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When in Luxembourg
This hilly city is fantastically beautiful and makes for a pleasant couple of days visiting. There are innumerable ancient alleyways to explore and a real sense of tranquillity in the city. The Grand Duchy's capital can trace its origins back to 963 AD, when a fortress was built by Sigefroid, Count of Ardennes.
The city's international airport, Findel, is four miles to the east of town and welcomes a number of flights from Europe and further afield each day. There are regular buses in to the centre.
Those on the train will find that the city has superb links with the rest of Europe and many of the country's outlying towns and villages. Buses are also plentiful and many arrive daily from various parts of Europe.
Once ensconced in the city, buses are the easiest option for the visitor wishing to nip around. The day tickets are good value and a great option for those wishing to see the sites in a short space of time. Renting bikes is also popular.
One of the city's leading attractions is the limited remains of Sigefroid's fortress. Townsfolk blew up the fortifications in the 19th century after the structure had managed to survive 900 years of attacks from various parties. However, the view over the city and the outlying areas is still superb and there are just enough ruins to give a feeling of the place.
Those with an interest in politics should take a visit to the European Union buildings in the Kirchberg quarter. These include the European Court of Justice and the secretariat of the European Parliament.
The Notre-Dame Cathedral is also well worth visiting. Finished in 1613, it was originally a Jesuit church but is now definitely Roman Catholic. It is a fine example of late gothic architecture but there are also a number of renaissance flourishes as well.
Out of town lies the beautiful Moselle Valley, which is famed for its fruity wines. Those with bikes or a car can follow the region's Route du Vin from Waserbillig along the Moselle River to Grevenmacher, the country's main wine centre. One of the leading wine cellars in the town is Caves Bernard-Massard, which is open for tours and tastings from spring to autumn. Those with the energy can press on and explore some beautiful villages further south. Cellars to explore here include the Cellars of Poll-Fabaire in Wormeldange and St Martin in Remich.
The area's climate is perfect for sightseeing in the summer, with temperatures averaging 23C and plenty of sun around. Winters can be quite chilly, with average daytime temperatures not getting much above 0C.
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Introduction
