor Hugo’s former home; otherwise, hop on the bus and return to the capital.

Luxembourg in Three Days

Wed, 10 May 2006 19:37:38 +0000

Three days is perhaps the ideal amount of time to spend in Luxembourg. You’ll have enough time to see much of the country without feeling rushed but you’ll save plenty of time for other, larger countries.

Spend your first two days as we suggest in “Luxembourg in Two Days.” Your first day you’ll explore historic Luxembourg City; its castle and fortifications, its museums, and its culture. On the second day, you’ll drive north to Vianden, where you’ll spend the day admiring the castle and biking through the beautiful Ardennes countryside.

For your third day, you can further explore either one of these spots or you can choose between one of these options:

Option One: Head to the Moselle Valley in southeast Luxembourg. Pick a city that has a wine cellar open for public tours (St. Martin’s in Remich is a good example) and head there. After the tour, spend your leftover time exploring the town; any one of Luxembourg’s small towns exudes charm.

Option Two: If you prefer hiking to wine tasting, head to the Mullerthal Region and the city of Echternach. Spend the day hiking or biking outside the city, but make sure you at least stop by the Basilica of St. Willibrord in the city. If you’re there during May or June, you’ll notice the International Music Festival going on as well.

Either option will be Luxembourg in a nutshell: small towns, beautiful landscape, relatively small crowds, and a relaxed atmosphere. You simply need to decide which “Luxembourg in a nutshell” experience you want.

Sources:

http://www.cia.gov
http://www.state.gov
http://www.visitluxembourg.com
http://www.lonelyplanet.com
http://www.about.com
Let’s Go: Western Europe 2005. Stuart J. Robinson, editor. New York: St. Martin’s, 2005.

Luxembourg Travel: Getting There and Getting Around

Wed, 10 May 2006 19:38:42 +0000

If you’ve just visited Paris, London, or Rome, Luxembourg will be a very relaxing and European experience. For the most part, the beautiful countryside is interrupted by small villages and impressive medieval castles rather than by tour buses. Luxembourg is so small that you probably won’t pass through it unless you plan an excursion from a neighboring country.

Luxembourg City has an international airport (LUX), but there are no direct flights to the United States; you’ll have to fly through a European hub such as Amsterdam. Round trip tickets from major cities in the northeast U.S. (e.g. Boston, New York, and Detroit) generally cost about one thousand dollars while flying from U.S. metropolises such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and Atlanta takes the price to approximately twelve hundred dollars. In many cases, Northwest’s partner airline, KLM, offers the cheapest flights.

If you’re coming to Luxembourg from elsewhere in Europe, you will likely arrive on the train. Luxembourg accepts the Eurail pass as well as the Benelux Tourrail Pass, and trains depart from Luxembourg City for Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, and Frankfurt every 1-2 hours. The Luxembourg City train station is on the south side of town, and you can walk downtown or take one of the many buses or taxis.

Within Luxembourg, you can buy transportation passes for one to three days that will get you on any train or a bus, and most of the country’s larger cities have both bus and train stations. In addition, however, make sure and take advantage of Luxembourg’s many biking and hiking trails. Luxembourg is beautiful, and it is one of the only European countries that you can experience in its entirety through a bicycle trip. Most of the major cities have bicycle rental shops.

As much as possible, make your plans ahead of time; you only have one to three days, so you don’t want to spend your time finding a place to stay or deciding what to do. Either make a hotel reservation or have a list of several hotels that you plan to visit as soon as you arrive. Then, talk with your group and determine what your interests and priorities are so that you can make your trip as rewarding as possible.

Luxembourg: Days One and Two

Wed, 10 May 2006 19:40:41 +0000

You’ll fly (or come via train) into Luxembourg City, so it makes sense to start your week in Luxembourg with two days in the city. Even though it has fewer than ninety thousand people, Luxembourg City is the hub of the country—both in history and in the present. However, remember that because the city is so small, most sights are only a few minutes’ walk away. Thus, you should feel free to rearrange this suggested itinerary, as you’ll never waste time going from one spot to another.

Our suggestion, however, is to start in the same place the country started in 963: the Bock Casemates. Siegfried, the Count of Ardennes, built a castle and fortifications in the city more than one thousand years ago, and the Bock Casemates are the oldest remaining fortifications.

