The first impressions of the capital of the Grand Duchy are unexpected. Built as it is on a plateau crisscrossed by ravines, which are spanned by innumerable bridges. Cross one, and Luxembourg comes across as a quiet country town. Arrive by a different one and the city takes on the daunting aspect of a military bastion, or is revealed as a modern hub of business and seat of government. Its squares, with their elegant façades painted in pastel colors, could be the backdrop for a theater production and numerous viewpoints disclose vistas of lush green valleys. Yet for all its apparent tranquility; behind the scenes there is all the liveliness and activity to be expected of a capital City.
The city and fortifications are perched on top of a sandstone bluff with precipitous sides, skited by two rivers, the Alzette and the Pétrusse, which is spanned such as the famous Pont Adolphe, built in bold, impressive style. There are three districts in the valleys – Grund, Clausen and Pfaffenthal. Marvelous views of the city in all its varied guises can be enjoyed from every bend along the cliff top roads and promenades. Great places for Lunch, and tax free shopping! The old quarters of the city and its extensive defenses were given UNESCO World Heritage status in 1994. Grand Duchy of Luxembourg “Petite Suisse Luxembourgeoise”. We won’t leave the Grand Duchy without visiting Luxembourg’s well known "Little Switzerland". The natural attraction of the area include lovely forests of beech, pine, birch and oak, rich, damp pastures, stretches of heathland with bracken, bilberry and mosses, and foaming streams tumbling along in their boulder-strewn beds. Depp in the woodland, strange rock formations contribute their own special note to the charm of this romantic landscape. We will discover all these magnificent scenes, passing historical villages and town. They all have some secrets, like Middle age castles, old fortresses (12C) who just wish to be to be delivered from their ghosts. We would end our Scenic Tour in Echternacht, the “Capital” of “Little Switzerland”, dominated by the Abbey founded in 698 by St. Willibrord. The remains of a large Roman Villa is expecting your visit as well! I would suggest to have dinner here, in one of these charming, most tasty small restaurants, bordering this "warm atmosphered" village, before taking the road back to Brussels. Member discount: Notes:
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