What do you think of when you hear “Luxembourg”? Maybe you think of tax heavens (and you're right) but let me show you the other side of this stunning country!
Luxembourg's flag
LUXEMBOURG: ITS TERRITORY AND ITS POLITICAL SYSTEM
Although Luxembourg is one of the smallest of the European countries (2 586 km2, and, by way of comparison, France is 220 times larger than Luxembourg!), it has a huge diversity of landscapes! For example, to the north you can find beautiful forests and natural parks, to the east, there are the rocky gorges of the Mullerthal region and the Moselle valley to the southeast.
Luxembourg (also called Grand Duchy of Luxembourg) has three neighbours: France, Belgium and Germany so it's not surprising to ear people speaking French, Belgian, German or English in the streets (the language official being Luxembourgish).
We cannot talk about Luxembourg without talking about the country's political system. Indeed, Luxembourg is a representative democracy and a constitutional monarchy with a Grand Duke at the head of the state. This feature makes the country the only Grand Duchy still existing as a sovereign state in the world!
LUXEMBOURG'S MAIN CITY AND VILLAGES
As I said, Luxembourg is mostly a rural country with non-end forests and fields. Often, when you want to reach another city, you have to cross a big space where there is nothing and nobody (except nature!). It can be quite frightening if your car breaks down at this moment... Thus, make sure you have a full tank when you cross Luxembourg's countryside!
Luxembourgish villages are often built around a castle (a remnant of the Middle Ages when castles were the central place of the inhabitants' life) and therefore, it's still visible today. For you, I selected three typical villages and their castles to visit: Vianden, Esch-sur-Sûre and Koerich.
Esch-sur-Sûre's village and castle
Fun fact: the main city of Luxembourg is … Luxembourg! So, no excuse to forget it! And about Luxembourg city, it is famous for its fortified medieval old town perched on steep cliffs. Sure, if you cross Luxembourg, you have to go! Furthermore, you also have some wonderful buildings to see for their architecture. I advise you to take the train because the facade of the train station of the city is worth the detour!
PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN LUXEMBOURG
One thing you need to know about Luxembourg is the non-existent price of public transport. You read that right: public transport is free in Luxembourg! Completely crazy right? And, it is quite recent since it is only since March 1, 2020 that Luxembourg has introduced free buses, trams and trains for the whole country, with the exception of first class trains. In fact, it is because of major road traffic difficulties that this measure was implemented by the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Indeed, about 200,000 people go to the capital every day to work. This therefore causes many traffic jams! To summarize, if you forget your money when you arrive in front of the bus stop or the train station, no worries! You can still go up!
WHEN TO DISCOVER LUXEMBOURG?
Luxembourg being essentially rural, I advise you to visit it during the summer season. Thus, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the shade of its green and luxuriant forests or, on the contrary, to relax on the beaches of the country's lakes. The summer season is also interesting because many people leave the country to go on vacation to France, Germany or Belgium so the highways and roads are almost empty!
Esch-sur-Sûre's lake
WHAT CAN I DO IN LUXEMBOURG?
Luxembourg is not a huge territory, you can easily visit it thanks to these must-see places:
Relax and enjoy water sports at the Haute-Sûre lake
Visit the Valley of the Seven Castles
Make trails in the forests of Mullerthal
Take a break in two typical Luxembourg towns: Esch-sur-Sûre and Vianden
Enjoy Echternach's lake, its town and its Roman villa
Discover the monuments of the city of Luxembourg
Take photos of birds at the Remerschen's lake
Travel to Germany, Belgium or even France which are right next to Luxembourg
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