You’ll spend the rest of the day exploring the various incarnations of these fortifications. Cross the castle bridge near the Bock Casemates; explore the underground tunnels and the archaeological crypt. Get on the Wenzel Walk (similar to Boston’s Freedom Trail) and explore the city’s historical sites and the Chemin de la Corniche—“Europe’s Best Balcony.” Finally, make sure you get down to the Petrusse Casemates, which date to the sixteenth century. Let’s Go Travel Guide suggests a picnic lunch in the Petrusse Valley in the shadows of these fortifications.

You’ll spend your second day at less military-minded sites. Start out at Place d’Armes, where you can get tourist information and great food. Then, head south a couple of blocks to the Cathedrale Notre-Dame. After viewing this church, stop by the Luxembourg City Historical Museum if you’re interested and then go to the Palais Grand Ducal, which is the home of Grand Duke Henri.

If you still have time and energy, consider the National Art History Museum; otherwise, return to your hotel for a brief rest, and then go explore the city at night. The Place d’Armes is often active and has great (albeit expensive) restaurants.

Luxembourg: Days Three and Four

Wed, 10 May 2006 19:41:20 +0000

After two days in the (relatively) big city, it’s time to visit the countryside and the small Luxembourger villages. For that, head north into the Ardennes, a wooded and mountainous area that is a continuation of the Belgian Ardennes.

If you can, get a place to stay in Vianden, a small town village thirty miles north of Luxembourg City. The city does have a tourist office (http://www.tourist-info-vianden.lu), but don’t expect much in the way of fancy accommodations.

Once you’ve figured out lodging, rent some bikes at the bus station and take to the biking trails. You can cross the river into Germany or head northwest into the heart of the Ardennes. Belgium is fewer than twenty-five miles west of Vianden, so in a morning of bike riding, you could visit three different countries. We suggest getting a trail map and exploring the Ardennes in the morning, then turning south and ending at Diekirch where you can visit the National Museum of Military History, which commemorates the Battle of the Bulge. Keep an eye on your watch, however; you’ll want to leave Diekirch in time to ride the eight miles north to Vianden before it gets dark.

Spend day four exploring Vianden itself. The chateau is, according to Let’s Go Travel Guides, “One of the most impressive castles in Western Europe.” Then, walk up the hill for a scenic overlook of the town and surrounding area. Return to the town in the afternoon and visit the Maison Victor Hugo, where the French author lived during his exile from France.

Vianden is a wonderful European village; it has less than three thousand residents, and you can escape the tourist crowds. Thus, with any extra time you have, you should simply enjoy the town. Explore it on foot and take your time visiting its shops and restaurants.

Luxembourg: Days Five and Six

Wed, 10 May 2006 19:41:53 +0000

Within thirty-five miles of Vianden are two entirely different regions of Luxembourg, so you can either stay in Vianden and explore during the day or pack up and move to a new town. In either case, you’ll spend days five and six and the regions of Mullerthal and Moselle Valley, respectively.

Your best chance for lodging in Mullerthal (also known as Little Switzerland) is Echternach, a small town fifteen miles southeast of Vianden. If you’ve got camping gear with you, camp outside the city, then pack a picnic lunch, and spend the day exploring the countryside on foot. You can climb the unique rock formations, or simply admire them from the ground. On the other hand, if you prefer to stay in civilization, Echternach has an impressive basilica and a Museum of Prehistory.

We suggest spending day five outdoors, however, because on day six you’ll be underground. Drive twenty miles south to Remich, where you can find a place to stay and visit the St. Martin Wine Cellars. Moselle Valley is known for its exceptional white wines, and several wine cellars are open for tours during the summer and parts of the spring and fall. St. Martin’s is just an easy option because Remich is not too difficult to find.

Luxembourg: Day Seven

Wed, 10 May 2006 19:42:27 +0000

Sadly, it’s your last day in Luxembourg. You might need to return to Luxembourg City to pack or you might want to spend an extra day in a previous spot (if you didn’t already slow down the itinerary to do so). On the other hand, however, you could consider heading west from Remich to the last remaining region of Luxembourg: Red Rocks.

Red Rocks deserves much of the credit for Luxembourg’s economic strength and stability. Beneath the red rocks lies the ore that allowed the development of Luxembourg’s iron and steel industries.

The Red Rocks region is highlighted by Esch-sur-Alzette, which is on the French border and is the most populous city in the country other than Luxembourg City. Head to Esch-sur-Alzette, and spend the day on your interests. If it’s hiking, leave the city and explore the surrounding area. If it’s shopping, stroll the streets of downtown Esch-sur-Alzette. If it’s architecture, find some of the modern homes. Your one day in Esch-sur-Alzette will at least introduce you to Red Rocks, the final Luxembourg region. In a single week, you will have visited each major region in the country; there are not many countries in the world that can offer that experience.

