Our first look at Luxembourg and staying on a site at Hesperange about 6km from the capital. Luxembourg has interesting prices: diesel is under £1 per litre and public transport fares are low. Any journey on a bus or train is 2 euros and you can travel all day on any train over all Luxembourg for just 4 euros. We chose an even better deal of about 25 euros for 3 days travel on any bus or train and inclusive of free entry into practically every museum and gallery in the country. Supermarket food is cheap but eating out is pricey particularly if you try and eat local food.
We decided on the first day to walk the 6km. When we got to the 5km sign we decided to walk the cycle route. After 6km we realised our mistake. The cycle route still said 6.8km to go so we tried a cross-country route. Eventually we found a suburb had a beer and continued towards a promising skyline. Several aeons later we arrived in a down at heel suburb. We do try to eat local but as our research told us that over half the population was not from Luxembourg we felt comfortable going for a curry particularly in this part of town. A very good lunchtime buffet followed, then finally a walk into town and a bus back.
Luxembourg has an interesting history with many countries staking a claim. Below is the Austrian built fort of 1732 which houses a museum. In the background is the high rise of European politics and the excellent contemporary art museum. Whilst neither of us are usually fans of installation type pieces the work of Lee Bul is well worth catching should it pass your way.
Cathedral (not visited!) below.
Second day we took a bus and train ride to Bourscheid Castle seen here before our walk down.
This was a castle until the 18th century and then a private residence.
Great views over the surrounding countryside.
And lots of interesting nooks and crannies to explore.
Looking back up to the village of Bourscheid from the castle.
The scenery in Luxembourg is attractive, rolling hills and lots of woodland. The towns themselves, at least the ones we saw were rather dreary. We stopped in Ettelbruck which had a very interesting museum dedicated to General Patton but the town itself was not notable.
At least Luxembourg City had some fine buildings including the Palais Gran Ducal below.
And more Cathedral views.
And looking at the Bock Casemates, a series of underground tunnels and cellars, under the higher part of town.
Looking down at the lower town.
And the famous red bridge which was built to link Luxembourg to Kirchberg.
A view from inside the Casemates.
More views to the lower town.
Our campsite was next to a babbling brook.
With the usual wildlife!
The park was having an open air concert put on by the town council as it was yet another religious holiday. However, two hours of flamenco music was two hours too much. Sack the mayor!
Many thanks to those who have kindly sent birthday wishes on and off blog. We were aiming for Amsterdam for my 60th but chose to stop off for a couple of days in Antwerp where at least the beer is decent. Report to follow as we head to our final destination of Amsterdam.
We will be returning home on 19 June for those who are interested.
Luxembourgish is spoken by most of the population, most trade is done in French and nearly all the papers are in German. A bit weird!
Addi
J&P
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