Day 1 in Luxembourg (city)
Welcome to Luxembourg! Upon arrival, you will go
through customs and immigration. Should you opt to purchase a transfer to your
hotel; a representative will be waiting for you as you exit immigration. Arrive
at your hotel, check in and do not give in to jet lag! There is so much for you
to see and do!
Start your day wandering the Old
Quarter in Luxembourg City, the perfect place to kick off
your trip and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This area is by far the most
picturesque part of the city with the remnants of the fortress and the
riverside. The various levels of the old part of the city makes for a great few
hours of exploring while enjoying the view. We also suggest a `Hop-on Hop-off Tour` of the
city which will provide great insight into the history and development while showcasing
all the attractions of the capital city.
Make some time to visit the National Museum of History and Art,
nestled in the Fish Market part of the old town center. Here you`ll find a huge
range of items such as tools, coins, weapons, historical documents, and
photographs. Much of the art work is focused on the Gallo-Roman era and tells
the story of social and religious life through the ages for those who call
Luxembourg home. If you like modern art, you won`t be disappointed and it is filled
with works of art from the 20th century.
Finish your day at any of the
delicious restaurants in the capital city. Being land locked in between three
mighty fine countries means the food offerings here are incredible! The dining
scene ranges from small cafes on cobbled streets in the city, to
Michelin-starred eateries filled with Luxembourg`s elite. Be sure to try the
national dish of Luxembourg `judd mat gaardebounen`, which is smoked port in a
creamy sauce, served with potatoes and beans.
If you`re interested in checking out
the nightlife of the area we definitely recommend it! At night the city really
does transform into one of Europe`s glitzier party capitals. The scene varies greatly,
with an odd mixture of slick, classy venues, as well as some grungy, hip and
alternative party spots. No matter where you end up, something you`ll soon
discover is that Luxembourg drink of choice is champagne, no matter what
establishment you choose.
Day 2 in Luxembourg (city)
Rise and shine! Grab some breakfast
before heading out for more exploration of the capital city. Start your day at Le Chemin de La Corniche and
the Place de La Constitution. Both offer excellent views of
the valley below and are perfect for some morning photography. Le Chemin de La
Coniche is also called Europe`s most beautiful balcony.
From Place de La Constition continue
to the nearby Bibliotheque
Nationale and the impressive Cathedrale Notre-Dame. The Cathedral was built in the 17th
century by Jesuit priests and still stands proud to this day. One of the
signature features here is the north gate which is baroque in style and is
covered with pretty stained glass that dates from the 19th and 20th
centuries. It is also famous for its crypt which contains graves of members of
the Luxembourg Royal Family.
Afterward, head to the famous Chocolate House for a cup of
chocolate. You will find more than 30 different types of homemade hot chocolate
and it is located right across the street from the Royal Palace.
Next up, take a walk on the Wenzel Trail. This trail
provides information about the various aspects of the natural environment and
the man-made environment in the city of Luxembourg (fortress, old town and the
parts of the town outside the walls). The trail will show you highlights, such
as Bock du Casemates, Chemin de la Corniche and the
Grund, but also a few lesser known spots.
The Casemates, a
UNESCO World Heritage site, are basically tunnels forming a strong defensive
network together with forts, rings and other buildings. The tunnels house
workshops, bakeries, shops and provided shelter to the soldiers during wars.
These days, 10 miles of the tunnels remain.
The Wenzel walk ends at the Grund, a
great place to grab lunch at one of the cool restaurants or cafes in the area.
Relax and take in the ambiance before heading out for some further exploration
of the city.
In the afternoon, grab a bike
rental and spend some time cycling around the city.
Or, take a route through the cycle paths outside the capital city. Throughout the
region, there are well-marked cycle paths and mostly in remote locations away
from traffic.
Alternatively, visit a Museum
(or two). There are seven main museums in Luxembourg; all conveniently located
along a stretch known as `museum mile`. From the Museum of
Modern Art-Mudam to the Natural History Museum, You`ll be sure to find something
you`ll enjoy seeing!
As evening approaches, make your way
back to the City Center and the Grund area where you`ll find plenty of dinner
options. This is also a great spot for after-dinner drinks. Both at the Grund
area and around the Palace there are plenty of happening options from pubs to
dressed-up cocktail places or funky alternative bars. And if you`re up for late
night clubbing, the Clausen, an old industrial area, is probably the most
well-known area for this - it`s the place to be for DJ`s and live music!
Day 3 in Luxembourg
Wake up early today to explore
outside the city of Luxembourg! The compact size (999 sq miles) of this enchanting
country makes it easy to travel between sights and to see a lot of the country as
nothing is too far away. Take a day trip to experience the castles, local food
and plenty of lush green forests.
Explore the Castles of the country. There are 130 castles in
Luxembourg, each containing their own chapter in history and walls that hold a
thousand secrets. Popular castles include: Bourglinsteer, Larochette
and Vianden. Each castle has a magnificent view over the cities they stand
above.
We recommend Vianden, a fairytale castle
that towers above a fairytale town. The magical settlement has long attracted
visitors from far and wide….even the famous French author Victor Hugo.
After enjoying the town and castle of
Vianden, head nearby to Clervaux.
Here, you`ll find a beautiful church, monastery, and a restored castle. The castle
is home to the Family of Man (a photography exhibition curated in the 1950`s),
a model museum demonstrating the castles of Luxembourg, and a museum dedicated
to the battle of Ardennes.
Additional Days in Luxembourg
Should you be able to spend additional
days in Luxembourg, continue to discover the countryside
and more castles! Just a half an hour from Luxembourg city, you`ll find the sweet
little village of Larochette
with the ruins of a fortified castle. Perched high on the hillside, the ruins
of Larochette castle offer magnificent views over the surrounding countryside.
Next, head over to Beufort where you`ll discover two castles. One lies in
ruins, the other is a well preserved Renaissance style Château.
Though the fortified ruins of Beaufort
Castle can be visited by a self-guided tour, a walk around Beaufort Renaissance Castle
is by guided tour only.
From the castles of Beaufort, you can easily get to Echternach, the oldest
settlement in Luxembourg. Once, at Echternach, you`ll find little cafés, cute eateries and plenty of
history. Half an hour walk from the main town, you`ll discover the ruins of a Roman
Villa. Inside the town itself, you can see the monastery which
founded the town in the 7th-Century, as well as a prehistoric museum.
Alternatively, take a hike on
some of the many beautiful nature
trails around the country. More than a third of Luxembourg is
surrounded by vast open plains, towering mountains, and parks which are home to
dense forests. Hiking this country and its beautiful landscapes is a hiker`s
paradise. We recommend the beautiful nature areas like the Müllerthal , a favorite for hiker`s offering a network of
wooded highlands, steep cliffs, sandstone rock formations, majestic waterfalls
and dark caves.
Your Last Day in Luxembourg
Depart your hotel for the airport for your return home. We recommend that you purchase a private transfer, if so a representative will meet you at the hotel, in time to take you to the airport for your flight out.