Sources:

http://www.cia.gov
http://www.state.gov
http://www.visitluxembourg.com
http://www.lonelyplanet.com
http://www.about.com
Let’s Go: Western Europe 2005. Stuart J. Robinson, editor. New York: St. Martin’s, 2005.

Luxembourg: Demographics Overview

Wed, 10 May 2006 19:43:12 +0000

In many ways, Luxembourg is the poster child for the European Union (EU). Not only has the country’s economy flourished within the EU, but its population is a mosaic of peoples from all across the continent. Luxembourg’s diverse population is actually attributable, however, to causes both ancient and modern. Centuries of influence (sometimes domination) by neighboring nations and recent open-door policies on immigration have combined to make Luxembourg one of the world’s great melting pots.

During the twentieth century, Luxembourg’s population more than doubled, to approximately 450,000 people. The country has a long rural history, and most towns still have fewer than ten thousand people. Even the capital, Luxembourg City, has only eighty thousand residents.

The country’s population continues to slowly grow, but the current growth is largely due to immigration rather than to births among native Luxembourgers. Immigrants are drawn by the economy’s promise of jobs and by Luxembourg’s policies encouraging foreign investment. Nearly forty percent of the population is foreign-born, including more than fifty percent of the residents of Luxembourg City. The Portuguese make up the greatest number of immigrants, followed by Italians, French, Belgians, and Germans.

The combination of a small population and a strong economy provides Luxembourgers with incomes that are among the highest in the world. As you would expect from such a wealthy country (read: good health care), life expectancy is high: the average woman in Luxembourg lives to see her eighty-second birthday, and men live to be nearly seventy-six. The high life expectancy combines with the low birthrate to create an aging population; the current median age is close to forty.

Luxembourgers are historically Catholic, and as approximately ninety percent of the population professes Catholicism, the religion remains the dominant religious force. The number of practicing Catholics, however, is much lower than ninety percent, and there is a Protestant presence, as well as a Muslim population.

Luxembourg: High Culture

Wed, 10 May 2006 19:44:58 +0000

Think for a moment: Can you name a Luxembourger actor, musician, or artist? You’re rare if you can; Luxembourg is not known for high culture. Many artists, such as Luxembourg’s actors, leave the country to pursue their art in France, Germany, or elsewhere. The country has roots in rural and folklore culture (which are, in many ways, more fascinating than high culture, and it is only in recent years that high culture has gained prominence.

The hub of Luxembourg high culture is Luxembourg City. In the capital, you can visit the country’s three top museums: the National Museum of History and Art, the Museum of the History of Luxembourg City, and the Musem of Modern Art Grand-Duc Jean. If you plan on visiting multiple museums anywhere in the country, purchase a Luxembourg Card or a Museum Card, both of which will give you reduced admission into many of the country’s attractions.

The cards will not, however, get you into concerts, and Luxembourg City often has excellent concerts. There are often outdoor concerts, and the bars and clubs offer other options, such as dance and techno music. On the other end of the spectrum, the Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra has a solid reputation and a new building. Outside of the capital, you should check out the International Music Festival in Echternach.

If you prefer painting or literature to music, Luxembourg is just beginning to get a name for itself in those areas. Joseph Kutter is considered the first great Luxembourger painter; his expressionist work appeared in the early twentieth century. In literature, Roger Mandersheid and Guy Rewenig are two of the more prominent authors, and the country also has a partial claim to the French author Victor Hugo. Hugo’s home and museum are preserved in Vianden as a tourist attraction.

Vianden and another town, Clervaux, offer two of the best chateaus in the country, which are Luxembourg’s main claim to architectural distinction. If you visit the Clervaux castle, make sure you see “The Family of Man,” a photography exhibit by Edward Steichen. Steichen, who has an international reputation because of the work, was from Luxembourg.

Luxembourg: Food and Drink

Wed, 10 May 2006 19:45:52 +0000

For nearly eleven centuries, Luxembourg has felt the influence of its larger neighbors, and its cuisine bears still bears evidence of that foreign influence: Luxembourg food is largely influenced by French and German fare. At the same time, however, Luxembourg has carved out its own niche and specialties in the areas of food and drink.

