Did you know there is a language called Luxembourgish? Did you know natives from Luxembourg are called Luxembourgers? We didn’t know anything about Luxembourg and it was completely enchanting in every way.
Luxembourg is smaller than the state of Rhode Island and has 223 miles of borders with Germany, France and Belgium. It was never really on our radar as a destination but we were excited about “just passing through.”
Once we arrived in Luxembourg City, none of us wanted to leave. The countryside is stunning with rolling hills and well marked biking and hiking paths. Some say the Grand Duchy’s citizens are the world’s wealthiest, but they would say their real treasures are natural, from the Ardennes forests to the valleys of southern Gutland.
Luxembourg city was French style meets German sensibility. The castles and villas surround this bustling city of about 100,000. Shopping bags drape the arms of well dressed couples while urban styled children play on the nouveau playgrounds throughout the city. It was understated elegance at its finest.
There is an air of tolerance and a resiliency that comes from many conquests over Luxembourg’s tumultuous past. The locals seem to embrace it as part of who they are speaking no less than three, and typically four languages, fluently.
We could feel the presence of many influences during our time in this sparkling city but it was still distinctly different from any other country we have spent time. It was distinctly Luxembourg. As we took it all in from the Schueberfouer ferris wheel we vowed to explore every corner of it someday as it cast a spell on all of us so unexpectedly.
