Luxembourg, A Cool Walled City
Jan 22nd, 2013, 12:58 PM
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Luxembourg, A Cool Walled City
Although I originally planned to do a day driving trip from Brussels to Luxembourg, the forecast winter weather along with a bargain train ticket has made me change my plans. For E$51 I have purchased a round trip ticket to Luxembourg that has a 30 day open return option.
Seeing the landscape as we leave Brussels airport makes me thing I have made the right decision not to drive. A stop at Brussels North Station and I spend a few hours walking around icy and slushy sidewalks before I continue on my way to Luxembourg.
About three hours later I am on Bus No. 9 headed for YouthHostels Luxembourg where I will spend the night for about E$39. Checked in, I still have a few hours of daylight left to explore the city and begin a climb up a cobblestone hillside path.
Seeing the landscape as we leave Brussels airport makes me thing I have made the right decision not to drive. A stop at Brussels North Station and I spend a few hours walking around icy and slushy sidewalks before I continue on my way to Luxembourg.
About three hours later I am on Bus No. 9 headed for YouthHostels Luxembourg where I will spend the night for about E$39. Checked in, I still have a few hours of daylight left to explore the city and begin a climb up a cobblestone hillside path.
Jan 26th, 2013, 12:00 AM
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A Winter Evening Walk
As I crest a snow covered hill from a cobblestone path, I am on one of the main roads into the city and I am immediately taken back in time. Along this road are the partial remains of probably one of the city's historic entry gates.
From my vantage point I can now look down on another part of the city which is hundreds of feet below me. With rooftops covered in snow and amber lights radiating from the windows of some of the building it seems as if I am looking at a fairy tale city.
What I am actually looking at is the Casemate an area built by the Spaniards in the 1700's.
Along a path off the main road I am headed towards Notre Dame Cathedral one of Luxembourg's prominent landmarks. Built in the 1900's at the entrance of the cathedral is a nice written display of the history of Luxembourg.
The two things I find most interesting are the conquest of Gaul by Julius Cesar 58-50 av and the fact that the city was liberated by American soldiers in 1944.
Although the inside of the cathedral does not compare to Notre Dame in Paris the sense of calm and peace being here is the same as I view a still on display nativity scene while soothing music is played in the background.
As I leave, the bells of Notre Dame are tolling to mark another hour passed in the city.
My walk this evening follows one of the many designed paths that allows you to cover hundreds if not a thousand years of Luxembourg history in about two to three hours. With night and temperatures falling I will shave a few hundred years of history from my walk but will have still learned a few things about this city which was founded in 963.
I stroll down now softly lit narrow streets to view The Grand-Ducal Palace, The Palace of Justice and The Museum Of History de la Ville as a light snow is beginning to dust the ground.
Making my way back to YouthHostels Luxembourg, in some areas the intensity of the snowfall increases. This enhances the fairytale image of the city below that I walked by earlier.
I imagine warm fireplaces been stoked and I know somewhere out there is a gingerbread boy.
Video:http://youtu.be/Klj69LZLIOk
As I crest a snow covered hill from a cobblestone path, I am on one of the main roads into the city and I am immediately taken back in time. Along this road are the partial remains of probably one of the city's historic entry gates.
From my vantage point I can now look down on another part of the city which is hundreds of feet below me. With rooftops covered in snow and amber lights radiating from the windows of some of the building it seems as if I am looking at a fairy tale city.
What I am actually looking at is the Casemate an area built by the Spaniards in the 1700's.
Along a path off the main road I am headed towards Notre Dame Cathedral one of Luxembourg's prominent landmarks. Built in the 1900's at the entrance of the cathedral is a nice written display of the history of Luxembourg.
The two things I find most interesting are the conquest of Gaul by Julius Cesar 58-50 av and the fact that the city was liberated by American soldiers in 1944.
Although the inside of the cathedral does not compare to Notre Dame in Paris the sense of calm and peace being here is the same as I view a still on display nativity scene while soothing music is played in the background.
As I leave, the bells of Notre Dame are tolling to mark another hour passed in the city.
My walk this evening follows one of the many designed paths that allows you to cover hundreds if not a thousand years of Luxembourg history in about two to three hours. With night and temperatures falling I will shave a few hundred years of history from my walk but will have still learned a few things about this city which was founded in 963.
I stroll down now softly lit narrow streets to view The Grand-Ducal Palace, The Palace of Justice and The Museum Of History de la Ville as a light snow is beginning to dust the ground.
Making my way back to YouthHostels Luxembourg, in some areas the intensity of the snowfall increases. This enhances the fairytale image of the city below that I walked by earlier.
I imagine warm fireplaces been stoked and I know somewhere out there is a gingerbread boy.
Video:http://youtu.be/Klj69LZLIOk
Jan 28th, 2013, 12:54 PM
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Please let me know what you think of Luxembourg as I am giving some thought to going there after a cruise that ends in Trier, Germany. That's not far from Luxembourg. We will not have time to explore the country so we will just get to see the city. Have fun. Hope it's not too cold & snowy, like it is in Boston right now. Thx
Jan 28th, 2013, 04:44 PM
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ehc,
I would definitely visit Luxembourg. My time there was short but it is a nice city to walk around. The city has a few well designed trails that will take you about 2-3hrs to explore the city's history.
It was cold and lightly snowing when I was there so I did not get to do as much walking as I would have like too.
Stay warm in Boston and I hope you enjoy your cruise
I would definitely visit Luxembourg. My time there was short but it is a nice city to walk around. The city has a few well designed trails that will take you about 2-3hrs to explore the city's history.
It was cold and lightly snowing when I was there so I did not get to do as much walking as I would have like too.
Stay warm in Boston and I hope you enjoy your cruise
Jan 28th, 2013, 05:59 PM
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ehc,
We were in Luxembourg a few years ago and really enjoyed it. It has a nice main square surrounded by an hotel, businesses, and restaurants. When we were there (in September) there was a band concert in the main square on Saturday afternoon, and a whirling dervish show in another nearby square as well. Down below the main level is the Grund, which contains more businesses and restaurants and pubs. If you have time, you can go to the American cemetary and view the tomb of Gen. Patton, among others. It's just a nice, pleasant little city. And by the way - although the inside of the cathedral isn't as awesome as some others, it is very pretty and has some distinctive columns. I think you would enjoy a visit.
We were in Luxembourg a few years ago and really enjoyed it. It has a nice main square surrounded by an hotel, businesses, and restaurants. When we were there (in September) there was a band concert in the main square on Saturday afternoon, and a whirling dervish show in another nearby square as well. Down below the main level is the Grund, which contains more businesses and restaurants and pubs. If you have time, you can go to the American cemetary and view the tomb of Gen. Patton, among others. It's just a nice, pleasant little city. And by the way - although the inside of the cathedral isn't as awesome as some others, it is very pretty and has some distinctive columns. I think you would enjoy a visit.
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