Last year we did a BeNeLux tour, utilizing the Benelux Tourrail Pass (5 day pass was $168/single and $254/couple - 2nd class).

Coming from Maastritch, we spent a few hours in Clervaux, viewing the Family of Man exhibit at the Chateau. It was an EXCELLENT photographic display. I wish we would have allotted more time - I bought the book when I got home so I could remember the experience. There was also a Battle of the Bulge museum right in the chateau, but we ran out of time. NOTE: If you're travelling by train, the station is very small, and was closed when we got there. We ended up stashing our luggage at the hotel across the street (thank you, kindly sir). Visit the following website for more info:
www.tourisme-clervaux.lu

From Clervaux, we took the train to Ettelbruck and picked up the bus to Vianden, where we stayed for the evening at the Hotel Victor Hugo. Lovely hotel (22 rooms- E68.00/dbl & E49.50/single) with a good breakfast, "several types of meat, 2 types of cheese, hard boiled egg, cereal, and a really good apple cake roll," according to my journal. Ate dinner across the street at the Auberge (delicious). The next morning we had every intention of taking the chairlift to the castle, but it was closed (we were there April 12 last year), so we pleasently walked the road to the castle, took about 15-30 minutes. The castle was okay. Some of the rooms were decorated to the period, other rooms were empty. You guide yourself around - we wandered for about 30-45 minutes. Lovely views rom the top. Visit the following website for more info:
www.hotel-victor-hugo.lu
www.tourist-info-vianden.lu
www.castle-vianden.lu

From Vianden, we headed to Luxembourg City, which we found to be fascinating, from a geological viewpoint. The buildings/church/palace were just buildings, but the landscape is what makes Luxembourg City really interesting. Wander around the cavernous Bock Casemates, stroll along the Chemin de la Corniche for some magnificent views, take the lift down to the Grund and explore. We thoroughly enjoyed Luxembourg City. Stayed at the Hotel Carlton, Rue de Strasbourg 9, just around the block from the rail station (E75/single - E90/double), breakfast included. Very clean, comfortable, businessperson's hotel. For more info, check the following websites:
www.carlton.lu
www.luxembourg-city.lu
www.luxembourg.co.uk
www.visitluxembourg.com
www.ont.lu

I hope you will consider visiting Luxembourg on your travels. It's such a small country and doesn't need a whole lot of time to sample it's beauty and history. We'll probably return some day, if only to go back to the Family of Man Exhibit. Peace.

Robyn

Yes, we did Luxembourg as part of a road trip including belgium and western germany. Luxembourg city is fascinating and the countryside beautiful..Many cute towns, a couple with excellent WWII museums - focusing on the Battle of the Bulge. Definitely worth sveral days if those are your interests.

Two years ago we did a day trip to Luxembourgh City from Trier, Germany. VERY, VERY impressed!!!! Our next trip to Europe will include two or three nights in Lux City + a stay in Viaden.

Very interested in the WWll sights. Patton is buried very close to Lux City. I think it is mandatory to take a look at the Battle of the Bulge area around Bastonge. It was the turning point of the war in Europe. Without it, we all might be speaking German.

Fortunately, you are not going to get a lot of feedback on Luxembourgh. It is still one of those "treasures" that most ignore. Go while it is still uncluttered with American tourists.

Please let us know how it was when you return.

Curious

I traveled to Luxembourg in 1979. It is a pleasant place, worth a few days to stroll around. The city is lovely with an old medieval wall surrounding part of it. The rural areas had the look of rural America, much like Wisconsin or central Pennsylvania. General Patton is buried at the front of an American military graveyard about ten miles outside the city of Luxembourg.

I am also planning a trip that will include Luxembourg, this is a very inspiring and helpful thread! Does anyone have any suggestions for guide books on Luxembourg. The best I have found so far are a couple of pages in other books. (I don't need a whole Lux book, but a good sized section in a Benelux book would be wonderful!!)

I can only comment on the 5-hour train ride I took through Luxembourg on my way from Trier to Maastricht. The scenery was gorgeous - not dramatic like the Alps, but with a fairy-tale kind of aura to it. The Ardennes range is mostly steep hills, deep forest, and rushing streams/rivers. Glimpses of castles and manor houses along the way, intriguing villages, and many idyllic scenes of horses and cattle grazing in meadows. It was a long but satisfying ride! I would certainly return to do more exploring.

chicgal,

the notes from others I would agree with. However, if you only have a short time, I saw and walked the enitire city in 8 hours. Now, I move quickly and did not spend any time outside the city. ie. Bastogne, Battle of Bulge. I wish I had more time. I just dont think there is all that much to see or do within the city itself. but it is most picturesque and has some great bars and dining. I would go for sure but hesitate to spend more than two days or you might be bored.