Meats such as pork, fish, and game, form a large part of a Luxembourger diet. German foods such as liver dumplings with sauerkraut are available, as are Belgian game dishes of hare and wild boar. Potato pancakes, pâtē, sausages, and mashed potatoes also evidence foreign influence.

At the same time, however, there are distinctive Luxembourger specialties. Luxembourg ham, which is served thin and with bread, is popular, as is Luxembourg cheese. The rivers of Luxembourg are excellent sources of fish such as trout, pike, and crayfish, and smoked neck of pork with beans often appears on menus. On the streets, look for Thuringer, which are small, spicy sausages.

If you prefer more gourmet fare to street sausages, don’t worry; Luxembourg has more top-rated restaurants per capita than does any other nation in the world. In one of these fancy restaurants, you might want to try the quetsche tort, which is essentially a plum tart.

Speaking of elegant dining in Luxembourg, we would be remiss not to mention that the country is well known for its wines. Numerous wine cellars in the Moselle Valley region are open for tastings and tours. Dry and fruity white wines are the region’s specialties, but French wine is also readily available in restaurants. The country’s beer is similar to Belgian beer, but beers from throughout Europe are available.

Luxembourg: Jobs and Schools

Wed, 10 May 2006 19:46:35 +0000

As the one hundred percent literacy rate suggests, Luxembourg is a well-educated country. Education is compulsory, generally beginning at age four and continuing until age fifteen. Most schools are free and public, but they do still include religious education as part of the curriculum. For secondary school, students choose either college prep or technical education, but surprisingly, it was not until 2001 that the government proposed creating a University of Luxembourg. Currently, most students go elsewhere in Europe for university if they want to continue their education.

One of the major subjects of study at all levels of school is language, and essentially all Luxembourgers are multilingual. Linguistically speaking, Luxembourg is a symbolic crossroads. Luxembourgish is the national language, and the language of the street, but French and German are the official government languages, and English is spoken in touristed areas.

The schools release students into a strong economy with less than five percent unemployment. Both men and women regularly hold jobs, and foreign workers make up nearly one-third of the workforce. The strong economy has made Luxembourg a very modern country; consider, for example, that though the country has only 450,000 people, there are more than 500,000 registered cell phones.

Even though the country remains largely rural, agriculture contributes only about one percent to the nation’s GDP. Instead, most workers are in the service sector; approximately eighty percent of the GDP comes from services, if you include financial, government and social services. The main goods that the country produces are chemicals and steel; the world’s second-largest steel producer, Arcelor, is actually headquartered in Luxembourg. The country’s main trading partners are other EU members, though China is also the source of many exports.

Sources:

http://www.cia.gov
http://www.state.gov
http://www.visitluxembourg.com
http://www.lonelyplanet.com
http://www.about.com
http://www.luxembourg-usa.com
http://sg.travel.yahool.com/guide/europe/luxembourg
http://en.wikipedia.org
Let’s Go: Western Europe 2005. Stuart J. Robinson, editor. New York: St. Martin’s, 2005.

Luxembourg: People and Culture

Tue, 01 Aug 2006 15:33:54 +0000

Luxembourg: Major Cities and Regions

Tue, 01 Aug 2006 15:35:33 +0000

Luxembourg - Activities and Attractions

Tue, 01 Aug 2006 15:39:36 +0000

Luxembourg: A Week-Long Itinerary

Tue, 01 Aug 2006 15:42:38 +0000

Beginner's Guide to Luxembourg

Luxembourg in Two Days

Luxembourg in Three Days

Luxembourg Travel: Getting There and Getting Around

Luxembourg: Days One and Two

Luxembourg: Days Three and Four

Luxembourg: Days Five and Six

Luxembourg: Day Seven

Luxembourg: Demographics Overview

Luxembourg: High Culture

Luxembourg: Food and Drink

Luxembourg: Jobs and Schools

Luxembourg: People and Culture

Luxembourg: Demographics Overview

Luxembourg: High Culture

Luxembourg: Food and Drink

Luxembourg: Jobs and Schools

Luxembourg: Major Cities and Regions

Luxembourg City

Ardennes

Moselle Valley

Red Rocks

Luxembourg - Activities and Attractions

Luxembourg--Outdoor Activities

Luxembourg for History Lovers

Luxembourg City Activities and Attractions

Luxembourg Annual Events and Festivals

Luxembourg: A Week-Long Itinerary

Luxembourg Travel: Getting There and Getting Around

Luxembourg: Days One and Two

Luxembourg: Days Three and Four

Luxembourg: Days Five and Six